St Peter\'s Hospital has a formal ban on VBACs (vaginal birth after ceserean). This ban has been in place since 2005. Studies have shown that VBAC offers better outcomes and lower risks for both mother and baby than having a repeat cesarean. While I do not know what has led St Petes to have such a ban, I am concerned that decisions to ban VBACs are often based more on liability, financial incentive and convenience for the hospital and its attending physicians rather than what is in the best interests of its patients. It is not acceptable that women are being forced to undergo surgery they do not want or need and I think it is unconscionable when any medical care decision is based on anything other than what is in the best interests of the patient. St Peter\'s Hospital states on it\'s website that \"The St. Peter\'s Hospital Family Obstetrics Department staff believe that childbirth is one of life\'s most important and natural events.\" I\'m sorry but there is nothing \"natural\" about major abdominal surgery. The 2006 c-section rate in MT climbed from 25.8% to 28%, some of this increase is a direct result of MT women having their choices in childbirth severely limited by hospital bans on VBAC. Thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter.

Sponsor

Links