The VBAC Companion: The Expectant Mother's Guide to Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

by Diana Korte

The expectant mother's guide to vaginal birth after cesarean.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Diana Korte is the author of several books and the winner of more than forty journalism awards, including the American Academy of Pediatrics Award. She writes on parenting for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and Mothering magazine. A mother of four, she lives in Boulder, Colorado.

-harvardcommonpress.com

Reviews

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book desperately needs to be updated as it is 10 years old and reflects ACOG's old policy of encouraging VBACs. The statistics, sadly, are completely out of date and the Cesarean rate is not dropping as the book states, but rapidly rising.

However, this is an excellent read for any birthing mother. The most important point that is driven home again and again is that a Birth Plan is not going to get you what you want. Instead, you need to talk to your care provider, and find out how they generally practice, since that is the kind of care you will receive too. It is an honest look at both the risks of VBAC and repeat Cesarean, with stories from real women peppered throughout. The author covers in detail the kinds of preparation needed for a successful VBAC which hasn't changed, including psychological issues to deal with. There are also sections on how to have a better repeat Cesarean if you opt not to try for a VBAC and dealing with the emotions after attempting a VBAC but ending up with another Cesarean.

The lower points of the book include the fact that Korte repeatedly touts perineal massage as a proven way to reduce the risk of tearing in vaginal birth when it has since been shown to be possibly beneficial in other ways, it does nothing to reduce tears. She suggests asking to have the sheet removed and watching your entire Cesarean if you elect to have a repeat Cesarean. One, this isn't even remotely a possibility in the currently highly litigious field of obstetrics, and two, I think the idea of watching surgery be performed on yourself could be highly traumatic and I haven't heard of anyone else advising this. It seems like one of those ideas that sounds good in theory but in practice doesn't make much sense.

All in all, this book is an excellent guide for anyone planning a VBAC. I only hope that a revised edition is in the works to update the current climate and statistics surrounding issues with Cesarean birth.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very helpful, it's just too bad it's so old. I really liked the ideas about exploring my feelings about having a c-section and getting past them for my upcoming birth. I also used the suggestions for talking with my doctor and the hospital. I feel I am much more aware of my options and definitely more informed about VBACs. Even though it's an old book, the author left enough "resources" in the appendix to continue my research and read about the latest studies.

I wish there were more books on the subject. I think this book would be helpful to anyone trying to make the decision of whether or not to have a repeat c-section.

[Milou · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an expecting mother preparing for my own VBAC this winter, I found this book very informative and empowering. I definitely recommend it to all expecting mothers.

[Courtney Hatch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old information and not much to give. It wasn’t that it was bad info or terrible writing, but there are just much better options out there.

[Sytske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book about VBACS including many birth stories by women who had VBACs. Downside is that it's very outdated (published 1997), so it's unclear whether the statistics and technologies are still relevant (e.g. I don't think there is such a thing as a light epidural where you can still work).

Main message is still relevant: Most important contributor of whether you will have a VBAC is the choice of doctor/midwife and hospital/birth center (rather than the reason for your previous c-section, birth plans or other factors). The book gives tips on finding VBAC supportive care providers.

[Cookie La Doula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is dated, it contained useful information for achieving a vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC). The old adage of "once a c-section, always a c-section" is simply untrue, depending on the type of c-section that was had and how adequately the surgeon stitched up the incision. This book is a great place to start for the journey of a VBAC.

[Jacinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read although very much based around American medical care and also 20 year old statistics. The heavy basis on American health care made me skip over a decent chunk of the middle of the book.

[Jordan Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the data in this book is outdated, I still found the information extremely helpful and empowering.

[Heather E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info but really needs updated. Statistics and some information is 20 years outdated.

[Sarah Bouma · Rating 2 out of 5]

mostly anecdotes. not super informative.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to rate a book that is over a decade and a half old; I read it because it was the only thing that came up in our small town interlibrary loan (though I only searched "VBAC," and will try other searches). I was / am looking for pieces that will help me prepare my body for a better chance of VBAC, but it seems, at least according to this book, that not much is different. I progressed to eight cm with my daughter and then began to swell, so I was marked as "failure to progress," which gives me, according to this book, a decent chance at a VBAC. I know the stats are off, especially the hopeful statements of the C-section rate declining and the VBAC rate climbing, and I know being hopeful because a Mayo clinic doctor was quoted in the book is silly (15 years ago, after all, and how many more while the research was being done), but it does give me comfort, as this is where I'll be trying for my VBAC in three-and-a-half months.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish they would revise and update this book! While the stories and anecdotes are timeless, the statistics are not: VBACs are no longer rising, and the C-section rate across our country is much higher than when this book was published. While I realize that any book published citing studies is obsolete by the time it reaches the presses, having now more than a decade of new research certainly makes a difference. Overall, a good read for any woman, especially who ever plans to have children, and mostly, for a woman who has even entertained the notion of a VBAC.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really would like to see this book updated as most of the statistics and references are very out of date. However, it did give quite a few good suggestions for having a successful VBAC. I also appreciated the section devoted to making a c-section a more postiive experience if it becomes necessary. I was disappointed that there was very little information about delivering twins after a c-section.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, while a potential good resource, was just a bit outdated. The tone and statistics are much more encouraging than the current climate for VBACs would require. I would suggest it for someone looking for additional reading on the topic, but would direct someone looking to read just 1 VBAC book to something like The Thinking Woman's Guide or Pushed.

[J B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was helpful and inspiring to me when I was reading about VBACs. It was a major factor in encouraging me to go ahead and do a VBAC with my second baby. I recommend it if you are interested in avoiding surgery.

[Chante · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few good points of reference (ie-positions and exercises to help turn a posterior baby) but this was mainly a great resource book. I found lots of great information on how to find certain birthing classes, etc.

[Tammy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because of the encouragement it gives to moms hoping to VBAC. It is a little outdated, but I still found the information to be important and helpful in deciding if VBAC was right for me.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one would have been good to read before my first VBAC. As is, it was good recap of what to expect and how to prepare for a VBAC. As always, I enjoyed learning a bit more and hearing other people's stories.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The statistics are dated -- the book came out in 1997 -- but the info is still very useful.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't actually learn a whole lot. It was well organized and the information was presented well. But just about everything here can be found at www.vbac.com or ican-online.net.

[Swiftyjess · Rating 3 out of 5]

A resourceful guide if you are just beginning to think about trying for a VBAC. I read this book at 30 weeks, after I'd already decided to try for a VBAC so the information was redundant for me.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pregnancy books are always funny- many of them are very liberal. I did learn a lot about labor and delivery though and how mine might be different!

[kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

desperately need to be updated but still has some good information.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stats are out-dated, but I enjoyed the book.

[Sierra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Out of date.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it was written in the late 90's, it has some great statistics as to the safety of VBACs. I would recommend this to anyone who is thinking about having a VBAC for their next labor.

[Sara]

Simplistic, based upon the breadth of what I've already read, but well-written & informative. Lots of good birth-stories for inspiration.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful advice in planning a vaginal birth after cesarean.

[Lauren Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but outdated and surface! It could definitely go into more depth and detail.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastic book that needs to be updated to reflect the changing birth culture and statistics.