At the end of April, our ICAN chapter (International Cesarean Awareness Network) hosted our first annual LABORfest: Learning About Birth Options in Rockford. I have a chapter co-leader and the two of us spent about two months planning. We got a free space at a local pub that provided all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta (at a fairly low cost to us), we pitched sponsors to donate items to our silent auction, we got local vendors and birth professionals to set up table space to meet and greet the attendees, and Joovy
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Heard of “VBAC,” but don’t really know what it is? Interested in having a VBAC, but need more information to make your decision? There’s too much fear around VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean) circulating out there and slight risks (serious, but slight) are blown out of proportion. Want a repeat c-section? That’s okay, too, I just want to be sure women are making an informed decision, not one based on scare tactics. 1. About 75% of women that labor naturally for a VBAC are successful. 2. When discussing VBAC with I have yet to find a midwife for this pregnancy and birth. The one I was interested in won’t accept VBAC women if they haven’t had a prior vaginal birth. With CPMs being illegal in IL and most CNMs working alongside OBs at hospitals only (oh, and no birthing centers), my options are very limited. I’m discouraged, but figure I still have plenty of time to seek one out, even if it means going into the Chicago area. Meanwhile, I’m now 12 weeks along and figured it’d be a good idea to see someone Awhile ago, I wrote a post called “Choosing a VBAC care provider.” Obviously I am now pregnant and am planning not only a VBAC, but an HBAC (homebirth after cesarean) and am choosing a midwife. Almost 2 months ago, I received a late comment on that post. It has been sitting in my email inbox since then… I knew I wanted to address it, but wasn’t ready. Here it is: I am an Ob/Gyn resident and I have delivered 2 of my 3 children naturally with a midwife. I defiinitely ALMOST. If you remember, I had said we wanted to start trying for #2 this summer, so the baby was born next April-May because as a teacher, I’d have the entire summer off with the babe. Well, when Steve lost his job, those plans were put on hold. I honestly thought they’d be put on hold for a long time–I didn’t expect Steve to find a job so soon. But he did. Yep, Steve will be the new Environmental Products Engineer at a company in Dixon, IL. That pretty much means……… our baby-making plans I don’t even know where to start! The conference was amazing. I’m not sure that I went with any expectations… because I had no idea what to expect!… but I thought I’d learn some things to take back to the rest of our chapter. Wow, I learned SO MUCH more. In addition to learning about great studies and stats and facts, I learned about the healing process (and that I’m not done) and what’s coming next for me. I learned how to be a better and more active leader and how to help others. April is Cesarean Awareness Month and what better way to spend it than at the ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) Conference?! Leader training started Thursday, but today was the first day of conference sessions–they have been beyond amazing. More info will come later after I get home… I just wanted to let all of you know that I’M HERE! am busy busy busy, am meeting Henci Goer and Desiree Andrews and sooo many more (pictures to come!) and am having a great time! So while you’re all anxiously awaiting my |
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