Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This *was* a great book if you're looking for support and resources to have a VBAC. Unfortunately, with a copyright of 1997, this book is now out of date. In the last decade, new studies have been done and new recommendations have been made by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. As a result, attempted VBAC rates have plummeted and VBAC friendly hospitals and doctors are harder to find--which is no longer in sync with the book's rosy predictions that VBAC will become more popular. Another problem with the book is that many of the sucess stories sing the praises of pitocin and cervical gel to induce and augment labor. We now know through published clinical studies that these interventions greatly increase the risk of uterine rupture.

Addressing some of the earlier negative reviews, this book is not designed to help a woman decide between a VBAC and a repeat cesarean. It's a resource for the woman who's already decided on a VBAC so she can achieve her goals. Secondly, I'm sorry if some of the reviewers don't like what the book says about pain medication in labor or midwives vs. doctors, but it's all true. The average c-section rate at many hospitals is around 30%, while the average transfer rate from midwife-staffed birth centers (because they can't do cesareans) is around 10%. Epidurals restrict a woman's movement and slow labor, both of which can lead to "failure to progress". Can you have a VBAC with an epidural and an OB? Yes, but you can *statistically* increase your chances for sucess by following the book's advice.

If this book is revised/updated this year, I'm sure it will be a five-star book!

Just holding this book in my hands and looking at it made me cry. I had a c-section almost 8 years ago, and am expecting a daughter in early October. It is hard to explain, sometimes, why the event of my c-section was so emotionally (not to mention physically) tough. But just having this book brought it all back, and all I could say as I held it was "I want to do this, I want to do this."

It's been 8 years since my son's birth. This book captured perfectly all the emotions I went through at the time: the isolated feeling in the operating room that didn't feel like a birth as much as, well, a surgery; waiting a long time to see my boy; the large blood loss and subsequent weakness; the difficulty of recovery; the inexplicable (I thought at the time) depression that was so much more than "baby blues."

Diana Korte really gets it all down -- for the first time reading something on this subject I really felt like the author really "gets it.&qu! ! ot; Best of all, she is a wonderful advocate for VBAC. She presents statistics so clearly but without rancor, makes logic out of twisted medical "recommendations," gives solid advice on how to get what we want -- a VBAC. She addressed some "secret" fears I've had for a long time -- like that my body "can't" do this or that I'm secretly inadequate because I didn't deliver my son "normally."

So many times when writing about this subject authors take the perspective that doctors are evil and hospitals are bad. I completely comprehend how authors get to that point -- the emotions surrounding the subject of cesarean are some of the most powerful I've ever felt and I'm sure unnecessary medical intervention is to blame for at least some of the out-of-control c-section rate in the United States. But Korte's approach -- educational, factual, calm -- is really more helpful for a woman like me who doesn't feel comfortable with the idea of a ! ! home birth but doesn't want a c-section again.

This book ! gives wonderful advice on how to increase chances for VBAC. Without being anti-doctor or hospital Korte advocates home birth for some people who want some things. She also describes the benefits of a hospital/doctor assisted birth and strongly advocates the use of a labor coach in any setting.

I'm going to suggest that my doctor give a copy of this book to all his patients who have had C-sections before or upon whom he performs c-sections in the future. I've already ordered a copy of it to give to him. It is a comforting book as well as being authoritative and educational. How I wish I'd had this book 8 years ago when I was recovering from my surgery and the painful emotions surrounding it. I am feeling more healed now that I understand more, and am confidently looking forward to my October labor and delivery.

I didn't purchase this book due to some of the negative comments it received. Instead, I borrowed it from the library. After reading it, I feel that it is a VERY informative book giving both sides of the story, which is incredibly important in making informed decisions about such a controversial topic. I think it is supportive and helps you see that even if you don't achieve a VBAC in the end, you are not a failure. The personal VBAC stories were particularaly empowering, and her explanation of statistics used in literature were also very supportive. Buy this book, I am going to, just to get me through the rest of this 2nd pregnancy!

This book sets out in easy to read format with each section being informative. As an Australian I found the book a positive experience as I have been discouraged by several doctors not to proceed with my plans. After reading this book, I found that I was full of information and could make an informed decision and have decided to go ahead with my planned VBAC. I believe that for anyone considering a VBAC this book would be on the MUST READ list. It took me less than 3 days to read the book cover to cover. However, it took 6 weeks to order it from the US but I'm glad I did.

The VBAC Companion: The Expectant Mother's Guide to Vaginal Birth After Cesarean by Diana Korte (The Harvard Common Press, 1997. PB: ISBN :1558321292, HB ISBN: 1558321284)

This book is a joy to read, and I recommend it highly to all women, especially those seeking a Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean (VBAC). With the ongoing discussions and research about the safety of VBACs, this book becomes a current, up to date and valuable resource. Korte starts out with a historical perspective of cesarean birth and the changing yet sometimes conflicting viewpoints in this area, and then proceeds into an excellent decision-making format, including addressing particular concerns such as the rupture of a uterine scar, and other risks associated with Cesarean Birth.

Information is presented in a sequential and logical manner. Having worked with women and families desiring VBAC birth I have seen parallels in problem solving and thoughts women go through to accomplish their goal of a vaginal birth. Questions are always raised about safety, and the most obvious: Can I do it? I feel this book gives good guidance and very detailed tools for decision making. The titles of the three sections summarize the complete focus of the book: 1. Understanding Why and Overcoming Fears 2. Planning 3 Giving Birth The Appendix is a wealth of resources and references which help to put VBAC in perspective with what is happening elsewhere. Especially helpful is a section with a discussion of VBACs, Cesareans and Infant Mortality Around the World providing fascinating statistics about infant mortality rates and cesarean and VBAC rate. There were several aspects of The VBAC Companion that I especially think women will like. The first was the personal narratives sprinkled throughout the book, related to the topic being discussed. The author wasn't just telling us her opinion. She shared personal viewpoints from a wide range of women in each chapter especially surrounding decisions making and implementation. The positive ! tone of the book with questions and where to go for more information helps encourage the confidence women are seeking when planning a VBAC. The Planning Section is especially helpful for a variety of reasons. Korte starts out with good guidelines for seeking a supportive environment and provider for a VBAC, and gives reasons why a women might even choose a home birth for a VBAC. I appreciated that she was very supportive of midwives, and strongly encouraged their use for women wishing a VBAC. Some of the recommendations are very new and current, such as the prevention of herpes at term. Lots of 'tricks of the trade' are presented in a variety of formats. I found her section discussing the impact of sexual abuse on pregnancy, labor and birth especially valuable, and an area not commonly addressed in books such as this. Two excellent chapters are especially useful and practical: "Work with Your Other VBAC Helpers" clearly delineates the types of support that can be given to a woman in labor, both by her partner, and by others the mother chooses to have around her. The author adds many tips for turning breeches, posterior babies and maintaining a calm approach. The chapter "Experience a VBAC labor" gives a realistic view of what a women can expect, and also provides guidelines for a woman to ask her hospital and provider ahead of time about the process of labor and birth The final chapter, "Appreciate Your Birth Experience," pulls everything together, and again affirms that a woman can work through and learn to live with whatever the outcome of her plans. The author's viewpoint promotes what is healthiest for mother and baby, both mentally and physically, and attempts to decrease the guilt and grief sometimes associated with a birth experience. Should a women need or want a cesarean birth, there are suggestions for making a cesarean birth more of a birth and less of a surgical event. This book would be a welcome addition to the library of every childbirth educator, and a wonderful basic text for a! VBAC preparation course.

Pat Sonnenstuhl, May, 1998

Although there seems to be a lot of useful and practical information in this book, I was deeply disturbed by the complete dismissal of necessary C-sections -- particularly in the case of fetal distress. My daughter would be dead if if her level of distress had not been caught by a monitor and they hadn't gotten her out as quickly as they did. It was not a pleasant experience-- but it was what needed to be done. THe alternative would have been my child's death. To fail to distinguish between a lifesaving c-section and the kind of inappropriate c-section that is all too common completely undermines the book. For instance, the author's discussion of fetal monitors and fetal distress only emphasized erroneous readings and never acknowledged that guess what, sometimes babies really do go into distress and die-- and this is a situation where a judicious c-section (first or second time!) can be a life saver. Another VBAC author, Kaufman, wrote an earlier VBAC book (also listed with Amazon)that seemed to me to be a great deal more balanced because it did acknowledge there are situations where you need first time or repeat sections-- and it also emphasized that the patient should be primarily responsible for deciding what is best for her baby and herself (as opposed to the doc, the med establishment at large, what is currently fashionable, etc) This book seems to think that only foolishly fearful women will consider repeat sections, which is quite offensive given what's at stake. I am awfully disappointed in this book, which I had hoped would help me decide on the whole VBAC question with balanced, thorough information-- the all or nothing approach makes it difficult to trust the author's judgement.

When I heard the author of _A Good Birth, A Safe Birth_ had written a book on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), I bought it that day. As I expected, I found it well-organized, full of substantiated facts, extremely helpful, and (sometimes rare in the VBAC community) not too angry. She gives the facts that prove that there is very little reason a woman should not have a VBAC, shows why one has to work hard to find the right doctor and hospital, strongly encourages a woman's support (in addition to one's husband) during labor, gives tips for turning breech and posterior babies, and does it all in a calm, moderate voice that could scare no one off. This book has given me confidence that I can achieve a VBAC. Thank you Diana Korte!

I had a VBAC in 5/2000 and this book was my bible throughout my pregnancy... NOW, I'm a doula and I reccomend this book to all my VBAC clients. Korte answers all questions - even the ones' you may not think to ask. The birthstories she includes in this book are inspiring and empowering.

Good luck with your VBAC. You CAN do it!

In this age of highly medicalized birth, leading to "the epidural epidemic", and certainly a Cesarean epidemic, this book is a priceless tool for so many women. The Cesarean rate nationwide (America) right now is around 40%, and it's much higher than that in certain cities/hospitals, and much higher than that in many other parts of the world. Advances in medical technology have been so wonderful for saving lives in every other branch of medicine, but in Obstetrics the advances in medical technology are causing more problems than they solve. That's why there is such a high Cesarean rate. Things go wrong that started with unnecessary medical interventions, and then the Cesarean ends up being needed to solve a problem that the earlier unnecessary interventions caused. Women's bodies are designed to grow babies, birth them, and feed them, and this process does work correctly with only very rare exceptions. Your doctor's Cesarean rate should be less than 10% or find a different doctor, and the statistics from The Farm Midwifery Center in TN demonstrate that those statistics really should be less than 4%.
This book is very helpful in allowing women to understand their previous Cesarean(s), know what to do to keep from following the same path again with this pregnancy, and is overall extremely informative & empowering. I highly recommend it to every pregnant woman, not just women with prior Cesareans, but there is a lot of information about preventing your first Cesarean also. And that's where the cycle really stops. It is written from the perspective of medicalized hospital birth, which is where most of us exist with birth in modern times. So it is a good first step for helping us to rethink why we do what we do with birth, and why things "go wrong" too often.
However, I only gave it 4 stars because there were a couple of places where it continued to instill too much doubt, and too much focus on the medical perspective. While my high recommendation stands, I recommend even more highly "Silent Knife" for any woman very motivated to avoid another Cesarean.
If you're reading this review either you or someone you love is pregnant again or considering another pregnancy after having a Cesarean. My heart goes out to each of you, and I wish you a happy & empowering birth experience, whether it's a better Cesarean experience or a very joyful natural birth experience. To quote Ina May Gaskin, "Your body's not a lemon". You can do this!
Buy this book or "Silent Knife" & read it 2 or three times. And hire a doula. Really. Studies show that's the single most consistent factor in having a successful VBAC.

I read this book expecting some hints on labor positions and other things that would make labor easier and make it less likely for me to have another c-section. What I found was a very all or nothing approach that made it seem that the healthcare profession (doctors, nurses, and hospitals) were against VBAC attempts and only midwifes and birthing centers were pro-VBAC. Since this is definitely not the case with me, I couldn't relate to the book and found myself getting frustrated with the assumptions the author made.

While I'm still going to attempt my VBAC, I will do so without the help of this book. I had heard great things about it, and was very disappointed with the overall tone of the book when I read it.