Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: The Smart Woman's Guide to VBAC [Paperback]

Elizabeth Kaufmann (Author), Phyllis D. Marx (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 1996

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. The Smart Women's Guide to VBAC

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Hunter House; 1st edition (May 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897932021
• ISBN-13: 978-0897932028
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misleading Title, May 17, 2006

By 

None - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: The Smart Woman's Guide to VBAC (Paperback)

I picked up this book thinking it would be a supportive and informative book on VBAC and how to achieve one. But what I found was a discussion only of the risks of VBAC, and repeated (almost word for word) justifications and support for choosing a repeat cesarean. The author herself talks about her VBAC (which she claims she was somewhat pressured into) and how--though it was successful in achieving vaginal birth of a healthy baby--it was still disappointing and the outcome not as she expected. There's nothing wrong with her honesty, and I'm sure there are other women who had disappointing VBACs. What I wonder is, "Why is *this* woman writing this book?" The whole book just seemed pretty negative towards VBAC and claimed that many women are being pressured into having VBACs they're not comfortable with just because insurance companies and hospitals want to lower costs. Not only is this likely not the main reason for the support of increasing VBACs and decreasing repeat cesareans, but this information is outdated. The "pendulum" (to use the author's word) has swung back yet again. Now we are seeing that many women who want a VBAC can't have one because more and more hospitals and birth centers (all in my area that I am aware of) are refusing to offer them due to fear of lawsuits.

Basically this whole book is an out-dated and now irrelevant argument from an obviously still bitter woman as to why women should not be pressured into having a VBAC.

There's nothing really supportive or uplifting here for women who already know they desire a VBAC. In fact, it left me quite depressed. I give it 2 stars instead of 1 only because I think there *is* value in being aware of the risks and worst-case scenarios (however outdated and exaggerated they are), so that one is not completely ignorant or naive about the birth method one chooses. I did also garner a few facts from this book that led to further investigation into and clarification of my c-section fiasco and why everything happened like it did. This is valuable as it will allow me to avoid such interventions and oversights in the future--and give me room to negotiate with doctors if I need to.

Otherwise, a very disappointing book.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Should be called "Why You Should Have Anyother C-Sec", September 22, 2005

By 

Yvo (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: The Smart Woman's Guide to VBAC (Paperback)

It doesn't really list any benefits to VBAC's, only risks. The research is outdated given it is old. It really tells you why you should have another C-section instead of VBAC. If you want to have a VBAC or is considering one, this book is not for you. If you want another C-section, it's the perfect book for you.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Looking for support in choosing an elective repeat cesarean?, October 25, 2005

By 

L. K. Upham (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: The Smart Woman's Guide to VBAC (Paperback)

If you are, this is your book. As a certified childbirth educator and natural birth promoter, I am supportive of women in their efforts to try VBACs, unlike this author. I bought this book as one of three I was going to share with my students- I was seriously disappointed (not to mention disgruntled) as I read it and saw the way it only showed the negative aspects of VBAC. The first chapter, which discusses reasons why people are promoting a reduction of the c-section rate could not be more inappropriate...she argues that it is mainly because of the insurance companies, when in fact, more activists wish to reduce the c-section rate to prevent moms and babies unnecessary pain and to encourage more immediate bonding and breastfeeding relationships! Do you think there is a connection with the United States having the highest cesarean rate of any country and also being ranked 27th for infant mortality?? Behind countries with c-section rates of less than 5%? The paper this book is printed on is a waste of trees.

- Lisa in Chicago