Duggars Support VBAC

Michelle Duggar (of TLC fame) is a VBAC mom thirteen times over. She and her husband Jim Bob had hoped for a fourteenth, but their newest baby girl was born at 25 weeks by emergency cesarean on December 10th. Nevertheless, the family remains pro-VBAC and even mention ICAN on their website.

As reported by The Examiner, Michelle describes her thoughts on VBAC restrictions:

I would say the greatest change that I have seen in the field of obstetrics, and I might add that it is very troubling to me, is the idea that once you’ve had a C-section you must have a C-section for any other pregnancy. It is much healthier for mom and baby to avoid major surgery and all the complications that go along with a C-section if possible. Granted, there are health situations that would warrant such, but for years obstetrics encouraged TOL (Trial Of Labor after previous C-section) with many successful healthy vaginal births. It was quite alarming to be told that I could no longer have a vaginal birth due to hospital or insurance companies regulations. It appears that what is best for the patient is not the priority with this decision. I feel our health care is being jeopardized by this unhealthy approach. Doctors are having to tell their patients that they no longer offer VBAC assistance due to hospital regulations and some might even state to the patient that they are not safe so as to avoid confrontation. Statistics prove much differently.

And the ICAN mention:

For the many women that find themselves in this situation, ICAN is an organization that is very helpful in gaining more information on this topic. One of which I believe will be reversed in the near future as more women make a clear statement to health care providers and insurance companies as to how they would prefer to deliver there babies in a safer, healthier manner. (Now I will step off my soapbox!).

Don’t step off your soapbox, Michelle! Best wishes for you and your cesarean recovery as well as baby Jordyn-Grace’s continued health.