ACOG Issues New Guidelines Seeking to Lower C-Section Rate

NY Times: New Guidelines Seek to Cut Rate of Repeat C-Sections, by Denise Grady:

Most women who have had Caesarean sections can safely give birth the normal way later, studies have shown, but in recent years more and more hospitals, doctors and insurers have been refusing to let them even try, insisting on repeat Caesareans instead.

The decisions have been based largely on fears of medical risks and lawsuits, medical and legal experts say.

. . . Now, an obstetricians’ group is issuing a new set of medical guidelines meant to make it easier for women who have had Caesareans to find doctors and hospitals that will allow vaginal birth after Caesarean, or VBAC (pronounced vee-back).