Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

Nikki DeSalvo, former leader of the Holistic Moms Network Midlands Chapter and founder of The Pregnant Point: Sacred Arts for Whole Families, spoke to us about VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and her practice.

Here are the topics discussed:




SC State Law for Midwifery: 

THERE IS NO LAW but CPMs (Certified Professional Midwives) are regulated through DHEC mandates.




The HEALING process from a Cesarean Experience in important:

1. heal the body
2. heal the psyche
3. heal the energy
4. heal and consider relationships

• familial
• care provider
• midwife - your philosophy must match
• ask yourself: do I want to be in control or do I believe my midwife knows more than I do?

For a successful VBAC, it is best to be in it for the journey and the outcome will take care of itself. 

1. Ask:

- what modalities work for you
- what do you respond best to: nutrition, energy work, herbs, etc...
- WHY do you want a VBAC?  What is your commitment level?

in order to bring yourself to your center.

2. Trust that Mama Knows Best:

- research, policies and politics mean nothing when compared to a woman's deep knowing about herself and her body
- Mama and baby are ONE, not separate
- important to be empowered and do what is right for the individual


Resources:

Cesarean Voices - A web site by, for, and about cesarean born people

Childbirth Connection - a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of maternity care... promote safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care for all women and families.

ICAN - International Cesarean Awareness Network is a non-profit advocacy and support group whose mission is to improve maternal and child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, provide support for cesarean recovery, and promote vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).  The Clarion is their quarterly ICAN Newsletter.

NOTE - ICAN Midlands Chapter is not operational at present.  Anyone willing to lead it?

Lamaze International - a nonprofit organization that promotes a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. Knowing that pregnancy and childbirth can be demanding on a woman’s body and mind, Lamaze serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years.