written by Jordan S. Saalfrank, MSW, CD(DONA)
On Monday, March 5th the Lutheran Health Network's Medical Executive Board met to vote on banning VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). After additional discussion Lutheran Hospitals will NOT continue to allow VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean) to be performed.
All unfolding information is chronicled in the News-Sentinel within Jennifer Boen's article: "Tough Topic in Childbirth."
Lutheran Health Network, which oversees the policies for Lutheran and Dupont Hospitals, will continue to discuss the issue. That means, the public must make their voices heard. If you feel that informed families should have the right to choose what's best for them than this petition is for you.
Fort Wayne is collecting VBAC CHOICES signatures from doctors, midwives, doulas, and the public in hopes of illustrating to the hospital boards that Fort Wayne wants birthing choices. This petition is not saying 'everyone should have a VBAC.' VBACs are not for everyone. This petition is stating that Fort Wayne women should have the choice, with the guidance of their care providers, to have a VBAC or a cesarean. The VBAC CHOICES petition believes that it is not for the hospital to eliminate the VBAC choice but for birthing families to be able to make their own informed decisions and not be forced into a cesarean.
Please visit VBAC.com and their informational site for an unbiased look at VBACs and cesareans written by doctors, nurses and midwives. Then email the VBAC Choices Petition and add your name, age, phone number and your Fort Wayne care provider so that informed families and their care providers can decide for themselves.
Already Dekalb and St. Joe Hospitals have banned VBACs. Parkview is continuing to have discussion regarding banning VBACs.
