As the mother of three children, the first delivered via an iatrogenic emergency c-section and the second and third through all-natural childbirths, I have watched with interest the controversy over VBACs (vaginal births after cesarean), which have now been banned at St. Peter’s hospital. The staff at St. Peter’s claims that the ban is to protect women and children from the increased risk of uterine rupture (a VERY rare but possible emergency).

However, what they choose not to consider is the much higher risk of infection and other very dangerous complications in mother and baby due to unnecessary major abdominal surgery. These far more prevalent dangers are ignored in favor of the more lucrative surgical delivery.

Please get involved in the movement to offer women healthy choices. The International Cesarean Awareness Network is an international nonprofit organization that works to support women in making healthy choices regarding childbirth and prevent unnecessary c-sections. We now have a chapter right here in Helena (e-mail icanofhelena@gmail.com). Please take a stand by supporting ICAN and contacting St. Peter’s to ask them to reconsider the ban on natural childbirth for those with a prior surgical birth.