Joy Szabo, 32, is about to give birth, but the only hospital in her area is insisting she undergo a C-section, even though she had informed her doctor that she would prefer not to have surgery.
Szabo already has three children, two of whom she delivered vaginally. Her second child was delivered by emergency C-section due to a placental abruption. Administrators at Page Hospital in Arizona ruled in June to prohibit vaginal births after Caesareans due to limited resources.
Szabo isn't buying it. She has met with Haryasz twice and says, "They don't want to allow VBACs because she said they aren't equipped for emergency C-sections, but if they can't do emergency C-sections, they shouldn't be having labor and delivery at all."
So far, neither side has budged. While the hospital told Szabo it would get a court order to perform a C-section if necessary, Szabo is skeptical that a judge would order a pregnant woman to undergo surgery that many consider unnecessary (see the aptly named Unnecesarean for more on that topic). She says it is her right to choose how to deliver.
According to the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN), almost one-third of births in the United States are by Caesarean section, even though the recommended rate is between 5 and 10 percent. ICAN is partnering with a lawyer from Legal Voice to fight VBAC bans in several states in the Northwest.
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Monday 05 October
By Bre
I think it's up to her how she delivers, and the hospital will practice CYA medicine, as usual.
I'm more interested in learning what a "placenta eruption" is. Sounds painful. Is there lava involved?
Or perhaps they meant placental abruption.
Reply
Wednesday 07 October
By LadyLucky
Perhaps it is her choice. But she may be the type of person who will sue them if they give her what she wants and the baby dies too.
So she sue's if she doesn't get what she wants and then she will sue if their is a problem with her Vbac
Wednesday 07 October
By crvanderpoel
I had my second son VBAC and I had no problems. I think she should be allowed to try. She is also right that if they are not equipped to do emergency c-sections, they shouldn't be allowed to do anything else! Besides there are risks associated with having more than one c-section.
Wednesday 07 October
By BPG
Placental eruption is actually called placental abruption. It is a typo. It is a condition where the placenta tears away from the uterine wall. It can cause very heavy bleeding and may be life threatening to both the mother and the baby depending on how much of the placenta has torn away. No lava at all. Sorry.
Wednesday 07 October
By Gayle
Its when the placenta brakes basically and starts to bleed cutting off oxygen to the baby if a c-section isn't performed it could be fatal to the baby and the mother
Wednesday 07 October
By Ron Achilli
My understanding of healthcare law is that she must give consent to have a C section. If she does not give consent or states she does not want a C section then the hospital is liable for assault if they do it against her will.
Wednesday 07 October
By Rachel
The same thing happened to me. I live in Oklahoma. I was pregnant with my second child in 2004 and was due to deliver sometime in mid-February of 2005. After preparing during most of my pregnancy to try for a Vbac, I was told that it was no longer an option for me because the insurance companies who cover the doctor's for malpractice would no longer be allowing it -- beginning in January 2005. (what??! the INSURANCE company is telling me I can't do something my doctor has been telling me all along was perfectly fine and LESS risky than a repeat cesarean?)
I was devastated, but I was also shocked. Because the news came so close to my due date, I had little time to digest it. Normally I would have fought something like this... but my concentration and energy were already being prepared for the birth and adjustment of my baby.
I agree with this woman, that this is the equivalent of rape. I've been angry and hurt for the past 4 1/2 years over it.
Wednesday 07 October
By southexaskate
what this is, is when the placenta pulls away from the uterus prematurally, it can cause death to both mom and the baby. the fact one of her other babies was born naturally should be testiment enough for another vbac. time to go to another hospital.
Wednesday 07 October
By Gail
My first son was delivered by c-section after 42 hours of labor. My second son born 22 months later by VB ruptured my uterus, required emergency surgery due to the fact that I was bleeding internally. Required transfusions, I developed a blood clot on my lung and almost died. There's a good reason to have a C-section
Wednesday 07 October
By Jenn
Dear Bre,
I am laughing out loud at your notice of the error on 'placenta eruption' Wonderful! And I agree with your comments. Thanks for the candid laugh.
Wednesday 07 October
By Rebecca
There is no such thing as a "placenta eruption." What the author of this article (who clearly has only a slight comprehension of basic grammar) is trying to describe is a "placental abruption" which is when the placenta detatches from the uterine wall. This is life-threatening to both the mother and baby as it can cause them both to bleed out. I agree it should be up to a pt. whether or not they have surgery, but the hospital and doctors need to have some say in whether or not they participate in something with a slightly elevated risk such as a VBAC as they will be the ones getting sued when things go awry. The pt. choice here would be to go to another hospital that is equipped to handle VBAC's even if it means traveling to another community. In my opinion it is the ultimate definition of stupid to try to force a hospital to do something for you that they tell you is beyond the capabilities of said hospital. There is a HUGE difference between a planned C-Section and one that has to happen in the middle of the night because of an emergency situation that must be responded to in a matter of minutes.
Wednesday 07 October
By Melissa
Its her decision most definately, but I would of changed my doctor and hospital before even fighting it. Doctors make more money performing C-sections than they do v-bac and it doesn't take up much of their time either like a v-bac would. So get rid of that doc hes no good.
Wednesday 07 October
By me
It is up to her how and where she delivers, but she can't tell the hospital what to do. Only 10% of attempted VBACs end in successful vaginal births. The hospital can't afford to pay for extra OB/GYNs and anesthesiologists to be on-call 24/7 to handle VBACs gone wrong. If she doesn't like their policy, she should go somewhere else.
Having a c-section is NOTHING like being raped. I'm sure the one in six women who have experienced the latter take offense by her comparison. Szabo is an idiot if she doesn't know the difference.
Wednesday 07 October
By Moudsie
I suppose she has the right to deliver how she wants -- against medical advice, hey why not just have a midwife? Seriously, where she had one Section -- and the uterus is now more susceptible to rupturing as it was cut -- did she think maybe that's why they want to do a repeat C-Section? You know, to avoid an emergency or a serious problem with her and/or the baby? She should sign a form that the hospital would not be at fault should something go wrong -- bet she changes her tune then.
Wednesday 07 October
By usaflyboyswife
You picked up on the eruption one too huh? lol
However it is NOT funny. It is life threatning.
After an emergency c-section due to an abrubtion/or near abruption the uterus is thinned out to begin with including scar tissue from healing. For those who dont know, an abrubtion is when the uterus pops like a baloon & is delivered before the baby is, leaving the baby inside with no protection. Placenta previa is when the placenta is low lying over the cervix & a c-section is planned in advance.
With the abruption, it can occurr at any time. If the mother has had a previous (emergency) c-section & is suseptible to a 2nd, a repeat c-section is generally suggested because the uterus is weak. With a previous abruption/near abruption & the scar tissue, the drs are afraid that the VBAC (vaginal birth after cecearan) will cause the placenta to rupture while the mother is pushing the baby thru the birth canal. THUS needing another EMERGENCY section.
At that point the baby can be stuck in the birth canal & all hell breaks loose.
I agree, if they arent prepared for an emergency c-section they shouldnt have labor & delivery at all. . My mother & sister almost died during birth. Placenta previa & mom was knocked out for an emergency section. Cord was around my sisters neck. I have 5 children myself & 1 was premature from a near abruption. I was hospitalized for weeks & the dr was able to stop the bleeding. He was born at 32 weeks instead of 28.
I hope this mom would heed the advice of her dr. She is NOT being raped. A rapist doesnt CONSULT you before he commits that horrendous act.
The dr doesnt want a repeat of an emergency section. He is looking for her consent to deliver in a safe & timely scheduled manner BEFORE an abruption can end with catastrophic results. If that were to happen, he would have to live with the fact that an infant unnecessarily succomed to what should have been a joyous time in a grieving mothers life. Not to mention a malpractice lawsuit.
I pray that this mother reconsiders. If not just be out of town around the time youre due & go to a different hospital & pay the bill so you can have the VBAC you want so badly.
Wednesday 07 October
By Dana
Exactly what I was thinking! Idiots!
Wednesday 07 October
By les
lolololololololol !
Wednesday 07 October
By Dianne
Hee Hee Hee....on the placental "eruption"!!
Wednesday 07 October
By Gloria
Don't know if its placental abruption or "eruption" but there are so many typos in this article its hard to tell....
Just sayin'
Wednesday 07 October
By Tiffany
I think the article actually means "placental abruption". This is when the placenta begins to detach itself prematurely from the uterine wall, resulting in serious hemorrhaging. It is a life and death situation, and one of the few very valid reasons to have a c/section.