College News & Events

THE VBAC IS BACK / 03 Mar 2008

Mind Matters.....

If your looking to boost your chances of a successful VBAC, get positive. Renee Adair, director of the Australian Doula College, says being informed about your birth options and confident of your chances of success plays a big part in the birth outcome. The College offers counselling sessions for mums to be considering a VBAC, to help get their state of mind in the right place.
'We talk to them about the importance of some special education and support', says Adair. 'We like to demystify some of the bigger issues and make it a more positive experience'.

Much of the fear and uncertainty surrounding VBACs can have a negative impact on the labour itself. 'When someone is frightened, they release adrenaline and that affects the level of oxytocins in the system and can actually slow labour down'. Adair says, 'If we can get women over the hurdle of the fear and have them really believing they can do it, it helps'.
The counselling also encourages women to find a caregiver they feel will support their VBAC birth, and urges them to ask lots of questions about the birth itself such as are they allowed to use water during the labour, can they labour for as long as they need, and is there continued foetal monitoring? 'It's all about information and resourcing', says Adair.

The article can be read in full on pages 61 and 62 of the Autumn addition of MY Child magazine.
Information on our VBAC service is available in the childbirth education section of this website.

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