I was at the AABC conference this weekend. I've been trying to catch up and get a report out to you, but it will be tomorrow.

It is a first step, like Nikki said. Is it the guideline I'd like to see? No, but it was enough for me to clap and cheer over. I think they heard us and the midwives who want to support VBAC-- loud and clear. The VBAC issue was a real hot button issue for AABC. It was ripping their organization apart.

The accreditation arm of AABC, called CABC, are actually the people who create birth center guidelines and who changed the VBAC guidelines.
I can't find the guidelines on their website. but here it is in a nutshell:
The new policy allows for accredited birth centers to do VBACs in the
birthcenter if the mother has already had one or more successful
VBACs. the policy also allows for birth centers to seek permission
from the CABC to do primary VBACs in accredited centers.
here are the stipulations:
1. only one prior cesarean
2. documented low transverse location
3. ultrasound demonstrates placental location
4. signed VBAC specific informed consent
5. one or more successful prior VBAC
6. client meets all other risk criteria
to do primary VBACs you must do all the above (except 5) and:
1. center must document ability to transfer to facility with 24/7
anesthesia and obs
2. center must be in close proximity to transfer facility
By the way I found this interesting:
http://www.birthcenters.org/news/breaking-news/?id=71

 

More coming, when I get it.

Pam