Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) (Paperback)

I had many myths blown open. First of all, the words "uterine rupture" did indeed once summon visions of a belly literally exploding during labor, causing instant death to the woman and fetus. Now I know that that never happens. I also hadn't thought much about the pain women--at least some women--experience upon having an unnecessary cesarean section. My mother had had one and never referred to anything but gratitude that her obstetrician had saved her life and mine. Also, the one cesarean I was involved with--my one client as a doula who had one--was more disturbing to me and the father of the baby than the mother herself. We all knew it had been unnecessary, but for whatever reason, at least at the time, the mother felt very secure with the experience and did for the first few weeks postpartum.

As I read the words of pain, and then, victory, of so many women affected by this epidemic (which, unfortunately, has hardly changed since this book was written and has actually gotten worse) I experienced a new sense of compassion and understanding about why the VBAC movement is so necessary and powerful and why these doctors need to be stopped! I reluctantly acknowledge that the ultimate power lies in the consumer (it's much more exciting to imagine each of those OB-GYNs getting arbitrary episiotomies). I fear now that women scarcely think twice about the possibility of a c-section. Women have become so accustomed to the possibility that their bodies are unable to birth. It's very depressing. Frankly, it's mostly depressing for the dear little children who are born medicated and without the proper physiological and psychological benefits of a healthy vaginal birth.

What inspired me was the frank, bold way these authors were willing to tackle interventions. Some of them are obsolete now (actually, just one--the shaving) and forceps have largely given way to the vacuum extractor which was just coming into use back when this book was written. Yet all of the information holds true. One thing I fear is that doctors and nurses have become quite skilled at paying all the right lip service to our desires to birth naturally, yet have no true conviction or knowledge regarding a natural experience. Time and time again, I have experienced, both with myself and with my clients, that doctors and nurses know how to reassure us they will not intervene unnecessarily. Yet, they stand by with a knife (or scissors, or internal monitor probes, or any number of gadgets). More than ninety percent of laboring women in America have their vaginas sliced open with scissors! Why is this accepted as okay?!? (For whatever reason, it's not okay for women to get circumcised in certain countries, but here, they can get their vaginas cut up and sewn back together and that's all right. Geez.)

The only area I feel slight disagreement with is the use of the term "purebirth" over "natural birth". I wholeheartedly agree that the definition of "natural birth" has become subject to a lot of unnatural definitions. But I feel it's important to reclaim the term as something that happens in nature, as animals birth, free of fear and free of meddling "assistance."

Currently, my hubby and I are expecting our third baby. We are planning a home birth and this book was very affirming of our choice. I'm so excited to have this little person. I hope women will begin to collectively awaken to the power of birth and the joy that results from being in the process, conscious and aware. It's so incredible.

They obviously advocate VBAC, and they should, as it is almost always the safer alternative. They may be telling you something you don't want to hear, but it is something you MUST hear.

They are outspoken, unafraid, and passionate about the safety and health of birthing women everywhere. This book is fabulous.