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EDITORIALS: Jeanne-Marie Guise Vaginal delivery after caesarean section BMJ 2004; 329: 359-360 [Full text]

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Were we irresponsible or are obstetricans unjustifiably alarmist?

Richard D Colman   (22 August 2004)

Were we irresponsible or are obstetricans unjustifiably alarmist? 22 August 2004
Richard D Colman, Regional Medical Officer - Corus Teeside Works, TS10 5QW Send response to journal: Re: Were we irresponsible or are obstetricans unjustifiably alarmist?	Almost 21 years ago we had our first child by Ceasarian section because of a breech presentation and failed trial of breech. 2 years later my wife (a trained midwife) had our second child at home after a normal vaginal birth delivered with the help and co-operation of the community midwife and myself. This was repeated 3 more times over the coming 7 years. Each time the final decision of whether to stay at home or travel the 35 miles to the hospital was taken by my wife. Fortunately we have no regrets and 5 healthy children. What made it right for me was the maturity of my wife's decisions based on self belief and confidence in her ability to cope. Not all however have that. We do however owe it to all women to give them the facts. Often in medicine if we don't want to do something we put an excessively pessimistic or alarmist view on it. I am suggesting the same may be said of vaginal deliveries after Caesarian sections. Do we yet know? Statisticaly were we irresponsible or not? If so to what degree? Competing interests: None declared