The Birth Action Coalition believes the birth journey is an essential expression of human dignity that requires informed and empowered partnerships between women, families and healthcare providers. Through projects that educate and advocate, The Birth Action Coalition will work to create supportive birth environments in the Ventura and Santa Barbara areas.

Latest News

Activist moms campaign to get more local hospitals to allow natural deliveries after Caesarean sections

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 05:55 — jessicabarton

By Kim Lamb Gregory
September 28, 2008

The contractions began just after midnight on Sept. 7. Gwen Cornell got out of bed, wondering if she should wake her husband, Ira. He was exhausted after working all day in his business as an electrical contractor.

She was seized with another contraction. Had it been only 10 minutes?

Read the rest of the article:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/28/birth-rights/

The birth survey

Come Protect Birth Choices in Ventura County! Speaking Out For Birth Choices

Sun, 09/07/2008 - 03:44 — jessicabarton

Saturday, October 4, 2008 - Mission Park, Downtown Ventura, California


Scheduled Panelists Include:

Ricki Lake, Executive Producer of The Business of Being Born, speaking about the importance of women having choices in childbirth and what this choice has meant to her as a mother and as a woman.

Dr. Stuart Fischbein MD, FACOG a Board Certified OBGYN with over 20 years of private practice experience with expertise in high-risk OB, Ultrasound and fertility. Dr. Fischbein is the Medical Advisor for the Birth Action Coalition and is out-spoken in his commitment to support midwives and the option of out-of-hospital birth for women in Ventura County.

An event to inspire and motivate families to seek out & create access to all safe birth options through education & full informed consent.

  • Walk For Women’s Rights in Childbirth at 10:30am (walk starts & ends at Mission Park)
  • Fair & Panel 11am-3pm
  • Music, Face Painting & Balloons for the Kids!
  • Ask your questions to our Panel! Informative Demos!
  • View the Birth Story Gallery!
  • Bring blankets, folding chairs & bag lunch!

A Walk & Fair organized by the Birth Action Coalition and sponsored by ICAN of Ventura County

  

For more information contact Kimberly Rivers, Ventura Coordinator on 805-727-1393

    read more »

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VBAC Information

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Supportive Care Providers

San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles areas (listed from North to South)
 read more »

What is vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)?

“VBAC” stands for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. Many women who have had a previous cesarean can safely go through labor and deliver their baby vaginally with subsequent pregnancies.  read more »

Are VBACs safe?

VBAC is a safe option for many women.  read more »

Why do some hospitals ban VBAC?

Hospitals that do not have 24 hour on-site anesthesia staff sometimes choose to ban VBAC, despite the fact that immediately available surgical teams present throughout a VBAC labor have not been shown  read more »

What about informed consent?

A wide body of law protects the rights of patients, including pregnant and birthing women. We have the right to exercise self-determination and autonomy in making all medical decisions, including the decision to refuse treatment, and the right to be provided with the necessary information on which to base medical decisions. We have the right to choose VBAC.  read more »

Download a printable VBAC information sheet (PDF).

Recent Stories

H's VBAC Story

Sun, 06/08/2008 - 04:57 — Anonymous

I’m a mom who successfully delivered my second son via VBAC 2.5 years ago.

The C-section with my first son was a nightmare realized. I had tried to have him at home, but couldn’t dilate. I went in to the birth center, but still couldn’t dilate. Because my water had broken the previous day, I finally had to go the hospital. After 30 hours of agony, I succumbed to an epidural, which left me in convulsions and stopped my son’s heart. The official medical record reads "Fetal Intolerance to Labor."  read more »

VBAC Campaign Actions

Get campaign updates

We will send occasional updates about the campaign and group to your e-mail, but we won't share it with anyone. I don't want e-mail updates but would like to be kept up to date other ways.

How to write a VBAC support letter

Successful efforts to repeal VBAC bans in other cities have shown that direct pressure from informed consumers (that’s us!) does have the power to create change.
Let us know if you write a letter!  read more »

Let us know your VBAC story

Were you denied a VBAC in Santa Barbara or Ventura? Did you have another cesarean or travel elsewhere to try for a VBAC? Tell us your story!  read more »

Join the VBACtivism group

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Recent Letters

FromToDatesort iconView Letter
Gary K. WildeConcerned parent07/09/2008View
Amber L. CraigDouglas H. Kirkpatrick, MD, President, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists06/23/2008View
Stuart J. Fischbein, MD FACOGDouglas H. Kirkpatrick, MD, President, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists06/23/2008View
VRonald C. Werft, President & CEO, Cottage Hospital06/20/2008View
Abraham and Jessica Powell, Ph.D.Ronald C. Werft, President & CEO, Cottage Hospital06/16/2008View
KRonald C. Werft, President & CEO, Cottage Hospital06/02/2008View
Jessica BartonDr. Soffici MD, Cottage Hospital04/19/2008View
Jessica BartonRonald C. Werft, President & CEO, Cottage Hospital02/19/2008View

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