We are currently contacting all hospitals in Washington State to establish their VBAC policies. If you would like to assist with this project, please contact us.

Freestanding Birth Center

In the state of Washington, freestanding birth centers are not allowed to accept clients that are considered high risk. Previous uterine surgery falls into that category, so VBAC in birth centers is thus 'illegal'. This varies from state to state.

Homebirth VBAC (HBAC)

Homebirth is legal in Washington State. However, midwives are under tremendous pressure from their insurance providers and are not covered to provide services to women who have a known breech, known twins or a VBAC.  This does not mean that they are banned from taking these clients, only that that they do so at great personal and professional risk if things go awry and a client must be transferred to a hospital/provider who isn't friendly to midwifery.

As a result, most midwives are not accepting VBAC clients. This varies widely by midwife. Your best bet is to start calling midwives and see if you can find someone who will explore the possibility with you, or provide a referral. There are midwives in Kitsap and Pierce Counties who will attend homebirths in our county, so make as many calls as you can.

Tips for Success in Talking with Providers about VBAC

Having all of the information you need at your fingertips when talking with a potential provider is crucial. Here are some tips and links to help you prepare for talking with a provider and have the best chance of open communication and positive outcomes.

1. Know your rights. Click this link to find a document written by Karen Prowse, PhD. on the legal rights of women seeking VBAC.

2. Get a copy of your medical records and take them to your appointments with you. Make sure you have your complete surgical report and any labor records so that you have a complete picture.

3. Bring someone with you to the appointment. Sometimes in the heat of discussion we hear things differently, or remember them differently than they may have happened. Have someone with you to take notes on the discussion.

4. Take notes. Write down any language they use that is a flag for you, any policies they have about induction methods, how long over your due date they are comfortable attending you in a VBAC, any policies they have for during your labor (continuous monitoring, no birthing tubs, etc.), and any policies they report that the hospital has about your birth.

5. Be positive and not defensive. You aren't there to correct their policy or convince them that they are wrong if their policies don't align with your wishes. Interview them and ask questions but don't debate at this time. If you wish to follow up with a letter or phone call or separate discussion about their policies and encouraging them to change them, they won't have a bad taste for your point of view because of previous exchanges.