Download the BAC Consumer Leaflet
Background of the BAC Trial
List of concerns about the BAC Trial
Read comments about the BAC Trial Information Leaflet by reknowned author Henci Goer
Read ICAN's response about the BAC Trial Info Sheet
What is the Birth After Caesarean Trial?
The Birth After Caesarean Trial is aiming to ascertain whether vaginal birth after caesarean or elective repeat caesarean is safer for women who’ve had a previous caesarean. The trial is part Randomised Controlled Trial (meaning the method of birth is chosen for the woman by chance) and part patient-preference (meaning that the woman chooses her preferred method of birth). It is the Randomised Controlled Trial aspect that Maternity Coalition has the most concerns about.Why should I be concerned?
Maternity Coalition has received complaints regarding the BAC trial from support organisations, participants and birth attendants. The issues of concern appear to be about the following:
The ethics of randomly assigning healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies to major surgery (Caesarean).
The accuracy and reliability of information being given to participants.
The validity of the research.
The quality of care being offered to women in the VBAC group and the conduct of recruiters.
Our position is that the method of birthing belongs to you and should be based on your individual needs—physical, emotional, social and cultural—such decisions ought only be made with full information about the risks to you and your baby for this pregnancy and all future pregnancies. Since the RCT is not based on these considerations, participants forgo the right to choose.
If you are approached to join the trial or you are currently participating, we urge you to seek independent information from consumer support organisations as well as health care providers before agreeing to participate.
If you are signed up and have any concerns you’d like to raise or would like further information regarding the above, please contact bac@maternitycoalition.org.au.