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. 2024 Jan 30;66(1):e1-e4.
doi: 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5879.

Context-sensitive holistic care of women with one previous Caesarean section

Adam K Asghar  1 , Evashnee Naidoo
Affiliations

Context-sensitive holistic care of women with one previous Caesarean section

Adam K Asghar et al. S Afr Fam Pract (2004). .

Abstract

This article's emphasis is on the holistic care of women who are assessed as suitable for and amenable to vaginal birth after Caesarean section (VBAC) in the South African state health sector context. It is beyond its scope to deal with the minutiae of VBAC conduct, operative conduct of repeat Caesarean section (CS), or management of uterine rupture. It is also beyond the scope of the article to reflect on practices, which are accepted in other healthcare contexts. The intention is not to promote VBAC over elective repeat CS, but rather to assist healthcare workers with providing high-quality holistic care. The goal is that women with previous CS are given access to the mode of delivery, which is safest for them and their fetus, while minimising adverse psychological effects of previous and future negative birth experiences.

Keywords: South Africa; holistic medicine; labour and delivery; obstetrics; patient-centred care.; vaginal birth after Caesarean.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

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