VBAC Policies in Minnesota

According to a survey conducted by ICAN of the Twin Cities in 2008, 39 out of 101 hospitals (38%) with labor and delivery services in the State of Minnesota have formal policies prohibiting vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Particularly in rural areas of the state, this means that women must either "choose" unnecessary, repeat cesarean surgery or travel extensively to receive maternity care. An additional 30 hopstials (30%) have policies leaving access to VBAC up to individual doctors' discretion. In total, this means that two-thirds of all hospitals with labor and delivery services in Minnesota have formal or de facto policies that severely limit birthing women's access to choice in childbirth. For more information, please contact ICAN of the Twin Cities: icantwincities@gmail.com.




Download PDF here. Key for hospital #s here.


Click here for a PDF of Twin Cities metro VBAC Map