Are you a birth professional who cares for people pregnant after a cesarean?
Do you believe that every pregnant person should have access to VBAC?
Do you want to give your clients balanced information about VBAC?
Hi, I'm Jen Kamel. For over a decade, I have trained perinatal professionals around the world.
Now I've created this community so we can come together and help your clients better navigate the system so every cesarean is either wanted or needed, but never again coerced.
You already know the challenge
There is so much research out there... and so many conflicting opinions about VBAC. Everyone - from your colleagues to your clients - has a different perspective even though they all reference the very same professional guidelines and medical studies. How is this possible?
Sometimes this is because people are busy and come to quick conclusions based on summaries and abstracts that don't give the full picture. Other times it's because "that's the way things are done" at a specific facility or practice and policy supersedes evidence.
14% VBAC Rate
The end result is, 86% of birthing people in the United States have repeat cesareans. It is impossible in many communities for pregnant people to have a VBAC. Many are coerced into repeat cesareans. Even while the American College of OB/GYNs affirms that many people are candidates for VBAC and all Level 1 hospitals should be offering VBAC.
In this climate, Black birthing people are more likely to labor after a cesarean and yet they are less likely to actually have a VBAC than White people. Racial disparities all but disappear when culturally matched care is available.
Surgical births contribute to our increasing morbidity and mortality rates and - especially when hospitals or providers have mandated cesarean birth policies - can cause tremendous emotional turmoil and long lasting trauma among new parents whose voices were ignored.
How to give your clients the best support
The very first step to giving your clients the best support is getting the actual facts into the hands of perinatal professionals and parents. Not information tainted by personal agenda or professional pressure.
Together, we can share the facts, quickly debunk misinformation, and calmly guide parents to the truth. Whether they plan a VBAC or a repeat cesarean, their informed decision will be rooted in the facts, not fear.
Through this process, we can decrease coerced cesareans and increase VBAC access one parent at a time.
Truthfully giving your clients the information they need to make informed decisions is the first step towards creating real, measurable change.
But knowing the medical facts about VBAC and repeat cesarean is not enough.
One must understand all the non-medical factors including liability, money, training, and racism that impact VBAC access and outcomes.
VBAC access does not happen in a vacuum.
Our medical system does not treat us all the same.
This is a fundamental truth that all birth professionals need to know so we can provide BIPOC women and people the best care possible.
Your Membership Includes
Continuing Education
so you can easily get up to speed on the evidence (nursing contact hours available which are accepted by all nursing boards in the United States as well as many doula, childbirth education, and midwifery organizations and the midwifery Bridge Certificate)
Parent Handouts
so you can quickly get the facts into the hands of your clients and save your appointments with them for deeper discussion
Grand Rounds
featuring an in-depth review of the most relevant recently published research so you can effortlessly incorporate new evidence into your practice and speak intelligently about the facts with clients and colleagues
Expert Interviews
featuring midwives, physicians, nurses, doulas, attorneys, and other experts, discussing topics relevant to maternity care as a whole
Community Forum
where you can collaborate, exchange ideas, and receive support from like-minded birth professionals who also value increasing VBAC access
What people around
the world say about VBAC Facts®
Answer Virtually Any Question
I am now able to offer evidence-based answers to virtually every question I get about VBAC and my ability to easily and effectively offer VBAC support and counsel to my clients has significantly improved.
Taylor Davis, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Doula Trainer
We Can Change the System
Prior cesarean is such a commonly encountered issue these days and yet I have discovered large knowledge gaps among many OB providers in my community regarding VBAC. As a MFM and physician scientist, I can't help but wonder to myself how dramatically our maternity care system might improve if all OBs understood the topic of VBAC as well as Jen does.
Dr. Emiliano Chavira, MD, MPH, FACOG
Understand Cesarean Risks
Professional membership gives me confidence in supporting my personal clients through vaginal deliveries. But more importantly, I understand so much more about the risks of any kind of birth following a c-section. There’s also the ability to share this resource with every doula I have the privilege of working alongside towards birth justice.
Kairis Chiaji, National Doula Trainer, Birthing Project USA
Feel More Confident
I attended 'The Truth About VBAC™ for Professionals' and feel much more confident in supporting birthing people who are planning a VBAC! I can't wait to share this with them.
Claire Woods, Certified Doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator
Easy to Share with Clients
VBAC Facts® supports my Evidence Based practice as a Black Birth Doula. The material is easy to comprehend and share with my clients and peers. Here in NYC I am welcomed for embracing the evidence. VBAC Facts® highlights information that others avoid. This information is empowering to Black and BIPOC families/peers.
Denise Bolds, Founder, Bold Doula
Provide True Informed Consent
"The Truth About VBAC™ for Professionals" helped me to be more knowledgeable with providing my patients with true informed consent. I also carried a few misconceptions and the training helped me view things differently.
Anna Nellikappallil, Certified Nurse-Midwife
The Research is Excellent
I get a perspective from VBAC Facts® I don’t see much of in the inpatient hospital setting. The research is excellent and presented in an easy to understand organized manner.
Patti Gale, Nurse Leader and Parent Advocate
Armed with Real Knowledge
I wanted to increase my VBAC knowledge and understand the true risks, not what I learned as a registered nurse or other information handed down from nurses on the unit. At "The Truth About VBAC™ for Professionals," I learned what the research shows and now feel armed with real knowledge.
Allison Cado, Registered Nurse
My Favorite Membership
Of all the professional memberships I've had over the years, I enjoyed the VBAC Facts®️ one the most. You made it very personal, easily accessible, easy to understand, and very interesting. Jen - thank you for all your work. You are helping to make maternity care better!
Jamie Rose Carroll, Certified Nurse-Midwife
Hi, I'm Jen Kamel
While my cesarean split me open, I came out of my VBAC with the realization that there was nothing in this world I couldn't do. Absolutely nothing.
The contrast between my cesarean and my VBAC... the injustice of so many people being denied this option... the lies, misinformation, and manipulations... the public health implications at stake... it lit a fire in me that burns bright to this day.
As an internationally recognized consumer advocate and Founder of VBAC Facts®, I help birth professionals, and cesarean parents, achieve clarity on vaginal birth after cesarean through my educational courses, training programs, and consulting services.
I speak at conferences around the world, present Grand Rounds at hospitals, advise advocates seeking legislative change in their state, and serve as a expert witness in legal proceedings.
After over 15 years in this work, I have an encyclopedic and intimate knowledge of not only the VBAC evidence, but how politics, racism, paternalism, litigation, and convenience often supersedes what birthing people want... all while they are subtlety coerced into repeat cesareans under the guise of safety.
I envision a time when every pregnant person seeking VBAC has access to unbiased information, respectful providers, and community support, so they can plan the birth of their choosing in the setting they desire. This is the world I want to create. This is why I do this work. Join me and let's create this world together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who joins the VBAC Facts® Professional Membership?
If you are a perinatal professional who is passionate about VBAC and want to gain the knowledge that will best equip families in advocating for their desired births.
Why don't you sell classes individually? Why can't I buy an individual handout?
Bundling the classes and resources together for the membership allows us to keep the pricing accessible! Selling the courses individually would require the pricing to be substantially higher for access to our entire library of VBAC education. We are committed to providing accessible VBAC education for professionals and the membership allows us to do so at a low monthly fee!
Does membership offer continuing education hours?
Yes! All of VBAC Facts® online trainings have been approved for continuing education hours by the California Board of Registered Nursing. These continuing education hours are accepted by all RN boards, ACNM, NARM (including the Midwifery Bridge Certificate), ICEA, Lamaze, DONA, and CAPPA as well as many other medical and health organizations.
In order to earn the CEs, you must attend all lectures and earn 80% on the post-course quiz. Upon completing a training, you will receive an email with further directions.
Not all organizations accept nursing continuing education hours or hours earned via on-line courses. Check with your particular organization. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Continuing Education Provider #16238.
What happens if I can't attend a live event?
The lives of a birth professional can be unpredictable. For this reason, every event is recorded so you will never miss a thing! Plus, you can attend any of our live or recorded events from your mobile, tablet, or computer 24/7, so you can stay up to date on the evidence, no matter where you are or what time it is!
Do you offer group rates?
Absolutely! Registering with a group secures a discounted rate for the lifetime of your membership. Group rates ensure that physician/ midwifery practices, doula agencies, childbirth educators, and L&D units stay current on the research together! The more people in your community who join, the easier it will be for you to increase VBAC access! Groups of three or more can contact us for more information. The bigger the group, the deeper the discount!
Do you offer a discounted rate for BIPOC?
Absolutely! A sliding scale is available for BIPOC perinatal professionals. Contact us for more information.
How can I contribute to the BIPOC Scholarship Fund to support BIPOC perinatal professionals in their VBAC education?
The VBAC Facts® BIPOC Scholarship Fund enables us to make membership more accessible to the BIPOC community for whom the VBAC journey carries additional stressors due to institutionalized racism. We welcome your contributions as we stand in solidarity with BIPOC perinatal professionals.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the nature of our various downloadable materials, refunds are available within 3 days of your purchase.
