Trial of Labor or TOL is the name given to the process of labor when a women has had a prior cesarean. It means they are 'letting' you try to have a vaginal birth.
Tonight I watched the documentary Trial of Labor. As both a cesarean and VBAC mother, it moved me to tears. The film profiles four women as they approach labor and birth after one or two prior cesareans.
First I want to say how impressed I was with these women. They shared deep thoughts about their feelings surrounding their original or repeat cesareans. Many of these feelings I share as thousands of other women do. Feelings of inadequacy, feelings of detachment during and after birth, fear. Yet each one discusses why they have chosen to proceed with a vaginal birth and the feelings surrounding those decisions. This isn't a Birth Story type documentary. It is all from the mother's point of view and where she is mentally through the process. Three of the women decide for a hospital birth. The fourth decides, after facing VBAC Bans in her local hospitals, to plan a home birth with a midwife.
No spoilers on the outcomes!! But it was interesting to see how each women felt about the outcome of her labor and the healing process that surrounded those resulting births.
It's an amazing film and I hope many people go and view it when you can. I recommend it for cesarean moms, VBAC moms, CBAC moms and anyone who supports women in those groups.
Here is the movie's website for more information and to view it yourself if you choose.
http://www.trialoflabor.com/
Ann Marie
Tonight I watched the documentary Trial of Labor. As both a cesarean and VBAC mother, it moved me to tears. The film profiles four women as they approach labor and birth after one or two prior cesareans.
First I want to say how impressed I was with these women. They shared deep thoughts about their feelings surrounding their original or repeat cesareans. Many of these feelings I share as thousands of other women do. Feelings of inadequacy, feelings of detachment during and after birth, fear. Yet each one discusses why they have chosen to proceed with a vaginal birth and the feelings surrounding those decisions. This isn't a Birth Story type documentary. It is all from the mother's point of view and where she is mentally through the process. Three of the women decide for a hospital birth. The fourth decides, after facing VBAC Bans in her local hospitals, to plan a home birth with a midwife.
No spoilers on the outcomes!! But it was interesting to see how each women felt about the outcome of her labor and the healing process that surrounded those resulting births.
It's an amazing film and I hope many people go and view it when you can. I recommend it for cesarean moms, VBAC moms, CBAC moms and anyone who supports women in those groups.
Here is the movie's website for more information and to view it yourself if you choose.
http://www.trialoflabor.com/
Ann Marie
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