Birth After Caesarean Interventions (BACI) Consortium
The rate of birth by caesarean section is continuing to climb throughout NSW in line with other states in Australia and elsewhere. Most of the increase in rates of caesarean section is due to repeat caesarean in a subsequent pregnancy. Few women apparently seek a vaginal birth after a primary caesarean. The reasons are not well researched but may include: fear of uterine rupture in a subsequent labour and birth; fear on the part of health care providers who do not offer any choice other than a repeat caesarean; convenience; unknown reasons.
BACI (Birth After Caesarean Interventions) is a multidisciplinary and multi centre study of a complex intervention that focuses on women having their first baby and on women who have had a primary caesarean section.
The aim is to undertake a program of research that addresses the issue of keeping birth normal and repeat caesarean section following a primary caesarean birth through a collaborative consortium of researchers from a number of disciplines
The BACI consortium includes a multidisciplinary group currently located in NSW, the ACT, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia. BACI is led by midwives with collaborations with obstetricians and other groups with research interests in this area. We are currently fully developing the consortium and hope to have representation across the Australia.
We anticipate that a this consortium of researchers, policy makers, clinicians and consumers will work together over the next year in planning an integrated program of innovative research projects and publications which focus on Birth After Caesarean Interventions.
Contact Maralyn Foureur for more information about BACI.