BIRTH CARE
after a r u a L Kari & g birth. givin
Laura ,K for a ari & Luke first p photo ose .
le. d d u c a r u Kari & La
A PERFECT BIRTH STORY After two traumatic births, Kari Lammer finally had her perfect birth story. The Dubuque mom of two, and husband Luke, welcomed Laura to their family on June 14. The couple’s road to delivering Laura was a thoughtful, deliberate and calculated plan. It was made possible they say thanks to the dedicated, supportive team of doctors and nurses at UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids. “Our first child, Noah, was born via C-section. Anna, our second child, was a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section),” said Kari. “During labor she receded from the birth canal and a vacuum was used to help get her out. Immediately after delivering I had complications.”
6 | unitypoint.org
Kari had a uterine rupture. Recommendations vary on having another baby after a rupture. About two years after Anna’s birth, the Lammers drove to Cedar Rapids to meet with Stephen Pedron, MD, MBA, UnityPoint Clinic Maternal Fetal Medicine, to discuss the possibility of getting pregnant again and whether having another VBAC was possible. It was a second opinion for the couple after they were advised to have a C-section. “Kari wanted what many women want and that is to fulfill the dream of a natural birthing experience,” explained Dr. Pedron. “You just can’t replace that. Once it’s been taken away from you, it’s traumatic. And to replace that, with a positive experience, I think helps to
diminish some of the trauma and fulfill their dream. The Lammers were seeking something that was considered outside the box but we are always open to a thoughtful approach.” “We learned that uterine ruptures are on a spectrum,” explained Luke. “Dr. Pedron provided clarity on the types of ruptures, the severity and the nature of them. Our conversations led us to a discussion of a vaginal birth plan for a third baby. If Kari’s rupture would have been one of the more severe cases it may not have been possible. Dr. Pedron was open to figuring out what proper medical care was needed when others were not.”
