Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

What Is Vaginal Birth After Cesarean?

Vaginal birth after cesarean (also referred to as VBAC), is the vaginal delivery of your baby after having had a cesarean delivery. Attempting this kind of delivery requires a “trial of labor after cesarean,” or TOLAC. Undergoing this trial means you have the goal of delivering vaginally. There are definitely pros and cons that should be considered when attempting a TOLAC and some women may still need a C-section after undergoing a trial of labor.

However, we believe the option, choice, and attempt is a decision that should be available to patients. Here at Nurture Women’s Health, we are available to discuss if TOLAC is a safe choice for you.

WHAT IS A VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CESAREAN?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A VBAC?

Many women wish to undergo a VBAC as opposed to another C-section in hopes of several benefits:

Avoiding another scar on your uterus
Less pain after delivery
Fewer days in the hospital and a shorter recovery at home
A lower risk of infection
A more active role for you and your birthing partner during the delivery

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF UNDERGOING A VBAC?

While beneficial in many ways, a VBAC harbors several risks that depend on the condition of each woman. The most severe but rare case is a C-section scar that comes open during labor. Naturally, the more C-sections you’ve had and subsequent cesarean scars you have, the higher the risk is that a scar will tear open. Undergoing TOLAC also puts you at a slightly increased risk for infection if you end up needing a C-section than if you didn’t go through the trial of labor. However if successful, a VBAC delivery is safer than a planned c-section.

WHAT MIGHT INCREASE MY CHANCES OF A SUCCESSFUL VBAC?

The pregnancy, labor, and delivery experience is different for every woman, as is the likelihood of a VBAC. A trial of labor may be most telling of how successful a VBAC might go. Generally speaking, your best chances for a successful VBAC include:

Your previous cesarean wasn’t done for stalled labor
You don’t have the same condition that led to a previous C-section
You’ve had a vaginal delivery or a successful VBAC in the past
Your labor starts on its own, and your cervix dilates well
You’re younger than 35 years old

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF HAVING A SUCCESSFUL VBAC?

Your chances of a successful VBAC decrease when:

Your past C-section was due to difficult labor
You are obese
You’re older than 35 years old
Your fetus is very large
You’re beyond 40 weeks of pregnancy
Your last pregnancy was within the past 18 months

Schedule a consultation online with your OB/GYN at Nurture Women’s Health to discuss your options and chances for success.