Vaginal Delivery:Vaginal birth after cesarean

Are there risks involved during a VBAC?

In the United States, approximately 1 out of every 3 babies are delivered via a cesarean section. In previous years, women that had a cesarean once would generally have another with each subsequent delivery. However, more and more women are encouraged to have a VBAC. A VBAC is a vaginal birth after cesarean. If you wish to have a vaginal delivery, it is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks involved with a VBAC.

If you have already delivered via c-section in the past, you will likely be encouraged to try a VBAC. A vaginal birth after cesarean is not recommended if you have had two previous cesareans and no vaginal deliveries, three previous cesareans, scarring in your uterus, placenta previa or a breech positioned baby. Many doctors will not recommend a VBAC if your previous cearean scar is vertical rather than horizontal. If you have had one or two cesareans AND a vaginal delivery, most doctors will alow you to attempt a vaginal delivery.

If you and your doctor have agreed that a VBAC is safe to attempt, your doctor will plan to deliver your baby vaginally. You might still require a cesarean, so stay open minded. Approximately 40% of women that attempt a VBAC will still need a cesarean to deliver their baby.

A VBAC has several benefits. By having a vaginal delivery, you avoid scarring to your uterus that is caused by a cesarean section. The more scars that your uterus has, the more likely you are to experience complications with future pregnancies. A mother that delivers vaginally usually experiences less pain after delivery and has a shorter recovery time than mothers that have cesarean sections. As with any major surgery, a cesarean section carries a higher risk of infection than a vaginal birth and a longer stay in the hospital

There are risks involved with a VBAC. Although the chances are slim, doctors are most concerned that a previous c-section scar could come open during labor. If this were to happen, it would be a very serious complication for mother and baby. Most doctors do not attempt a VBAC unless the hospital is equipped with the staff and equipment needed to do a quick emergency cesrean for this reason. The likelihood of a previous cesarean scar rupturing during labor is about 2-4%. Using pitocin or other labor-inducing drugs increase the chances of a scar rupture because of the added stress to the uterus.

Comments: Vaginal Delivery - Vaginal-birth-after-cesarean

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Mommy2-6 - 417 days ago.
Hi everyone I am new to this board. But I wanted to tell my story. I am due in September with baby # 6 and my first baby was an emergency C/Section. I have successfully had 4 vaginal deliveries after that. My dr says that this one will also be a vaginal Delivery. So it can be done!!! Good luck to all who are trying to go vaginal after a C/S if I can help or you have any questions feel free to ask.

frenchie23 - 501 days ago.
Heey ladies... wow its quiet in here, I was just thinking how great it would be if there was a VBAC forum and there it is ;) I just had an emergency c-section in January and now (jan again ;p) im 5weeks pregnant and realllyyyy want VBAC... I know my doc allows it as long as the kids are 18 months appart and mine will be 19, almost 20 so, I'm gonna go for it.... I wanted to ask if any of you when you had your c-section had trouble dialating then 2nd time around you didnt? I had 28 hours of labor, water broke at home so we really had a time window to give birth and I only dialated to 4, and things went wrong with her hb and had to have a c-section... Im hoping my body wont get stuck at 4 again and I will be able to go forward with a vaginal birth......

secondchance - 679 days ago.
yall should check out ICAN (international cesarean awareness network), I just had a successful vbac 5 days ago. I have large babies with large heads. 2nd degree vaginal and perineal tearing has been WAY better than the csection that i had 2 months ago.

maybebe - 684 days ago.
Talks, I thought I'd leave you a message. I will be attempting a vbac within the next 4 weeks. I too wish there was a little more dialogue on this subject. Many Many people have been successful. I spoke to an educator on VBAC and she had a successful VBAC2 and didn't seem to be concerned with anyone attempting it.

maybebe - 684 days ago.
Talks, I thought I'd leave you a message. I will be attempting a vbac within the next 4 weeks. I too wish there was a little more dialogue on this subject. Many Many people have been successful. I spoke to an educator on VBAC and she had a successful VBAC2 and didn't seem to be concerned with anyone attempting it.

talks1nmaths - 693 days ago.
Hi, I'm new to this page and see it isn't particularly active. However, I am TTC my third and final child and desperately want to try VBA2C. My first section came after more than a day of labor and a couple complications. I managed to dilate to 9.5, 10 during contractions, but the baby wasn't descending enough-- apparently the top of her head was visible when I contracted and was permitted to 'test push' to see what happened, but she was distressed and her heart rate started to dip. I developed a fever, vomited, and was barely coherent when given the option to either continue or have a c-section. I opted for the section, which turned out to be a wise choice as her cord was apparently around her neck. With my son, who was born 21 months later, VBAC was not an option. My doctor told me that unless I could look him in the eye and tell him with 100% certainty that I had no doubt whatsoever about VBAC, he was scheduling a c-section. Obviously, there was no way I could do that. I don't think any woman can say they have not even a 1% sliver of doubt that something could go wrong. I told him I wanted a VBAC, but was still a little concerned about the scar potentially rupturing. He scheduled a c-section. While I am grateful to have had a healthy baby boy, I feel like the birth process was more like an elective operation than a birthing experience. It seemed so 'medical' instead of 'magical'. And, as awful as it sounds, and possibly selfish, I feel somewhat cheated. I want to know if anyone else has successfully had a VBA2C, and what the experience was like.

VBA2C Hopeful - 741 days ago.
Message me if anyone is attempting or has succeded in a VBA2C? i have never labored and am worried that when i do fall pregnant with baby 3, the hospital wont support me. First was breech and second was a failed vbac because my fluid was very low so they did an emerg csec again :( I want to experince labor and i want a vaginal birth, not another scar and loads of pain afterwards.

mummy22 - 793 days ago.
I'm hoping mine will be a success partially due to a smaller baby as well :) HE is a boy this time and will be about a pound smaller than my girl (I've had about 4 growth scans since 30 weeks and they are all pretty much on the same track). I have had GDM in both pregnancies and my sugars have been alot better second time around. I really have no problems using syntocin in this birth, but I know the risk is minutely higher to having a uterine rupture. That risk, minutely lower, is still there even if I go into birth naturally. I definitely trust my doctor :) But, like others, if this ends in csec, I know for a fact I will be ok with that as it was necessary. I will look out for the warning signs that there are problems and I am hoping to have another epi should I require it (which I know can block the signs of problems). Anyways, point is, I couldn't feel more positive about my birth plan that I haven't even had to do - my doc has done for me :)

mummy22 - 793 days ago.
Actually I think the use of a synthetic hormone can be safely used in situations based on a case by case basis - certainly the impression I've been given. I will go in for induction on Wednesday and they will break my waters (I'm 37+3 atm, but since at least 36+4, I've been 3cm dilated). They will see how I go with the breaking of my waters, hopefully that's all I need :) BUT if it's not and I need a little help, then they will add a little syntocin in a drip and see how I go then. In order for this to be a success, I need to progress reasonably quickly and they will watch me carefully. Apart from that, even with GDM, I don't have to be on an insulin drip. Even tho there is a risk of another csec, they have advised I do not need to fast. I can get up and walk around, this will be a far far cry from my first labour!!! I have cholestasis of pregnancy, so baby does need to come out now and today I had my last bloods done and a ctg, everything is perfect (well not sure about the bloods, but they will have the results before they induce me to see if they need to watch me even more carefully!). The doctor that I have is involved in research as to exactly how much more of a risk it is to induce after csec etc and he is very very ok with everything we are doing, he has given me a confidence I didn't know I could have. I'm very very lucky. Even if this does end in csec, I know it will be because it was absolutely necessary. I had to do it on his day at the hospital delivery ward because he would 'have his work cut out to get another ob to do it'. I haven't had to pay for this doctor, I think the public health system was smiling down on me this time.... :)

Proud mommy of a son!!! - 826 days ago.
Okay ladies i need ur adivce what is somethings i need to keep in mind during labor to have a sucessful vbac?

agummybear - 838 days ago.
I had a very successful VBAC a year ago. My boys are 20 months apart. They gave me pitocin because my water broke and they wanted me to deliver within 24 hours. They started it with a super low dose and increased it by a little bit only a couple times. It was a wonderful experience from start to finish!

Proud Mommy of a Son!!! - 838 days ago.
Hey ladies i am 28 weeks along and going to go for a VBAC. Need some encouragement.

trinag - 838 days ago.
my first baby was born by c section. i have since had 5 vaginal births! i really prefer giving birth naturally, don't be scared to give it a try x

kowboianne - 839 days ago.
I also was told by my OB that he absolutely would not use Pitocin. I have high blood pressure and, because I was almost a week past my due date, we scheduled a c section. He did, however, give me a membrane sweep. It did the trick! I went into labor less than 2 days later and had a successful VBAC. We were checking out of the hospital around the same time my c section was scheduled. Best of luck to everyone!

mgmommy - 839 days ago.
Clarissa, I am really surprised your doctor used pitocin as it is indicated to have a much higher incidence of rupture. My doctor told me that she would in no instance use pitocin on me and if I had to be induced, it would have been with a Foley catheter to balloon up and open the cervix, then break my water. Thankfully I went in to labor on my own and had a successful VBAC. Ashley, DD was over a pound smaller than DS which may have contributed to my VBAC – best of luck to you!

clarissagayle - 843 days ago.
I write this as a warning becuase it is very important to be fully informed before having a vbac. I attempted a vbac in September and got to 7 cm when the baby went into distress. The docs decided to do an emergency c section and found a complete uterine rupture and the baby had started to come out the previous scar. I hadn't even considered this happening due to the fact that I am a heavy scarrer and that it was so rare. The more I have read after the birth, the more I realize how lucky I am to have a repaired uterus and a live, healthy baby. My doctors were amazing at noticing the signs. I had a sharp pain in my right side that I felt through the epidural. I was induced with pitocin because of severely high blood pressure. I feel like the pitocin is what led to the rupture but I don't have a way to prove this. I don't regret attempting a vbac. I got to experience labor and wouldn't give that back, but I say all this not to scare anyone but just to say be INFORMED! Try to avoid being induced and pay attention to your bodies warning signs that something isn't right. Also prepare yourself that a c section might be the best thing. In my case, it was and I'm actually a lot more at peace with this c section than my first one.

NaturalMama - 876 days ago.
This baby is coming Earthside by my own will and by my own vagina with out the help of an OB. BAM! I am empowered! ICAN!!

kowboianne - 894 days ago.
Hello, Mommies! I am in Idaho and have finally found an OB who is willing to help me with a VBAC! I am so excited! I am due on January 22. Does anyone on here have stories they'd like to share?

crystal907 - 939 days ago.
What are the odds that you would rupture during pregnancy versus labor/delivery? I know this is a fear of VBAC but I scar easily and my scar still bugs me almost 2 years later. I'm not due until next summer but it's still in the back of my mind. I would like to try VBAC, I can't take the time to heal from a c/s again with 2 of them running around. I'd love to hear more stories about c/s and VBAC from you.

emmamummy - 945 days ago.
Hi everyone Im due feb 17th 2011 and would also love to have a successful vbac although i was excited about it in the beginning once i started to read about it i started to freak right out but hated the idea of electing to have a csec also just starting to get positive about it again and would love to here from anyone on the topic so glad I found this forum though it doesnt look like its used much :D Goodluck to everyone

kamomma - 949 days ago.
I am due Nov 2 and just made up my mind to try a VBAC. I am very excited about this. My hospital and doctors will not allow it so I have to travel almost 3 hours away to a hospital that will allow it. It is a GREAT hospital and the new doctors office is great. I'm really hoping and praying this birth will go smoothly and we'll be able to have a VBAC. Good luck ladies!

sam m - 958 days ago.
I have been through the whoe, vbac thing and if anyone needs help and advise then come and ask me, id be glad to share. My first born was an emergency c section and 2 years later against all the odds after being induced I gave birth to a 9lb 14oz baby girl naturally! It can most definately be done, even if you are induced and even if baby is huuuuge! lol x

Trini - 958 days ago.
Check out the websites vbacfacts.com and ican-online.org When you care provider is telling you the risk of VBAC make sure they are also telling you the risk of cesarean as well.

twebdup - 981 days ago.
I'm 33 weeks and my Dr. had a scheduled C-section set up for me on 10/21. My first, born 2/08 was a scheduled C-section because he was breech. I never even went into labor. Now my Dr. changed her mind and said I can try a VBAC. But she gave me all these scary-sounding waivers to sign, so I'm really torn as to what to do.

Trini - 984 days ago.
If anyone has any VBAC or Pregnancy questions please message me. I am passionate about VBAC and birth in general. I am a trained birth doula and childbirth educator. I have a 2 & 4 years old and totally support child-led weaning.