VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean, is a descriptive name for the process of giving birth vaginally after you have given birth by a C-section previously. If the person has had at least one cesarean section, there is a possibility that they will experience certain challenges in the next deliveries. In the continuation of today’s blog post, those challenges will be elaborated on in more detail.
Generally, up to 80% of women have a successful VBAC. Still, it is imperative to monitor your health and pregnancy in order to deliver your baby without any potential complications due to a previous C-section.
Having an experienced doctor who monitors your health and progress during pregnancy is crucial for a successful delivery. At My OBGYN Specialist, you can be confident that you will get premium service, the necessary guidance, and support so that you feel safe and happy while preparing for your baby to arrive.
What’s a VBAC?
VBAC, as mentioned, means that women choose to give birth vaginally after previously having at least one C-section. To clarify, a cesarean section includes a surgical incision that is made through the stomach and uterus in order to deliver the baby. A vaginal delivery, as the name suggests, is the process of giving birth to your child through the vaginal canal.
When people ask what a VBAC is, they mostly want to know how safe it is to give birth vaginally after going through a C-section and the potential benefits and risks of VBAC. Below we have compiled information that might be useful for someone who is deliberating whether to give birth vaginally after the C-section procedure.
Why Even Consider a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean?
As previously stated, having a cesarean section brings certain trauma to the body. This procedure is a surgical endeavor, and as with all surgeries, it carries certain risks and potential complications. Also, the hospital stay after a C-section is longer than it is in the case of a vaginal delivery due to the nature of the procedure, and it takes more time for women to return to their everyday routine after having a C-section.
Also, women often consider having a VBAC when they plan on having more than one child because it saves them from facing the risks that multiple cesarean deliveries bring.
Can I Have a VBAC?
Many different factors influence the possibility of being eligible for VBAC, and below you can find a list of what those factors can include:
- What kind of incision was used during the cesarean section is crucial because if the doctors used a high vertical incision, which is also called classical, then VBAC is not recommended due to the high risk of rupturing the uterus. If a low incision was used, either a transverse or a vertical one, then those women could be candidates for VBAC because the risk of rupture is less than 1%.
- If you have had a uterine rupture previously, then you most certainly are not a VBAC candidate.
- If you have experienced other kinds of surgeries on the uterus, such as myomas removal, VBAC is not recommended.
- Previous vaginal deliveries, regardless if they occurred before or after the C-section, make a good base for success regarding vaginal birth after cesarean.
- The number of C-sections the patient had is a crucial factor in determining whether the person can have a VBAC. If they had more than two, VBAC would not be an option.
- Attempting to have a vaginal birth after cesarean earlier than 18 months after the previous delivery is very risky and not recommended.
- If you are facing issues such as having a baby in an abnormal position, problems with the placenta, carrying more than two babies, etc. VBAC is not recommended.
- When discussing a VBAC with your doctor, the delivery location will also be considered. If you are not planning to give birth in a facility that is equipped to handle urgent C-sections, the doctor will not advise you to proceed with your plans.
- If you need to have induced labor, there is a smaller chance that you will have a successful VBAC.
Considering all the mentioned factors is very important, but first, you need to visit your doctor and speak to them about your plans and potential concerns. Every person is different and unique, and there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to this topic. Your family and personal medical history, current pregnancy status, previous deliveries, and reasons for having a C-section in the first place are all specificities that need to be addressed when it comes to deciding about VBAC.
Risks of VBAC
Deliberations about having a vaginal birth after a cesarean are also present due to different risks, which are common when women decide to have a vaginal birth in these circumstances. The risks are as follows:
- Uterine rupture is one of the main risks when it comes to VBAC. This occurs when the scar remaining from the C-section ruptures and the patient needs an urgent C-section. Both the baby’s and mother’s lives could be saved this way. This happens in 1% of the cases, but it is very dangerous and can be deadly. Also, after you have experienced a uterine rupture, there is a possibility that you might need a hysterectomy.
- Uterine infections
- Hemorrhage
- Severe bleeding
- Blood loss
- Blood clots
To be able to mitigate any potential complications, it is essential to have the VBAC at a facility that is equipped to deal with situations like uterine ruptures, so make sure to plan ahead and have a plan B.
Benefits of VBAC
When comparing VBAC with a C-section, certain benefits help women decide to have a vaginal birth after cesarean after all, and they are:
- Fast recovery process
- No need for abdominal surgery
- Less amount of blood loss
- Vaginal birthing, in general, clears the lungs of the child and prepares it for breathing oxygen.
- Babies often pick up “good bacteria” during their passage through the vaginal canal, which is not the case with a C-section.
- Fewer risk factors that are otherwise typical of the C-section, such as anesthesia risks, infections from surgery, injuries to other organs, pain caused by the incision, etc.
Schedule an Appointment
Having a vaginal birth after a cesarean is a huge and important decision for the future mother. Generally, there are many more benefits than risks when it comes to VBAC, but that does not mean that it is completely safe and that no precaution is needed. Women need to be guided and supported when making a decision, and their medical provider has to be the primary source they turn to.
Our clinic has experienced staff and equipped facilities to help our patients decide and go through with VBAC. Schedule a consultation with our doctors and make your journey toward motherhood as safe and pleasant as possible.