VBAC's

You asked for it, I'm posting about it!

VBAC stands for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. 

I have zero experience with c-sections, and less than zero experience with a VBAC, but I can tell you what I know.

Doctors used to think (and some still say this) that if you had one baby by cesarean, all of your babies will be delivered in that same way. This just isn't true. The statistics now are saying that 90% of women who delivered via c-section make great candidates for  a VBAC.

Depending on what the issue was for your first c-section, you may be able to deliver vaginally the next time around.

If you have:

• No major medical issues
• Your baby is healthy and head-down
• Your baby isn't too large (remember though, ultrasounds aren't always correct on the size - I was told my son would be around 6 pounds, he was a little over 7)
• You don't have any issues going on now that had been the cause for your previous c-section

...then you should be a good candidate for a VBAC. 


If you have:

• A vertical incision, rather than a horizontal incision, there's a higher risk of uterine rupture (Please Note: the incision scar you see on your abdomen may not be the same cut they made on your uterus - 95% of incisions are horizontal). 
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• You are pregnant with more than one baby
• Your baby is breech or in the transverse position
• Your baby is showing signs of distress

 ...you wont be a candidate for a VBAC.

50 - 80% of women who attempt a VBAC manage to avoid a c-section, but sometimes the problems that led to the first c-section, rear their ugly heads again.

Advantages include: 

• Less risky than a c-section
• Less time to recover and shorter hospital stay
• Lower risk of infection
• No abdominal surgery

Risks include: 

1. The uterine scar tissue from your previous incision may split (though the odds are 1 in 1,000). 

You'll need to find a doctor who will back you on your VBAC choice (often, midwives are more open to VBACs and have more success with them; midwives do not just do home births, plenty of them work in hospitals or birth centers as well).

Also, know your pain options. Some doctors will limit your pain medications if you're choosing a VBAC and others will be alright with the use of an epidural. If you choose to induce, or if you have to be induced for a medical reason, your VBAC choice will probably be thrown out.

Remember that delivering via c-section can be every bit as meaningful as delivering vaginally. All that matters at the end of the day is that you and your baby are healthy. 

Further information: 

The VBAC checklist: http://www.ican-online.org/vbac/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-checklist

What To Do if Your Hospital Doesn't Allow VBACs: http://www.ican-online.org/vbac/My-Hospital-Is-Currently-Not-Allowing-VBAC
or 
http://www.ican-online.org/vbac/your-right-refuse-what-do-if-your-hospital-has-banned-vbac-q

VBAC Policies in the US: http://www.ican-online.org/vbac-ban-info