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If you've already had a Caesarean delivery, and are wanting to have a vaginal delivery for your next baby, there are some things to keep in mind.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 60-80 percent of women who try VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarean) have a successful vaginal delivery.
If you're considering having a VBAC delivery, here are some key factors your doctor will look at to determine if that delivery method is right for you:
- What type of uterine incision was used for the prior C-section? Though rare, scars left from these incisions are at risk of tearing during labor and delivery. A T- or J-shaped incision, used only in emergencies or when problems develop, have a greater risk of tearing and oftentimes prevent VBAC from being an option.
- Have you had previous vaginal deliveries? At least one vaginal delivery increases your chances at a successful VBAC.
- What prompted the C-section? If it was due to an infection or because the baby didn't descend through the birth canal, then VBAC is still an option because that may not be the case for this pregnancy, but if yor cervix didn't dilate enough, it's possible that could happen again and you'd have to end up doing an emergency C-section.
- How many Caesareans have you had? The more you've had, the greater the risk for a uterine rupture.
- Are you having multiples? VBAC is definitely doable for twins, but if you're having three or more, it can get complicated.
- Have you had a uterine rupture? If so, you're not a candidate for VBAC.
- Do you have any health conditions that might affect a vaginal delivery? Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease may make a vaginal delivery to risky for you and your baby.
- Is the facility in which you are delivering fully equipped to handle an emergency C-section? Because of the risks, an emergency C-section may have to happen and you want to make sure your hospital can handle it.
Have you had a VBAC or attempted one? What was your experience like?
Comments (27)
I think any woman who has had a cesarean and plans on more kids needs to go to www.ican-online.org and join their local Ican chapter as well. Not dilating enough? There are many misconceptions about how labor and delivery works and what can lead to failure to progress. When attempting vbac and researching what went wrong, many women find that they could have avoided their cesarean in the first place.
Some of the information posted here is flat out WRONG. Who posts these things? Cafemom? Whoever it is seriously needs to do some research and get their facts straight!
I agree with nonosense, I also encourage any mother to research herself instead of blindly taking info from non reputable sources, as well as non experienced individuals...there are plenty of women who have VBAC'd that docs/statistics said couldn't and wouldn't. Bottom line let the mommies control their birth, with the right info.
My personal experience with a VBAC is one that should have been in a book for complications Im sure! The doc thought i could deliver just fine, the reason for my previous c sect. was because of a breech baby and the next one was ready to go regular so they thought all would be fine. Well, delivery of the baby was fine and wonderful, delivery of the placenta wasnt. My placenta had attached to the scar in my uterus causing the doc to have to MANUALLY remove the placenta (and I mean rip it out and reaching in). Long story short, they said I would be fine, 4 yrs and a ton of pain and problems later I had to have a partial hysterectomy at the age of 27! Now I am 32 and wish someone had told me those possible compications, I would have taken another c sect. over a hysterectomy and no more babies any day of the week! Im not saying no one should try a VBAC but you should definately do your homework and talk extensively with your doc.
The cervix "not dilating enough" could be a complete lie and just an impatient doctor. Don't trust people who keep saying, "You could end up with a c-section." You want someone who is just as dedicated to your VBAC as you are.
SuperMom, they would have removed the placenta the SAME WAY if they'd done a c-section.
I am planning a VBAC....at HOME
*gasp*
and double *gasp* my cervix didn't dialate enough the first time. Hmmm maybe because I was shot up with pitocin and confined to a bed to labor?? I dunno??
Sorry but this is a poor article - the facts need to be set straight. Anyone questioning VBAC should visit www.ICAN-online.org
You left out the most important fact. If your doctor is willing to try VBAC but uses drugs to induce or augment labor, RUN FOR THE HILLS. The success rate for VBAC and the frequency of VBAC prior to the introduction of the latest induction drug (someone help me out with the name) was fantastic. Then they started using that drug and women started to rupture. Of course they blamed the ruptures on the VBAC process rather than the drug.
SuperMomof3 kids, I'm so sorry, but placenta acretia you probably had could have happened with a second c-section too. It is one of those c-section risks they don't tell you about and is a result of your previous c-section, not your VBAC, although a doctor reaching in a ripping a placenta out is never recommended either. I'm very very sorry you can't have more children.
Quoting SuperMomof3kids: Jun. 1, 2009 at 2:09 PM
My personal experience with a VBAC is one that should have been in a book for complications Im sure! The doc thought i could deliver just fine, the reason for my previous c sect. was because of a breech baby and the next one was ready to go regular so they thought all would be fine. Well, delivery of the baby was fine and wonderful, delivery of the placenta wasnt. My placenta had attached to the scar in my uterus causing the doc to have to MANUALLY remove the placenta (and I mean rip it out and reaching in). Long story short, they said I would be fine, 4 yrs and a ton of pain and problems later I had to have a partial hysterectomy at the age of 27! Now I am 32 and wish someone had told me those possible compications, I would have taken another c sect. over a hysterectomy and no more babies any day of the week! Im not saying no one should try a VBAC but you should definately do your homework and talk extensively with your doc.
True placenta accreta occurs in 1 in 540 to 1 in 70,000 deliveries. While it is very sad your story ended in a hysterectomy someone should have informed you of these risks when they decided to perform a c/s for a breech baby. The risks of delivering a breech baby vaginally do not outweigh the risks of a cesarean delievery or complications for future pregnancies or births from a c/s scar.
wow! thanks for all the info mommas. I am TTC and I am aiming for a VBAC I want to know as much as possible. If anyone has any other info please PM me.
Just an add to....I know they would have removed the placenta the same way if I had had a c sect, but i dont think it would have led to all the other complications that caused the hysterectomy...... just a thought.