Cesarean section (C-section) is a surgical delivery of a baby, usually performed to prevent complications that may harm mom or baby. About 80% of women who had a C-section continue to deliver their babies this way — but you can give birth vaginally after a C-section.
At Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska, our team of women’s specialists want nothing more than to closely adhere to our patients’ wishes when it comes to their birth plan. For those who want to try a vaginal birth even though they had a C-section, we offer vaginal delivery after C-section or VBAC.
If you’re pregnant and your previous delivery was through C-section, you can choose to have a surgical delivery again or opt for VBAC. Many women want to experience a natural delivery, and VBAC gives them the chance to do so.
Beyond fulfilling your wishes to deliver your baby naturally, VBAC offers other benefits, including a faster recovery time and less risk of infection.
A vaginal birth also helps your baby clear amniotic fluid from their lungs so they’re more prepared to breathe at birth. Your baby also comes in contact with your body’s microbiome as it travels through the birth canal, enhancing their immune system.
If you had only one C-section delivery, your chances of having a vaginal delivery are good. However, trying to deliver vaginally after two or more C-sections is riskier, decreasing the likelihood of a natural delivery.
Deciding to have a vaginal delivery after a C-section is a personal choice, but not one you need to make on your own. Our team can talk with you about VBAC and your chances of success, taking into consideration your previous surgical history and health as well as fetal health when determining the safety of a VBAC.
If we think it’s safe for you to try to deliver vaginally, we will do our best to make it happen. One of the concerns we have with VBAC is uterine rupture during birth. However, this complication is rare.
Having a successful VBAC may also help you avoid complications that come with multiple C-sections, such as injuries to the bowel or bladder.
Even if you’re a good candidate for a VBAC, anything can happen during delivery that may require a surgical delivery. While in labor, we go through a trial of labor after C-section (TOLAC), closely monitoring you and the baby.
If all goes well, you deliver vaginally. If the TOLAC is unsuccessful, we perform a C-section. Because of the potential complications with a VBAC, you must deliver at the hospital so we can perform procedures without any delay.
Even after deciding to go ahead with a VBAC, any number of issues may tip the balance between risks and reward for your vaginal delivery. For example, if you need medication to induce labor, your chances of a vaginal delivery decrease.
You can give birth vaginally after a C-section, as long as you and your baby stay safe throughout delivery. We offer comprehensive, patient-centered prenatal care, and we can talk to you about your delivery options and help you fulfill your birth plan.
Contact Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, to schedule a visit with a member of our team by calling the office near you today or by requesting an appointment online.
