Can I Have a VBAC?

A question that we are asked quite often is, “Can I have a vaginal birth if I had a previous c-section?” First off, we want you to know that if you have experienced a cesarean delivery, you are not alone. This is something that many women have experienced a wide variety of reasons. Second, it is important to know that VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) can be an option for women. In fact, 90% of women who have undergone cesarean deliveries are candidates for a VBAC.

In the past, if you had a cesarean once, then it was assumed you had to have one on all future pregnancies, but that isn’t the case anymore. Studies have shown that cesarean births come with added risk, longer hospital stays, and extra recovery time. Experts in the field discovered that if a woman met certain criteria that deemed her a good candidate for a VBAC birth, then it could be a safe and healthy option for mothers to avoid the increased risk of complications following a cesarean section (C-section).

At Birth Center Stone Oak, we are advocates for VBAC births because we are passionate about giving mothers the ability to experience natural labor and birth. However, VBAC isn’t right for everyone. Certain factors, such as a high-risk uterine scar or pregnancies that are too close together can affect whether it is a good option or not.

What makes a good candidate for VBAC:

  • No more than 2 low transverse cesarean deliveries.
  • No additional uterine scars, anomalies, or previous ruptures.
  • If the original reason for cesarean delivery is not a factor with this pregnancy.
  • You have no major medical problems.
  • The baby is a normal size.
  • The baby is head-down.

Empowering yourself with information can expand your options. An informative site we recommend to visit is www.ican-online.org, which is an online resource for moms considering a vaginal birth after a c-section. If you want to learn more about our care or our philosophy on VBAC send us a message.