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Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
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Last updated: September 2014
What are my chances of giving birth vaginally after having a c-section?As long as you're an appropriate candidate for a vaginal birth after a , also known as a VBAC, there's a good chance you'll succeed. Of course, your chances of success are higher if the reason for your previous c-section isn't likely to be an issue this time around.For example, a woman who has already had an easy vaginal delivery and then had a c-section when her next baby was
is much more likely to have a successful VBAC than one who had a c-section after being fully dilated and pushing for three hours with her first baby who was small and properly positioned. (Having given birth vaginally boosts your odds dramatically.)That said, it's impossible to predict with any certainty who will be able to have a vaginal delivery and who will end up with a repeat c-section. Attempting a VBAC is called a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). Overall, about 60 to 80 percent of women who attempt a VBAC deliver vaginally.If you decide to try it, you'll need a caregiver who supports the idea. Your caregiver must also have admitting privileges at a hospital that allows VBACs and where appropriate coverage is available around-the-clock.Not all hospitals meet the criteria for offering a VBAC. In addition, some hospitals simply avoid the controversy – and the potential for legal issues – surrounding VBACs by not allowing them. Most often, however, it's up to individual doctors whether they're willing to provide a VBAC.VBACs are controversial, and it may be challenging to find a practitioner who's willing to do one. Give yourself plenty of time to look around.What would make me a good candidate for a VBAC?According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you're a good candidate for a vaginal birth after a c-section if you meet all the following criteria:Your previous cesarean incision was a low-transverse uterine incision (which is horizontal) rather than a vertical incision in your upper uterus (known as a "classical" incision) or T-shaped, which would put you at higher risk for uterine rupture. (Note that the type of scar on your belly may not match the one on your uterus.)Your pelvis seems large enough to allow your baby to pass through safely. (While there's no way to know this for sure, your practitioner can examine your pelvis and make an educated guess.)You've never had any other extensive uterine surgery, such as a myomectomy to remove fibroids.You've never had a uterine rupture.You have no medical condition or obstetric problem (such as a placenta previa or a large fibroid) that would make a vaginal delivery risky.There's a doctor on site who can monitor your labor and perform an emergency c-section if necessary.There's an anesthesiologist, other medical personnel, and equipment available around-the-clock to handle an emergency situation for you or your baby.What factors would make it less likely for me to have a successful VBAC?Being an older momBeing overweightHaving a baby with a high birth weight (over 4,000 grams, about 8.8 pounds)Having your pregnancy go beyond 40 weeks of gestationHaving a short time between pregnancies (18 months or less)Talk with your practitioner about your individual chance of success and carefully weigh the benefits and the risks.What are the benefits of having a VBAC?A successful VBAC allows you to avoid major abdominal surgery and the risks associated with it. These include a higher risk of excessive bleeding, which can lead to a blood transfusion or even a hysterectomy in rare cases, as well as a higher risk of developing certain infections and other organ damage during the procedure. All the potential complications of major abdominal surgery increase with each cesarean delivery because the scarring can make each procedure technically more difficult.A c-section requires a longer hospital stay than a vaginal birth, and your recovery is generally slower and more uncomfortable.If you plan to have more children, you should know that every c-section you have raises your risk in future pregnancies of
and , in which the placenta implants too deeply and doesn't separate properly at delivery. These conditions can result in life-threatening bleeding and a hysterectomy.What are the risks of attempting a VBAC?Even if you're a good candidate for a VBAC, there's a very small (less than 1 percent) risk that your uterus will rupture at the site of your c-section incision, resulting in severe blood loss for you and possibly oxygen deprivation for your baby.Also, if you end up being unable to deliver vaginally, you could endure hours of labor only to have an unplanned c-section. And while a successful VBAC is less risky than a scheduled repeat c-section, an unsuccessful VBAC requiring a c-section after the onset of labor carries more risk than a scheduled c-section.With an unplanned c-section after laboring, you have a higher chance of surgical complications, such as excessive bleeding that could require a blood transfusion or a hysterectomy, in rare cases, and infections of the uterus and the incision. And the risk of complications is even higher if you end up needing an emergency cesarean.Finally, there is the risk of the baby having a serious complication that could lead to long-term neurological damage or even death. While this risk is very small overall, it may be higher in women who undergo an unsuccessful VBAC (which would mean a c-section after failed labor) than in women who have a successful vaginal delivery or a scheduled c-section.What kind of interventions will I need if I attempt a VBAC?A change in your baby's heartbeat is usually the earliest sign that there might be a problem. So if you decide to try for a vaginal birth after a cesarean, you'll need continuous electronic fetal monitoring. You'll also need an IV (which most women in labor have), and you'll have to refrain from eating anything during labor in case you require an emergency c-section later.
ACOG. 2010a. Ob-gyns issue less restrictive VBAC guidelines. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG. 2010b. Practice bulletin 115: Vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.NIH. 2010. Consensus development conference on vaginal birth after cesarean: New insights. National Institutes of Health.
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There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend kickstarting labor. Watch one mom go through the process.
Find out what happens if your baby is in a breech position for delivery.
Find out what techniques your caregiver may use to stimulate contractions if labor isn't progressing well, a process known as l...
Find out what to do if you have to deliver your baby before you get to the hospital.
Find out what causes macrosomia and what recovery will be like.
Find out why you might need a forceps delivery or vacuum extraction when you give birth and how they might affect you and your...
In an assisted delivery, a vacuum or forceps can ease your baby out and help avoid a c-section.
Find out what causes a uterine rupture and how this serious complication is treated.
What are the pros and cons of letting my water break naturally?
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