Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Many women who have had a previous cesarean birth may attempt vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
VBAC requires special medical precautions to protect you and your baby. You will have an IV in your arm and special monitoring will be performed on your baby to alert your healthcare provider to any signs of distress.
VBAC benefits
VBAC potentially offers benefits such as:
- A shorter hospital stay
- A faster recovery and return to regular activities
Who can have VBAC?
The first factor your physician will consider is the type of uterine incision used in your previous cesarean birth. The skin incision on your abdomen is not necessarily in the same direction as the womb incision.
Your medical records will be very important in determining this information.
Certain factors may not allow for a VBAC, including:
- Twins
- Breech birth
- Above-average sized babies
- Location of the placenta
No labor and birth is risk-free, and you should weigh the risks carefully before deciding.
