Birthing a child vaginally after having a cesarean delivery is known as VBAC or Vaginal Birth After C-Section. The result is a natural birth, rather than a surgical one.

The choice of whether to have a VBAC or a repeat C-section is one that every pregnant woman with an earlier caesarean must make. The process of birthing with VBAC may seem difficult, but it is increasingly becoming prevalent.

VBAC- An Overview

In prior decades, women who delivered via c-section were mainly destined for cesarean section conveyance for subsequent pregnancies. But now, VBAC is considered a legitimate and relatively safe choice for women that have had a C-section previously.

Generally speaking, about 60-80% of women who opt for VBAC have a successful vaginal delivery, with 20-40% experiencing complications and a resultant repeat c-section.

Candidates for VBAC

As with any delivery technique, certain risk factors may impact the safety of attempting VBAC. Thus, not everyone is a candidate for VBAC.

One of the most significant determiners of VBAC safety is the type of uterine incision that was made during the previous C-section surgery. Women who had a low transverse uterine incision are excellent candidates for VBAC; women who had a high vertical uterine incision during their cesarean are not candidates for VBAC because of the heightened chances of uterine rupture.

Other significant factors when considering VBAC consist of the reason for the earlier c-section, maternal age, gestational age, and maternal overall wellbeing.

Women undergo prenatal care and monitoring appropriately before attempting a VBAC to assess if it is safe and feasible to continue with that delivery method.

Related Article Successful Vaginal Delivery After C-Section – What You need to know

VBAC vs. Repeat Cesarean

VBAC and repeat c-sections involve varying degrees and types of risks. Below is a brief description of those risks:.

: VBAC risks

• Uterine rupture: This is rare, but when it happens, it poses a severe risk to both mother and child. It arises when the uterus scar from the previous C-section ruptures spontaneous or tearing open during a trial labor or birth.
• Vaginal delivery complications: The likelihood of certain vaginal delivery complexities, like shoulder dystocia, increases with trial labor and accomplishment of VBAC.

: Repeat c-section risks

• Injury during the surgery: Organs, nerves, and blood vessels can get inadvertently injured during a cesarean delivery surgery.
• Increased risk of respiratory issues: infants delivered via planned cesarean delivery have a slightly greater chance of respiratory distress in contrast to those who are delivered vaginally or delivered through an unscheduled c-section.

The Advantages of VBAC

VBAC brings with it various benefits that are not afforded by a repeat C-section. Below are some of the advantages:.

Scar tissue reduction

A vaginal birth poses no risk of uterine incisional scar tissue because it does not interfere with any new incisions. Scar tissue can lead to later complications and make it difficult to conceive.

Lower risk of respiratory issues

When compared to babies born through C-sections, infants delivered vaginally have a lowered likelihood of pulmonary problems in sizable part because of the hormonal benefit newborns receive during vaginal deliveries.

A quicker recovery period

Recovery after a vaginal birth is generally quicker than after a cesarean. Women who deliver via VBAC can move around faster and are often discharged from the hospital sooner than those who delivered via a cesarean.

Low infection chances

With Cesarean deliveries, there is a higher risk of assorted labor-related infections. After a vaginal delivery, the baby is safer from that risk-enhancing their probability of getting discharged shortly after birth.

Conclusion

It is becoming increasingly common for women to opt for VBAC. VBAC is a modern strategy that offers women an opportunity to give birth naturally and avoid the inherent complications that come with surgical procedures.

As long as you meet the candidacy conditions mentioned above and work with a trusted healthcare team and institution, it is safe with the proper monitoring.