Can I have a VBAC?

Recent medical guidelines state that women with one previous low-transverse incision should be treated the same as the woman without a previous cesarean! Professionals now even recommend that women with two or more cesareans can have a VBAC if they wish.

Many women want to have a VBAC because of the feeling that they missed out on an important life experience when they had a cesarean. They want to feel a baby move through and out of their bodies and into their arms. Other women and medical professionals know that labor is important for the newborn's adjustment to life outside mother. They also know that vaginal births are safer for mothers and infants than planned cesareans. Still others want a faster recovery from their births and to go home much sooner than when they had a cesarean. They want to mother and nurture their infants (and other children) without the restrictions that accompany surgical delivery. They want to avoid surgery and its risks and complications.

You may share these reasons or have different ones, but it's important to remember that any reason to want a VBAC is a good reason.

What do I need to know about my previous cesarean?

It's helpful to know why you had your cesarean(s). Most reasons for a cesarean don't necessarily repeat themselves. These include:

Fetal distress - baby in trouble;

Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) - "too-big baby for too-small pelvis;"

Failure to progress - labor lasts too long;

Breech position - baby comes bottom or feet first;

Transverse - baby lies sideways;

Abrupted placenta or a placenta previa - location or separation of the placenta causing bleeding and problems with the baby's supply of oxygen;

Prolonged rupture of the membranes - the bag of waters breaks, and either labor does not begin or the baby is not born within a specified amount of time;

Previous birth(s) by cesarean - including planned, repeat cesareans.

Despite cesareans for the above or other reasons, countless women have successfully and safely had their later babies vaginally.

Please read the rest of this excellent article on The Health Pages website found here.

The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN), is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).  Please visit the Central Arkansas group on facebook where you can learn about the local meetings!

~Doulas are a great resource when planning your VBAC birth.  Call the Birth Works office today at 501-663-2850~