This post is a strong support to all the VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section) MaMa out of there !! Spread the word around you ! Your body is built for birth and once a C-section doesn’t necessarily mean always a C-section.
Some facts and myths around VBA
There are a lot of myths around birth and having a vaginal birth after a C-section is a very common wide-spread one.
It always breaks my heart when expecting mothers think that because they had a previous C-section they will never have a vaginal birth. In most situations, once a C-section doesn’t mean always a C-section.
Nevertheless, the percentage of women who attempt a Vaginal Birth after C-section is shockingly low only about 13%.
However out of those women, up to 80% will achieve a vaginal birth after cesarean and this is a strong signal that this is possible.
How to prepare for a VBAC ?
Like every birth scenario, there is always preparation to be done.
- First of all you need to understand why your previous C-section happened, and allow yourself to heal emotionally and mentally to potentially avoid it. Your previous hospital birth team should help you to understand what happened during your previous birth that led to a C-section.
- Then, the best approach is to learn how to support the natural and normal process of birth, something that seems so simple and intuitive but is not in our modern societies. Birth is a natural process and women need to learn about it.
- Thirdly, you should look for a VBAC supportive care provider, who will never look to induce you at 40 weeks and instead will be opened to induction/augmentation options to support your ideal vaginal birth after C-section scenario. This supportive care provider should have an history of successful VBAC and will encourage you to labor outside of the hospital, as chances of a successful vaginal birth are higher the more time you spend in your first phase of labour at home.
- Lastly, you should surround yourself with a chiropractor/osteopath during your pregnancy to prepare your body for the natural process of birth. You could also look to hire a doula that would train and support you in your birth preferences.
One very important thing to remember is that a home delivery is not appropriate for VBAC, these should only happen in the hospital.
It’s important to highlight that birth is unpredictable and planning for your ideal scenario also means keeping your mind open about all the other options.
There are some strong factors that will prevent you to have a successful VBAC but a potential big baby weight is never never never one !!! A large baby weight is a very common reason used by hospitals to plan a C-section and you should run away from any hospitals that would recommend you that only based on the size of your baby.
On the opposite, if your previous C-section cut was high vertical, if there is less than 18 months between your previous pregnancy and this one, you have preeclampsia or you had surgery on your uterus, then you shouldn’t consider a VBAC.
What makes your chances of having a successful VBAC higher?
These factors can make your chances of a successful VBAC higher and need to be considered in your decision.
- If you have had just one c-section in the past with a low transverse incision (also called a bikini cut).
- This means the cut was horizontal (side-to-side) and low on the uterus. This is the most common kind of c-section incision. It usually bleeds less than other incisions. It also makes a stronger scar on the uterus, which makes it less likely to tear.
- If you and your baby are in good health during pregnancy.
- If your labor starts on its own just before or on your due date.
Not all VBAC will be successful but women should have the option to consider it and think about it.
Again the most important thing around birth is:
- Keep educating yourself
- Trust your body that is built for birth and train your mind
- Always empower yourself in every birth decision
- Speak up for yourself in considering your birth options
- And affirm yourself in all possible birth scenarios
