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VBAC: The basics
By Mayo Clinic staffSixty percent to 80 percent of women who attempt VBAC have successful vaginal deliveries. Although your doctor can't predict how much pressure labor will place on the scar tissue from your prior C-section or whether you'll have a successful VBAC, various factors influence the odds.
The chances of a successful VBAC are higher if:
- You have only one prior low transverse uterine scar
- You and your baby are healthy and your pregnancy is progressing normally
- The reason you had your prior C-section isn't a factor this time
- Your labor begins spontaneously between the 37th and 40th week of pregnancy
- You've had a previous successful vaginal delivery
Likewise, some factors may decrease your chances for success — but they don't necessarily prevent you from trying VBAC. The chances of a successful VBAC are lower if:
- You're older than 40. After age 40, the chances of a successful vaginal delivery decrease — whether you've delivered other babies vaginally or are attempting VBAC.
- You're past your due date. Although the risk of uterine rupture remains the same, successful VBAC is less likely if your pregnancy continues past 40 weeks.
- You have an unusually large baby. If your baby weighs too much, he or she may not safely pass through the birth canal during a vaginal birth. The risk of uterine rupture increases only if you haven't had a previous vaginal delivery.
