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VBAC: Pros and cons
By Mayo Clinic staffUnless your doctor says VBAC isn't an option, the choice is yours. Consider this summary of pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A successful VBAC is generally safer for you and your baby than is a repeat C-section. When VBAC succeeds, you're less likely to get an infection, have serious blood loss or experience complications from the anesthesia. | VBAC may not succeed. Twenty percent to 40 percent of women who attempt VBAC fail to deliver vaginally. They require an unplanned C-section, which has a slightly higher risk of complications than does a planned C-section. |
| Recovery is typically quicker, both in the hospital and at home. You have less pain after the birth. Your energy and stamina return more quickly. | Though it rarely happens, uterine rupture is more likely in a VBAC delivery. |
| You may find VBAC to be more emotionally satisfying than a C-section. | You can't schedule a VBAC as you can a repeat C-section. |
| If you're planning a larger family, VBAC may be a better option with each subsequent delivery. Repeat C-sections get more complicated each time, while repeat VBACs tend to become progressively easier. | |
| A successful VBAC costs less than a planned C-section does. |
