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Things to consider about VBAC vs. repeat C-section
By Mayo Clinic staffAs you decide whether to try VBAC or have a repeat C-section, review the pros and cons of each option. Let your emotions guide your final decision, too.
How strong is your desire to deliver your baby vaginally? Some women feel a deep sense of personal fulfillment or emotional satisfaction after a vaginal birth. Others simply want to have a healthy baby.
How intense are your fears? It's natural to worry about uterine rupture or simply going through labor. But sometimes doubts and fears override the benefits VBAC may offer. Reservations about your likelihood of success might interfere with your ability to give VBAC the required physical and emotional effort.
The decision is yours
If you and your doctor think that VBAC is right for you, don't be afraid to try it. Here's help boosting the odds of a positive experience:
- Discuss your fears and expectations. Your doctor can help you understand the risks of VBAC in your case. Make sure he or she has your complete medical history, including records of your previous C-section and any other uterine procedures.
- Learn about VBAC. Take a childbirth class on VBAC. Include your partner or another loved one, if possible.
- Make sure your health care provider will be available throughout your labor. Close monitoring can decrease the risk of complications.
- Plan to deliver the baby at a well-equipped hospital. Look for one that has continuous fetal monitoring, a surgical team that can be assembled quickly, and the ability to administer anesthetics and blood transfusions 24 hours a day.
- Allow labor to begin naturally, if you can. Drugs to induce labor can make contractions stronger and more frequent, which may contribute to the risk of uterine rupture — especially if the cervix is tightly closed and not ready for labor.
- Take good care of yourself. Think positively, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest. These good-for-you habits will help you prepare for a vaginal delivery.
Remember, your ultimate goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom — regardless of how you get there.
Repeat C-section: Pros and cons
