C-Section Recovery & Support Blog

For women who have had multiple c-sections, that is more than 2, they want to know if it’s possible to try for a VBAC or to be more specific, a VBAMC,  ‘vaginal birth after multiple c-sections’.

I once had a woman ask me, who already had 5 c-sections, if it was possible for her to have another child naturally.  This is not an unusual question, in fact there are many women who have had several c-sections and want to experience having a natural childbirth at least once.

I can so relate to them not wanting to experience yet another surgery, but I’m not an expert.  I can only go by the facts and experiences I see before me, as is true for any lay or even professional person.

Here are a few things that may help if you are confronting this same decision… Read more »

A VBAC or vaginal birth after a c-section, is when a woman has a baby by cesarean section and then has her next baby vaginally.

VBAC’s are of concern to most doctors because giving birth vaginally after having has a surgical birth presents the possibility of uterine rupture.  This means that the area around the internal stitching of the uterus can break open causing birth complications. Read more »

In an article published by Jennifer K. Woldt of The Northwestern it was noted that VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) rates have dropped from fifteen years ago when about 3 in 10 women who had a first C-section were able to deliver their next baby vaginally.

Today the VBAC rates have dropped to 1 in 10. This is partly due to the fact that about a third of the hospitals and half of the physicians ban women from attempting a VBAC. Read more »

If you’ve had a c-section and are considering a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section), then you will want to read on about some good information that may help you decide if a VBAC is right for you and your baby. 

One of the things that makes knowing if a VBAC is right for you is that every woman and her situation is different, so there’s no way of determining if your VBAC will be successful or not or if there will be health implications.  With so many variables the only options we have are to research, discuss and weigh the pros and cons. 

One of the things I’ve discovered through having my own c-sections and discussions with others is that you should not be influenced by what others say.  We all have family members that have their own opinions and friends with horror stories and the like, however this is your body and your baby, you must evaluate your situation and do what feels right to you.  

But you do want the facts; you want as much information from a professional standpoint that you can get.

Start by talking to your doctor. If you’re not comfortable with the doctor you have find one that you are.  However before speaking to your doctor there’s an excellent document put out by the American Academy of Family Physicians titled “Trial of Labor After Cesarean” (TOLAC). Don’t be thrown off by the title, it’s synonymous with VBAC.

Start by reading over the document carefully and jot down any questions you have, there are plenty of places to make notes within the document. Then be sure to bring this with you when you speak to your doctor.  He may or may not have seen it, but it’s a very good reference point and it deserves careful discussion. 

Here’s where you can view the document which is in PDF format: Trial of Labor after Cesarean