Vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) is a birth that is performed naturally
rather than by surgery. There are many women who plan for a vaginal birth,
but unfortunately, some complications may have lead to an emergency or
even a planned C-section. This procedure involves making a surgical incision
along the lower abdomen with a second incision being made in the uterus
to deliver a baby safely. A cesarean can be really hard on a woman’s
body, but it can also be difficult emotionally as many moms hope for a
successful vaginal birth. If you are pregnant and have had a C-section
but would like to attempt a natural birth, call Women’s Health at
Valley View in Glenwood Springs, Basalt, or Silt, CO. Our highly trained
and experienced OB/GYNs have been serving women of the Roaring Fork Valley
area for many years and look forward to helping you grow your family.
Reasons for VBAC
There are various reasons to consider a VBAC:
Shorter recovery time than cesarean
Lower risk of surgical complications
Decrease risk of scarring (which can impact future pregnancies)
The opportunity to move forward with your personalized birth plan
Ideal Candidates
A VBAC isn’t for everyone as there are many factors to consider in
order to move forward safely. At Women’s Health at Valley View,
we evaluate each patient case carefully while keeping the health of you
and your baby at the forefront of our minds. Typically, ideal candidates
do not have a high vertical uterine incision, no prior uterine rupture,
or previous uterine surgeries (fibroid removal). Other factors that may
prevent a VBAC is advanced age, 40+ week pregnancy, stalled labor, and obesity.
Risks of a VBAC
Although rare, the main risk involved with vaginal birth after a C-section
is that the original cesarean incision may tear. This is known as a uterine
tear, which can cause extreme blood loss that can be life-threatening
for the mother and baby. On average, 60 – 80% of women have a successful
vaginal delivery after a C-section.
What to Expect
The procedure process is the same for VBACs as it is with traditional vaginal
births. When you go into labor, you’ll move forward with your personalized
birth plan and check into our care facility at Valley View Hospital. During
your initial consultation with your OB/GYN, we will review all risks factors
involved, but in order to provide the utmost safety for you and your baby,
our medical team will closely monitor your baby’s heart rate throughout
your labor. We will also be prepared to perform an emergency C-section,
if medically necessary.
Meet with an OB/GYN
If you are eligible and are considering a vaginal delivery after you have
had a C-section, then we invite you to call Women’s Health at Valley
View in Glenwood Springs, CO. One of our board-certified OB/GYNs can sit
down with you to listen to your concerns, answer any questions you may
have, and review all the risks involved so you can move forward with the
safest birth plan possible. We are here to guide you with leading medical
care you can depend on.
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