Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

The term vaginal birth after cesarean section also known as VBAC is used to describe women who have a vaginal birth after having had a previous cesarean surgery. BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals has some of the best obstetricians who specialise in vbac delivery. Their expertise enables them to educate women on ways they can have a vaginal birth after cesarean successfully.

To increase chances of a VBAC delivery, ensure that the doctor has a comprehensive understanding of your medical history, including any documentation of previous uterine surgeries, including cesarean sections. The probability of a successful VBAC may be determined by your medical professional. Consider having your baby in a setting that can manage an emergency C-section as well. Discussing the risks and benefits of VBAC throughout pregnancy, especially if certain risk factors arise can help. BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals has an expert team of doctors who specialise in VBAC deliveries, handling high-risk pregnancies and pregnancy counselling.

If you had a C-section before, you essentially have two options when it comes to birthing again. You may either choose to have a scheduled caesarean delivery or opt for a vaginal birth next time. Giving birth vaginally after previously having a C-section is called VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean). You can talk to a VBAC specialist at BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals near you to get a better understanding of the whole process, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risks and complications that may arise.

Yes, with the right guidance and treatment from expert obstetricians and gynecologists you can increase your chances of a vaginal birth after cesarean / VBAC delivery. A non-recurrent indication for a past caesarean section, one prior vaginal birth, and spontaneous labour are good predictors of successful VBAC, but multiple prior cesarean sections, maternal obesity, diabetes, and a short interdelivery period are negative predictors that can hinder the chances of a successful VBAC delivery.

Having vaginal birth is considered to be a more natural way of giving birth. Generally, this means you will:

• Have less pain
• Recover more quickly
• Be able to go back to your daily activities in less time

During a vaginal delivery, you will have more alert during birth. After delivery, you will be able to leave the hospital sooner. Also, there won't be any scarring on your uterus, which is caused by a cesarean. This is an important factor, particularly if you wish to have more children. With more C-sections, your options for delivery get reduced if you become pregnant again. A VBAC specialist near you will help you make the correct decision in this regard. They will guide you towards the safest option possible while keeping in mind your wants.

BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals provides VBAC and C-Section delivery services at accredited centres in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Vizag, and Vijayawada. Each centre features experienced VBAC specialists and a maternal intensive care unit (MICU) to support high-risk pregnancies and emergency caesarean deliveries with a strong focus on patient safety.

After having a C-section, there is a scar on the uterus and the skin. Some scars have more chances of causing a rupture. The kind of cut determines the kind of scar.

• A low transverse incision is a side-to-side cut that is made across the lower uterine region. This is the most common type of incision with the least chance of rupture.
• A low vertical incision is an up-and-down cut that is made in the lower uterine region. This kind of incision has more risk of rupture as compared to low transverse incisions.
• A high vertical or classical incision is an up-and-down cut that is made in the upper uterine region that is the riskiest to cause a rupture.

Standard birth centres may not have an emergency care unit capable of managing obstetric complications. It is always advisable to consider giving birth in a setting equipped to perform an emergency C-section if needed. For a second opinion on C-Section delivery, patients can consult a specialist at BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Vizag, or Vijayawada. BirthRight centres have an expert team of obstetricians who specialise in VBAC deliveries and a maternal intensive care unit (MICU) for handling high-risk pregnancies should the need arise.

Attempting to have a trial of labor after cesarean delivery is called a VBAC. The procedure results in natural birth if VBAC is successful. You will be needing another C-section if the process is not successful. A VBAC hospital near you will be the best place for you to have TOLAC. The hospital will be ready to handle any complications that may arise.

Key advantages of a successful VBAC include:

• Shorter recovery period compared to caesarean delivery
• No abdominal surgery, reducing operative risk
• Less blood loss and lower post-operative infection risk
• No new uterine scar, preserving future delivery options

Many women choose VBAC to experience a natural birth and to avoid long-term complications associated with repeat caesarean deliveries, such as placenta-related issues or hysterectomy risk. At BirthRight by Rainbow Hospitals, our VBAC specialists guide you through risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision suited to your health and future family plans.

If you are pregnant and you had C-section in your previous pregnancy, you should consult about VBAC at your initial prenatal visit itself. Have a discussion with your healthcare provider regarding your expectations and concerns. Provide your healthcare provider with your entire medical history, particularly records of previous cesarean delivery or any other uterine procedures. Your medical records will help determine the chances of VBAC being successful. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of VBAC throughout pregnancy, particularly if specific risk factors come up.

If you choose to go for VBAC, you can improve your odds of having a positive experience by:

• Learning more about VBAC and taking childbirth classes if needed
  
• If possible, allow labor to start on its own. Having augmented or induced labor decreases the chances of successful VBAC
  

Stay flexible if a C-section becomes necessary due to certain complications arising during pregnancy or labor. For instance, you might have to go for cesarean delivery if your baby is in an abnormal position, your labor fails to progress, or there's a problem with the umbilical cord or placenta.

Some common risks associated with VBAC include blood loss, infection and other such complications. A serious but rare risk with VBAC is the rupture of the scar of C-section on the uterus. While it is rare, if it happens it can harm the baby and the mother as well. VBAC shouldn’t be tried if there is a high risk of the uterus rupturing.

You can go to a VBAC hospital near you to get more information on the procedure. You may have to undergo some tests ordered by a VBAC specialist near you to determine if you are a good candidate for VBAC. Following are the conditions that make you a good candidate for VBAC:

• Your previous C-section incision was a low-transverse (horizontal) uterine incision instead of a vertical or classical incision in your upper uterus or T-shaped, which comes with a higher risk for uterine rupture.
  
• You have a large enough pelvis for your baby to safely pass through. While this can't be known for sure, our practitioner may examine your pelvis for making an educated guess.
  
• You haven't ever had any other uterine surgery like myomectomy for removing fibroids
  
• You haven't ever had a uterine rupture
  
• You don't have a medical condition or obstetric issues like large fibroid or placenta previa that would increase the risk during vaginal delivery
  

Some factors that may play a role in unsuccessful VBAC include:

• Being an older mother
  
• Having a high body mass index (BMI)
  
• Having a baby with a high birth weight (more than 4,000 grams)
  
• Having pregnancy go beyond 40 weeks of gestation
  
• Having a short span between pregnancies (less than 18 months)