VBAC is simply a vaginal

It inspired me a lot.
Hope for you all also.

The only way that VBAC differs from other first time labours is the small increased risk of uterine rupture. Approximately 0.2% higher than that of a normal labour. This is very small when you consider that you are 30 times more likely to require a emergency caesarean for situations such as acute foetal distress, cord prolapse or ante partum hemorrhage.

The research also shows that approximately 75% of uterine ruptures occur in women who have never had a cesarean and of the 25% that have, 1/3 do not rupture at the scar line.

Planning a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean (VBAC) has many benefits. A vaginal birth avoids the risks of surgery and anesthesia and improves the health outcomes for the woman and her baby. The research shows that babies greatly benefit from the process of a natural birth.

Pros

· Avoiding the risks of surgery

· Getting to hold your baby before any one else

· Having skin to skin contact straight away

· Giving your baby the best start in life with the benefit of labour

· The contractions stimulate the baby and get them ready for birth,

· Passing through the birth canal gets their lungs ready to take their first breath

· The compression of the skull fires off neurons in the brain increasing its development.

· Waiting for labour to start naturally also helps prevent babies from being born prematurely and greatly reduces them from being separated from their mothers.

· With a natural birth, especially one free of intervention you have a lot more control over who attends your labour. Eg siblings and support people

· VABC women often express feelings of empowerment, accomplishment, exhilarated, control and a “I can do anything’ attitude that is very helpful when becoming a mother for the second time.

· Having a VBAC can also be a very healing process for someone who has had a previous caesarean and doesn’t feel good about the experience.

Cons

· 0.2% higher risk of uterine rupture

· Most hospitals require continuous foetal monitoring.

· Most hospitals require you to progress through your labour very quickly, which can make birth a stressful experience.

Recommendations

· Find out what your care providers policies on VBAC are

· Negotiate no continual foetal monitoring or intermittent, ask for a midwife and a doppler

· Do your research, most private hospitals VBAC success rates are under 10% some as low as 2.1%

· Find a care provider that believes in VBAC and encourages and supports you during your labour

If you are choosing to have a VBAC because you want what is best for your child or to help heal a previous bad birth experience, the most important thing you need to do is carefully pick your place of birth.

If you are told that you can’t have a VBAC for one of the following reasons, we suggest getting a second opinion from a care provider who has a good VBAC success rates.

· History of slow labour, overdue, foetal distress, placenta praevia, position of the fetus or multiple birth.

· History of 2 or more caesareans as there is little or no difference in the morbidity figures for VBACs after 2 or more caesareans and the vaginal delivery rate is almost the same as for women with only one previous caesarean.

· Cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD) or big baby.

· Breech

· Twins

Resources:

A VBAC Primer: Technical Issues for Midwives – by Heidi Rinehart, MD
Women pregnant after a previous cesarean section have special needs and concerns.

The VBAC and Cesarean Prevention Handbook
Part of Midwifery Today’s Holistic Clinical Series, The VBAC and Cesarean Prevention Handbook will teach you how to work with VBAC moms and how to prevent cesareans in the first place.
http://www.mybirth. com.au/natural- birth/vbac. html)