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What you can expect
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you choose VBAC, your prenatal care will be just like the care you'd receive during any other healthy pregnancy. When you go into labor, you'll follow the same process as any woman expecting to deliver vaginally — although more precautions will be taken during labor. This is called a trial of labor.
Here's what to expect:
- Early hospitalization. Your health care provider will ask you to report to the hospital promptly if your water breaks or when you begin feeling contractions. Laboring at home with a prior C-section scar isn't recommended.
- Pain control. If you choose medication, you'll have various options — typically including epidural anesthesia.
- Continuous electronic monitoring. The medical team will keep a close eye on your baby's heart rate and will check on you often to make sure that labor is progressing normally. A fetal monitor will likely be attached to your baby's scalp.
- Less tolerance of abnormal labor patterns. A prolonged or difficult labor increases the risk of uterine rupture. Medication to stimulate contractions might pose the same risk. A repeat C-section might be needed if your labor doesn't progress well or your baby doesn't tolerate labor.
Remember, your ultimate goal is a healthy baby and a healthy mom — regardless of how you get there.
References
- Wells CE, et al. Choosing the route of delivery after cesarean birth. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 1, 2012.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins - Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 115: Vaginal birth after previous Cesarean delivery. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010;116:450.
- Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Preoperative issues. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 1, 2012.
- Vaginal birth after Cesarean delivery: Deciding on a trial of labor after Cesarean delivery. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/Search?Keyword=vbac. Accessed March 1, 2012.
- Pregnancy: Labor and birth. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/labor-birth.cfm. Accessed March 1, 2012.
- Smith JF, et al. Rupture of the unscarred uterus. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 1, 2012.
- Stothers L, et al. Risk factors for the development of stress urinary incontinence in women. Current Urology Reports. 2011;12:363.
- Handa VL. Pelvic floor disorders associated with pregnancy and childbirth. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 2, 2012.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 21, 2012.
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