If a woman has had a cesarean delivery (also called a C-section) before, she may be able to deliver her next baby vaginally. This is called vaginal birth after caesarean(VBAC).

Women consider VBAC for various reasons, including:

Shorter recovery time. You'll have a shorter hospital stay after a VBAC than you would after a repeat C-section. Avoiding surgery will help your energy and stamina return more quickly, as well as reduce the expense of childbirth.
More participation in the birth. For some women, it's important to experience a vaginal delivery. Your labor coach and others also may be able to play a greater role.
Impact on future pregnancies. If you're planning a larger family, VBAC might help you avoid the risks of multiple cesarean deliveries.

The chances of a successful VBAC are higher if:

You've had only one prior low transverse uterine incision — the most common type for a C-section
You and your baby are healthy and your pregnancy is progressing normally
The reason you had your prior C-section isn't a factor this time
Your labor begins naturally on or before your due date
You've had a previous successful vaginal delivery

The chances of a successful VBAC are lower if:

Your pregnancy continues beyond your due date
You have an unusually large baby — suspected fetal macrosomia
You've had two or more C-sections
You're not a candidate for VBAC if you had a uterine rupture during a previous pregnancy. Similarly, VBAC isn't recommended if you have had a vertical incision in the upper part of your uterus (classical incision) due to the risk of uterine rupture.

If 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 you and your baby will be more closely monitored during labor.

At GEMS Hospital we are equipped (in case of emergency) to do a repeat C-section if needed.