Vaginal Birth after Caesarean

Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC)

- one mother shared that after 8 hours of labour, cradling her wailing baby in her arms was totally worth it.

- felt like she really shared her very first moment with her own flesh and blood and nothing could come close.

- due to various health conditions, many women are unable to deliver their babies naturally, thus requiring Caesarean births.

- VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) although riskier can be successful.

- 25% of patients with previous caesarean births try for natural births during their second pregnancies.

- of these patients who try for natural births, 60-70% are successful.

Reasons for VBAC

- Natural birth is associated with significantly less morbidity and mortality compared to caesarean delivery.

- With Natural birth, there's less blood loss, less need for painkillers and reduced hospital stay.

- babies born by caesarean delivery are more likely to need help with breathing soon after birth.

- an electice repeat of LSCS (Lower Segment caesarean section) may put you at a higher risk of serious complications for the next pregnancy.

Risks and complications of LSCS

- 0.1-1% risk of the previous scar on the uterus giving way during labour, thus high risk of the baby suffering brain damage.

- VBAC is open only to those mothers who have had only one previous caesarean delivery.

- with VBAC, there is 1% added risk of needing blood transfusion compared to elective repeat LSCS, and brain damage is 0%, compared with the 0.078% risk with VBAC.

Eligiblity

- had only one prior caesarean section, with an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy at term.

- other factors that your doctor will access are the location of the placenta, babies' presentation and the adequacy of the maternal pelvis is relation to the baby's size.

- some of the risk factors for failed VBAC include induced labour, no previous vaginal birth, body mass index of 30 and above, and previous caesarean for non-progress of labour.

Stay possible

- doctor needs to be more vigilant in assessing for the signs and symptoms of impending scar rupture.

- patients needs to be aware that there is a 30% chance of failed VBAC.

- keeping a cool head can help to make the whole experience that much smoother.

- use of epidural during VBAC is common and can offer much needed pain relief.

- breathing exercises learnt at antenatal classes also help.

- without epidural, stay calm, focused and positive.