Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC) means you may be able to deliver your next baby vaginally even if you have previously had a cesarean section.

There is no need to give up the warm, caring attention of midwifery management just because you previously gave birth via c-section. For these women, we offer the chance to have a combined physician/midwife team to manage prenatal care and delivery at the hospital. This program has achieved an extraordinarily high rate of successful vaginal deliveries. If you are cleared to try a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), you will have what is called a "trial of labor" which means go into labor with the goal to deliver vaginally. But as in any labor, you still may need a C-section.

The benefits of a VBAC compared to a C-section include:

1. You can avoid another scar on your uterus. (This is important if you are planning on a future pregnancy-the more scars on the uterus, the greater the chance of problems with a later pregnancy.)
2. Less pain after delivery.
3. Fewer days in the hospital and a shorter recovery at home.
4. A lower risk of infection
5. A more active role for you and your birthing partner in the birth of your child.

You may be a candidate for a VBAC trial of labor if you have had low transfer C-section; or you don't have a reason for a cesareans such as abnormal presentation, hypertension or other medical conditions.

The most serious risk of a VBAC is that a C-section scar could come open during labor. Although very rare, it can be very serious for both the mother and the baby. The risk that a scar will open is very low during VBAC and that is why it is offered only in hospitals that can do a rapid emergency C-section.

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