Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean (VBAC)
About VBAC
Vaginal birth after a cesarean (VBAC) is a birth that is performed vaginally, rather than by surgery, with or without pain management. There are many women who plan for a vaginal birth, but circumstances of pregnancy or labor may result in a planned or emergency c-section. Our team of board-certified OB/GYNs and certified nurse midwives are experts in supporting women through safe and effective vaginal deliveries following previous cesarean births. If you are pregnant and have had a c-section but would like to attempt a vaginal birth, call Women’s Health at Valley View in Glenwood Springs, Basalt, Eagle or Silt, CO. Our highly trained and experienced OB/GYNs and certified nurse midwives have been serving women of the Roaring Fork Valley area with VBAC for many years and look forward to helping you grow your family.
Reasons for VBAC
There are various reasons to consider a VBAC:
- Shorter recovery time than cesarean
- Lower risk of surgical complications
- Decrease risk of scarring (which can impact future pregnancies)
- The opportunity to move forward with your personalized birth plan
Ideal Candidates
A VBAC isn’t for everyone and should be discussed carefully with your provider to fully understand all of the risks and benefits. On average, 60 – 80% of women have a successful vaginal delivery after a C-section. At Women’s Health at Valley View, we evaluate each patient case carefully while keeping the health of you and your baby at the forefront. There are some circumstances in which we may not recommend a VBAC, such as high uterine incision or previous uterine surgeries, but we encourage you to speak with your provider if you are interested in exploring VBAC for your delivery.
What to Expect
During your initial consultation with your OB/GYN, we will review all risks factors involved, but the labor and delivery experience is the same for VBACs as it is with traditional vaginal births. When you go into labor, you’ll move forward with your personalized birth plan and check into the Family Birth Place at Valley View Hospital. In order to provide the utmost safety for you and your baby during a VBAC, our medical team will closely monitor your baby’s heart rate throughout your labor. We will also be prepared to perform an emergency C-section, if necessary.
Meet with an OB/GYN
If you are considering a vaginal delivery after you have had a C-section, then we invite you to call Women’s Health at Valley View in Glenwood Springs, CO. One of our board-certified OB/GYNs can sit down with you to listen to your concerns, answer any questions you may have, and review all the risks involved so you can move forward with the safest birth plan possible. We are here to guide you with leading medical care you can depend on.