Once a c-section always a c-section is no longer true. A VBAC, vaginal birth after cesarean, is becoming more accepted as its safety is more recognized.
You may hear the term VBAC now and then if you spend much time talking with women who have had babies. It stands for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. Regardless of the reason for a vaginal birth after cesarean, the fact that birth will be vaginal after a previous cesarean section is the key point.
For many years women could not deliver their babies vaginally after having a cesarean delivery. The incisions in the uterus were made vertically and the risk of uterine rupture was too great and repeat c-sections were standard procedure.
Now, the incisions are usually horizontal bikini cut style and having a vaginal birth after a c-section isn't nearly the risk it used to be.
Unless there is a medical indication for a c-section, which some doctors would consider breech babies to be, a vaginal birth after cesarean is a good route to take. Even though your health care provider may tell you that your hips are not big enough to deliver a baby vaginally, there is no sure way to know this unless babies repeatedly are undeliverable vaginally. The outside of the hips is no determination of what the inside of the pelvis is like.
The advantages to having a vaginal birth after cesarean versus a repeat c-section are numerous. The most obvious is that a c-section is major abdominal surgery and it requires a longer recovery period. It is also a higher risk for harm to mom and baby. Even though doctors may lead you to believe it is safe, which it usually is, it inherently has a greater risk just by the nature of it.
Babies generally do much better in a vaginal birth as well. The natural squeezing as they pass through the birth canal rids themselves of mucus and fluids. This does not occur in a c-section and surgically delivered babies often have more difficulty with respiration at birth because of this.
A c-section is a medical intervention while a vaginal birth after cesarean is nature's way of delivering your baby the way it was naturally designed to. Despite the fact that one out of four babies are born surgically, does not make that the preferred option.
And even if you should end up with w c-section after laboring for awhile, it is still better for your baby. New research has indicated that the hormones released during labor help a later c-section born baby to have a better outcome than one with a scheduled c-section.
Breastfeeding will also be better for you after a vaginal birth. Without the pain of an incision, it is easier to position your new baby in whatever way works best and have a better start at a nursing relationship.
It is your own personal decision, and you should carefully discuss it with your doctor, whether you choose a repeat c-section or try for a vaginal birth after cesarean. Either way, be sure it is the choice that you really want to make.
