chances of normal delivery after c-section?

4 things to know about Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section (VBACs)
UC Davis OB/GYN physician Michael Trifiro shares the pros and cons
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According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 60 to 80 percent of women who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) are successful. UC Davis Obstetrics and Gynecology physician Michael Trifiro answers some frequently asked questions about VBAC.
Michael Trifiro
Michael Trifiro
Q: How long have VBACs been performed? Has the opinion on them fluctuated among the medical community over time?

A: It used to be that once a woman had a cesarean section (or C-section), she would always be told to have a C-section. VBACs started in the 1970s and have been common practice since the 1980s. Since the late 1990s, there has been a slight decline in the VBAC rate, due to safety concerns that VBACs should be done at hospital facilities that can provide emergent surgery, if needed. As a result, women in many smaller communities either are unable to have VBACs or need to travel long distances to be at medical facilities capable of providing safe care for VBACs.

When performed in an appropriate hospital setting, the medical opinion has always been that a VBAC is a reasonable option for women who have been informed of the risks.
Q: What are the biggest concerns with VBAC? What are the risks for repeated C-sections? How do these risks compare?

A: The biggest concern is the risk that the previous C-section incision opens up (also known as uterine rupture). Luckily, for the most common type of C-section, the risk of this is less than 1%. But if it occurs, both the mother and baby will have internal bleeding. It is a true emergency.

For a repeat C-section patient, there are both short- and long-term risks to consider. In the short term, C-sections carry the same risks of any abdominal surgery, such as risks of bleeding and infection, with minimal risks to the baby. The long-term risks for a C-section depend on how many C-sections a woman has had.

The more C-sections a woman has, the more risks there are for future pregnancies. There is the risk that the placenta attaches to the C-section scar and "invades" the uterus (known as “placenta accreta”). This can cause severe bleeding and injury to other organs at the time of delivery. It also can prompt the need for early delivery and, potentially, require a hysterectomy.

Overall, there are risks and benefits for both a VBAC and a repeat C-section.

The decision will depend on several factors, such as whether the patient is planning for future pregnancies, the reason for her previous C-section and how she plans her birth experience.
Q: What makes some women better or worse candidates for VBAC?

A: The reason a woman needed a C-section in her previous pregnancy is the strongest predictor of whether she will have a successful VBAC. If the woman had complications (for example, her cervix stopped dilating or she pushed and was unable to deliver), she would be less likely to have a successful VBAC.

If the reason was anything else (baby's heart rate didn't tolerate labor, breech position, etc.), there is a good chance that she can have a normal delivery, similar to a woman who has never been in labor before. If a woman has ever had a previous vaginal birth, this also significantly increases her chances of a successful VBAC.

Certain types of C-sections also pose significantly more risks, so it is important for your doctor to know the details of previous C-sections.
Q: What would you say to a patient in your office who was considering a VBAC?

A: Women with a previous C-section need to discuss their goals and history with their obstetric provider to come to a joint decision.

Two things to consider:

It is important to consider a woman's future family planning when deciding.
In general, VBACs are safe, but must be done in a hospital that is equipped to handle an emergency C-section to ensure the safety of both the mother and baby.

Related links

Are you a candidate? Doctors say vaginal birth after C-section can be a safe and appropriate option for many women - p. 23 of WebMD Magazine

Facebook Live with Michael Trifiro about VBAC