How to Increase Your Chances of a Successful VBAC

If you've had a c-section before, you may be considering going for a VBAC, or Vaginal Birth after Cesarean. More and more women are realizing that this option is not only safer than a repeat c-section, but also more beneficial in many ways for both mother and baby. There are some steps you can to take to increase your chances of having a successful VBAC.

Find the Right Hospital and OB or Midwife

As soon as you find out you're pregnant, search for an OB or midwife who is supportive of VBACs. Keep in mind that a doctor or midwife who will let you go for a VBAC is not necessarily the same as one who supports them. Also ask about his or her VBAC rate and c-section rate. You also need to find a supportive hospital with a good VBAC rate. Some hospitals even ban VBACs or VBAMCs (Vaginal Birth after Multiple Cesareans.) One resource for this is ICAN. According to AskdrSears.com, the national success rate for VBACs is only 20%, but that number jumps steeply to a 75-90% success rate when you go with a health care provider who supports VBACs and a hospital which doesn't consider them "high risk", as well as use some natural labor augmentation techniques.

Read up on VBACs and Natural Childbirth

Regardless of whether or not you plan on going drug-free during your VBAC, reading some natural childbirth books can do a lot for encouraging you to believe you can go through with your VBAC. The human body was created beautifully and babies can usually be birthed with little intervention. You will also find some tips for dealing with the pain and tips to help labor progress faster naturally. Read these books often, especially in the last few months of your pregnancy. Read about successful VBACs by searching online or getting a book on VBACs.

Join a Support Group

Joining a support group can make a big difference in your VBAC experience, especially for women who don't have much support from their family or friends. You can join a support group online or in person. Joining a support group in person has the benefit of giving you the advice and support of local women in your area, some of whom have been to the same hospital you were at or see the same health care provider. One helpful support group is ICAN, or the International Cesarean Awareness Network. They have numerous local chapters in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. You can search for your local chapter here. You may also want to join a support group online. By searching online you can find an online support group forum. With an online support group you get the benefit of possibly hundreds of women's experiences, advice, and support. Also, if you need a quick morale boost, it's as easy as just sitting down at your computer and posting on your board.

Stick with People who are Supportive

Some people may tell you that you're putting yourself and your baby in danger by having a VBAC, or that you should just go for another c-section because that way you don't have to go through the pain of labor. They may tell you stories of women who've had unsuccessful VBACs. Usually they have your best interests in mind, but just are uneducated as to the benefits and safety of VBACs. Try to convince them as to the safety and benefits of VBACs; having supportive family and friends is critical if you want to increase your chances of a successful VBAC.

Research What Led to Your C-section

If you do some research on the reason you had a c-section, you may be surprised at what you find. Many women are given a c-section because their baby was "too big" or their pelvis "too small." These two situations only happen rarely but are over-diagnosed. You may have had your labor induced too early (which can lead to a prolonged labor if your body isn't ready, which can lead to a c-section because of "failure to progress.") Research what happened and whether or not it was really a valid cause for having a c-section. With this knowledge, you can feel confident in your educated decision to have VBAC.

Get a Doula

A doula is a labor support professional who will stay with you throughout your birthing process and provide physical, spiritual, and emotional help. According to Samantha Van Vleet, a birth doula and childbirth educator, "Honestly, most of a doula's role is psychological. Doulas can affect a woman's confidence in herself in a tremendous way. It's easy to doubt yourself and your decisions when you're alone." A doula will help you stick to your choices, and will know many tricks for easing labor pain mentally and physically. They can be a bit expensive, but if you research doulas in your area you may be able to find one who lets you pay based on your income, or you may be able to get a doula-in-training for a low cost or even for free.

References

ICAN: Chapter Search

Ask Dr. Sears: Vaginal Birth after Cesarean

DONA International: What is a Doula?