3 Crucial Facts About Using A Midwife To VBAC After One C-Section


If you have previously given birth by c-section and are now hoping for a vaginal birth after Cesarean, which is also known as a VBAC, the following informing related to midwifery and VBACs will be very helpful. However, you are not alone in your desire to avoid surgical intervention with your next child and it is important to point out that many women are able to avoid doing so. Unfortunately, the health risks to you and your baby increase with a c-section, so learning as much as you can about the possibility of a VBAC is a crucial part of your prenatal care.

#1-The Use Of Midwives Results In A Higher VBAC Rate

In 2014 1,284,551 of the deliveries in the United States were Cesareans, which translates to almost one in three deliveries. Only a few years ago, more doctors were willing to work with their patients to avoid repeat c-sections whenever it was feasible to do so.

However, finding those doctors today has become more difficult, which explains why in 2013, only 10.6% of births were vaginal births after Cesareans. That is a particularly disturbing statistic, when you consider that it has been established that midwifery allows for fewer interventions in labor and a lower overall c-section rate.

#2-Your Midwife May Permit You To Labor At Home Or In A Birthing Facility

Although there is no guarantee that you will get the delivery that you want, you may be able to labor outside the hospital. Common options are your home or a birthing facility, where you will be observed closely for any problems that would require the move to a hospital.

It will also be useful to note that despite what you may have heard, it is not currently illegal in any state to give birth vaginally after a Cesarean delivery. However, the type of c-section you had is likely to impact how safe it will be for you to attempt labor, as explained below.

#3-Uterine Rupture Is Not Nearly As Much Of A Risk As Many People Think

One of the more common reasons that women never consider the option of a VBAC is often the fear of a ruptured uterus. Fortunately, no more than 8 out of every 1,000 women who have previously had Cesarean sections will experience a ruptured uterus. Part of the change for that reason relates to the change in the way c-sections are performed.

Specifically, most Cesarean sections done today are low-transverse, which is the bikini cut version and involves an incision low on your abdomen. In comparison, the traditional or classical c-section was the only option for many years and required a vertical incision on the abdomen. The low transverse option allows a quicker recovery time and reduced chances of rupture, while a traditional c-section typically means all recurrent deliveries would have to be through the same procedure and take longer to recover from. A first-time, traditional c-section is more likely today when there is concern about fetal distress or a premature delivery, when time is of the essence.

In conclusion, if being able to VBAC is important to you, it is a good idea to discuss your desire with a midwife. By working with a midwife throughout your labor, you could have more control over your delivery choices. Contact a professional such as George L Stankevych MD for more information.

About Me

Learning About Birthing Options

Hi there, my name is Rebecca Ulman. Welcome to my website. I am here to talk to you about the birthing process from start to finish. I placed my trust in my OBGYN while pregnant with my first child. The doctor provided the knowledge and support I needed to complete a natural birth. Although I chose this option for myself, there are many other ways to approach the birthing process. I will use this site to talk about the different birthing options I had to choose from. I will talk about the various ways my OBGYN provided support throughout this process. Please come by often to learn more.

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