Most women who have a cesarean section during their first delivery prepare to do the same with subsequent pregnancies. This may be because they aren’t aware of their options. There is an 86% repeat rate of C-sections among American women who have had a previous cesarean. While repeat C-sections seem to be the norm, they aren’t necessarily the best or safest option.
The CDC did a study in 2013 and found that “women with VBAC deliveries had lower rates of all four maternal morbidities compared with women with repeat cesarean deliveries, and lower rates of transfusion and ICU admissions compared with primary cesarean deliveries.”
If you’re considering a VBAC for the delivery of your baby, here are some tips to make it a success:
- Avoid induction. VBACs are generally much more successful if you let labor happen naturally.
- Get to a healthy weight. Women who are overweight greatly lower their chances of having a successful VBAC.
- Consider your age. The younger you are, the better your chances are of successfully having a VBAC, but don’t discount it just because of your age.
You should always your options with your pregnancy care doctor.