Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) describes vaginal delivery by a woman who has had a

previous cesarean delivery.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), if you had a
previous cesarean with a low transverse incision, the risk of uterine rupture in a vaginal
delivery is .2 to 1.5%, which is approximately 1 chance in 500

What criteria must I meet to be considered for VBAC?

 No more than 2 low transverse cesarean deliveries.

 No additional uterine scars, anomalies or previous ruptures.

 Your health care provider should be prepared to monitor labor and perform or refer
for a cesarean if necessary.

 Your birth location should have personnel available on weekends and evenings in case
a cesarean is necessary.

What other criteria would make me a good candidate for a VBAC?

 If the original reason for a cesarean delivery is not repeated with this pregnancy

 You have no major medical problems

 The baby is a normal size

 The baby is head-down

Comparing a Repeat Cesarean to a VBAC:

Repeat Cesarean VBAC

Usual risks of a surgical procedure Less than 1% chance of uterine rupture. If

uterine rupture occurs you have risks of
blood loss, hysterectomy, damage to
bladder, infection, & blood clots

Hospital stay of approximately 4 days Hospital stay of approximately 2 days

Development of an infection in the uterus, Risk of infection doubles if vaginal

bladder, or skin incision delivery is attempted but results in
cesarean

Injury to the bladder, bowel, or adjacent organs Possibility of tearing or episiotomy

Development of blood clots in the legs or pelvis
after the operation

On-going pain & discomfort around incision Temporary pain and discomfort around
vagina

Small chance that the baby will have respiratory The baby’s lungs will clear as baby passes
problems3 through birth canal

If you plan for many more children, take into

account that the more surgeries a woman has had,
the greater the risk of surgical complications. A
fourth or fifth cesarean has more risk than

the first or second.