VBAC ~ Vaginal Birth After Caesarean section
Once a caesarean always a caesarean was a phrase commonly used by doctors for many decades but increasingly it is being acknowledged that vaginal birth for women who have had a previous caesarean section should be, and can be, a safe option with the right support and care.
According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
- The success rate for planned VBAC is approximately 75%
- Repeat caesarean sections may have a negative impact on future pregnancies.
According to the NCT (New Generation Digest):
- Previous and current obstetric history, do not, in fact, alter a woman's right to have a home delivery. All women, regardless of whether they are considered high or low risk, may opt for a home delivery.
- Those women who would like a home delivery are among those least likely to be able to labour effectively in a hospital environment and therefore among those most likely to 'end up' with a caesarean section.
- Many mothers who have had a previous caesarean consider continuity of carer as a high priority. It is usually easier for a mother to ensure that she will receive continuity of care from someone she knows and trusts if she books a home delivery.
Further information about VBAC can be found at:
Nicky and Mandy are experienced in supporting women who want a VBAC in both
home and hospital settings. We will discuss the most up to date research and your options with you. We provide safe care and we are supportive of your choices. Following a caesarean section some women may feel disempowered and unable to trust their bodies to birth naturally. We are experienced in de-briefing previous birth traumas and guiding women to regain confidence in themselves and the natural process of birth.