Delivery after previous caesarean section
Delivery after previous caesarean section
Delivery after previous caesarean section refers to the birth of a baby through the vagina in a woman who has previously had a caesarean section. This type of delivery is often referred to as VBAC, an acronym for Vaginal Birth After Caesarean. The decision to attempt a VBAC is influenced by various factors including the type of incision used in the previous caesarean, the overall health of the mother, the reason for the previous caesarean, and the number of previous caesareans.
Indications[edit | edit source]
VBAC is considered for women who have had one or two previous caesarean sections with a low transverse incision and who have no contraindications to vaginal delivery. The benefits of VBAC include a shorter recovery period, lower risk of infection, and decreased likelihood of respiratory problems in the baby.
Contraindications[edit | edit source]
Contraindications to VBAC include more than two previous caesarean sections, a previous uterine rupture, certain types of uterine incisions (such as a vertical incision), and other medical or obstetric conditions that preclude vaginal delivery.
Risks[edit | edit source]
While VBAC is associated with benefits, it also carries risks, the most significant being the risk of uterine rupture. This is a rare but serious complication where the scar from the previous caesarean tears. Other risks include endometritis, blood transfusions, and operative injuries.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The process of VBAC involves close monitoring of the laboring mother and the fetus. If there are signs of distress or if labor does not progress normally, a repeat caesarean section may be necessary. The decision to proceed with VBAC should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider who can assess the individual risks and benefits.
Statistics[edit | edit source]
The success rate of VBAC varies but is generally reported to be between 60-80%. Factors that may influence the success include the reason for the previous caesarean, the presence of any pregnancy-related complications, and the onset of natural labor.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD