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| Home > Complication & Medications > Cesarean Birth > Vaginal Birth after Cesarean
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| | Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC)
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Women undergoing cesarean births may safely undergo vaginal birth under proper conditions, according to a recent study. A vaginal birth is more advantageous than a cesarean birth for the following reasons: The risk of infection is very low, there is less postpartum bleeding, anes-thesia complications does not arise, Economical, since a short hospital stay will save money and ensures a more rapid rate of recovery. If a woman is considered a good candidate for VBAC, she is given a trial of labor, which is considered successful, if it leads to a vaginal birth and unsuc-cessful if problems arise that requires a cesarean. Guidelines for selecting candidates for a trial of labor and a possible vaginal birth include:
Desire by the mother or parents for a vaginal birth.
Adequate prenatal discussion and planning by the mother and her physician.
Absence of the indications for the previous cesarean.
A previous lower segment transverse uterine incision.
A normal uncomplicated pregnancy.
Expectation of an uncomplicated labor and birth.
Pregnancy with a single baby (not twins) in a vertex presentation who is expected to weigh less than eight and one-half pounds.
The beginning of labor leads to normal and uneventful progress with no indication for a cesarean birth. Labor that follows a previous cesarean is usually considered high risk. You should undergo your trial of labor where the following facilities and services should be available.
The presence of competent medical staff (doctors and nurses) throughout labor and birth.
Electronic gadgets to monitor the fetal heart rate and uterine activity and to administer intravenous fluids.
Twenty-four-hour availability of an anesthesiologist and access to anesthesia.
Twenty-four-hour access to blood-bank facilities.
The availability and advice of a pediatrician or neonatologist of trial of labor.
Following the above guidelines, the safety of VBAC is comparable to the safety of any vaginal birth. The main concern in the management of VBAC is the possibility of the uterus tearing at the site of the old incision. In reality, women whose uterus has weakened due to multiple pregnancies or who received too much oxytocin during labor are more likely to tear their uterus.
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