Safe Passage: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

Maggi Rohde, Doula
Dundee, Michigan
maggi@seemore.mi.org

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- If You've Had A Cesarean -

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Most women who have cesareans with their first babies hope to be able to give birth vaginally in later pregnancies. You'll be happy to hear that VBAC -- vaginal birth after cesarean -- is not only desirable, it's safer, too. The American College of OB/GYN states that: "VBAC is safer than repeat cesarean and VBAC with more than one previous cesarean does not pose any increased risk." ¹ There are many complications which can arise with major abdominal surgery, such as a cesarean section, and vaginal birth has fewer and less serious complications. It also costs about $3000 less.

Just because you had a cesarean once -- or many times -- does not mean your body can't give birth vaginally. Your body, like all women's bodies, is built to give birth, and with very rare exceptions, it can make amazing accomodations for the passage of your baby.

Having a doula can help you prepare physically and emotionally for a VBAC. She can tell you about exercises and positions during labor which can help your baby deliver more easily, or shift a breech baby. Doulas have been proven to lower cesearean rates as much as 50%. ²

Click here to read about a doula-attended VBAC.

For more information on VBAC, visit the VBAC links on the Online Birth Resources page.

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Safe Passage's Services | My Philosophy About Birth | About Safe Passage
Local Birth Resources | Online Birth Resources

Citations:
(1) ACOG, Midwifery Today, Winter No 36, page 47.
(2) Klaus MH; Kennell JH. 1997. The doula: an essential ingredient of childbirth rediscovered. Acta Paediatr 1997 Oct;86(10):1034-6.

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