VBAC is managed just like any other pregnancy with an anticipated vaginal delivery.
The same pain medications are available for VBAC as for a typical vaginal delivery. Most women opt for an epidural or spinal block .
Once labor begins your doctor will want you to come to the hospital right away. You and your baby will be monitored closely throughout labor and delivery to make sure that the baby’s heart rate is normal and that labor is progressing normally. If complications arise, your doctor may quickly suggest a C-section, rather than treat the problem or wait for the problem to correct itself. This is to avoid the risk of uterine rupture.
Recovery following VBAC is the same as that for a regular vaginal delivery.
This is extremely variable. The average length of time for a first baby (and its placenta) to be born, once a mother is in active labor, is 12 hours.
Yes, but you can learn various techniques to try to lessen the pain. You should learn as much as possible about childbirth ahead of time so that you can decide if you want to use an epidural or other pain medication.
Although uncommon, possible complications of a VBAC delivery include the following:
2-3 days
Postoperative care is the same as for a typical vaginal delivery.
After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org/
Women's Health.gov
http://www.womenshealth.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/index.cfm/
References:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Vaginal birth after previous cesarean section. Practice Bulletin. July 2004.
Landon MB. Maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with a trial of labor after prior Cesarean delivery. N Engl J Med . 2004;351:2581-2589.
Trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), formerly trial of labor versus elective repeat cesarean section for the women with a previous cesarean section. The American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at http://www.aafp.org/PreBuilt/clinicalrec_tolac.pdf . Accessed August 31, 2005.
Vaginal birth after C-section. MayoClinic.com website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=AEB2CFEE-5ECD-41DF-80F6314B6CF6B266 . Accessed August 19, 2005.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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