How can I learn more about my specific situation?
Your care provider can provide information about your unique needs and the risks and benefits to you and your baby. He or she may recommend VBAC over repeat C-section or vice versa.
In many cases, one care provider might recommend a C-section while another does not. When the situation is not urgent and you don't have to make an immediate decision, you have time to discuss your options and seek a second opinion if necessary.
When you set out to make this decision, consider asking your care provider:
- What will be involved in laboring after cesarean/having a repeat C-section?
- Is there anything about my specific situation/pregnancy that I need to consider?
- What are the possible benefits of following your recommendation?
- What are the possible risks of following your recommendation?
- What are the pros and cons of the option you are not recommending?
Your decision affects the likelihood of dozens of different risks that you, your baby and any future babies will experience, as summarized on our Research and Evidence page.
Beware of tools that predict your likelihood of giving birth vaginally, should you decide to plan a VBAC. Various tools for prediction have been developed. These are good at predicting women will have a vaginal birth but poor at identifying women who will have a cesarean after laboring.Eden, K.B., McDonagh, M., Denman, M.A., Marshall, N., Emeis, C., Fu, R., Janik, R., Walker, R., & Guise, J.M. (2010). New insights on vaginal birth after cesarean: can it be predicted? Obstetrics and Gynecology, 116(4), 967-81.
