What is a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)?
If you have had a cesarean delivery (also called a C-section) before, you may be able to deliver your next baby vaginally. This is called vaginal birth after cesarean, or VBAC. Most women, whether they deliver vaginally or by C-section, don’t have serious problems from childbirth. See pictures of a vaginal birth and a cesarean delivery. If you and your doctor agree to try a VBAC, you will have what is called a “trial of labor.” This means that you plan to go into labor with the goal to deliver vaginally. But as in any labor, it is hard to know if a VBAC will work. You still may need a C-section. As many as 4 out of 10 women who have a trial of labor need to have a C-section.