Where can I find information about having a vaginal birth after cesarean?
It used to be that if a woman had had one cesarean section, her doctor almost always recommended the procedure for the next delivery. These days, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is possible. However, because of the risk of uterine rupture in giving birth vaginally, VBAC should still be approached with caution. The best way to avoid this difficult choice is to do all you can to avoid having a c-section in the first place. It’s impossible to control everything, but you can reduce your chances by being in shape before and during pregnancy, working closely with your doctor on your birth plan, and having supportive people around you during labor and delivery. If you’ve already had a c-section and hope to deliver your next baby vaginally, write to ACOG and request of free copy Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery. By learning all you can about a c-section, you can ask the right questions when and if your doctor recommends one. — Dana Sullivan is a writer in Reno, Nevada. Her work has a
