Planning a natural birth after a C-section

A vaginal birth after C-section is known as VBAC. The decision is made with your maternity team after comparing VBAC with a planned repeat caesarean in the context of your previous birth, uterine surgery and current pregnancy.

A vaginal birth avoids another abdominal operation and may support a different early recovery experience. It can also end in an unplanned caesarean if labour does not progress or monitoring raises concern. A repeat caesarean offers a scheduled route of birth but involves surgery and recovery from an abdominal wound.

The uterine scar can rarely open during labour, which is why the incision type and hospital response capability matter. Some previous uterine incisions, placental problems or other pregnancy complications may make a planned caesarean the recommended route.

Ask the hospital that performed the earlier C-section for the operation report if your current team does not have it. Review why that birth required surgery and whether the same issue is present now. Agree where you should give birth, how labour will be observed and what would lead to caesarean delivery.

Discuss spontaneous labour and induction separately. Medicines or procedures used to start or strengthen labour need careful selection after uterine surgery. Record your preferences while allowing for changes if the placenta, baby's position, fetal wellbeing or your condition requires another approach.

Contact the maternity unit as instructed when regular contractions start or your waters break. Get urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe continuous pain between contractions, collapse, shortness of breath, a major change in fetal movements, or a strong sense that something is wrong.

If labour begins before a scheduled caesarean, call the unit and explain that you have a uterine scar and a booked birth plan. The team will assess labour, you and the baby before advising the next step.

Ask whether the uterine incision is compatible with labour, how your previous birth affects this pregnancy, and whether additional scans are needed. Confirm the approach to induction, fetal monitoring, pain relief, eating and drinking in labour, and the threshold for recommending an unplanned caesarean.