Our Senior Moderator, Sara Owens, writes:
Can I have a VBAC safely?
What is a low transverse incision?
I have a horizontal scar on my abdomen/I have a vertical scar on my abdomen. Does that mean my internal incision matches?
I have a known or suspected vertical (classical) incision – can I have a VBAC if I am watched closely?
I meet the qualifications for being a VBAC candidate, but my doctor says I should have a repeat c-section. What can I do about that?
My doctor and hospital support VBAC, but I need to deliver at a particular gestation. Can I be induced?
My doctor is willing to do a VBAC, but I'm not sure what I want. I don't want to go through labor only to end up in an emergency c-section. How do I decide?
I am not at all interested in a VBAC. Should I have one anyway?
My doctor and I both want a VBAC for me, but my baby is breech. Can I have an external version?
It doesn't look like I'm going to have a VBAC. How can I make a repeat c-section a more positive experience?
Additional considerations for making the decision
Pros to induction: no surgery recovery, easier to have immediate skin to skin and to view the birth and such, plus labor can help squeeze fluid out of baby's lungs.
Cons to induction: possible tearing, may go through labor only to need an emergency c-section anyway, slightly higher risk of uterine rupture. You likely would need continual fetal monitoring, and depending on your facility, this may mean you are stuck in bed or are at least somewhat limited in movement, and if rupture or other emergency does occur, the c-section may turn into a crash one under general anesthesia. Also, labor pain (but they can do meds to help with that).
Pros to planned c-section: calm and predictable, you can ask if viewing the birth is possible or immediate skin to skin and such, not likely to need general anesthesia, no labor, risk of rupture is low.
Cons to planned c-section: surgery recovery, may have effects from the spinal, baby doesn't get benefits of labor (but they can deal with breathing issues if they occur).
More details about TOLAC and VBAC in this page from ACOG.
For those of you who have been candidates for VBAC, we would like to collect your experiences in this thread! You may wish to answer some or all of the following questions.
Did you decide to do a RCS or TOLAC/VBAC?
At what gestation did you have your TOLAC(s)?
Had you had a vaginal birth before your cesarean(s)?
What was/were the reason(s) for your cesarean(s)?
How many cesareans did you have, and at what gestation(s)?
Were you induced for your TOLAC, and if so, how?
Did your TOLAC result in a VBAC or RCS, and if RCS, what was the reason for switching?
How did you feel about the experience of a TOLAC/VBAC vs. your CS, or if you had a RCS, how did you feel about the experience of your first CS vs. your RCS?
Is there anything else you would like to share about your TOLAC, VBAC, or RCS?