Exploring Birthing Options
Amanda Weavil, MD
Mothers who've delivered via C-section have a new option for vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) at Barton's Family Birthing Center
No matter how much you plan or research ahead of time, child birth may not go as expected. There are important choices to make and even when you have given birth before, a lot can happen in the moment.
If you previously had a baby via a C-section delivery and are having another baby, you may have the option to have another cesarean or try a vaginal birth. More women are attempting a vaginal birth after a cesarean, or VBAC, and Barton Family Birthing Center offers mothers this option in a medical environment.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a VBAC as a safe and viable option for most women. Research shows that about 70 percent of women who pursue a trial of labor after a cesarean (TOLAC) have a successful vaginal birth.
There are different reasons to consider a vaginal birth after a cesarean. One benefit of a successful VBAC includes a shorter recovery period. By not undergoing abdominal surgery from a cesarean, women have a lower risk of infection and may experience less blood loss.
A VBAC can be complicated and there are some risks to consider. One concern is that a vaginal birth after a cesarean could cause the uterus to tear open, or rupture, requiring an emergency C-section. There is also a 30 percent chance that a cesarean will need to take place if there is fetal distress or the labor fails to progress.
At
Barton Family Birthing Center, both VBAC and a repeat C-section delivery are both available. Our experienced, board-certified OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) physicians are here to help pregnant women explore their delivery options and determine if VBAC is the right path for them and their baby.
Amanda Weavil, MD, is a board-certified OB-GYN physician at Barton Women’s Health and Barton Community Health Center trained in performing VBAC deliveries.
Barton Memorial Hospital has one of California’s lowest C-section rates and is home to Barton Family Birthing Center. This Blue Distinction® Center for Maternity Care is among nationally designated hospitals that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes for mothers and babies.
