Ever heard of VBAC? I hadn’t either.
Believe it or not, like the first time, with heights of ignorance and blessings in the form of miracles, I got to know I was pregnant only after my first trimester. By then, I had done almost everything I was not supposed to in those three months. This time, I had a 3-year-old, a contraceptive device in place and belly dance. Yet, I embraced my unplanned pregnancy with all my heart.
My second and third trimesters crawled and I was getting impatient. Memories of the first caesarean section did not help one bit, though I tried to keep those thoughts away. People often say, “Once a C-section, always a C-section.” But was that really true?
As it had been four years since my caesarean section, my gynaecologist allowed me to choose to opt for either kind of delivery. Due to the excruciating pains of the first delivery, I was ready to try anything that I could to avoid another caesarean section.
Then, my water broke and I panicked. We called the gynaecologist and she asked us to come in in a couple of hours. I had a warm bath, my mom stuffed two bananas down my throat and I was off to the hospital with the husband.
Like the first time, there were no contraction pains until after they induced me. Then I was subjected to numerous needles, suppositories and internal examinations. When the labour pains began, I took the epidural. It had already been nine hours since my water broke.
Finally, my cervix had dilated to eight centimetres. Everyone was geared up, except me. I felt nothing, yet I tried to push through my numbed lower body. Several tries later, still nothing happened.
Having eaten almost 10 hours ago, and with the stress of trying to push, I began feeling uneasy. I asked for a bowl and right enough began throwing up. When I was done, everyone was laughing, including the husband. How annoying was that? I was too tired to say anything, but my irritated expression said it all. Just then, I saw my baby in my doctor’s hand. It was a boy!
Apparently, with the pressure of puking, my body just pushed my son out. I felt something at the time, but didn’t realize that I had let out 3.1 kgs of flesh. I smiled, too. I was stitched back into place, passed through a feverish hour and recovered quickly despite going through such an ordeal.
Unheard of by many, this delivery was called a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean or VBAC. Depending on how your body has healed from the previous caesarean, your gynaecologist may allow you to have a normal delivery. Usually, within two years, there is a high risk of uterine rupture if the operated portion and stitches have not healed completely. In other words, there are chances that the previous stitches and uterus could tear open with the pressure of pushing the baby out.
However, even if you have chosen a normal delivery four years (like me) after your caesarean section, the doctor in charge will keep staff and equipment ready to perform an emergency caesarean just in case. Therefore, a vaginal delivery after a caesarean is called just that – VBAC.
Till today, I get raised eyebrows when I talk about my normal delivery AFTER a caesarean. That is why I wrote this blog, so more people are aware that this option exists. That means, the painful caesarean operation can be avoided. VBACs are real. They’re possible. And they’re worth discussing with your doctor if you’ve had a caesarean section and are hoping for a different experience the next time.
And if you’re reading this wondering whether you could do it, remember, there’s always hope!
If you’re considering a VBAC, here are a few tips:
A helpful 2022 review published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology showed that with proper screening and hospital readiness, VBAC success rates can go up to 70%, nearly as high as a first-time vaginal birth.
So, talk to your doctor, build a strong support system, and if your body gives you the green light, just go for it!
#LetsBlogwithPri is a Blog Train hosted by Prisha Lalwani, Author at Mummasaurus. I wholeheartedly thank Romila Rawat Negi, Author at Mama R Feels, for introducing me in her blog about a father’s thoughts on pregnancy and babies. Also, I would like to introduce Sneha Jubin, Author at It’s a Twinning Story. Do read her blog on sleep benefits and tips.
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50 Comments
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That is a very informative post. Each pregnancy, each delivery and each child is different. I had a c sec and trust me, i did not have any pain and i was moving around comfortably the next day. I think my doc was very good and she managed it very well. I always wanted a normal delivery and was scared of the stitches and the pain. But now i am scared to push out a child. 😉 But its nice docs are open about VBAC else as you said, it is said you will need to have a c sec again. Very well written post 🙂
Any day normal delivery is better than caesarian but things are not always in our hand. But if a woman can endure labour pain she should go for normal delivery it’s helpful both for mother and child. Mine was a high-risk twin pregnancy with my husband 2000km away from me. So no other option but to go for c-sec.
Hi Cindy…..really glad u had a VBAC…and yes many of my friends had it. I had my first caesarean 35 years ago and believe me it was excruciatingly painful. I dreaded having a second baby as I knew it would be a C-section as well. But my new gynaec was so good. The second caesarean was a dream just five years later. Wonder which gynaec u went to as urs must have been many years later and now they r painless.
My Caesarean was 7.5 years ago. Normal was 3.5 years ago.
Interesting and from the heart observations! Cheers to you for your honest writing. The only thing I couldn’t understand is why you felt embarrassed after a C-section for nothing is in our hands. Be proud, only a woman can produce the miracle of life!
My second child, I was hoping would be a vaginal birth. But my doctor said it was very risky considering my first was a C-Section. Though I’ve heard a few moms have had this happen to them.
I didn’t know that you could go in for normal delivery after cesarean.. I had a normal delivery and I would definitely recommend Normal delivery only 😁
You are so brave Cindy! Your experience will be a motivation for others. I am sure other women would relate to it too.
You are very brave Cindy. Mine was a c section and that was pretty easy for me I guess. Right after the surgery when I was getting back in my senses I felt a pain. But that was okay in the few hours.
The bad part was I couldn’t sleep! My husband who was supposed to be looking after me in the hospital, slept throughout while I sat there like an owl..
Yeah that first pain only was like… Uuuffff
It is very rare to have vaginal birth after c-section birth . one of my friend has the same ..
It’s rare coz it needs professional help to be around just in case your previous stitches erupt.
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s definitely unusual to hear about VBAC after a cesarean birth.
Yeah it depends and varies from patients to patients. I’ve come across many patients who have vaginal delivery with previous csection
very informative post. Thanks for such a lucid birthing story. i really could not guess from your photos which was which
That’s an achievement, and yes I can understand that normal delivery has faster recovery.
Wow, dear! Hats off to you. I went thru both the deliveries with cesarian. I am glad dear you are able to do normal after the C section. My doctor didn’t allow me. Except you, I have not heard about vaginal birth after cesarean. And you are so fit I can’t figure out what is before and after pics.
DM me. Perhaps I can help you out!
I can’t say which one is better caesarian or vaginal, my child was born second way and I felt going through hell. But then every delivery is different. I had heard the VBAC earlier, about 26 years earlier my aunt popped 2nd baby that way. I did smile the way your boy made entry to the world, endearing.
None of them are easy. Recovery is normally better with vaginal than with caesarean, in my experience.
I had a cesarean delivery after my first vaginal one and yes, I agree vaginal is way way better than cesarean. I didn’t take epidural in my vaginal do yes, I have experienced the pain. But still it was way more better than cesarean. I was back in action within a week compared to my second delivery.
I was lucky that both my deliveries were vaginal and I was let off with a few stitches. After Caesarean a vaginal delivery is quite rare so definitely a welcome experience!
Lovely post Cindy… your journey of being a mother of two kids and of two different experiences is really worth reading..
That’s very heartfelt Cindy, you had experienced both and thus are the best person to share the difference.
What an interesting story of your life. Happy that you shared it with all of us. It was the first time I learned about it.
I have read about it only in the books. Never heard of anyone’s personal experience. This is great info for any mom expecting for the second time.
Even i have experienced both type of deliveries and yes Vaginal delivery may be difficult at that moment but it’s better post operative as compared to Csec. You have completed busted the myth that i has was once a Csec is always a Csec.
Such a relevant post about Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC). Thanks for letting us know your personal experience.
Wow hats off to you for going through a VBAC! It requires a lot of mental strength and preparedness. And congratulations on your two angels!
Thank you Noor.
Your posts are of great info for everyone…may be it is irrelevant to some but will be of use at some point definitely…gotta bookmark the post
Thank you. Yes, it is very helpful because many are unaware of it. Do forward to your pregnant friends. Would surely be of help to them.
VBAC is a reality but it’s hardly talked around. I think women need to be aware about the possibility and their own potential to adopt VBAC.
Yes but sadly it depends all on the doctor and how ready he/she is to handle this difficult case.
Cindy this is news to me..i hadn’t heard of this before. I believed every delivery after csec is supposed to be csec only. All my life i believed this. And that horror of puking, i have been thru that. Ugh!
Yes most of the people, I met when I was pregnant for the second time, told me that. But only my gynac gave me the confidence and I had hoped because I couldn’t go thru that c sec pain again 😩
I can relate myself to the above post.. very well narrated and loved your emotional story
i have twins. i got to know in start that i am going to have c section. but i didnt knw it will be so painful.
It’s such an emotional story. Not every mother has the courage to speak out loud about her story and sufferings, you are definitely very strong!
Thanks Nitya! Do forward it to your woman friends so they are aware that such things exist.
Oh my God it’s really an amazing VBAC and I had c sec and whenever I thought of pregnancy always my goes bumps appear. I love my boy now no matter what I faced in my pregnancy and yes kids are blessing for life time
This is so amazing Cindy. I also have heard this and was scared to death about my delivery. Everyone admitted along with me were going for epidural Nd ceasarean. I eventually went in state were i was begging for the same. Bt my husband showed patience and support. I am getting goosebumps thinking about it.
Good that all went well.
I can truly relate as I have been to both aswell. Cheers girl!
[…] and took a break only because my tummy had gotten too heavy to move. Thanks to the dance, after a caesarean, I was able to deliver my second child normally without any issues. Also after delivery, belly […]
[…] I would also like to introduce Cindy D’Silva. You can read her blog on International Cesarean Awareness here […]
I never knew that a VBAC is possible in reality. Ur post is amazing and you look fab
[…] would like to thank Cindy for introducing me to this blogathon! Check out her Blog to see what she has to […]
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