Comments on: VBAC risks vs benefits: 5 things to think about

By: Surviving Labor and Delivery: Prep, Terms, and More

Surviving Labor and Delivery: Prep, Terms, and More — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 20:52:16 +0000

[…] Around 60-80 percent of women who attempt at VBAC will be able to deliver vaginally. The link at the beginning of this paragraph gives more information on VBACs, the risks involved, and what makes you a good candidate. Here is a great post that discusses VBAC risks vs benefits. […]

By: Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 01:10:48 +0000

In reply to Jacy.

I don’t believe in numbers. EVery case is different, and it’s so important to talk about the whole history with your doctor. I will say the MOST important part is finding a doctor who’s on board. I would 100% never, ever recommend someone try to vbac at home. Ever.
Always love hearing from a fellow nurse. 🙂

By: Jacy

Jacy — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 18:36:54 +0000

Hello! I am also an RN, though in adult ICU, not OB.
I wanted to clarify: although the term TOLAC is preferred by providers, VBAC is preferred by many women. The reason is not that they don’t know the “proper” term, because I would say that many if not most women trying for a VBAC do know, but that saying TOLAC feels like saying “Oh, well, we’ll try it…” vs VBAC is the goal. For me, I am currently pregnant with my second, and I say I’m “hoping to have a VBAC”. My first was breech, so I haven’t labored much at all, but my view is that there is little reason to think that my body can’t do it. Yes, there is a risk of uterine rupture, but I’m bummed you didn’t state the actual numbers. From my recent research, risk of uterine rupture is 0.2-1.5%. Chances of having any one of several complications of repeat C-sections are at significantly higher rates, as far as I understand.
For my first, I wanted to have a home birth with a CNM. Since I am now no longer low risk, and the national birth center guidelines recommend against VBACs (anywhere without continuous monitoring) I am planning to deliver at a VBAC friendly hospital (best rates in the area) with a VBAC friendly midwife group.
As for the person who commented about HBAC or birth center birth after C/S, there are LPMs who will deliver VBACs at birth centers near me, but no CNMs will. I feel like that should make people question it, but they do them anyway. >_<
Thanks for sharing your views!

By: Hilary

Hilary — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 02:54:54 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. Awh, I'm glad you liked the article!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 31 May 2016 01:10:18 +0000

I have had two VBACS (initial C-section was for breech presentation) and everything you said in this article was exactly what I was told by the doctor. He was great, said he had maybe only had one V-bac all year b/c no one ever requests them, but was open to it. I will say the first one was very hard to recover from, maybe harder than my c-section, but the second one was so easy. I am glad doctors will do them and I recommend searing for a doctor who is open to one if you had a c-section for the reasons listed. Thanks for being a great L&D nurse. I don’t know why anyone would want to VBAC at home. The nurses and hospitals that have supported me have been amazing. My third child was not crying upon delivery and while I wasn’t told that anything was wrong, the nurses had him crying and healthy very fast. Thankful for L&D nurses.

By: Hilary

Hilary — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 03:14:09 +0000

In reply to Jenn. I'm not sure what you're talking about. I also disagree that my blog makes it sound unattainable. BUT the reality is that with SOME doctors it truly IS unattainable. I would say that the 5 years I went to college, he 15 years I've been a labor and delivery nurse along with the numerous certifications I've had as well as seeing women on death's doorstep from various things that have gone wrong during their delivery mean that I probably also take my position very seriously.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 02:19:35 +0000

Hep lock? And yes, national average is 33%, however, I’m located in an area where we are upwards of 40-50%. Even at 33%, we are talking 1 in 3 women. Have you had a vbac personally? Or are you just talking as a L&D nurse?
Women who choose to vbac choose it because it’s a safer choice than a repeat c section. Your blog makes it sound dangerous and unattainable.

I’ve had a vbac, hbac, and because of that, and the fact that many women do not know their choices when it comes to hospital births, I strive daily to get information to them. I’m a childbirth educator and I take my position very seriously.

By: Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 02:02:16 +0000

In reply to Jenn. Jen, I think you're not well versed in your labor knowledge. Your last paragraph doesn't make a lot of sense. So, someone's uterus is RUPTURING and we take the time to do a spinal? Also, they say that rupture pain can most often be felt through an epidural. C-section rates around the US remain at 33%. Doctors vary, that is true. But that's the national average.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:35:30 +0000

I don’t agree with a majority of what is said here. If you are a vbac, it’s important that you are able to FEEL what’s going on to be able to communicate to your doctor or midwife. That being said, an early epidural let alone an epidural at any point is going to mask the pain that comes with a uterine rupture.
With our rates at nearly 40-50% cesarean sections, it’s most likely the woman did not need one the first time around and I see no problem with a hbac, dependent on other factors. Being vbac alone does not make one high risk.
And never, never, ever should a woman make a decision based on the convenience of their doctor or midwife. If the doctor cannot be ‘available’ for the vbac… Well, then, maybe it’s time to choose a different provider.

We are living in a time where an anesthesiologist can get a port in within minutes. I think the fear of general is not based on current information.

By: Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 15:41:50 +0000

In reply to Kayla H. Awh, I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting!