My first VBAC in 2021

My second VBAC in 2023

I’m passionate about birth in all forms, but VBACs (vaginal birth after caesarean) hold a special place in my heart. My first daughter was born via emergency caesarean, but my next two babies were born via VBAC at home. As a mother, I have walked the VBAC path twice now, and as a doula and friend I have walked alongside many others. One of the most common questions I get asked whenever VBACs come up is what are my top tips for having a VBAC, both from personal and professional experience.

My five top tips

  1. Contact pregnancy care providers in your area (doula, private midwife, private OBs, public hospital etc.) and consider their VBAC success rates.

    If a care provider has a low VBAC success rate, that may mean they aren’t overly supportive or educated in VBACs, and therefore may not be able to support you appropriately.

  2. Find local support groups of other VBAC mums.
    Though online support groups are extremely beneficial for you to hear a multitude of stories and find information, an in-person support group is equally important. It allows for you to hear first-hand from other mothers about which care providers are supportive (and which aren’t!) and you can build connections with families who are on the same journey as you

  3. Take a VBAC birth course.

    A VBAC specific birth course will cover the information you need when planning a VBAC, unlike a traditional birth course. VBAC birth courses cover things like uterine ruptures and common hospital policies, and useful information to have when pregnant and birthing after a caesarean.

  4. Debrief your previous birth(s).

    No matter how you feel about your previous birth(s), debriefing them can allow you to understand what happened and why, which will help you when planning your next birth.

  5. Immerse yourself in VBAC stories of all kinds.

    Anecdotal evidence is still evidence, and we learn a lot in the sharing of stories. Listen to stories of positive VBACs, negative VBACs, and repeat caesareans (good and bad). You can pull wisdom and strength from other’s experiences, and it allows you to better prepare for any outcome you may have.