Between 60 to 80 percent of women who have had a cesarean section can deliver a baby through trial of labor, or vaginally. This is known as vaginal birth after cesarean section or VBAC. Although most women can deliver the baby safely, there are a small percentage of women who will experience a rupturing of the uterus from the VBAC, and the dangers to the baby can be catastrophic.
It is important for a woman who is considering VBAC to research hospitals that are equipped to handle VBAC, including the ability to deliver the baby in less than 10 minutes of a rupture of the uterus, otherwise severe brain damage can occur or the baby may even die. One question that must be asked of a hospital for a VBAC is do they have 24 hour obstetricians and anesthesiologists available. Access to these medical professionals will be vital if there is a dangerous drop in the fetal heart rate. A fetal heart rate monitor can alert the medical staff of an emergency.
In the 1990's VBAC's had a higher rate of birth injuries as some babies were born with severe brain damage or died at birth. Research demonstrated that infants who needed to be delivered immediately were instead often being delivered in 25 to 30 minutes or longer, therefore putting the baby in extreme danger. This is why it is critical for the baby to be delivered as soon as possible after realizing a severe drop in the fetal heart rate monitor has occurred.
When a vaginal delivery is too dangerous for the infant or the mother, a cesarean section or C-section may be necessary. There are many medical conditions that may require a C-section in order to prevent a birth injury:
- Rupture of the fetus
- Abnormal heart rate of the fetus
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Problems with the placenta
- The infant's head or body is too large to exit through the birth canal
- Multiple births
- The baby can't be extracted safely with forceps
- Increased blood pressure after amniotic rupture
- Failed labor induction
