10 Questions to ask when considering a VBAC
I regularly work with families pregnancy with their second baby, who experienced a caesarean birth of their first baby. The question at the forefront of their minds- ‘Should I plan a VBAC or have an elective c-section’?
The answer to that question lies only with you- not me, not your Doctor or Midwife, not your partner or mum or friend or mum from the school gates. But it’s often not that simple a decision.
I wanted to share with you the questions you might ask yourself or your care provider to help you find the answer you’re looking for. Use these prompts to start conversations; perhaps journal/free write around them to see what comes through; or as next steps for further research.
1) What are my full range of options? (Think everything from free birth, home birth, birth centre, hospital, with monitoring, without monitoring, with a doula, a private midwife, induction, planned caesarean on x date, planned caesarean at a later date etc).
2) What appeals to me about each of those options? What are my fears around them? Can you find any specific research or info around the risks/benefits of each one?
3) What are the actual risks/benefits of repeat caesarean birth, VBAC, HBAC etc. Can your midwife/dr provide you with any studied to go away and look at.
4) What do I want to feel in this birth? (Which of your options is most likely to help you feel this?)
5) What is most important to me about this birth? (This might be emotional or it might be practical).
6) What are the things that led to my caesarean birth last time? Are these likely to occur again or impact this birth in any way?
7) Are there any added complexities of pregnancy this time to take into account?
8) Consider recovery from both VBAC and Caesarean Birth. How would each look practically with 2+ children.
9) Is there any trauma, unresolved questions or things you’d like to chat about your first experience of birth? Is there a health care professional or trusted person you can turn to for support with this?
10) Know that it never has to be a secure decision. You can change your mind at any time. You don’t have to book something in ‘just in case’ but you can if it makes you feel safer. The decision making here must be on YOUR TERMS. Take your time, seek second/third opinions and remember that the way you birth your baby COUNTS- so don’t just sit back and do as you’re told, invest in the learning, the decision making and the support. You both deserve it!
For ongoing support preparing to birth your baby- be that by planned caesarean or VBAC (and for hand holding whilst you make that decision), why not join our Online Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Course?