what makes a good candidate for a vbac?

NicoleR524

I barely spoke to my OB after DS was born because I knew I was going to leave the practice for #2.  So, I haven't spoken to anyone professionally about it.  In your experiences, what have your doctors told you about what makes you a good or not so good candidate for a vbac?

 

Thanks! 

manbearpig31610

Your new OB will likely request a copy of your surgical report, from the old practice, to ensure that your insicion was made in the safest way (most are these days). Low transverse inscisions are best. The incision on your tummy doesn't always match the incision on you uterus though so your doctor will probably want to be sure. Also, for some, timing between deliveries can be a concern. Most OBs want to see at least 18-24 months between babies, to make sure your body has had proper time to heal. Again, that is time between deliveries, not pregnancies. Also, some doctors will allow you to try to vbac with less time between deliveries and there have been women on this board who have been successful in doing so. Your OB will also probably ask the circumstances that led to your vbac. Some OBs will consider you more or less likely to be successful based on those circumstances. However, circumstances can change with each pregnancy and delivery so please don't be discouraged or allow anyone else to discourage you from trying for a better birth experience, regardless of what happened with you previous delivery. In my opinion, the thing that makes the best vbac cantidate is having a supportive and vbac-friendly healthcare provider. Finding someone that will really support you and treat your pregnancy like any other normal, healthy, pregnancy (and not place a ton of ristrictions on you) is by far the best thing you can do!

MeghanF13

it will depend on the following:

 - type of incision closure (double layer vs single layer, location etc.)

- reasons for the c/s you did have

- length of time between deliveries

 

For me, the Dr said I am a great candidate - except the fact that I never went into labour (my cervix never softened, dilated, or shortened). So, right now we are going with a VBAC but if by 40wks 5 days I still have an unfavourable cervix, I will be referred to the OB who did my c/s and we will go from there. I ended up with a c/s due to fetal distress, and they were never able to explain the reasoning for the distress, so they will be doing weekly ultrasounds starting at 38 weeks to make sure I don't have the same issues. If I do, then it will be repeat c/s. Also, they won't induce for a VBAC

holly321

My ob said I would be a wonderful candidate for vbac, the only reason he could foresee me needing a rcs is if nexy baby turns breech again.

He said I am a good candidate because I was very dilated and effaced without going into labor and I had a very uncomplicated pregnancy. 

I noticed pp said that length between deliveries matter, and I am not saying it doesn't, but DD is only 7 months old, and we are ttc.

je2161

A good candidate is one whose indication for the c-section is a circumstance unlikely to repeat again. In other words, fetal indications for a c-section (fetal distress, breech presentation, etc.) make a woman a better candidate for a vbac than maternal indications for a c-section (failure to dilate).