If you have previously had a c-section you may be wondering if you can have a vaginal delivery after cesarean or VBAC. About 7 out of 10 women who try to have a VBAC are successful at doing so. The likelihood increases if you have also had a previous vaginal delivery, to 80%. The previous incision on the uterus however, must have been transverse (across the abdomen).

You will need to talk to your doctor about your particular case to see if you can try to have a vaginal birth. If the reason for your previous cesarean was a one-time problem and isn't an issue in your current pregnancy, you have a good chance of a vaginal birth.

The benefits of a VBAC compared to a C-section include:

• Avoiding another scar on your uterus. This is important if you are planning on a future pregnancy—the more scars on the uterus, the greater the chance of problems with a later pregnancy.
• Less pain after delivery.
• Fewer days in the hospital and a shorter recovery at home.
• A lower risk of infection.
• A more active role for you and your birthing partner in the birth of your child.
  

One major concern from women, is rupturing of the uterus at the location of the previous incision during labor. There is a very low risk of rupturing of the uterus - about 0.1 %.

The risk of uterine rupture during labour increases if you have had more than one caesarean birth, and if you had a caesarean in the past 18 to 24 months. Your risk also increases if you had more than one caesarean.

Want to know what other moms think? Start a discussion about it.