Vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC)
An overview of a vaginal birth after a caesarean at St. Paul's Hospital and how to prepare.
Overview
You have had at least one baby in the past by caesarean section. This time you have a choice. You can have a normal vaginal delivery or another caesarean section. It is common for pregnant people to have a vaginal birth after a caesarean section. This type of birth is often referred to as a ‘VBAC’ (sounds like vee-back).
Of the people who have had a caesarean section in the past, about three quarters (3 out of 4) of them safely give birth through a normal vaginal delivery for their next baby. Some people try to have a vaginal delivery and are not successful. If this happens, we would do another caesarean section.
Preparing for the birth
There are many reasons why a vaginal birth may be better than another caesarean section:
- Less blood loss
- Less chance of injury and infection
- Less pain after birth
- No chance of the problems that are possible with surgery
- A shorter time spent in the hospital
- A faster, less painful recovery
- Less chance of any breathing problems for your baby
- Less chance of problems with future pregnancies
During the birth
We take precautions to make sure that your delivery is safe for both you and your baby.
- You and your baby are monitored throughout your labour to check on the baby’s well-being. This includes electronic fetal monitoring which allows us to monitor your contractions and the baby’s heart rate at all times.
- We start an intravenous (intra meaning ‘into’ and venous meaning ‘vein’ – commonly called an IV). We use a needle to put a small flexible tube into a vein in one of your arms. This is so we can give you medicines if needed.
- We take blood tests.
- We may give medicines for pain or to move your labour along.
There is always a chance that you might not be successful in having a vaginal delivery. We would proceed to a caesarean section. This usually happens when your labour contractions slow down, your labour is not progressing, or we are worried about the baby’s well-being.
Support for Indigenous Peoples
The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.
Education & resources
Patient education
Location
The birth takes place at St. Paul’s Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre.
3rd Floor, Providence Building, St. Paul's Hospital
The Maternity Centre is on the 3rd floor of the Providence Building. The only entrance into the hospital after 8:00 PM and before 6:00 AM is through the Emergency Department on Burrard Street.
Please note: The door to the Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre is locked 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Buzz our nursing station using the button outside the unit entrance, and we will let you in.