Is Vaginal Delivery Possible After C-Section?

Is Vaginal delivery possible after C-section? It is a commonly known fact that a woman who has C-section or a cesarean delivery once, can have only C-section delivery for the second time. There are the risk factors that make doctors proceed with C-section delivery. This ensures the safety of both the child and the mother. However, due to rising questions from the side of mothers and the efforts of doctors, it is now possible to work against this. 

Important Factors for Vaginal Delivery

A woman can have a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery for the second pregnancy. However, the complications need to be avoided to have a normal delivery. 

There can be a case of scar rupture if the woman had a c-section delivery earlier. However, the following are the mentioned points that are needed to be taken care of:

1. What is the gap between the two pregnancies? It is an important factor. There should be a minimum gap of at least 18 months. This can favor the vaginal birth after having a cesarean delivery. One cannot attempt to have a vaginal delivery if the gap is lesser than the required period.
2. What is the weight of the baby? The weight of the baby is also an important factor. The weight in the 9th month further depicts whether the mother can have a vaginal delivery or not.
3. Position of the baby- the head of the baby should be downwards.
4. The vaginal delivery needs to have an adequate roomy passage for the baby.
5. The reason behind c-section or cesarean delivery should be considered. This can help diagnose whether there exists any risk factor for a normal delivery for the second time or not.
6. How thick are the scars? It is important to know about having vaginal delivery for the second time after cesarean delivery.

If you are trying to have a vaginal delivery after having a C-section for the first delivery, measure the complication factors. It can be serious to have a baby or even life-threatening. That is why it is important to talk to your doctor.

Also Know: How to prevent the cause of FGR? 

What can you do to have a normal delivery after C-section?

• The health of the mother

To have a normal delivery or vaginal delivery, both the mother and the baby need to be in good health. You are able to proceed with vaginal delivery if you are pregnant with twins or if your doctor says so. There are so many risks connected with normal delivery and these are:

• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Obesity
• Age (if the mother is older than 35)
• If your previous cesarean delivery was in the last 19 months
• If the fetus is very large

• How deep is the previous c-section scar?

One of the important details that you may require to discuss with your doctor is your c-section scar on your uterus. Doctors proceed with a c-section while having cuts on the abdomen and uterus in two different directions:

• A vertical cut that goes from top to bottom
• A transverse cut that goes from side to side

If your c-section involves a vertical cut, you cannot proceed with vaginal delivery. There are higher chances of risk related to this delivery. Your previous scars may rupture which would cause great harm to both baby and the mother. You may require c-section delivery again.

If your cesarean delivery scar is low and transverse, your doctor may allow you to have a normal delivery. The risk factors are low in such cases.

• Consult the hospital

Check with your doctor if your hospital is prepared with the risk factors to attempt normal delivery. Not every hospital allows vaginal delivery after cesarean delivery. Although the risk factors for old scars rupturing during vaginal delivery is low, the hospital and the doctors must be prepared to treat you with the complication (if it may arise).

• Understand the difference between Low Risk vs. No Risk

There are small chances of rupturing the uterus during vaginal or normal delivery. It doesn’t matter whether you were having transverse c-section delivery earlier. The complications with the uterus may arise that are not good for health. Doctors need to be 100% sure that whether or not it will happen to mothers at the time of delivery. Even though the chances of rupture are less than 1%, some women are suggested not to try a normal or vaginal delivery. This can be dangerous for them. You need to weigh your options and seek a doctor’s consultation before having any decision.

Benefits of normal or vaginal delivery after C-section

If you are provided with the chance to choose from vaginal delivery and c-section after having c-section delivery for the first time of pregnancy, you can think of giving it a shot. There are good chances of succeeding with vaginal delivery. About 70% of women are able to deliver healthy babies through vaginal delivery. And for other cases, a c-section is needed to avoid the chances of risk during the attempt.

If you are thinking of getting vaginal delivery, it may however have the following benefits:

• Doesn’t require surgery
• Less blood loss
• Faster recovery
• Low chances of getting any infection
• No suffer due to injury to the low bladder
• Fewer problems related to future childbirth

Where to get help for a vaginal delivery?

Hiranandani Hospital believes in treating or healing patients with good health. It aims at providing the best treatment to all patients irrespective of their background. The hospital has been established with a center of excellence. For many good reasons, the hospital arises as a massive inspiration for many. It is enduring with the symbols of the healthcare industry. The organization is recognized and possesses years of experience in treating patients with care. The patients are given full attention so that none of the patients can get deprived of immediate care at the time of emergency.

Also Know: Why is prenatal care critical during pregnancy? | What should be the Newborn Baby Weight?