Paging Village OB: The Scoop on VBAC’s from 2 OB’s

With the national cesarean birth rate at more than a quarter of all births, more and more women want to know about VBACS (vaginal birth after C-section).  I think it’s important to understand the benefits and the risks associated with them as well as how best to prepare if you want to explore this option for the birth of your child. 

If you are interested in this option you should speak with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss if you are a good candidate and if they are open to the option. I thought that giving a high level overview of VBACS could be helpful and I thought the best people to write about this topic are the MomPrep Experts from Village Obstetrics here in NYC, George Mussalli, MD & Jaqueline Worth, MD.

Village Obstetrics™ is a New York City practice that offers patients a genuine reverence for the natural process of birth.  They strive to balance the best of modern medicine with the ancient wisdom of unhurried care.  The former Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dr. George Mussalli is one of the few maternal-fetal medicine specialists who still delivers babies. Dr. Jaqueline Worth brings more than a decade’s experience as a busy obstetrician. They recognize their patient’s autonomy as the most important principle and strive for honest communication as the best way to build mutual trust. The guiding posts of their practice are respect and competence.  In 2011 they had a 91% success rate with VBAC’s and 92% of their deliveries were vaginal.

Remember moms if you try for a VBAC and end up having a C-section it can still be an amazing birth experience and you shouldn’t feel disappointed, the important part is a safe and happy mum and baby.  If you are currently electing for a C-section for no medical reason I really encourage you to think twice. Don’t forget it is major surgery and comes with all the risk. If you have questions/comments I always I welcome your feedback here and on Facebook and Twitter.
xRosie

GUEST BLOG – THE SCOOP ON VBACS BY 2 OB’s

First always know there is no wrong way to have a baby when mom and child end up safe and happy. Birth is a deeply personal and deeply spiritual experience. It is yours to hold and cherish forever as is your newborn child. C-section. Vaginal. Forceps. Vacuum. Adoption. You are starting or expanding your family and welcoming a child into your circle of love and support forever.That said we bring to you our experience as the go to practice for VBAC in New York City. We have no agenda in our practice. New York moms seek us out because of our extensive experience and high success in helping them safely have a baby vaginally after a cesarean section.  VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean section) is now officially called TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean section)

Benefits
Recovery from a successful TOLAC is considerably faster for the mother than for repeat C-section. It also increases the likelihood of future vaginal deliveries if you want more children. Many women also finally feel an emotional closure to prior disappointment often associated with needing to have a C-section for their first birth.

Risks
Risks are clear and scary. The C-section scar could tear open during labor (uterine rupture). Uterine rupture is an emergency that risks the health and life of the baby if delivery is not performed within minutes. It can also lead to bleeding for the mother than might require blood transfusion or rarely hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Fortunately uterine rupture happens in less than 1% of cases for most women with a prior cesarean.

Helpful Tips

• Discuss TOLAC early with your doctor AND all partners. There are many obstetricians who are not eager to perform TOLACs and may have specific rules like, no inductions or going past your due date.
• Find out what percentage of patients choose TOLAC at your practice and what is the success rate.
• Find out what conditions would make your OB decline to do a TOLAC.

Good Luck!
George Mussalli, MD & Jaqueline Worth, MD
Village Obstetrics, LLC

Tags: c-section, childbirth, natural childbirth, vbac