"The Public Citizen Health Research Group in Washington, D.C. has estimated that half of the nearly 1 million cesareans performed every year are medically unnecessary. With more appropriate care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, half of the cesareans could have been avoided. Clearly, there are times when cesareans are necessary. However, cesareans increase the risk to both mothers and babies." (ICAN)

VBAC is a Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean. HBAC is a Home Birth After a Cesarean. Successful VBAC has a major advantage at home because it is treated as any other healthy normal low risk birth. The risk of cesarean is higher in the hospital because VBAC in the hospital is seen as and managed as a high risk situation. The risk of uterine rupture is small. Uterine rupture is rare (.4%) and this risk does not appear to be greater for women with a previous uterine incision than for women who have a normal uterus.

The relative risks of VBAC:

• The risk of uterine rupture (UR) after one “bikini cut” cesarean is 0.4% or 1 in 250. (Landon 2004) less than 1% of women having a VBAC; can lead to severe internal hemorrhage of the mother and death of the baby; ;

• Risk of miscarriage from an amniocentesis is 5 - 20 times greater than the risk of infant death or injury from a VBAC. (March of Dimes, Landon 2004)

The relative benefits of VBAC:

• The risks increase with each CS, whereas the risk of UR decreases with each VBAC. (Mercer 2008)

• Faster recovery time after birth

• Easier time with breastfeeding without abdominal incision

• Less than half the cost of a C/S

• No abdominal surgery

• Shorter hospital stay

• Lower risk of infection

• Less blood loss

• Less need for blood transfusions

• Decreased death and injury in baby resulting from surgical delivery

• Resultant positive emotional state from successful vaginal birth

If you are considering a HBAC we recommend you visit the folowing links:

International Cesarean Awareness Network

VBAC Facts Online


You may also download these VBAC handouts in PDF format