VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) is a safe alternative to a routine repeat cesarean in most cases. If you have a healthy pregnancy, have a low horizontal scar and placenta on the uterus and go into labor on your own at term you have about a 70% to 75% chance that you and your baby will have a safe normal birth. Many hospitals and care providers no longer support women who want to plan a VBAC, not because it is not safe, but because of fear of a malpractice suit. Many hospitals feel it is too expensive to keep a full surgical team and anesthesia on stand-by, “immediately available” as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for VBAC. The National Institutes of Health states that this recommendation is not based on high quality evidence.

Based on a review of 28 high-quality studies, the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services Expert Work Group found that in comparison to care provided by physicians for similar populations, care provided by professional midwives resulted in fewer cesareans, more VBACs, the same or better maternal and perinatal health benefits, and no worse outcomes.

We are proud to offer VBAC birth services in our birth center. Women who labor for a VBAC in a birth center and do not develop complications are more likely to have a normal birth. However, if you need an emergency transfer timing is very important, and our proximity to the nearest hospital is impeccable.