7 Ways to Increase Your Chances for a VBAC Delivery
You are more likely to need a cesarean if you have had one previously, but there are ways to increase your chances for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Try these 7 tips for boosting your chances of a VBAC delivery.
1. Inform Yourself
There are support groups for mothers who need help grieving about their previous cesarean and are adamant about doing everything within their power to avoid another one. Attend these meetings, and talk to other mothers who have delivered vaginally after a previous cesarean. Besides providing you with practical suggestions during your pregnancy and labor that will increase your chances of a VBAC delivery, the information you obtain from this group can empower you to have an easier and more efficient labor.
2. Eat Right
Overeating may cause you to gain too much weight and your blood sugar to be too high. Both of these factors increase your chances of having a baby too large to be delivered vaginally.
3. Exercise Regularly
In-shape women have faster labors and gain less weight.
4. Employ a Professional Labor Assistant
Studies show that mothers who use a professional labor assistant (PLA) are much less likely to have surgical birth.
5. Be Upright
Back lying is the position for surgical birth; the more time you spend on your back, the more likely you are to have one.
6. Get Moving for a VBAC Delivery
Avoid spending most of your time lying in bed wired to monitors – like a surgical patient. When you get moving, your labor will, too.
7. Trust Your Body
Believe that your delivery system will work. Believe that your pelvic passages are designed to birth your baby. A fear that you can’t go through with the delivery can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, since fear frightens the uterus into not working efficiently. Surround yourself with positive advisors. Even if your family tree or circle of friends is full of cesarean deliveries, know that you can beat these statistics.