Making the decision to have a vaginal birth after your prior cesarean section (VBAC) can be intimidating as well as empowering. Many women undergo this. However, for many women giving birth, it presents an opportunity to avoid surgery, heal faster, and have a deeply intimate experience of the birthing process.
Even if you have previously had a C-section, you can still have a vaginal delivery.If you have the proper preparations and take extra precautions (guided by an obstetrician), you might go for it. You might consult the most trusted obstetrician in Siliguri City at New Ramkrishna Seva Sadan.
1. Find a Supportive Provider and Birth Setting
The success of your VBAC plan depends on your healthcare provider. While some medical professionalssupport VBAC, others are cautious about it due to medical concerns related to body weight, medical history, maternal age, etc.
Look for someone who offers information about their VBAC success rates and actively supports your objective. Not all hospitals accept VBAC. Take a tour of potential birth centers, inquire about their emergency cesarean availability and VBAC procedures, and choose the one that best suits your preferences and meets safety requirements.
2. Get Yourself Physically Ready With Calm, Regular Movement
Studies indicate that a strong, flexible body facilitates delivery and shortens recovery time. Strive for practical, pregnancy-safe activities like:
- Jogging or walking every day or around 150 minutes each week can increase stamina and lower the chance of another cesarean section.
- Possibly with the help of a pelvic-floor physiotherapist, you can perform pelvic-floor exercises (Kegels) to support your delivery muscles.
- Prenatal yoga, squats, hip-openers, and cat-cow stretches all help with posture, flexibility, and baby positions. (But don’t overdo anything).
Try to begin early in pregnancy and strive to work out most days of the week or at least 5 days a week. Your body stays active and prepared during the third trimester, even with minimal exercise.
3. Prioritize Nutrition
Whether it is C-section or vaginal delivery, the role of nutrition is invaluable. A healthy, balanced diet is crucial when talking about how important it is to be healthy for labour and childbirth.
Aim to include a lot of fruits, and vegetables in your diet along with whole grains. To support both you and your developing child, make sure you take your medications and vitamins as advised by your obstetrician. Proper fluid intake is vital, so look after your water intake.
4. Don’t Ignore Your Eligibility and Risks
Make sure VBAC is a safe choice for you before making any plans and here, some of the important elements include:
- Just one or two previous C-sections, at most
- No prior history of vertical uterine incision or uterine rupture
- A healthy pregnancy in which labor begins on its own
Early in your pregnancy, talk to your provider about your medical history and current symptoms (if you have any). Being knowledgeable enables you to balance the dangers of uterine rupture, which is rare but dangerous. Receive expert advice from the best obstetrician in Siliguri or at your nearest location.
5. Prepare Mentally and Emotionally
After a cesarean section, vaginal delivery generallytakes courage, but it can also trigger fears due to social constraints, fear of re-injury, or previous birth experiences.
- To maintain your peace of mind and confidence, try writing, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, mild yoga, and affirmations.
- Deal with any past birth trauma on your own, with a therapist, or in a support group (licensed/registered).
- You can create a nurturing emotional environment with peers, family, doulas, and friends who are there to support you.
So, if you’re preparing for VBAC, make your emotional aspect a top priority since your mental health may have a significant impact on your delivery experience.
It takes a combination of medical aspects, mental health, physical health considerations, and a supportive network to become ready for a vaginal delivery following a cesarean section. Meet one of the best gynecologist obstetricians in Siliguri for VBAC support and to understand the right choice for you.