If I've had a cesarean birth can I have a vaginal birth in the future?
If you've had a caesarean section and you want to attempt a vaginal birth, there are some circumstances where that is safe, but you definitely need to consult your physician. There are not only physicians that don't feel comfortable delivering a vaginal birth after a caesarean section, but there are actually hospitals that do not allow it. There are hospitals in the United States that have a policy that they will not allow for a vaginal birth after a caesarean section. You may ask why, because there is a risk with a vaginal birth after a caesarean section of the uterus rupturing. The scar on the uterus from the caesarean section may have a weakened area in the uterus. And that area when you start to contract can break open and that can result in a complication such as a baby's body part coming through that incision, loss of fluid, excessive bleeding, and obviously nobody wants to assume that liability if they can avoid it. Now the risk of that happening is less than a percent. It's almost a percent, but it's less than a percent. But some people weigh the risks and benefits and find that that's just too risky. So you really need to consult your physician. Although it may be adequate and your physician may be comfortable, the hospital may not. But if you're in a circumstance where the hospital is comfortable and your physician is comfortable, then depending on your personal situation, it may be something that's doable.
