Embracing VBAC: Journey to Empowered Birth Choices
Every birth should leave you in awe of your strength!
Let's bust a myth right out of the gate again: "once a C-section, always a C-section!" I hear it echoed so often in our birth culture, but let me tell you—having the option for a VBAC is just as crucial and empowering as the option for a repeat C-section. We deserve to feel supported and empowered in our birth choices, whatever they may be.
Now, let's set the record straight: not all C-sections are traumatic, and not all VBACs are a healing experience. However, for many, including myself, the opportunity for TOLAC (Trial of Labor After Cesarean), VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), or even HBAC (Home Birth After Cesarean) offers a unique path to healing, especially if a C-section wasn't initially desired.
For me, the desire for a vaginal birth was deeply rooted. It wasn't about rejecting C-sections outright but embracing the chance to experience childbirth in a way that felt natural and empowering. Both VBAC and HBAC are equally important options as a repeat C-section.
Did you know that 90% of people who have had a C-section are candidates for VBAC, yet only 13% attempt it? And of those who do try, there's an impressive 80% chance of success. (Sources: VBAC link, Birthing Instincts, Down to birth) Those numbers speak volumes about the potential for positive birth experiences when we're given the support and choice we deserve.
Here are my top reasons for planning my first VBAC:
Reducing Trauma: I wanted to minimize the risk of reliving my previous birth experience, allowing for a fresh start.
Emotional Healing: It was about reconnecting with my body and finding emotional closure through a different birthing experience.
Recovery: VBAC often offers a less invasive experience and typically shorter recovery times, which was a big factor for me and my family.
Lower Anxiety: The thought of avoiding major surgery and potential complications eased my mind leading up to delivery day.
Hormonal Benefits: Natural labor triggers a cascade of hormones that can enhance postpartum bonding and breastfeeding success—an aspect I didn't want to miss out on.
Informed Choice: Deep down, I knew I wanted to experience childbirth without medical intervention, guided by my instincts and supported by my team.
Choosing a VBAC wasn't just about the physical act of birthing; it was a holistic decision to honour my body, my emotions, and my intuition. And let me tell you, embracing that journey was one of the most empowering decisions I've ever made.
If you're on the fence about your birth choices or simply curious about what VBAC could mean for you, I encourage you to explore, educate yourself, and most importantly, trust your instincts. Your birth story is yours to create, and you deserve to feel empowered every step of the way.
Here's to embracing our choices, celebrating our journeys, and reshaping the narrative around VBACs with warmth, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Because every birth deserves to be a story of strength and empowerment.
Take care,
Jess
