Planned VBAC
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Planned C-section
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Benefits for Mother
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Benefits for Mother
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Most women who have a successful VBAC:
- Have a shorter hospital stay
- Have a quicker recovery
- Are less likely to return to the hospital in the weeks following the birth
- Have immediate ‘skin to skin’ contact with their baby
- Have a greater chance to start and succeed with breastfeeding
- Have less need for strong pain relief after the birth
- Feel satisfied with their birth experience
- Are able to care for their baby more easily soon after the birth
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Most women who have a planned C-section:
- Schedule the date of surgery before labor has a chance to start
- Are able to plan for the birth and organize things at home or work
- Are unlikely to feel any labor pain
- Know what to expect for the birth and recovery
- Will not have vaginal stitches
- Are less likely to have the scar in the uterus separate or tear
- May feel more satisfied with the birth if this is the type of birth they choose
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Planned VBAC
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Planned C-section
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Benefits For Baby
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Benefits for Baby
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Babies born by vaginal birth:
- Benefit from the early skin to skin contact and bonding
- Are less likely to be admitted to the newborn nursery for breathing problems
- Are less likely to experience asthma and allergies
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Babies born with planned C-section:
- Have less chance of being injured from a tear in the uterine scar
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Planned VBAC
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Planned C-section
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Risks For Mother
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Risks For Mother
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Women who try VBAC:
- May need medicines for pain relief during the labor
- May need stitches if the vagina or rectum is cut or tears
- May need to have a Cesarean during labor which has greater chance of problems than planned Cesarean
- May need to have instruments to help deliver the baby
- May have a tear or rupture of the scar in the uterus
- May be less satisfied with the birth experience if they need a Cesarean in labor after trying VBAC
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Women who have a C-section:
- Have a major abdominal surgery
- Need a longer hospital stay
- May need strong pain relief after surgery
- Have a longer recovery after the birth
- Have stitches in their abdomen
- May have delay getting started with breastfeeding and bonding
- Have an increased risk of infection and blood clots due to the surgery
- May have adhesions (scar tissue) develop inside the abdomen
- May have problems with the placenta that put mom and baby at risk of severe complications or death during or after surgery
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Planned VBAC
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Planned C-section
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Risks For Baby
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Risks For Baby
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With planned VBAC:
- There is a 1 in 1000 risk of injury or death during or after the birth
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With planned C-section:
- Babies are more likely to have breathing problems after the birth
- There is a 1 in 2000 risk of death during or after birth
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