Women who have delivered a baby through a cesarean section or C-section, may be able to deliver their next baby VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean section. Between sixty to eighty percent of women who have had one prior c-section can successfully deliver a baby vaginally, which is also referred to as a trial of labor.
Although there is only a small percentage of time, one percent, that the uterus will rupture from VBAC, when this happens, it can be severe. The hospital needs to be prepared to deliver the baby in less than ten minutes of the rupture, otherwise extensive brain damage may result or even death for the baby. It is critical that a mother attempting VBAC, only do so with a hospital or medical center that is equipped and prepared to handle VBAC. This includes having 24 hour anesthesiologist and obstetricians available, and be prepared for a fast delivery if there is a severe drop in the fetal heart rate on the fetal heart rate monitor. Over a decade ago, the results of not delivering the baby within 10 minutes proved severe or even fatal. In the 1990's, when VBAC was attempted, and the time to deliver the baby took over 25 to 30 minutes, babies were born with severe brain damage or did not survive at all.
A woman may require a C-section when a vaginal delivery is considered too dangerous for the baby or the mother. Medical conditions that may call for a cesarean section include an umbilical cord prolapsed, problems with the placenta, rupture of the fetus, abnormal heart rate of the fetus, the baby or baby's head is too large for vaginal delivery, failed forceps delivery, multiple births, failed labor induction, or increased heart rate or blood pressure in the baby or mother after amniotic rupture.
Obstetricians, doctors, and nurses must be prepared to act quickly and responsibly should a C-section be required or VBAC emergency occur. The mother and child have a legal right to professional medical care under these circumstances. If this care is violated and the negligence results in harm to the baby or mother, a medical malpractice or medical negligence lawsuit may be filed.