How to Prepare for a VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
Have you had a Cesarean birth and are now desiring a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean)? In the United States, 32% of births are Cesarean births. VBACs account for only 14% of all births after a Cesarean section, even though they are associated with fewer complications than a repeat Cesarean.
So what can you do to prepare for a VBAC?
Work with a provider that is supportive of VBACs
Working with a physician or midwife that will support your desire to have a VBAC may be the most important step to ensure your success. It is imperative that your provider be supportive as long as a VBAC is a safe option for you. This may mean even using a different provider than your first delivery, but we would encourage you to make the right decision for you and your baby!
Release any restrictions on the abdomen
The scar tissue associated with a C-section can cause soft tissue restrictions in the abdomen. If the abdominal fascia and muscle layers are tight and restrictive, it can prevent the baby from getting into a good position for a vaginal delivery. Abdominal manual therapy with a pelvic floor physical therapist could include work on the abdominal muscles, uterine ligaments and scar tissue to promote the best position for your baby!
Learn how to lengthen the pelvic floor
Pelvic floor relaxation is important for active labor, especially the pushing phase. Most of the actual work of delivering the baby is done by the uterine muscles contracting. To allow the baby to descend and come through the vaginal canal, a relaxed pelvic floor is important. Relaxing the pelvic floor can include specific stretches, breathing exercises, and manual therapy done by a trained pelvic floor physical therapist. For some relaxation techniques you can start using today, check out our Down Training Series on Youtube
Pelvic floor muscle release
A pelvic floor physical therapist has specialized training in assessing and treating the superficial and deep muscles of the pelvic floor. Addressing all layers of the pelvic floor can help with promoting a successful vaginal birth. Here at Revitalize Physical Therapy, our research-backed method focuses on reducing any overactivity in the deep pelvic floor muscles in order to decrease pushing times, perineal tearing and C-sections.
Conclusion:
A vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) is a safe and appropriate option for many women. Pelvic floor physical therapists are specially trained to work with pregnant women and can use several techniques to help achieve a vaginal birth. If treatment from a pelvic floor physical therapist is something you are further interested in, contact our clinic today to book your evaluation!
References: https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?lev=1&obj=1®=99&slev=1&stop=90&top=8
