Planning a VBAC?
I thought I’d write a bit about VBAC’s as this might be helpful for you if you are planning one and need somewhere to start thinking about how you would like this journey to look like.
If you’ve had a caesarean birth before and you’re now planning for a vaginal birth, you’re not alone. Many birthing people are choosing VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) - and for many, it’s not just a physical journey, but an emotional one too.
There are many reasons why we would like a VBAC this time around. Perhaps you want to experience a vaginal birth, or looking for a different recovery time postpartum, or maybe you’d like to have a big family, and don’t want to be having repeat caesareans. Maybe you would like to feel in control of your birth experience this time.
Whether you’re newly pregnant or further along in your journey, preparing for a VBAC can prove easier if you surround yourself with the supportive and helpful information, care, and guidance.
Here are some key things which can be good to keep in mind:
💫 Choose a VBAC-supportive birth team
The people around you matter more than you might think! Choosing a care provider who genuinely supports VBAC can significantly increase your chances of having a vaginal birth. This includes midwives, doulas, and obstetricians who are comfortable and confident supporting VBACs—and who listen to your wishes without resorting to fear-based tactics.
Out-of-hospital settings, like homebirth or midwifery-led units, are often more supportive environments for VBAC. In fact, planned home VBACs—when carefully selected and attended by skilled professionals—have vaginal birth rates exceeding 85%.
If your NHS Trust has a homebirth team, ask to be referred (the earlier the better!). Just because you're planning a homebirth doesn’t mean you can’t transfer to hospital if you feel like it on the day.
📚 Get informed
Not everyone wants to be a birth nerd, but getting clued up on what’s ahead of you, can never be a bad idea regardless of how much, or what, that means for you.
It can feel overwhelming, but getting curious about your options is a powerful step to take. When you understand up to date evidence and information about VBAC, you’re better equipped to make decisions based on your needs—not just hospital policy, or various (sometimes unhelpful) guidance.
What are the actual risks and benefits of VBAC?
How does it compare to a repeat caesarean?
What are your rights and choices during labour and birth?
We often say “knowledge is power,” but with birth, it can definitely be more than that—it can help you feel comfort, and give clarity as well as confidence.
⚖️ Understand relative vs. absolute risk
One of the most common ways people are discouraged from VBAC is through the language of risk. You might hear something like: “The risk of uterine rupture doubles!”. Sounds scary, right?
Here’s the thing though: when we look at the numbers more closely, we often find that the difference can be very small in real terms. For example, a “doubling” might mean a shift from a 1% to a 2% chance. That’s a 100% increase relative to the first number—but still only a 1% difference in absolute terms.
Understanding how risk is presented helps you make informed choices that feel grounded in reality—not in fear.
🔄 Biomechanics: Helping your baby find the (easiest) way out
Your baby’s position can make a big difference in how labour progresses—especially when you're planning a VBAC.
Supporting optimal (although I dislike the word optimal - there’s nothing suboptimal about baby!) fetal positioning is about giving baby the best possible path through your pelvis.
But here’s the thing: in today’s world, most of us are incredibly sedentary. We sit in front of computers during the day, then come home and sink into the sofa. This modern lifestyle, while comfortable, often leads to reduced pelvic mobility, tight ligaments, and less space for baby to find their ideal position if we slouch a lot of the time.
That’s where birth biomechanics comes in. By focusing on how we move, sit, and carry ourselves during pregnancy, we can help create more space and alignment in the pelvis—making labour more efficient and potentially more straightforward.
Here are a few practical ways to support your body’s alignment:
Spinning Babies exercises (e.g. Forward-Leaning Inversion, Daily Essentials)
Seeing a pelvic health physio or chiropractor
Sitting on a birth ball instead of a sofa, or laying on your side on the sofa with a pillow between your legs (instead of sitting)
Walking, stretching, gentle daily movement, or pregnancy yoga which can be really lovely
Think of it as a way to prepare your body and your baby for birth - it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
🌀 Planning with flexibility
Yes, it’s okay to have a plan. It’s also ok to have 3, or 4, or 5. And it’s okay to change them as and when you’d like.
Reflecting on what happened last time, and what you'd like to be different this time, can be empowering.
But remember: birth, in the same way as life, is not linear. It doesn’t always follow a script. Planning for flexibility doesn’t mean giving up on your hopes—it just means being open to how they unfold. Planning for emotional safety as well as practicalities can go a long way, helping you for any possible twists and turns.
Here are some questions to consider:
What would help you feel safe and seen in labour?
Are there specific interventions you'd like to avoid?
Who do you want in the room with you?
How would you like to be supported emotionally if things change?
💬 Community !
Sometimes the most powerful thing is hearing from others who’ve been there. If you've had a VBAC, what helped you the most? If you're planning for one now, what support are you seeking?
Whether you’re aiming for a home birth, hospital birth, or something in between, VBAC is absolutely possible—and often, incredibly healing. With the right preparation and support, it can be a transformative experience.
You can do this!
Fanny x
NB I am not an expert or giving medical advice - these are purely my tips based on my own experience and known knowledge.
