Every Woman
Having Another Baby After a C-Section
 Have you had a C-section previously and are interested in having a vaginal birth with your second child? MetroHealth OB/GYNs work with their patients to, as often as possible, offer vaginal births after a C-section.
The C-section rate has climbed steadily in the United States since 1996. This results in longer hospital stays and longer recovery times for women. And one reason that the Cesarean rate is so high is that many hospitals no longer offer vaginal delivery after C-section.
This forces women to have a repeat Cesarean even when they would have preferred a vaginal delivery.
MetroHealth's rate of vaginal birth after C-section is markedly better than the national rate. In 2011 at MetroHealth, 33% of women with prior C-sections attempted a trial of labor, and 72% were successful at delivering vaginally. In the United States, less than 10% of women who have had previous C-sections have vaginal births.
Any woman who has had two or fewer C-sections with a low transverse cut of the uterus may be a candidate for a vaginal birth after C-section, says William Todia, MD, Director of General Obstetrics/Gynecology at MetroHealth.
The chances for a successful vaginal birth after C-section also depend on the reasons for the previous C-section.
"You are a better candidate for vaginal birth after C-section if the reasons for the fi rst C-section are not present in the second pregnancy,'' says Dr. Todia. "An example of that would be a first Cesarean done for a breech baby or that the baby wasn't tolerating labor."
At MetroHealth, doctors talk with patients about the facts, risks and benefi ts of a vaginal birth after C-section.
"Some fears are justified,'' adds Todia.
For example, the chance of a previous C-section scar rupturing is small — less than 1% — but can be devastating if it happens. "The ability to get the baby delivered very quickly if an emergency happens is critical."
Dr. Todia points out that MetroHealth has a dedicated obstetrical anesthesiologist and an obstetrician on site 24 hours a day, ready to deal with any issues which might arise when a woman is attempting a vaginal birth after C-section.
"The goal must always be to do what's best for the patient,'' he adds.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Todia, or any of the highly skilled OB/GYNs at MetroHealth, call 216-778-5341. Our experts see patients at 11 convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
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