More and more women are finding themselves post C-section with more questions than ever before. Some of the questions I heard expressed were: Why did I have a C-section with my last doctor?, What are the chances I will need a future C-section?, Can I have a vaginal birth after a C-section? In this latest OBGYN newsletter we will address all of these questions from the prospective of an OBGYN who performs VBAC deliveries several times per year at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks. Why did you have a C-section? I had one patient say to me that she overheard her OBGYN talking about his Tee Time for golf that day before coming in to discuss the need for a C-secion delivery. While a timely C-section delivery can mean life or death for an infant, it certainly should not be used as a matter of convenience. Sometimes they are done because the baby is not responding well to the contractions. On other occassions the labor is not progressing appropriately because the baby is too large for the mother's pelvis. On those occassions labor is often augmented with Pitocin or Artificial Rupture of Membranes. Are you a candidate for a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section)? If you have had atleast one vaginal delivery and the only abdominal surgery you have undergone is a full-term C-section, then you are probably a good candidate for a VBAC. If you have only had one prior delivery and that was a C-section at term, then you are still a candidate for VBAC. VBAC deliveries carry with them the risk of uterine rupture occuring in 1 out of 100 deliveries. That 1 % risk means that there is a 99% chance that uterine rupture will not happen to you. The need for emergent delivery and staff that are prepared for such a delivery is the reason that not every hospital and OBGYN offer VBAC delivery as an option.

     I have been offering VBAC deliveries at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks since 2008. This month I performed the second VBAC delivery for one of my patients and she was thrilled. I am excited to see more patients considering this option for their pregnancy. If you are interested in exploring your future pregnancy options please contact me for an appointment. You can also learn more about VBAC deliveries at

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