Vaginal Birth after Cesarean

• babies are born when they are ready
• babies have the benefit of being exposed to hormones during labour which aid prepare the infant for survival outside the womb
• these hormones help clear infant’s lungs and promote blood to heart and brain
• more likely to be born with healthy lungs
• more likely to have higher Apgar scores
• can enjoy early, frequent contact with their mothers which helps with initial bonding
• more likely to be breastfed and nurse for a longer time span
• mothers have less chance of acquiring infection
• women recover more quickly
• less expensive
• shorter hospital stay
• less postpartum pain
• less chance baby will end up in the Neonatal intensive care unit (Korte, 1998)

Elective Repeat Cesarean Section

• convenience of planning date of birth
• not having to go through labour
• decreased risk of uterine rupture
• less chance of damaging pelvic floor muscles
• when performed for an evidence-based indication, cesarean section has an enormous potential for the preservation of life and health