Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC)

VBAC, pronounced Vee-Back, is the term for having a Vaginal Birth After a previous Cesarean birth. Depending on the reason for your past cesarean birth, it can be safe to labour and have a vaginal birth next time. Your maternity care provider may use the term "TOLAC" which stands for Trial of Labour after Cesarean.

Following surgery for cesarean birth, it is important to give enough time for your uterus and abdomen to heal, before becoming pregnant again. Check with your care provider about planning for your next pregnancy and whether trying for a vaginal birth is a good option for you.

The below links give some information on the benefits and risks of VBAC.

• Pregnancy Info - Vaginal birth after Cesarean

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• Association of Ontario Midwives - Thinking about VBAC (Also available in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Simplified Chinese)

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• Health Quality Ontario - Care for People Who Have Had a Cesarean Birth and Are Planning Their Next Birth

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• The MotHERS Podcast - Vaginal Birth After C-Section (featuring Dr. Jessica Dy)