Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Exams and Tests
Besides the usual prenatal tests, your doctor will take additional measures to assess whether vaginal delivery is likely to be a safe birthing option for you. (For more information on standard prenatal tests, see the topic Pregnancy.) These additional measures can help you and your doctor make a well-informed decision about your delivery.
Assessments done sometime during the pregnancy to help determine whether vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option may include:
- A review of surgery records to verify the type of incision used for a previous cesarean.
- A fetal ultrasound.
- Fetal heart monitoring, which is also used during labor and delivery to watch for fetal distress. Fetal heart monitoring can also help detect a sudden uterine rupture. A rupture is typically followed by a sudden and then ongoing drop in fetal heart rate. The mother might notice bleeding and pain.
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| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: April 20, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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