Vaginal
Birth After C-Section Poses Risks
Women who
attempt to deliver their babies vaginally after a Caesarean section
face some health threats to themselves and their babies, although
those risks are small. A new study has confirmed that the rate
of a uterine rupture, one of the most serious consequences of
a C-section, is between 0.5 and 1 percent.
Women undertaking
trial of labor need to consider several factors, including the
risk of a serious event for her or her newborn. Although most
uterine ruptures can be repaired, some require a hysterectomy.
More importantly, however, uterine rupture can cause death or
brain damage in the fetus.
"For women
undergoing trial of labor, the overall risk of one of these serious
adverse outcomes at term is one in 2,000 trials of labor," Landon
said. "For many women, that level of risk is clearly acceptable,
with the benefit being a potential vaginal birth with shorter
recovery, less hospitalization, and the satisfaction that goes
with vaginal delivery itself. For other women, any level of potentially
preventable fetal risk is unacceptable."
The
Holistic Wisdom Corporation