Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

I counsel many women who have given birth by cesarean section and wish to give birth vaginally. Women hoping to have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) benefit enormously by preparing for the upcoming birth. I educate women and couples about the physical aspects of VBAC and offer private counseling to prepare them emotionally.

Acknowledging the impact of a previous birth experience can be an important part of preparing for a subsequent pregnancy, labor and postpartum period. Women who give birth by cesarean undergo major surgery and may experience a range of feelings as a result. Most women who have had a cesarean birth are greatly relieved and happy to have a healthy baby. But some women also feel disappointment, or a sense of failure. Others feel fearful or even traumatized after experiencing unexpected complications and a birth in the operating room.

For some women, pregnancy can trigger intense feelings that have not been sufficiently resolved following a cesarean section. I believe that discussing the previous birth, as well as preparing for the next birth, is an important process to undertake. It is a privilege to help a woman prepare for VBAC; she may choose VBAC preparation with or without her partner present.

Contact Lois Freedman by phone at (781) 784-1380, or