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 rush into the operating room.

Some women admit that they feel selfish if they complain about their birth experience, instead of just feeling grateful that their baby is fine. I explain to women that it is not selfish to have their own feelings about their birth. Every woman is entitled to have painful feelings at the same time that she feels gratitude and joy.

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. A woman may choose VBAC preparation with or without her partner present.

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