VBAC

    VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) refers to a trial of labor/attempted vaginal delivery when mom has already had one or more previous c-sections.

    VBAC is hazardous because the uterine scar from a previous c-section can be torn open from the force of labor contractions.  Such tearing of the uterine scar is known as uterine rupture.  Uterine rupture is a life threatening emergency because it can result in infant and maternal death in less than 30 minutes.

    In the event of a uterine rupture, the infant must be delivered within 15 minutes to avoid permanent hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

    The risk of uterine rupture is always present in a VBAC situation.  For this reason, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists requires that a full surgical team and operating room be readily available in the hospital to perform an immediate c-section whenever a physician is attempting a VBAC procedure.  Failure to have a full surgical team readily available or failure to deliver the infant within 15 minutes of a uterine rupture constitutes malpractice.

    VBAC is such a high-risk procedure, one hopital in Oregon --Merle West Medical Center-- has taken the lead in prohibiting VBACs altogether.

    It is also considered below accepted standards of care to fail to fully inform a patient of the risk of uterine rupture, the need for immediate delivery in the event of a uterine rupture and that there is a high likelihood of permanent and severe brain injury or death in the event of a uterine rupture.