Content Map Terms

VBAC: Labour Induction

Overview

When labour does not start on its own and delivery needs to happen soon, contractions can be started (induced) with medicine. Some doctors avoid inducing labour when a woman is trying vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). But others are okay with the careful use of certain medicines to start labour.

For a woman who has a caesarean scar on her uterus, there is a chance the scar can break open during labour. This is called uterine rupture. Medicines used to induce labour may increase the risk of uterine rupture.

When a VBAC labour has not started on its own, certain medicines, such as oxytocin, may be carefully used to help start labour. Oxytocin may also be used to get a slow labour going again.footnote 1

Inducing labour in a woman trying a VBAC may also increase the chance of needing a C-section. Women who try to have a VBAC may be more likely to have a successful vaginal birth if labour is allowed to start on its own (spontaneous labour).footnote 1

References

Citations

  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2017). Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 184. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 130(5): e217–e233. DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002398. Accessed May 25, 2018.

Credits

Current as of: November 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Femi Olatunbosun MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology