NBAC clinic KEMH

Vaginal births after caesarean (VBAC) are on the increase in WA due to information about the safety of this option being more widely available.  The "once a caesarean, always a caesarean" mantra has been found to be untrue for the majority of women who take the time and responsibility to prepare themselves well for natural birth after a previous c-section.  More and more maternity care professionals in WA are also willing to support women with this choice, though most prefer this to occur in a hospital where a 'trial of labour' is closely monitored.

CMWA is currently unable to offer women seeking a vaginal birth after caesarean a place on the Community Midwifery Program.  To support women who have had, or are anticipating having a caesarean birth, CMWA has caesarean workshops for women wishing to inform and prepare themselves well for a caesarean birth or a vaginal birth after caesarean. Have a look at the Workshops page for more information.  You may also want to check out the Birthrites - Healing After Caesarean website.

For women whose babies have been born by caesarean, the Next Birth After Caesarean or NBAC clinic at King Edward Memorial Hospital is a midwifery-led clinic providing information about birth choices – whether you choose to have a vaginal birth or another caesarean birth.  Women with high risk pregnancies remain linked in with obstetric care but can access the birth preparation services.  The NBAC clinic provides an opportunity for women who have had a previous caesarean birth to have a vaginal birth.  It is a publicly funded service and does not cost.

Advantages

Things to Consider

Midwifery-led antenatal care will assist you in being confident and well-prepared for birth. You may have been linked in with a clinical team who have provided antenatal care. Antenatal visits to KEMH may mean you are familiar with the hospital prior to labour. You will be supported in your decision making, whether you are aiming for a VBAC or choose another caesarean birth. There is post-caesarean support and information on the postnatal ward. There is midwifery telephone support when you go home. Postnatal sharing groups are facilitated by a midwife.

You will not necessarily know the midwife on duty when you go into labour. You do not have the option of birthing at the Family Birth Centre. You will have phone support only rather than home visits after you have returned home.