SingaporeMotherhood | Pregnancy
May 2026
Can You Have a Natural Birth After a C-Section? What To Know About VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)
For some mothers, a C-section can be a calm and positive experience. After all, you are (kind of) in control, having chosen the day, time, and method of childbirth you prefer. On the other hand, for other mums, a caesarean may have been frightening, disappointing, and painful to recover from. So when they get pregnant again, these mothers ask the same question: “Can I still have a vaginal birth?”
The answer? Possibly, yes. Vaginal Birth After Caesarean — better known as VBAC — is increasingly discussed among mums looking for a different birth experience the second/third/or more time around. Obstetrics and gynaecology specialist Dr Fong Kah Leng says this is not uncommon in Singapore.
(See also: CAESAREAN IN SINGAPORE: WHAT REALLY HAPPENS BEFORE, DURING & AFTER YOUR C-SECTION)
What are the chances of a successful VBAC?
“Three out of four women with a straightforward pregnancy give birth vaginally following a caesarean delivery,” reckons Dr Fong, who practises at Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Parkway East Hospital.
Is VBAC Safe?
According to SInghealth, up to 60 to 70 per cent of women achieve a successful VBAC after one caesarean section, as long as their pregnancy is without complications.
“There is a 25 per cent chance you will need to have an emergency caesarean delivery during your labour. There is also one per cent higher chance of needing a blood transfusion or having an infection in the uterus compared with women who choose a planned caesarean delivery,” says Dr Fong.
In addition, there is a small risk — about a half per cent, says Dr Fong — that the previous uterine scar may open. This will cause concerns for you and your baby.
Being induced increases the chance of this happening. “If there are signs of these complications, your baby will be delivered by emergency caesarean delivery,” notes Dr Fong.
Why Some Mothers Want a VBAC
There are many reasons why mums may want a VBAC:
- Difficult first birth
- Traumatic emergency c-section
- Longer recovery
- Desire for more involvement
- Quicker postpartum mobility
- Caring for older child after delivery
- Wanting a different emotional experience
- Avoiding repeat surgery
“Expecting mothers may want to have a VBAC for the purposes of not having surgery and its risks, to enjoy quicker recovery and a shorter stay in hospital, as well as to have a better chance of an uncomplicated normal birth in future pregnancies. It also reduces the risk of breathing problems for the baby,” says Dr Fong.
Copywriter May Tham opted for a VBAC for her second childbirth as her first, a planned caesarean, did not go well for her.
“The C-section was traumatising. I had opted for regional anesthesia so I was awake during the cutting and sewing and could feel the tugging as the placenta was extracted. I believe GA (General Anesthesia) would have made it less traumatic. The uncontrollable whole-body ‘shakes’ in the recovery room were very unpleasant as well. They lasted for about half an hour,” the mother of two, who runs the VBACsupportsg blog, recalled.
Do Hospitals in Singapore support VBAC?
You can have a VBAC at all hospitals in Singapore, both public and private. Do note though, that regardless of hospital, VBAC labour is classified as high-risk in Singapore, reminds doula Ginny Phang-Davey. Hence, continuous foetal monitoring (CTG) throughout labour is standard practice.
“This does not mean you are strapped to a bed. Wireless CTG monitoring is available at some hospitals. Confirm specifically with your obgyn and hospital what wireless monitoring options are available,” the founder of Four Trimesters advises.
(See also: GIVING BIRTH IN SINGAPORE: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERNITY PACKAGE (AND WHAT IT COSTS IN 2026)
Will my baby be at risk?
“The risk of your baby dying or being brain damaged if you undergo VBAC is very small — 0.2 per cent,” assures Dr Fong. “While this is no higher than if you were laboring for the first time, it is higher than if you have an elective repeat caesarean delivery — which is at 0.1 per cent. However, this has to be balanced against the risks to you if you have a caesarean delivery.”
Who may not be suitable?
Dr Fong advises against VBAC for women who:
- have had two or more previous caesarean deliveries
- whose uterus had ruptured during a previous labour
- whose pregnancies have complications
In addition, there are technical reasons to avoid a VBAC, such as whether the shape of the previous incision could put you at a higher risk for uterine rupture.
In these cases, your obgyn would probably suggest a planned repeat C-section. This is not without its own benefits. It poses a very small risk of uterine scar rupture, avoids the risks of labour, and of course, you will know your delivery date beforehand, and can prepare.
Additionally, your baby will need to be well placed for a natural birth as well. S_P_Chee shared on the SingaporeMotherhood forum that while her obgyn was positive about her baby turning to the right position for a natural delivery, “it didn’t happen so (I) end(ed) up going under the knife again.”
(See also: OBGYNS IN SINGAPORE MUMS TRUST — AND HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT GYNAE)
What increases the chances of a successful VBAC?
Ultimately, your obgyn will assess the condition of your pregnancy before agreeing to a VBAC.
A previously successful vaginal delivery, either before or after the C-section, increases the chances of a successful VBAC. And of course, the reason or reasons for the previous caesarean should not be present in your current pregnancy.
But even with the best precautions and under perfect circumstances, “it is impossible to predict with any certainty which women will achieve a vaginal delivery and which will end up with a repeat caesarean,” reminds Dr Fong.
Questions to Ask your Obgyn
- Am I a good candidate for VBAC?
- What was the reason for my previous C-section?
- Does this hospital support VBAC?
- What happens if labour does not progress?
- How quickly can an emergency C-section be performed if needed?
- Can I still have epidural pain relief?
- Will induction affect VBAC success rates?
- What is your VBAC success rate?
(See also: 4 WAYS TO CALM YOUR MIND AND PREPARE FOR LABOUR AND CHILDBIRTH)
To VBAC or Not?
Just as the best-laid plans can go awry, you’ll also need to be prepared that things may not go your way. As one mother on the SingaporeMotherhood forum shared, “as long as Baby is safe, I’m ok with whatever method he is coming (sic) out.” Every birth experience is different, and the safest delivery is ultimately the one that protects both mother and baby.
(See also: GEARING UP FOR A NATURAL BIRTH)
Featured image: Depositphotos
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