Is It Normal To Feel Scared About A VBAC?
If you’re planning a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) and feeling scared, you’re not alone.
Many women tell me they feel caught between hope and fear. They want to believe a vaginal birth is possible, but they’re also carrying memories of a previous birth experience, advice from healthcare professionals, stories they’ve heard online, and worries about what could happen this time.
The truth is that feeling scared about a VBAC is incredibly common. In fact, I’d argue that for many women, it would be unusual not to feel some level of fear.
Why VBAC Can Feel Different To A First Birth
When you’re planning your first birth, you’re stepping into the unknown but when you’re planning a VBAC, you’re often carrying the weight of what happened before.
Perhaps your previous birth ended in an unplanned caesarean, maybe you felt unheard during labour or your birth was medically complicated or simply very different from what you had hoped for. Whatever your experience, it’s understandable that those memories can influence how you feel about a future birth. Planning a VBAC isn’t just about the birth ahead of you. It’s often about making sense of the birth that came before it too.
Fear Doesn’t Mean You’re Making The Wrong Decision
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the idea that fear is a sign.
“If I was making the right choice, I wouldn’t be so worried.”
But that’s rarely true. Fear doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making the wrong decision. Often, it simply means something matters to you.
You care about your baby, you care about your birth experience., you care about making the best decision you can with the information available and those are all perfectly reasonable things to care about.
Common VBAC Fears
Every family is different, but some worries come up again and again.
These might include:
● What if I need another caesarean?
● What if labour doesn’t start on its own?
● What if I’m pressured into changing my plans?
● What if something goes wrong?
● What if I get my hopes up and feel disappointed?
These questions don’t mean you’re negative. They mean you’re thinking carefully about your options.
Confidence Doesn’t Mean Having No Fear
Something I often remind clients is that confidence and fear can exist together. Being confident doesn’t mean you never feel worried, it means you have the information, support and understanding you need to make decisions, even when things feel uncertain.
For many women, confidence grows when they:
● Understand their options
● Have opportunities to ask questions
● Feel listened to by their care providers
● Build a support team they trust
● Focus on what they can control rather than trying to predict every possible outcome
What Can Help If You’re Feeling Anxious About A VBAC?
Sometimes the most helpful thing is simply giving yourself permission to acknowledge your fears rather than trying to push them away.
You may also find it helpful to:
● Write down questions for upcoming appointments
● Seek evidence-based information
● Talk through your concerns with supportive people
● Connect with others who have planned a VBAC
● Consider additional support from a doula
Fear often feels bigger when you’re carrying it alone.
Final Thoughts
If you’re feeling scared about planning a VBAC, please know that you’re not failing, being unrealistic or making the wrong choice.
You’re making decisions about something important. It’s ok to feel hopeful and nervous, it’s ok to feel excited and uncertain and it’s ok to ask for support along the way. A VBAC isn’t about proving anything. It’s about making informed decisions that feel right for you and your family.
Looking for VBAC support?
Whether you’re newly pregnant, preparing for appointments or simply exploring your options, I offer VBAC-friendly doula support across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, as well as virtual support throughout the UK.
Get in touch to arrange a free connection call.
Read More…
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