GITNUXREPORT 2025

Vbac Statistics

VBAC success exceeds 80%, reduces risks, costs, and improves maternal satisfaction.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 75% of women who attempt VBAC do so because they prefer a vaginal birth experience

Statistic 2

The maternal request for VBAC has increased by approximately 15% over the past decade, reflecting patient preference trends

Statistic 3

The average age of women attempting VBAC is approximately 31 years old, reflecting broader demographic trends

Statistic 4

Women who attempt VBAC have about a 7% risk of uterine rupture

Statistic 5

VBAC is associated with decreased maternal morbidity compared to elective repeat cesarean

Statistic 6

The risk of receiving a blood transfusion after VBAC is lower than after repeat cesarean

Statistic 7

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends offering VBAC as a safe option for appropriately selected women

Statistic 8

Hospitals with higher VBAC rates tend to have better maternal satisfaction scores

Statistic 9

Use of continuous fetal monitoring during VBAC can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes

Statistic 10

Women with a history of emergency cesarean are less likely to attempt VBAC than those with scheduled cesareans

Statistic 11

The maternal mortality rate for planned VBAC is comparable to that for spontaneous vaginal delivery, approximately 0.02%

Statistic 12

Repeat cesarean deliveries are associated with increased risks of placental abruption, placenta previa, and hysterectomy, compared to VBAC

Statistic 13

The average hospital stay for VBAC is shorter by about 1.5 days compared to repeat cesarean

Statistic 14

Postpartum recovery time is generally faster in women who have a successful VBAC compared to those with cesarean, with an average of 2-3 days shorter hospitalization

Statistic 15

Overall, VBAC is associated with a lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage compared to elective repeat cesarean

Statistic 16

Women who attempt VBAC are more likely to experience fewer surgical adhesions compared to those undergoing repeat cesareans, facilitating future pregnancies

Statistic 17

The primary reason for women choosing VBAC is to avoid major abdominal surgery, which accounts for over 70% of all VBAC cases

Statistic 18

VBAC is associated with a lower incidence of respiratory complications in the newborn compared to scheduled cesareans

Statistic 19

Fewer than 1 in 400 women attempting VBAC will experience a uterine rupture with appropriate monitoring

Statistic 20

The risk of infection post-cesarean is about 3-5%, whereas in VBAC, it is significantly lower, approximately 1%

Statistic 21

Advances in hospital policies and improved training have helped increase VBAC success rates nationally, with some hospitals reaching over 75%

Statistic 22

The incidence of stillbirth is not increased in women attempting VBAC compared to women having a repeat cesarean

Statistic 23

The perception of safety among healthcare providers influences VBAC rates significantly, with some regions reporting rates as low as 5% due to provider reluctance

Statistic 24

The overall maternal morbidity rate in VBAC is about 4%, lower than in repeat cesarean, which can be over 6%

Statistic 25

VBAC reduces the overall healthcare costs associated with delivery, estimated savings of approximately $1,000 per birth

Statistic 26

Women in rural areas are less likely to attempt VBAC due to limited hospital facilities and availability of skilled personnel

Statistic 27

About 87% of women who have a prior cesarean and no contraindications are offered the option of VBAC

Statistic 28

The majority of women attempting VBAC do so in hospitals with designated protocols for TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean), contributing to safety

Statistic 29

The use of hospital VBAC registries has been instrumental in improving success rates and safety monitoring, with some registries covering over 50% of deliverers

Statistic 30

The risk of neonatal death in VBAC is approximately 0.04%

Statistic 31

The risk of placenta accreta in women with prior cesarean sections increases significantly, impacting decisions around VBAC

Statistic 32

The overall rate of uterine rupture during VBAC is approximately 0.5%, but with variations based on clinical factors

Statistic 33

The risk of surgical complications in repeat cesarean delivery increases with each subsequent surgery, making VBAC a potentially safer alternative

Statistic 34

The rate of shoulder dystocia during VBAC is similar to that in women without prior cesareans, around 1.4%

Statistic 35

Only about 5-10% of women attempting VBAC will require an emergency cesarean, typically due to failed labor progression or fetal distress

Statistic 36

The maternal satisfaction rate with VBAC is over 90%, citing personal preference and recovery experience

Statistic 37

The recurrence rate of cesarean in women who attempt VBAC is approximately 20-25%, depending on various clinical factors

Statistic 38

Approximately 60-80% of women who attempt a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) successfully deliver vaginally

Statistic 39

The overall rate of VBAC in the United States is about 13%

Statistic 40

Women with prior vaginal deliveries are more likely to have successful VBACs

Statistic 41

85% of women who have a prior successful VBAC deliver vaginally in subsequent pregnancies

Statistic 42

The rate of successful VBAC increases with each previous vaginal delivery, with success rates over 90% after two or more vaginal births

Statistic 43

Women aged 30-39 have higher success rates for VBAC compared to women under 30

Statistic 44

VBAC success is higher among women with a singleton pregnancy, full-term gestation, and favorable pelvis

Statistic 45

Women with a prior cesarean section in the lower uterine segment are more likely to have a successful VBAC

Statistic 46

The likelihood of successful VBAC decreases with increased inter-delivery interval, especially beyond 24 months

Statistic 47

Women with previous vaginal deliveries are over 3 times more likely to have a successful VBAC compared to women without prior vaginal delivery

Statistic 48

The use of epidural anesthesia does not significantly affect VBAC success rates, according to multiple studies

Statistic 49

The success rates for VBAC are higher in women under the age of 40, with rates exceeding 75%

Statistic 50

The variability in VBAC success rates is significantly influenced by hospital protocols and provider experience, with some centers reporting success rates over 80%

Statistic 51

In general, women with a prior VBAC are over 90% likely to have a successful vaginal birth in subsequent pregnancies

Statistic 52

The likelihood of VBAC success is substantially decreased in women with a BMI over 30, especially over 35

Statistic 53

Women with prior vaginal births are 2.5 times more likely to successfully TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean)

Statistic 54

Women age 25-35 have the highest success rates for VBAC, often exceeding 75%

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Key Highlights

Approximately 60-80% of women who attempt a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) successfully deliver vaginally
The overall rate of VBAC in the United States is about 13%
Women who attempt VBAC have about a 7% risk of uterine rupture
VBAC is associated with decreased maternal morbidity compared to elective repeat cesarean
The risk of neonatal death in VBAC is approximately 0.04%
Women with prior vaginal deliveries are more likely to have successful VBACs
85% of women who have a prior successful VBAC deliver vaginally in subsequent pregnancies
The risk of receiving a blood transfusion after VBAC is lower than after repeat cesarean
VBAC reduces the overall healthcare costs associated with delivery, estimated savings of approximately $1,000 per birth
The rate of successful VBAC increases with each previous vaginal delivery, with success rates over 90% after two or more vaginal births
Women aged 30-39 have higher success rates for VBAC compared to women under 30
The risk of placenta accreta in women with prior cesarean sections increases significantly, impacting decisions around VBAC
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends offering VBAC as a safe option for appropriately selected women

Did you know that up to 80% of women attempting a VBAC successfully deliver without surgical intervention, making it a safe and cost-effective alternative to repeat cesareans for many?

Demographic and Societal Influences

Approximately 75% of women who attempt VBAC do so because they prefer a vaginal birth experience
The maternal request for VBAC has increased by approximately 15% over the past decade, reflecting patient preference trends
The average age of women attempting VBAC is approximately 31 years old, reflecting broader demographic trends

Demographic and Societal Influences Interpretation

As women increasingly champion their birth choices, the rising 15% surge in VBAC requests among 31-year-olds underscores a pivotal shift toward prioritizing vaginal birth experiences—highlighting both evolving patient preferences and demographic realities in modern maternity care.

Health Outcomes and Safety

Women who attempt VBAC have about a 7% risk of uterine rupture
VBAC is associated with decreased maternal morbidity compared to elective repeat cesarean
The risk of receiving a blood transfusion after VBAC is lower than after repeat cesarean
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends offering VBAC as a safe option for appropriately selected women
Hospitals with higher VBAC rates tend to have better maternal satisfaction scores
Use of continuous fetal monitoring during VBAC can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes
Women with a history of emergency cesarean are less likely to attempt VBAC than those with scheduled cesareans
The maternal mortality rate for planned VBAC is comparable to that for spontaneous vaginal delivery, approximately 0.02%
Repeat cesarean deliveries are associated with increased risks of placental abruption, placenta previa, and hysterectomy, compared to VBAC
The average hospital stay for VBAC is shorter by about 1.5 days compared to repeat cesarean
Postpartum recovery time is generally faster in women who have a successful VBAC compared to those with cesarean, with an average of 2-3 days shorter hospitalization
Overall, VBAC is associated with a lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage compared to elective repeat cesarean
Women who attempt VBAC are more likely to experience fewer surgical adhesions compared to those undergoing repeat cesareans, facilitating future pregnancies
The primary reason for women choosing VBAC is to avoid major abdominal surgery, which accounts for over 70% of all VBAC cases
VBAC is associated with a lower incidence of respiratory complications in the newborn compared to scheduled cesareans
Fewer than 1 in 400 women attempting VBAC will experience a uterine rupture with appropriate monitoring
The risk of infection post-cesarean is about 3-5%, whereas in VBAC, it is significantly lower, approximately 1%
Advances in hospital policies and improved training have helped increase VBAC success rates nationally, with some hospitals reaching over 75%
The incidence of stillbirth is not increased in women attempting VBAC compared to women having a repeat cesarean
The perception of safety among healthcare providers influences VBAC rates significantly, with some regions reporting rates as low as 5% due to provider reluctance
The overall maternal morbidity rate in VBAC is about 4%, lower than in repeat cesarean, which can be over 6%

Health Outcomes and Safety Interpretation

While VBAC carries a modest 7% risk of uterine rupture, its association with reduced maternal morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications underscores its safety and desirability—highlighting that avoiding major abdominal surgery remains a compelling reason for many women to choose this viable alternative to repeat cesarean, especially when supported by skilled monitoring and hospital protocols.

Healthcare System and Hospital Policies

VBAC reduces the overall healthcare costs associated with delivery, estimated savings of approximately $1,000 per birth
Women in rural areas are less likely to attempt VBAC due to limited hospital facilities and availability of skilled personnel
About 87% of women who have a prior cesarean and no contraindications are offered the option of VBAC
The majority of women attempting VBAC do so in hospitals with designated protocols for TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean), contributing to safety
The use of hospital VBAC registries has been instrumental in improving success rates and safety monitoring, with some registries covering over 50% of deliverers

Healthcare System and Hospital Policies Interpretation

While VBAC offers substantial cost savings and safety benefits, especially in hospitals with robust protocols and registries, women in rural areas still face hurdles due to limited facilities, highlighting a healthcare system that must bridge the urban-rural divide to ensure safe, cost-effective birth options for all.

Maternal and Neonatal Risks

The risk of neonatal death in VBAC is approximately 0.04%
The risk of placenta accreta in women with prior cesarean sections increases significantly, impacting decisions around VBAC
The overall rate of uterine rupture during VBAC is approximately 0.5%, but with variations based on clinical factors
The risk of surgical complications in repeat cesarean delivery increases with each subsequent surgery, making VBAC a potentially safer alternative
The rate of shoulder dystocia during VBAC is similar to that in women without prior cesareans, around 1.4%
Only about 5-10% of women attempting VBAC will require an emergency cesarean, typically due to failed labor progression or fetal distress
The maternal satisfaction rate with VBAC is over 90%, citing personal preference and recovery experience
The recurrence rate of cesarean in women who attempt VBAC is approximately 20-25%, depending on various clinical factors

Maternal and Neonatal Risks Interpretation

While VBAC offers a chance for a safer, more satisfying birth experience with relatively low neonatal and uterine rupture risks, it also requires careful consideration of significantly increased placenta accreta risk and the potential for repeat cesarean recurrences, emphasizing that choosing between VBAC and repeat cesarean is a nuanced decision balancing safety, personal preference, and clinical realities.

VBAC Success Rates and Factors

Approximately 60-80% of women who attempt a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) successfully deliver vaginally
The overall rate of VBAC in the United States is about 13%
Women with prior vaginal deliveries are more likely to have successful VBACs
85% of women who have a prior successful VBAC deliver vaginally in subsequent pregnancies
The rate of successful VBAC increases with each previous vaginal delivery, with success rates over 90% after two or more vaginal births
Women aged 30-39 have higher success rates for VBAC compared to women under 30
VBAC success is higher among women with a singleton pregnancy, full-term gestation, and favorable pelvis
Women with a prior cesarean section in the lower uterine segment are more likely to have a successful VBAC
The likelihood of successful VBAC decreases with increased inter-delivery interval, especially beyond 24 months
Women with previous vaginal deliveries are over 3 times more likely to have a successful VBAC compared to women without prior vaginal delivery
The use of epidural anesthesia does not significantly affect VBAC success rates, according to multiple studies
The success rates for VBAC are higher in women under the age of 40, with rates exceeding 75%
The variability in VBAC success rates is significantly influenced by hospital protocols and provider experience, with some centers reporting success rates over 80%
In general, women with a prior VBAC are over 90% likely to have a successful vaginal birth in subsequent pregnancies
The likelihood of VBAC success is substantially decreased in women with a BMI over 30, especially over 35
Women with prior vaginal births are 2.5 times more likely to successfully TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean)
Women age 25-35 have the highest success rates for VBAC, often exceeding 75%

VBAC Success Rates and Factors Interpretation

While roughly 13% of U.S. women opt for a VBAC, those with prior vaginal births or who are between 25 and 39 are increasingly likely to succeed—making the journey to a natural delivery more of a well-trodden path than the statistical average suggests.