Yes, it is possible to have a VBAC after two cesareans, also referred to as VBA2C.

Did the scar on her uterus open up or just the skin? Wound dehiscence (when the abdominal incision on the skin, not the uterus, reopens) and infection are two of the more common complications of cesareans.

To read an extensive analysis on VBA2C, please read Kmom’s VBAC After Multiple Cesareans FAQs.

To learn more about planning a VBAC, please read I’m pregnant and want a VBAC, what do I do?

I recommend bringing copies of her surgical reports when she interviews providers.

A good friend of mine has had 2 and is thinking of having a 3rd child. But her last c-section scar opened and she had to get it re-sewn. I don’t know if it was because it was badly done or she just tried to do too much too soon, but it also got infected. So she is not sure if it would be possible for her to have a VBAC or if the risk of rupture would be too great.

I know she wants to try a homebirth if she can.

I’m a birth professional who chose homebirth.
My years of study taught me that no data supported the contention that homebirth was riskier for mother and baby provided the following conditions were met:
the mother is low risk
the homebirth is planned
she has a trained, experienced birth attendant
there is a hospital within a reasonable distance

I find it interesting to think that the mother is somehow more responsible for outcomes at a homebirth than she would be if the birth took place in a hospital. Sorry but we can’t abdicate our responsibilty that easily Amy!
If the woman chooses a caregiver or a facility that deprives her of food and drink, induces her labor, hyperstimulates the process with oxytocin, puts the woman on her back to birth, then deprives the newborn of her oxygen by cutting the cord prematurely and then routinely send the baby for observation in a nursery which may also undermine breastfeeding how has that mother made choices to safeguard her baby’s well being?

Why not take a look at the gold standard of evidence based medicine which is The Cochrane Data Base. If you visit
http://www.childbirthconnection.org you can read the Guide to Evidence Based Care in Pregnancy in its entirety.

Homebirth is a viable and respectful alternative to both the hospital and the birthing center. As a professional I move among all three and always encourage each woman to choose the one that provides her with the sense of being loved and protected. If she thinks the hospital is that place we “dig” a little deeper to make certain its practices are congruent with what she REALLY needs and that usually isn’t an IV, lots of vaginal exams and multiple laboratories. It is a environment where she can freely move and express herself throughout labor and the actual birth (no restrictions in birthing positions) and one in which she doesn’t have routines foisted upon her. It is one where she can select who will accompany her at any moment in the process and one in which she doesn’t have to worry about the baby being removed from her arms at any time. If the hospital the woman chooses can meet these expectations then perhaps the hospital will work for her. If not she will do far better to stay at home! Here’s to health!
Joni

I was a nurse at the time, but a new one– I actually went to nursing school in self-defense after my horrific CBAC. I really didn’t any useful knowledge of or experience with birth in school– all my education was extracurricular. I do wonder sometimes if there can be such a thing as too much knowledge: during labor, I felt like I had a CNN-style crawler under me ticking off labor signposts! Of course I was afraid– I don’t think any woman can approach any birth completely fear-free. I used a lot of affirmations and positive self-talk, and I solicited a LOT of support from my online birth community. In the end I realized that I really felt safer laboring and birthing at home than going to the hospital.

The birth was, well, lovely. I’ll take an unmedicated, natural labor over a horrid pit-hell induced labor any day of the week! There was very little pain– the ring of fire was a little ouchy, but other than that, it didn’t hurt. It was… relentlessly intense. But it didn’t hurt. And the recovery, compared to my cesareans, was BLISS.

We took our new son to the ped six hours after he was born. They were taken aback but handled it very well, and pronounced him “perfect.” I did have a complication to contend with– a retained placenta– but I dealt with it, and everything turned out just fine.

(((hugs))) and the best of luck to you!

Jer

Hi Amy! I’ve forwarded your comments on to the original poster and hope that other medical professionals who chose hbac/homebirth will step forward with their experience and perspective. I’ve had a hbac, but I am not a medical professional, just a resourceful researcher! Best, Jen