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What are the chances of a normal delivery following a C-section?

Answered by: Dr B Shakuntala Baliga MD (AIIMS), FICOG | Professor and Senior Consultant Gynecologist & Colposcopist
Mazumdar-Shaw Center for Cancer Research & Narayana Hrudayalaya Multispecialty Hospital, Bangalore

Q: My first baby was delivered through a c-section. Now I am 36 weeks pregnant. My doctor has advised me to choose an option for delivery either through operation or normal. I want a normal delivery but my doctors says that if you want a normal one then there is risk to fetus and have advised to go for a surgery. Doctor please advise me as soon as possible.

A:The chances of normal delivery following a previous C-section can be as high as 70%. But it depends upon following factors:

Reason for 1st CS

Length of labour band cervical dilatation before 1 st CS

Estimated weight of present baby

Presentation of baby

Cephalo-pelvic disproportion to be ruled out

Whether or not there are any medical problems e.g. high BP during this pregnancy. It is best to leave the decision to your treating obstetrician -she is the best judge. After all, you want the end result to be good- for both & your baby, isn't it? It is difficult to give an opinion in your case without examining you. If you still have doubts you should take a second opinion from an experienced doctor.