Preparing for a successful VBAC Birth

Maybe you have heard “once a cesarean, always a cesarean,” however, evidence shows us that VBAC is a safe, sometimes safer, option than a repeat cesarean and should be given as an option, especially considering the fact that risks go up the more cesareans are performed.

There is a way to safely prepare for a successful VBAC!
According to studies, 60-80% of folks who attempted a VBAC are successful. That is roughly 3-4 out of 5 birthing people! And we believe this stat could go even higher with the right preparation and support.

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At OSM, we have a multi-pillared approach to preparing the body for birth. Get what you need to prepare for a successful VBAC.

Preparing the body for birth is an important but often overlooked step of preparing for a VBAC birth. Our body responds to the input placed upon it. Meaning, when planning for birth, it’s important we input it with movement that allows for a mobile, balanced pelvis. Having a pelvis that moves well is hugely important because it allows the most possible room in the pelvis to make the birthing process more efficient.

Two critical pieces of the puzzle are sacral mobility and pelvic floor yield.

Sacral Mobility

The sacrum is part of the pelvis that is designed to move via the sacroiliac (SI) joints. There are certain movements, such as sitting on the sacrum all day, that can create immobility and lack of balance in the sacrum. For this reason, it is incredibly helpful to learn workouts, alignment, and nourishing movements that allow for sacral movement, so that it can move more freely during childbirth.

Pelvic Floor Yield

Sometimes, if the pelvic floor is hypertonic or “too tight,” it can make it more difficult for it to yield to allow for a baby to come through. We ideally want a pelvic floor that’s strong enough to hold up our organs (and our pee when we sneeze!), but is also able to yield. A muscle that’s too tight isn’t a stronger muscle, it’s just tighter. And tighter often equals less functional and can also be associated with a lot of pain. Learn how to keep the pelvic floor strong AND yielding throughout pregnancy (and life!). Hint: 100 kegels a day is not the ticket and can actually create issues for many.

This is the big WHY behind the OSM program𑁋we know that how you move throughout your day matters, so we give you moves you can easily incorporate into your day, and pregnancy-safe workouts that are designed to prepare key muscles for birth and create the most space for baby! OSM supports you as you prepare for the birth that’s right for you!