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“Failed VBAC” — it’s a phrase that gets tossed around far too commonly in medical records, hospital corridors and social media groups, yet it carries a heavy emotional weight for the women it refers to.
For many women who have planned a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), the outcome doesn’t always go as hoped. Whether an induction procedure was chosen, labour didn’t progress, the baby didn’t tolerate labour well, or interventions led down a different path – hearing the words “failed VBAC” can feel like a gut punch.
But here’s the truth: there is no failure in trying.
There is strength in stepping into birth with intention.
There is power in advocating for your body and your baby.
And there is deep value in attempting a vaginal birth, even if the outcome was a repeat caesarean.
Let’s unpack this more.
For many women, planning a VBAC is an act of reclaiming autonomy after a previous birth experience that may have felt out of their control. It often involves months of reading, questioning, preparing your body, joining VBAC specific groups on social media and building a support team. So when the VBAC doesn’t result in a vaginal birth, it’s understandable to feel disappointed, even heartbroken.
But that disappointment is not evidence of failure – it’s evidence that you cared deeply about this experience, and that is so valid.
Choosing a VBAC is not just about the outcome. It’s about how you felt in the process. Were you respected? Heard? Supported? Did you feel informed in your decisions? These elements matter just as much, sometimes even more, than how your baby was ultimately born.
You didn’t fail.
The system may have.
The circumstances may have shifted.
But you?
You stepped into that space with courage and intention.
That deserves recognition, not shame.
The term “failed VBAC” is a problem in itself.
It’s clinical, cold, and reductive.
It implies the woman didn’t succeed.
That her body didn’t work.
That her attempt wasn’t enough.
It completely ignores the complexity of birth.
It reduces a woman’s strength and efforts to a binary success / failure outcome, which is not how birth works.
Birth isn’t a test you pass or fail.
It’s a process.
It’s a journey.
And every woman’s path will look different.
We need to change the language.
A more respectful and accurate term might be:
Each of these keeps the dignity of the woman’s experience intact.
They recognise that the journey matters, not just the destination.
It’s okay to grieve the birth you hoped for.
It’s okay to feel conflicted – grateful that your baby is safe but disappointed by how it unfolded. These feelings can co-exist. And they deserve to be honoured.
Debriefing your birth with someone who will listen without judgement – a doula, a birth educator, or a birth trauma counsellor, can be an important part of healing.
Because birth isn’t just about the baby.
It’s also about you.
And your experience matters.
It doesn’t reflect the reality of birth, nor the strength of the women who walk this path.
Every woman deserves to feel proud of her birth, no matter how her baby was born. Let’s start shifting the narrative, from failure to fortitude, from disappointment to dignity, from outcome to ownership.
To any woman reading this who planned for a VBAC and ended up with another caesarean – please hear this:
You made the best decisions you could with the information, support and circumstances you had at the time.
You advocated.
You showed up.
You gave it your all.
You are not a failure.
Your body is not broken.
Your birth story still matters.
Because you navigated a challenging path with grace.
And for those who are planning a VBAC – dig deep into the evidence.
Ask questions about induction policies.
Understand the cascade of interventions.
Surround yourself with a team who genuinely support VBAC and will honour your decisions.
One of the most important aspects of planning a VBAC is understanding how medical interventions can affect the course of labour.
Induction, particularly in VBAC scenarios, is often where the road starts to diverge. It’s not that all inductions are inappropriate – there are certainly times when they’re necessary – but for women wanting a VBAC (or any birth), it’s essential to know that inductions often come with a “package deal” of further interventions.
Once an induction begins, you’re often looking at a cascade:
All of this changes the landscape of labour and birth.
These interventions may increase the risk of stress to your baby, leading to an “emergency caesarean.”
But often, what’s labelled as an emergency isn’t sudden – it’s a direct result of the conditions created by the induction process and more often than not the baby not being ready to be born.
That’s why doing thorough research, asking questions, and understanding your options is so important. A spontaneous labour in a VBAC is often your best chance at achieving a vaginal birth. That doesn’t mean interventions are wrong – it means they should be used with understanding and consent, not fear or coercion.
While a doula can’t guarantee a VBAC, their support can significantly increase your chances of a vaginal birth by helping you avoid unnecessary interventions, manage labour and comfort measures more effectively, bring your mindset back to feeling positive and focusing on the job you have to do, and help you to stay in control of your birth experience.
The Cochrane Review (2017) found that women with a continuous support person were:
These outcomes are especially relevant for VBAC, where avoiding unnecessary interventions, feeling supported, and reducing fear can significantly influence the course of labour.
If you’re planning a VBAC, one of the most valuable things you can do is immerse yourself in spaces where evidence-based information and lived experience come together – like dedicated VBAC support groups. These groups can be a goldmine of wisdom, offering both research-backed resources and the real stories of women who’ve walked this path before you.
Take the time to read, explore, and reflect on the discussions being shared. Ask questions – even the ones you think might be obvious – because that’s how we learn. Stay open to different perspectives but always check in with your own instincts too.
You don’t need to agree with everything, but engaging with the information available helps you build clarity, confidence, and deeper understanding. It’s all about putting yourself in the best possible position to make informed choices that align with your birth goals.
VBAC Australia Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/342851302473349
Western Australian VBAC Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1613763775564213
VBAC Support Group QLD
https://www.facebook.com/groups/786106989823990
NSW South Coast VBAC Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/251356192025221
VBAC Chat South Australia
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VBACChat
(If you know of any others that are specific to States in Australia that I haven’t included, please reach out and let me know and I will add them).
I also run private VBAC workshops, so if you feel for your next birth, you need more education, encouragement and resources, please reach out.
https://vickihobbs.com/vbac-educator/
If you have any questions or would just like more information please don't hesitate to get in touch by clicking the button below and filling out the contact form.
Contact Vicki