The American College or Nurse Midwives strongly supports the concept of vaginal birth after a previous cesarean delivery for appropriately selected women.  Research demonstrates that VBAC results in significant benefits and fewer risks for women and infants that repeat cesarean delivery.

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM's) and Certified Midwives (CM's) are qualified to manage care during pregnancy, labor and vaginal birth for a woman planning a VBAC if appropriate arrangements for medical consultations and emergency care are in place.  Labor support and the type of care offered by CNM's and CM's increase the chances of a successful VBAC and lower cesarean rates in general.  CNM's and CM also facilitate positive birthing experiences and support women as partners in health care choices, whether the outcome is a vaginal birth of a medical referral for a cesarean delivery.

References:

Flamm BL Lim OW, Jones C. Fallon D, Newman LA Mantis JK, Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section.  Results of a Multimember Study.  Am J. Obstet Gynecol 1988 158: 1079-84

Flamm BL Birth After Cesarean The Medical Facts Prentice Hall Press, New York 1990

Meyers SA Gleicher N. A Successful Program to Lower Cesarean Section Rates.  New England Journal of Medicine 1988 319 (23) 1511-1516

Hangsleban KL, Taylor MA Lynn NM VBAC Program in a Nurse Midwifery Service  Journal of Nurse Midwifery 1989 34 179-184

Kennell J. Klaus M. McGrath S. Robertson S. Hinkley C. Continuous Emotional Support During Labor in a US Hospital.  A Randomized Controlled Trial.  JAMA 1991 256 2197-2201

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  Guild lines for Vaginal Delivery after a Previous Cesarean Birth  Washington DC ACOG Committee Opinion Number 64  October 1988