Presented by Christy Cannon, CNM, WHNP-BC · The Midwife & More
A common guideline in VBAC planning is spacing: having at least about 18 months between your cesarean and your next due date. The idea is to give the uterine scar time to heal fully, which is associated with a lower risk of complications during a trial of labor.
It is a guideline, not a hard cutoff. A shorter interval can slightly raise the risk of uterine rupture, so it is worth discussing, but many women with closer spacing still go on to safe, successful VBACs. Your incision type, overall health, and the full clinical picture matter alongside timing.
The takeaway is not to panic over a single number. If your pregnancies are closely spaced, bring it to a VBAC-supportive provider who can weigh it against everything else and help you make an informed, individualized decision rather than a blanket yes or no.
Educational note. This video is general education, not medical advice. VBAC candidacy is individual and should be reviewed with a qualified provider who knows your history.
Christy Cannon, CNM, WHNP-BC is the first Certified Nurse Midwife to offer holistic birth services at Los Robles Hospital, Thousand Oaks, blending personal, one-on-one midwifery care with the safety net of a hospital and an on-call OB. If you are hoping for a VBAC, the first step is a conversation.
Serving Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Moorpark, Malibu, Hidden Hills and the surrounding Ventura County and West LA communities.