Presented by Christy Cannon, CNM, WHNP-BC · The Midwife & More
A routine offer of induction at 39 weeks has become common, but for a mother hoping for a VBAC it deserves a closer look. Spontaneous labor, where the body begins on its own, is associated with a higher chance of a successful vaginal birth after cesarean than labor that has to be started artificially.
The concern with induction in a TOLAC is not the calendar date itself but the way labor is stimulated. Aggressive induction or high-dose augmentation can create stronger, faster contractions, and in a uterus with a prior scar that can slightly raise the risk of complications. Certain agents used to ripen the cervix are avoided in VBAC labors for this reason.
This does not mean induction is never appropriate. It means timing and method should be individualized. When mother and baby are well, many midwives are comfortable allowing more time for spontaneous labor, monitoring closely, and reserving induction for a clear medical reason rather than a default schedule.
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.