Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

Recovery

Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) recovery is similar to recovery after any vaginal birth. After a vaginal delivery, the mother and baby can usually go home within 24 to 48 hours. By comparison, recovery from a cesarean section requires 2 to 4 days in the hospital and a period of limited activity as the incision heals.

The overall risk of infection is low for both vaginal and cesarean deliveries, but it is lower after a vaginal birth. Before you leave the hospital, you will receive a list of signs of infection to watch for in the first few weeks after delivery.

For more information, see the topics Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Period and Cesarean Section.

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: April 20, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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