VBAC After C-Section: Risks, Benefits & What to Expect

Question
Hello.

I am a mother of two healthy boys ages 13 and 11.
I am 31 years old.  I had a c-section with my ll year old son due to a full previa pregnancy.  I am now pregnant with my 3rd child and have not had any problems with this pregnany except tiredness!  I am 34 weeks pregnant and have been planning on having a natural birth but then I got scared when my doctor mentioned the slight risk of uteren rupture.  She said the risk is small but she has to tell me...She said If I choose to have her natural I will have to do it all on my own with no pittosium which I don't want anyway.  But now I am a little scared.  How often does this happen and what are the risks with it.  Its been 11 years so shouldn't my uterus be well healed by now?
Please help me with this.
Thank you
Misty

Answer
Your uterus is well healed by now. HOwever, there is always a  1% risk of uterine rupture during labor, at the site of the uterine incision. That is 1 out of 100. The odds are good that it will not occur, and, in actually, it rarely occurs. With a cesarean section that was done due to a placenta previa, there is no reason why you should not try a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). You are an excellent candidate for a vaginal delivery because you had one with your first son. If you are in labor and it is found that you are not progressing, or that there is any signs of impending rupture, a csarean section can be done immediately. I would go for the VBAC. Good luck.