Possible benefits & risks
Future pregnancies following a caesarean birth
The effects of caesarean birth on future pregnancies
Low lying placenta (placenta praevia)
Where the placenta blocks the exit of the womb: 9 in 1000 women/birthing people.
This increases with the number of caesarean births you have.
Invasive placenta
Invasive placenta (placenta accreta) is when the placenta invades the wall of the womb.
This increases with the number of caesarean births you have.
1 in 1000
Stillbirth
Stillbirth after 39 weeks is uncommon, but may be increased in pregnancies after caesarean birth.
The evidence is unclear.
Womb (uterine) rupture
A hole forms in the womb: 2 in 1000 women/birthing people
The effects of caesarean birth on future birth options
Choosing between a repeat caesarean birth or a vaginal birth after a caesarean birth (VBAC) may be an option. This will depend on the reason for your previous caesarean birth and your next pregnancy.
For any pregnancy after a caesarean birth, you will be offered consultant-led care. This means that you will be offered appointments with an obstetric doctor alongside your usual appointments with a community midwife.
You will need to discuss with an obstetrician or senior midwife:
Your preferences and priorities for planning a vaginal or caesarean birth
The risks and benefits of repeat planned caesarean birth
The risks and benefits of planned vaginal birth after caesarean birth, including the risk of unplanned caesarean birth
If you plan a vaginal birth and have had a previous caesarean birth you will be offered electronic fetal monitoring and care during labour where there is immediate access to caesarean birth.
If you plan an induction of labour and have had a previous caesarean birth you will be offered close monitoring with access to electronic fetal monitoring and with immediate access to caesarean birth.
If you have previously had both a previous caesarean birth and a previous vaginal birth, you will have an increased likelihood of having a vaginal birth than women who have had a previous caesarean birth but no previous vaginal birth.
References:
Caesarean birth. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2024 Jan 30. PMID: 33877751. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/chapter/Recommendations.
Gurol-Urganci I, Cromwell DA, Edozien LC, Smith GC, Onwere C,Mahmood TA, Templeton A, van der Meulen JH. Risk of placentaprevia in second birth after first birth cesarean section: apopulation-based study and meta-analysis. BMC PregnancyChildbirth. 2011 Nov 21;11:95. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-11-95.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Planned Caesarean Birth: Consent Advice No. 14 August 2022 Minor Update November 2024.
Birth after Previous Caesarean Birth (Green-top Guideline No. 45) | RCOG Accessed: 10/03/2025. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/green-top-guidelines/birth-after-previous-caesarean-birth-green-top-guideline-no-45/.
