Besides the usual prenatal tests, your doctor will take additional measures to assess whether vaginal delivery is likely to be a safe birthing option for you. (For more information on standard prenatal tests, see the topic Pregnancy.) These additional measures can help you and your doctor make a well-informed decision about your delivery.

Assessments done sometime during the pregnancy to help determine whether vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a safe option may include:

• A review of surgery records to verify the type of incision used for a previous cesarean.
• A fetal ultrasound.
• Fetal heart monitoring, which is also used during labor and delivery to watch for fetal distress. Fetal heart monitoring can also help detect a sudden uterine rupture. A rupture is typically followed by a sudden and then ongoing drop in fetal heart rate. The mother might notice bleeding and pain.