To challenge oneself as a childbearing woman—the lived experience of vaginal birth after caesarean section in Sweden

ABSTRACT Purpose: There is a need to gain deeper knowledge about women’s experience of vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC). Considerable research has been conducted on VBAC; however, only a few qualitative studies focus on women’s experiences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of VBAC among women resident in Sweden, a country with a high VBAC rate. Method: This studywas performed in accordance with a phenomenological reflective lifeworld approach. Interviews were conducted with nine women in an urban region of Sweden one year after their VBAC birth. Results: The essential meaning of the studied phenomenon is “to challenge oneself as a childbearing woman”, which is further described by its four constituents: “striving for support from professionals”, “desiring the experience”, “contrasting and comparing memories of two different births” and “being part of the birthing culture”. Conclusions: The experience of VBAC meant regained trust in the ability to give birth vaginally. The women lacked follow-up and support after the caesarean section (CS), during the subsequent pregnancy and the forthcoming VBAC. Enhanced support could be a key factor in helping women meeting the challenge and feel confident about giving birth vaginally despite their previous experiences of CS. Abbreviations: VBAC: vaginal birth after caesarean section; CS: caesarean sectio