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The Advantages of VBAC Over a C-Section and Why I Chose to Give Birth at “Nadezhda” – Yoana’s Story
Why Yoana chose VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) over another surgical delivery is something you will discover in this interview.
22.12.2025 | 10:58
Yoana and her husband chose to place their trust in the team at “Nadezhda” Hospital for the birth of their second child. They were determined that this time the baby would be born naturally, unlike their first delivery, which was performed by cesarean section.
The family crossed the whole of Bulgaria to find the support they needed at “Nadezhda” Hospital. After the necessary examinations and consultations, it became clear that there was no obstacle to a vaginal birth.
Why Yoana chose VBAC over another operative delivery is revealed in the interview below.
Yoana’s Story
1. Tell us about yourself and why you chose VBAC.
My name is Yoana, I am 31 years old, and I am from Sozopol. In 2023, I gave birth to my first child in Burgas. The delivery had to be performed by cesarean section because of low fetal heart tones, even though I strongly wanted to give birth naturally. Right after the surgery, I already knew that if I had a second child, I would try to give birth vaginally. At the time, I had no idea what the process was or whether there was even a hospital where this could happen. I researched online and saw that in other countries VBAC is something completely normal, and that in Bulgaria there were already hospitals offering it. My husband and I decided to try for a second baby, and fortunately I became pregnant. But when I started visiting different hospitals in search of a place where VBAC was practiced, they told me they would not take the case because only two years had passed since my first C-section. That was when we decided to look for an alternative in Sofia, in a larger hospital. We researched several places, but ultimately chose “Nadezhda” Hospital and Midwife Stamenova.
2. When was your first meeting with Midwife Stamenova?
I met her for the first time in the middle of my eighth month of pregnancy, when we discussed the possibilities for a vaginal birth. I had some minor issues with the placenta, but at the beginning of the ninth month I received the green light from the doctors at the hospital and from Dr. Nenov that I could proceed with a natural birth. We came to Sofia to wait for labor to begin here. I came regularly to monitor the baby’s heart tones at the hospital, and Midwife Stamenova and I met every few days so we could discuss how things were progressing.
3. How did the birth itself go?
My due date passed, and different people began advising me to consider labor induction, but Midwife Stamenova remained calm. From her, I received complete support and reassurance that there was no need to rush and no need for induction. And so it happened — two days after my due date, my waters broke. I contacted her, and she directed me to the hospital. I arrived with 1 cm dilation, and within about two hours I gave birth.
Unfortunately, Midwife Stamenova could not make it in time because everything happened so quickly. However, her colleagues conducted the birth very professionally, and we successfully reached the finish line — our first meeting with our son, Dimitar, at 6:50 a.m. on December 19, 2025. My husband was present at the birth and stayed by my side until the very end.
4. How do you feel now, a few days after your VBAC?
Four days later, I am already back on my feet, taking care of my child. It is very different from a C-section as a procedure. A natural birth opens the door for more future births that are less traumatic for the mother, because the body is not a suitcase that you simply open and close with a zipper. Every surgery carries risks, especially abdominal surgery.
And now I have the confidence that I will be able to give birth naturally to my third child as well. When I spoke with Nadezhda after the birth, she said we should expect the third one to come even faster. We joked that next time my husband would have to pick her up on the way to the hospital so she could lead the birth.
5. Are you already planning your third birth?
Even a fourth one. We have always wanted to have many children. I am extremely satisfied with everyone — the entire team. Without a doubt, my third birth will be here again.
6. What would you advise women who are hesitant about choosing VBAC or another cesarean section
Women should not hesitate. They should feel reassured that here in Bulgaria there are teams prepared to handle this type of birth.
So, ladies, do not be afraid — try, but carefully choose the place where you will attempt your VBAC so that you can be sure everything will proceed normally and feel calm for yourself and your baby. Choose a place where there is a permanent team of anesthesiologists, obstetricians-gynecologists, and neonatologists, so that even if complications arise during labor, there are specialists who can respond in the best possible way and ensure a good outcome.
7. Midwife Stamenova, tell us about the specifics of Yoana’s VBAC.
When I first met Yoana, the first and most important step was to determine whether the thickness of the uterine wall had adequately recovered after the previous C-section, in order to consider proceeding with a vaginal birth. Fortunately, after examinations and consultations with Dr. Chacheva and Dr. Nenov, it was established that there were no contraindications for natural birth, because the uterine wall had healed properly.
However, it is important to understand that the timeline for this recovery cannot be fixed precisely, because it differs for every woman and should not be the deciding factor when choosing for or against VBAC. Whether exactly two years have passed or less is not what matters. What matters is whether the uterine wall has recovered adequately.
In Yoana’s case, everything was in order, and that is why we proceeded with a vaginal birth, although unfortunately I myself was unable to attend it.
8. Yoana, today is the day of your discharge from the hospital — with what feelings will you leave?
I am leaving happy, because here we received the most beautiful Christmas gift. I cannot wait to return home so we can spend our first Christmas as a family of four — my husband, baby Dimitar, Maria, and me. Although she is only two years old, Maria is endlessly excited to already be a big sister. I wish the entire team at “Nadezhda” Hospital happy holidays and a shared, warm, and cozy Christmas!
