T.J. Samson | Destination Health | June 2019

6 DESTINATION HEALTH Children’s Health What to know about vaginal births after a C-section 1 2 3 Kids grow up fast. But they don’t outgrow the need for vaccines. While children get most of their vaccines when they’re young, several are important for middle schoolers too.They help prevent serious illnesses and keep kids well. Here are three to be aware of. FLU. The flu can be especially serious for those with chronic medical problems. But even healthy people are at risk. That’s why a flu shot is recom- mended each year for nearly everyone 6 months of age and older. (Some kids younger than 9 years might need more than one shot.) It’s best to get it as soon as it’s available. TDAP. The Tdap vaccine offers protection from three serious illnesses: tetanus; diphtheria; and pertussis, or whooping cough. It’s typically given at age 11 or 12. MENINGOCOCCAL. This vaccine helps protect children from meningitis, which causes swelling around the brain and spinal cord. The vaccine also offers protection from a type of blood infection. It’s usually given at age 11 or 12. Kids need a second dose at age 16. Any preteen who has not gotten this vaccine should receive it as soon as possible. There may be other vaccines advised for your child as well. Ask your child’s doctor if vaccines are needed when you schedule checkups or sports physicals. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prevent and protect: Tweens need vaccines too It used to be that once a woman gave birth by cesarean section (C-section), any future babies she had would automatically be delivered via a C-section. But those days are gone. Today it’s not uncommon for a woman who’s had a C-section to deliver her next baby vaginally. Doctors call this a vaginal birth after cesarean, or VBAC. Here are three important things to know about VBACs: They can be safe for some women. Those include: ●  ● Women whose previous C-section inci- sion crossed the uterus toward its base. This is called a low-transverse incision, the most common type of incision. It poses the low- est risk of a future rupture. ●  ● Women who’ve had two previous low- transverse cesareans. ●  ● Women carrying twins. They may not be a good op- tion for all women who’ve had C-sections. You’re less likely to have a successful VBAC and will need a repeat C-section if: ●  ● Conditions in this pregnancy mirror those that required your previous C-section. ●  ● You’re past your due date or your labor is induced. ●  ● You’re obese. ●  ● You have pre-eclampsia—high blood pres- sure that occurs in women after the 20th week of pregnancy or right after pregnancy. ●  ● It’s been less than 19 months since your last pregnancy. ●  ● Your baby is very large. ●  ● Your provider, hospital or birthing center isn’t equipped to handle an emergency C-section, if needed. ●  ● You’re older than 35 or you’re a race other than Caucasian. There are some benefits to having a VBAC. For instance: ●  ● You don’t have to have surgery. ●  ● Your recovery time is shorter than after a C-section. ●  ● You’ll experience less blood loss. ●  ● Your risk for infection and other complications is lower. ●  ● If you’re planning to have more children, there’s less risk of complications—such as injury to the bowel or bladder. TALK WITH YOUR PROVIDER Review the risks and benefits to both you and your baby that each type of delivery might pose. If you have a new provider for this pregnancy, be sure he or she has your medical records from your previous C-section. Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; March of Dimes