If not attended to expeditiously, uterine rupture can have catastrophic results for both the mother and her baby. Cesarean section is, of course, not risk-free either. A study of over 7,000 patients compared the outcomes of women who attempted VBAC with those who opted for elective repeat cesarean section. The group that had elective cesareans had a higher incidence of postpartum blood transfusions, postpartum fevers, and longer hospital stays than the women who had vaginal births. I am, however, very surprised that your pregnancy has progressed to 38 weeks without you and your doctor having had a serious conversation about the possibility of a trial of labor in this pregnancy.
Informed consent is key.
In my own practice, I begin the discussion of the risks and benefits of attempting a VBAC at the first prenatal appointment and revisit the issue as the pregnancy progresses. This gives me time to request and review a patient's record from her prior delivery, and also gives the woman and her partner time to make an educated choice. Many of my patients with a previous cesarean delivery with a low-transverse scar opt for a trial of labor, and a number of them proceed to deliver vaginally. Patients who desire an elective repeat cesarean delivery or who are not candidates for VBAC meet with one of my collaborating physicians and are scheduled for surgery near term. As with any source of medical or health care information, you should as a preliminary matter satisfy yourself that the credentials and experience of the source are suitable.