Outcomes of parturients attempting vaginal birth after caesarean section

Abstract

Background: Cesarean delivery (CD) drives escalating C-section rates, resulting in scarred uteri for subsequent pregnancies. Managing women with prior CD scars presents challenges due to increased risks for mothers and infants. Options include planned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or elective repeat C-section. Opting for VBAC is advisable for scarred uteri to lower the repeat CD risk. Nevertheless, repeat C-sections impose limitations on consecutive deliveries and elevate complications such as adhesions, placenta issues, postpartum hemorrhaging, and peripartum hysterectomy.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish the rate and predictors of successful vaginal birth following cesarean section, as well as to measure mother and newborn outcomes of VBAC after one previous cesarean section.
Methods: In this hospital retrospective study, 120 women with a single prior C-section who attempted VBAC were compared to 120 women with no prior C-section (controls) bearing suited for maternal age, parity, and gestational age singleton cephalic fetuses. The major outcome indicators were vaginal delivery success and its indicators. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS, and p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Our findings revealed that VBAC was successful in 61.7% of cases. Cervical dilation of 4cm on entrance to the labor unit, augmentation of labor and maternal age more than 35 years were significant predictors of successful VBAC. VBAC was determined to be safe in the study. Its result is comparable to that of women who have never had CD.
Conclusion: VBAC is risk-free and has been linked to equivalent prenatal and maternal effects in women who had never had a child. Women over the age of 35 are more inclined to have had a prior vaginal delivery or VBAC.