The effect of birth weight on vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing birth weight on the success rates for a trial of labor in women with one previous cesarean delivery. STUDY DESIGN: To evaluate the effect of increasing birth weight for women who undergo a trial of labor, the medical records of women who had attempted a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) from 1995 through 1999 in 16 community and university hospitals were reviewed retrospectively by trained abstractors. Information was collected about demographics, medical history, obstetric history, neonatal birth weight, complications, treatment, and outcome of the index pregnancy. The analysis was limited to women with singleton gestations with a history of 1 previous cesarean delivery. Because women with previous vaginal deliveries have higher vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates, the women were divided into four risk groups on the basis of their birth history. Groups were defined as women with no previous vaginal deliveries (group 1), women with a history of a previous vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (group 2), women with a history of a vaginal delivery before their cesarean delivery (group 3), and a group of women with a vaginal delivery both before and after the previous cesarean delivery (group 4). RESULTS: There were 9960 women with a singleton gestation and a history of one previous cesarean delivery. The overall vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rate for the cohort was 74%. The overall vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 65%, 94%, 83%, and 93%, respectively. An analysis of neonatal birth weights of <4000 g, 4000 to 4249 g, 4250 to 4500 g, and >4500 g in group 1 showed a reduction in vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates from 68%, 52%, 45%, and 38%, respectively. In the remaining groups, there was no success rate below 63% for any of the birth weight strata. For group 1, vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates were decreased when the indication for the previous cesarean delivery was cephalopelvic disproportion or failure to progress or when the treatment was either an induction or augmentation of labor. The uterine rupture rate was higher in women for group 1 with birth weights of > or =4000 g (relative risk, 2.3; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Women with macrosomic fetuses and a history of a previous vaginal delivery should be informed of the favorable vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates. Given the risks of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, those women with no history of a vaginal delivery should be counseled that the success rates may be <50% when the neonatal birth weight exceeds 4000 g and that the success rates may be even lower if the indication for the previous cesarean delivery was cephalopelvic disproportion or failure to progress or if the treatment requires either induction or augmentation of labor. The uterine rupture rate was 3.6% in women for group 1 with a birth weight > or =4000 g.     

Acute promyelocytic leukemia: an unusual cause showing prolonged disseminated intravascular coagulation after placental abruption

Background Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) caused by placental abruption usually improves rapidly after prompt delivery and adequate anti-DIC treatment. Case A 30-year-old nulliparous woman suffered from placental abruption at the 25th week of pregnancy, and emergent cesarean section was done immediately. She exhibited DIC, which continued even after termination of the pregnancy and anti-DIC treatment. She also showed neutropenia. We closely observed her, and at the 58th day postpartum, blast cells appeared in the peripheral blood and she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Induction chemotherapy was done successfully. The close observation after delivery enabled us to make the prompt diagnosis/treatment, leading to the complete remission. Conclusion APL should be added to the list of differential diagnosis when DIC persists even after prompt delivery and appropriate anti-DIC treatment after placental abruption.     

Severe bleeding one year after a cesarean section caused by placenta increta persistens

Placenta accreta is a diagnosis, which will gynecologists have to face probably more often, than in previous years. The reason is the increasing number of cesarean sections, one of the most important risk factors. The following case shows, that a placenta accreta not treated primary by hysterectomy, can have consequences even after a longer period. This time the manifestation was a severe bleeding one year after the delivery per cesarean section, which had to be treated by an acute hysterectomy.     

Diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus does not influence the success rates for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean delivery are at increased risk of failure, when compared with their non-diabetic counterparts. STUDY DESIGN: We identified 13,396 women who attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery among 25,079 pregnant women with a previous cesarean delivery who were delivered between 1995 and 1999 at 16 community and university hospitals. Analysis was limited to 9437 women without diabetes mellitus and 423 women with diet-controlled diabetes mellitus who attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery with a singleton gestation and 1 previous low-flap cesarean delivery. Data that were collected by trained abstractors, included demographics, medical history, and both pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine an adjusted odds ratio for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success among women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes compared with women with no diabetes mellitus. We controlled for birth weight, maternal age, race, tobacco, chronic hypertension, hospital settings, labor management, and obstetric history. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of the women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 67% of the women with no diabetes mellitus attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. The success rate for attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery among gestational diabetic women was 70%, compared with 74% for non-diabetic women. We found that gestational diabetes mellitus is not an independent risk factor for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery failure. The relative risk for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success in women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared with women without gestational diabetes mellitus was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87-1.00). After an adjustment was made for confounding, the odds ratio for success with gestational diabetes mellitus was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.68-1.10). CONCLUSION: Women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus who were carrying singleton fetuses who had no more than 1 previous low flap cesarean delivery should be counseled that their disease does not decrease their chances for a successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Among diet-controlled diabetic women, the overall success rate for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery remains acceptable, and attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery should not be discouraged solely on the basis of gestational diabetes mellitus.     

Population adjustment of the definition of the vaginal birth after cesarean rate

OBJECTIVE: The vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate is calculated with a denominator equal to the number of all women who give birth after a previous cesarean delivery, including those who are not candidates for a trial of labor. We evaluated the impact of adjustment for noncandidates for a trial of labor on vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rates. STUDY DESIGN: All women with a previous cesarean delivery who were delivered during 1998 were classified as either candidates or noncandidates for a trial of labor. An adjusted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate was calculated by eliminating noncandidates for a trial of labor from the denominator. The percentage of noncandidates for a trial of labor, the vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate, and the adjusted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate were compared among 3 clinical services. RESULTS: The maternal-fetal medicine service had a significantly higher percentage of noncandidates for a trial of labor than did either the low-risk resident clinic or the low-risk private service. The maternal-fetal medicine service had a significantly lower vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rate than did the private service, but this difference was no longer present after application of an adjusted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery definition. CONCLUSION: For accurate comparison of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rates among providers it is essential to account for patient risk status in the vaginal birth after cesarean delivery definition through the elimination of noncandidates for a trial of labor.     

Asymptomatic uterine rupture after two spontaneous vaginal deliveries following prior cesarean section

We present the case of an almost asymptomatic uterine rupture after two consecutive vaginal deliveries after a prior cesarean delivery (first child). Uterine rupture is rare even after a prior cesarean delivery, permitting a trial of labor after a cesarean delivery in spite of the increased risk of uterine rupture. Vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery, however, demands a cautious approach. Appropriate recommendations have been published by the ACOG and the 'AG fOr fetomaternale Medizin' (a branch of the German Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology). In our case diagnosis was made by an vaginal ultrasound examination 7.5 weeks after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. An additional MRI examination did not result in substantial extra information. For that reason it will be indicated only in exceptional cases. To answer the question whether a vaginal ultrasound examination should routinely be offered after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with a prior cesarean delivery in the history to preclude uterine rupture further studies are necessary.     

剖宫产后再次阴道分娩

随着医疗水平的提高和社会各方面的因素,剖宫产率呈现逐年增高的趋势,剖宫产后再次妊娠的分娩方式,尚存争议。本文综合分析剖宫产后再次妊娠阴道分娩(vaginal birth after cesarean,VBAC)的发展趋势、病例选择及相关处理方法,以进一步降低剖宫产率,提高产科质量。     

剖宫产术后产后出血的原因及对策

随着剖宫产率的逐年上升,剖宫产术后出血成为产后出血的主要原因之一,本文对剖宫产术后常见的出血原因,如早期子宫收缩乏力、胎盘因素、手术操作因素、凝血功能障碍等因素进行了分析,总结了剖宫产术后出血的预防措施,包括产前纠正高危因素、产时选择合适的处理措施与精细化手术操作、产后严密监测病情等。     

剖宫产瘢痕妊娠的诊断及处理

目的:探讨剖宫产瘢痕妊娠的发病机制、早期诊断以及恰当的治疗方法。方法:回顾分析1994年1月至2006年5月北京协和医院收治的25例剖宫产瘢痕妊娠患者的临床资料,包括:患者的发病年龄,孕产次,发病至剖宫产术的间隔时间,首发症状,发病部位,诊断过程,辅助检查、治疗方法,经过及结局。结果:剖宫产瘢痕妊娠占同期异位妊娠的1.1%,与同期正常妊娠数之比为1:1368。25例患者的平均年龄31.4岁,92%的患者仅有一次剖宫产手术史,发病至末次剖宫产术的间隔时间为4月至15年,最常见的临床表现为停经和阴道流血,其中11例发生阴道大出血。16例(64%)患者分别误诊为宫内早孕(14例)和滋养细胞肿瘤(2例)而给予相应处理,仅9例治疗前确诊。通过剖宫产病史,妇科检查和超声、磁共振等辅助检查综合分析可作出诊断。治疗方法包括全子宫切除和保守性治疗(全身或孕囊内甲氨蝶呤注射和保守性手术)。25例患者均治愈出院。结论:剖宫产瘢痕妊娠较少见,临床易误诊,对有剖宫产手术史的患者应结合妇科检查及辅助检查以早期诊断,强调根据患者情况予以个体化治疗,可获得较好疗效。     

A state-wide assessment of the obstetric,anesthesia, and operative team personnel who are available to manage the labors and deliveries and to treat the complications of women who attempt vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine on a state-wide basis the range of obstetric, anesthesia, and surgical team personnel who were available immediately to manage the labors and deliveries of women who attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Additionally, we tried to determine whether hospitals had stopped performing vaginal births after cesarean delivery or made changes in their policies regarding vaginal birth after cesarean delivery as a result of recent American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations. STUDY DESIGN: Available immediately was defined as "being present in the hospital." All hospitals that provided obstetric care in the State of Ohio were surveyed to determine whether an obstetrician with cesarean privileges, an anesthesiologist, or an anesthetist capable of independently administering anesthesia for a cesarean section, and a surgical team were available immediately when women attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. The hospitals were also asked whether they had stopped allowing vaginal births after cesarean delivery or had made changes in their vaginal birth after cesarean delivery policies in response to the recent recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Data were computerized and analyzed by the chi(2) test. RESULTS: Seventy-seven (93.9%), 35 (100%), and 13 (100%) of level I, II, and III hospitals performed vaginal births after cesarean delivery. An obstetrician was immediately available in 27.3%, 62.9%, and 100% of level I, II, and III institutions, respectively (P 相似文献   

产后盆底肌电刺激对不同分娩方式盆底肌力近期疗效观察

目的:观察不同分娩方式产后女性盆底肌力通过电刺激治疗前后的变化,探索其变化的机制。方法:经阴道顺产妇女55例及剖宫产的妇女65例分别随机分为研究组(接受电刺激治疗者)及对照组(自行缩肛提肛运动康复训练),比较不同分娩方式电刺激治疗前后盆底肌力的改变。结果:①顺产研究组经过电刺激治疗后盆底肌力较对照组均明显增加(P<0.01),顺产研究组治疗前后肌力比较差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01)。②剖宫产研究组经过电刺激治疗后盆底肌力较对照组均明显增加(P<0.05),剖宫产研究组治疗前后肌力比较差异有高度统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:不同分娩方式对产后早期盆底肌力均有影响,盆底肌电刺激康复治疗对产后女性健康具有重要的临床意义。     

Delivery mode by race for breech presentation in the US.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are differential cesarean delivery rates by race and other socio-demographic factors for women with breech infants. STUDY DESIGN: We calculated cesarean delivery rates for 186 727 White, African American, Hispanic and Asian women delivering breech singletons with gestational age 26 to 41 weeks born in 1999 and 2000 using data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine differences in mode of delivery by race, adjusting for socio-demographic and medical factors. RESULTS: Cesarean rates for breech were >80% in most gestational age groups. In 14 of 18 groups, Whites had higher cesarean delivery rates than African Americans. However, this finding did not persist after risk adjustment. Hispanics were more likely to deliver by cesarean delivery than African Americans and Whites. CONCLUSION: Breech singleton infants are predominantly born by cesarean delivery. Although African-American women with breech presentation have lower cesarean delivery rates than Whites, this difference is not present after adjusting for socio-demographic and medical factors. Hispanics were more likely to be delivered by cesarean delivery and this difference was amplified after risk adjustment. Asians had slightly lower cesarean rates after risk adjustment, but this varied widely according to Asian subgroup.     

Recent Trends in Family-Centered Maternity Care for Cesarean-Birth Families

ABSTRACT: A survey of United States hospitals was conducted to determine policies relating to father attendance, use of anesthesia, and timing of mother-infant contact with cesarean deliveries, as well as hospital staffs’ perceptions of mothers’ interest in vaginal birth after cesarean. We found that the number of hospitals allowing fathers to attend cesarean births increased from 35 percent in 1979 to 80 percent in 1984. Father attendance varied with size of delivery service, region of the country, and type of anesthesia used. Approximately one-third of women with a previous cesarean were reported to have requested a trial of labor in a subsequent pregnancy. The average length of time before extended mother-infant contact after cesarean delivery was reported to be twice that after vaginal delivery (4 vs 2 hours) and varied with size of delivery service and region of the country.     

Failed vaginal birth after a cesarean section: How risky is it?: I. Maternal morbidity

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the maternal risks associated with failed attempt at vaginal birth after cesarean compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery or successful vaginal birth after cesarean. STUDY DESIGN: From 1989 to 1998 all patients attempting vaginal birth after cesarean and all patients undergoing repeat cesarean deliveries were reviewed. Data were extracted from a computerized obstetric database and from medical charts. The following three groups were defined: women who had successful vaginal birth after cesarean, women who had failed vaginal birth after cesarean, and women who underwent elective repeat cesarean. Criteria for the elective repeat cesarean group included no more than two previous low transverse or vertical incisions, fetus in cephalic or breech presentation, no previous uterine surgery, no active herpes, and adequate pelvis. Predictor variables included age, parity, type and number of previous incisions, reasons for repeat cesarean delivery, gestational age, and infant weight. Outcome variables included uterine rupture or dehiscence, hemorrhage >1000 mL, hemorrhage >2000 mL, need for transfusion, chorioamnionitis, endometritis, and length of hospital stay. The Student t test and the chi(2) test were used to compare categoric variables and means; maternal complications and factors associated with successful vaginal birth after cesarean were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression, allowing odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values to be calculated. RESULTS: A total of 29,255 patients were delivered during the study period, with 2450 having previously had cesarean delivery. Repeat cesarean deliveries were performed in 1461 women (5.0%), and 989 successful vaginal births after cesarean delivery occurred (3.4%). Charts were reviewed for 97.6% of all women who underwent repeat cesarean delivery and for 93% of all women who had vaginal birth after cesarean. Vaginal birth after cesarean was attempted by 1344 patients or 75% of all appropriate candidates. Vaginal birth after cesarean was successful in 921 women (69%) and unsuccessful in 424 women. Four hundred fifty-one patients undergoing cesarean delivery were deemed appropriate for vaginal birth after cesarean. Multiple gestations were excluded from analysis. Final groups included 431 repeat cesarean deliveries and 1324 attempted vaginal births after cesarean; in the latter group 908 were successful and 416 failed. The overall rate of uterine disruption was 1.1% of all women attempting labor; the rate of true rupture was 0.8%; and the rate of hysterectomy was 0.5%. Blood loss was lower (odds ratio, 0.5%; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-0.9) and chorioamnionitis was higher (odds ratio, 3.8%; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-6.4) in women who attempted vaginal births after cesarean. Compared with women who had successful vaginal births after cesarean, women who experienced failed vaginal births after cesarean had a rate of uterine rupture that was 8.9% (95% confidence interval, 1.9-42) higher, a rate of transfusion that was 3.9% (95% confidence interval, 1.1-13.3) higher, a rate of chorioamnionitis that was 1.5% (95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.1) higher, and a rate of endometritis that was 6.4% (95% confidence interval, 4.1-9.8) higher. CONCLUSION: Patients who experience failed vaginal birth after cesarean have higher risks of uterine disruption and infectious morbidity compared with patients who have successful vaginal birth after cesarean or elective repeat cesarean delivery. Because actual numbers of morbid events are small, caution should be exercised in interpreting results and counseling patients. More accurate prediction for safe, successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery is needed.     

Dystocia among women with symptomatic uterine rupture

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze cervical dilatation patterns among women with uterine rupture by means of a mathematic model and to use the results to determine optimal intervention criteria. STUDY DESIGN: This was a case-control review that compared a case patient group of 19 women with uterine rupture during labor with control groups with either no previous cesarean deliveries, vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, or failure of attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. The mathematic model quantified dilatation and adjusted for conditions specific to each patient. Case patients were compared with matched control subjects by means of paired t tests, analysis of variance, odds ratios, and conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Dystocia was present in 31.6% to 47.4% of patients with uterine rupture, versus 2.6% to 13.2% of the control group with no previous cesarean deliveries (P< or =.001). The incidence of an arrest disorder among patients with uterine rupture was similar to that seen in the control group with failure of attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. However, the interval from diagnosis to rupture or cesarean delivery was 5.5 +/- 3.3 hours among case patients with uterine rupture and 1.5 +/- 1.3 hours in the control group with failure of attempted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: When cervical dilatation was lower than the 10th percentile and was arrested for > or =2 hours, cesarean delivery would have prevented 42.1% of the cases of uterine rupture and resulted in excess 2.6% and 7.9% cesarean delivery rates among women with no previous cesarean deliveries and women with vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, respectively.     

Sonographic evaluation of the puerperal uterus: correlation with manual examination.

OBJECTIVES: To document uterine involution after vaginal delivery and cesarean section by abdominal sonography and to compare the efficacy of manual examination and ultrasonography. STUDY DESIGN: Postpartum manual and sonographic assessment of uterine involution was performed in 120 patients following vaginal and cesarean delivery with an attempt to build a database of changes in uterine dimensions. The patients' reports on the intensity of uterine contractions and vaginal bleeding were compared to the results of sonographic imaging. RESULTS: Palpation revealed proper uterine involution in 80 and 25% of patients after vaginal delivery and cesarean section, respectively. It could not be performed in 2.5% after vaginal delivery compared to 50% after cesarean section. Uterine length was found to be significantly greater after cesarean section than after vaginal delivery (p = 0.0001), and the anterior uterine wall was significantly thinner than the posterior wall (p = 0.0001). Uterine length was significantly greater in the presence of blood accumulation in the uterine cavity (20.7 cm), than when the uterus was empty (18.8 cm) (p = 0.001). In correlating between the patient's report of intense bleeding and the sonographic picture of blood in the uterine cavity sonography had a sensitivity of 0.56 and a specificity of 0.83, whereas the patients' reports had a positive predictive value of 0.22. The difference in information provided by the patients versus that provided by sonography was highly significant (p = 0.001, chi(2) test). CONCLUSION: Within 3 days after delivery, patients particularly those having had a cesarean section, should undergo uterine sonographic scanning and manual palpation to evaluate involution and presence of blood in the uterine cavity.     

Maternal complications associated with multiple cesarean deliveries

OBJECTIVE: The claim that a planned repeat cesarean delivery is safer than a trial of labor after cesarean may not be applicable to women who desire larger families. The aim of this study was to assess maternal complications after multiple cesarean deliveries. METHODS: The records of women who underwent two or more planned cesarean deliveries between 2000 and 2005 were reviewed. We compared maternal complications occurring in 277 women after three or more cesarean deliveries (multiple-cesarean group) with those occurring in 491 women after second cesarean delivery (second-cesarean group). RESULTS: Excessive blood loss (7.9% versus 3.3%; P < .005), difficult delivery of the neonate (5.1% versus 0.2%; P < .001), and dense adhesions (46.1% versus 25.6%; P < .001) were significantly more common in the multiple-cesarean group. Placenta accreta (1.4%) and hysterectomy (1.1%) were more common, but not significantly so, in the multiple-cesarean group. The proportion of women having any major complication was higher in the multiple-cesarean group, 8.7% versus 4.3% (P = .013), and increased with the delivery index number: 4.3%, 7.5%, and 12.5% for second, third, and fourth or more cesarean delivery, respectively (P for trend = .004). CONCLUSION: Multiple cesarean deliveries are associated with more difficult surgery and increased blood loss compared with a second planned cesarean delivery. The risk of major complications increases with cesarean delivery number. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.     

Cesarean delivery-related fistulae in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Objective

To compare the characteristics of urogenital fistulae after cesarean delivery with those after spontaneous vaginal delivery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of hospital records of 597 consecutive patients with a urogenital fistula who received treatment at Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, during 2005-2007.

Results

Of 576 women with an obstetric fistula, 229 (40%) had had a cesarean delivery; 55 (24%) of the 229 fistulae were considered to be iatrogenic. The distribution of risk factors (age, stature, parity, and labor duration) was similar to that among 226 women with a spontaneous vaginal delivery, but the odds ratios for having a ureterovaginal or a vesicouterine fistula were 11.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8-51.2) and 9.5 (95% CI 2.8-31.9), respectively. Vesicovaginal fistulae with cervical involvement were also significantly more frequent in the cesarean delivery group. The fistulae in this group had less surrounding fibrosis and there was less treatment delay. Stillbirth rates were 87% (cesarean delivery) and 95% (spontaneous vaginal delivery).

Conclusion

The data indicate that cesarean delivery-related fistulae are a separate clinical entity. Focus on this condition is important for fistula prevention and provision of adequate obstetric care, particularly for training in surgery and alternative delivery methods.     

Management of previous cesarean section

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The management of cesarean sections causes much controversy among healthcare providers, patients, and insurers. A trial of vaginal birth after previous cesarean is reported to be a safe and practical method to reduce the rate of cesarean sections. The popularity of vaginal birth after previous cesarean has increased over the past two decades, but rates have recently started to decline again. This review will evaluate recent literature that might be responsible for this reversal in trend. RECENT FINDINGS: Earlier studies on previous cesarean section pregnancies focused primarily on the success rate of vaginal birth after previous cesarean, which is reported to be 60-80%. Recent large, retrospective, population-based cohort studies examined the maternal and neonatal safety of trial of labour compared with elective repeat cesarean delivery, and confirmed that the risks of uterine rupture and neonatal mortality were significantly increased after trial of labour, particularly when induced with prostaglandins. However, the absolute risk of adverse events remains small. The maternal and neonatal morbidity risk increases when vaginal birth after previous cesarean attempts fails, which emphasizes the importance of careful case selection. SUMMARY: Recent studies highlighted the risks of attempted vaginal birth after previous cesareans, especially when trials fail, but have not addressed the long-term risks of an elective repeat cesarean delivery. The assessment of treatment risks by observational studies is subject to bias, because the different treatment groups may not be comparable at the outset. In the absence of better data, the counselling of such women must currently be based on this evidence.     

Obstetric outcome of patients with more than one previous cesarean section

Records of patients with more than one previous cesarean section were reviewed for a 1-year period. Of 69 such pregnancies, 36 underwent trial of labor in concurrence with an ongoing departmental cesarean section reduction initiative; 80% culminated in vaginal delivery. Twenty of these 69 patients had three or more previous cesarean sections; 9 underwent trial of labor, with 8 subsequent vaginal deliveries. The vaginal delivery rate after more than one previous cesarean section was no different from that of patients with only one previous cesarean section. We conclude that trial of labor in patients with more than one previous cesarean section did not result in a deleterious outcome. Our findings suggest that a trial of labor after more than one previous cesarean section delivery can safely be allowed. Guidelines can be identical to those already established for patients with only one previous cesarean section.