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.     

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.     

Infant and Neonatal Mortality for Primary Cesarean and Vaginal Births to Women with “No Indicated Risk,” United States, 1998–2001 Birth Cohorts

ABSTRACT: Background: The percentage of United States’ births delivered by cesarean section has increased rapidly in recent years, even for women considered to be at low risk for a cesarean section. The purpose of this paper is to examine infant and neonatal mortality risks associated with primary cesarean section compared with vaginal delivery for singleton full‐term (37–41 weeks’ gestation) women with no indicated medical risks or complications. Methods: National linked birth and infant death data for the 1998–2001 birth cohorts (5,762,037 live births and 11,897 infant deaths) were analyzed to assess the risk of infant and neonatal mortality for women with no indicated risk by method of delivery and cause of death. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model neonatal survival probabilities as a function of delivery method, and sociodemographic and medical risk factors. Results: Neonatal mortality rates were higher among infants delivered by cesarean section (1.77 per 1,000 live births) than for those delivered vaginally (0.62). The magnitude of this difference was reduced only moderately on statistical adjustment for demographic and medical factors, and when deaths due to congenital malformations and events with Apgar scores less than 4 were excluded. The cesarean/vaginal mortality differential was widespread, and not confined to a few causes of death. Conclusions: Understanding the causes of these differentials is important, given the rapid growth in the number of primary cesareans without a reported medical indication. (BIRTH 33:3 September 2006)     

Cesarean delivery: background, trends, and epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in cesarean delivery for the overall population and for women with "no indicated risk" for cesarean section, and to summarize the available literature on "maternal request" cesarean deliveries. FINDINGS: Nearly 3 in 10 births were delivered by cesarean section in 2004 (29.1%), the highest rate ever reported in the United States. The overall rate has increased by over 40% since 1996, reflecting two concurrent trends: an increase in the primary rate (14.6% to 20.6%), and a steep decline in the rate of vaginal birth after cesarean (28.3% to 9.2%). There has been a clear increase in primary cesarean delivery without a medical or obstetrical indication, and studies using hospital discharge data or birth certificate data estimate the rate of primary cesarean deliveries with no reported medical or obstetrical indication to be between 3% and 7% of all deliveries to women who had not had a previous cesarean delivery. However, these studies contain no direct information on whether these cesareans were the result of maternal request or because of physician recommendation. There was little data to support the contention that the rise in the cesarean rate was the result of maternal request. CONCLUSION: There are no systematic data available on cesarean delivery by "maternal request." However, the rate of primary cesarean delivery is increasing rapidly for women of all ages, races, and medical conditions, as well as for births at all gestational ages. Since a first cesarean section virtually guarantees that subsequent pregnancies will be cesarean deliveries (the repeat cesarean delivery rate is now almost 91%), research is needed on physician practice patterns, maternal attitudes, clinical outcomes for mother and infant (harms, benefits), and clinical and nonclinical factors (institutional, legal, economic) that affect the decision to have a cesarean delivery.     

292例早产的临床因素分析

目的分析与人工早产和自然早产有关的危险因素.方法选取我院1993年1月至1999年7月间分娩的早产292例,将早产分为自然早产(250例)和人工早产(42例),分别与同期分娩的足月对照组295例相比,进行早产的临床因素分析.结果孕期母亲未作产前检查、胎膜早破、多胎、产前出血、中重度妊高征、内科合并症、胎儿畸形等均与早产有关;人工早产者产前检查率最低,剖宫产率最高,并主要与产前出血、中重度妊高征、多胎有关;自然早产者产前检查率低于足月对照组,其主要与胎膜早破、不明原因早产有关.结论孕期多种因素与早产有关;且自然早产和人工早产具有不同的危险因素.     

Late preterm birth and previous cesarean section: a population-based cohort study

Background: Late preterm birth (LPB) is increasingly common and associated with higher morbidity and mortality than term birth. Yet, little is known about the influence of previous cesarean section (PCS) and the occurrence of LPB in subsequent pregnancies. We aim to evaluate this association along with the potential mediation by cesarean sections in the current pregnancy.

Methods: We use population-based birth registry data (2005–2012) to establish a cohort of live born singleton infants born between 34 and 41 gestational weeks to multiparous mothers. PCS was the primary exposure, LPB (34–36 weeks) was the primary outcome, and an unplanned or emergency cesarean section in the current pregnancy was the potential mediator. Associations were quantified using propensity weighted multivariable Poisson regression, and mediating associations were explored using the Baron-Kenny approach.

Results: The cohort included 481,531 births, 21,893 (4.5%) were LPB, and 119,983 (24.9%) were predated by at least one PCS. Among mothers with at least one PCS, 6307 (5.26%) were LPB. There was increased risk of LPB among women with at least one PCS (adjusted Relative Risk (aRR): 1.20 (95%CI [1.16, 1.23]). Unplanned or emergency cesarean section in the current pregnancy was identified as a strong mediator to this relationship (mediation ratio?=?97%).

Conclusions: PCS was associated with higher risk of LPB in subsequent pregnancies. This may be due to an increased risk of subsequent unplanned or emergency preterm cesarean sections. Efforts to minimize index cesarean sections may reduce the risk of LPB in subsequent pregnancies.     

Primigravid Women's Views of Being Approached to Participate in a Hypothetical Term Cephalic Trial of Planned Vaginal Birth versus Planned Cesarean Birth

Background: Several papers have called for a trial of planned cesarean section versus planned vaginal birth for low‐risk women—a recommendation that is fiercely debated. Although proponents of a trial have voiced their support, evidence suggests that in the United Kingdom few midwives and obstetricians believe such a trial to be feasible, and no studies reporting women's views on the prospect of such a trial have been published. The purpose of this study is to explore women's views of participation in a trial of planned cesarean birth versus planned vaginal birth. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in‐depth interviews in a large maternity hospital in the United Kingdom. Sixty‐four women were interviewed 12 months after giving birth. Women were asked “How do you think you would have felt if you had been approached to take part in such a trial during your first pregnancy?” Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Only 3 of the 64 women stated that they would have participated in a trial of planned vaginal birth versus planned cesarean section, had they been asked. However, five other women said that they would have consented to participate if they had been asked during pregnancy, but with hindsight, would have regretted that decision. The remainder of women would not have participated, unless a preference arm was offered. Three main themes were identified: “feeling cheated,”“let nature take its course, ” and “just another trauma that you don't need.” Conclusions: Few women supported a trial and most suggested that it was intuitively wrong. Given the strong views voiced by women, it is unlikely that a trial of planned vaginal delivery versus planned cesarean delivery would be feasible.     

Neonatal Mortality for Primary Cesarean and Vaginal Births to Low‐Risk Women: Application of an “Intention‐to‐Treat” Model

ABSTRACT: Background: The percentage of United States births delivered by cesarean section continues to increase, even for women considered to be at low risk for the procedure. The purpose of this study was to use an “intention‐to‐treat” methodology, as recommended by a National Institutes of Health conference, to examine neonatal mortality risk by method of delivery for low‐risk women. Methods: Low‐risk births were singleton, term (37–41 weeks’ gestation), vertex births, with no reported medical risk factors or placenta previa and with no prior cesarean section. All U.S. live births and infant deaths for the 1999 to 2002 birth cohorts (8,026,415 births and 17,412 infant deaths) were examined. Using the intention‐to‐treat methodology, a “planned vaginal delivery” category was formed by combining vaginal births and cesareans with labor complications or procedures since the original intention in both cases was presumably a vaginal delivery. This group was compared with cesareans with no labor complications or procedures, which is the closest approximation to a “planned cesarean delivery” category possible, given data limitations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model neonatal mortality as a function of delivery method, adjusting for sociodemographic and medical risk factors. Results: The unadjusted neonatal mortality rate for cesarean deliveries with no labor complications or procedures was 2.4 times that for planned vaginal deliveries. In the most conservative model, the adjusted odds ratio for neonatal mortality was 1.69 (95% CI 1.35–2.11) for cesareans with no labor complications or procedures, compared with planned vaginal deliveries. Conclusions: The finding that cesarean deliveries with no labor complications or procedures remained at a 69 percent higher risk of neonatal mortality than planned vaginal deliveries is important, given the rapid increase in the number of primary cesarean deliveries without a reported medical indication. (BIRTH 35:1 March 2008)     

New mothers’ feelings of disappointment and failure after cesarean delivery

Background

Childbirth is an important life event and how women feel in retrospect about their first childbirth may have long‐term effects on the mother, child, and family. In this study, we investigated the association between mode of delivery at first childbirth and birth experience, using a new scale developed specifically to measure women's affective response.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of 3006 women who were interviewed during pregnancy and 1‐month postpartum. The First Baby Study Birth Experience Scale was used to measure the association between mode of delivery and women's postpartum feelings about their childbirth, taking into account relevant confounders, including maternal age, race, education, pregnancy intendedness, depression, social support, and maternal and newborn complications by way of linear and logistic regression models.

Results

Women who had unplanned cesarean delivery had the least positive feelings overall about their first childbirth, in comparison to those whose deliveries were spontaneous vaginal (P < .001), instrumental vaginal (P = .001), and planned cesarean (P < .001). In addition, those who delivered by unplanned cesarean were more likely to feel disappointed (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.21 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.62‐8.35]) and like a failure (adjusted OR 5.09 [95% CI 3.65‐7.09]) in comparison to women who had spontaneous vaginal delivery; and less likely to feel extremely or quite a bit proud of themselves (adjusted OR 2.70 [95% CI 2.20‐3.30]).

Conclusions

Delivering by unplanned cesarean delivery adversely affects how women feel about their first childbirth in retrospect, and their self‐esteem.     

Maternal Request for Cesarean Section due to Fear of Birth: Can It Be Changed Through Crisis‐Oriented Counseling?

ABSTRACT: Background: A psychosocial team was established to meet the needs of an increasing number of pregnant women referred for fear of birth who wished a planned cesarean. This study describes the intervention, the women’s psychosocial problems in relation to degree of fear of birth, changes in their wishes for mode of birth and birth outcome, women’s satisfaction with the intervention, and their wishes for future births. Methods: The study sample comprised 86 pregnant women with fear of birth and a request for planned cesarean, who were referred for counseling by a psychosocial team at the University Hospital of North Norway in the period 2000–2002. Data were gathered from referral letters, from antenatal and intrapartum care records, and from a follow‐up survey conducted 2 to 4 years after the birth in question. Results: Fear of birth was accompanied by extensive psychosocial problems in most women. Ninety percent had experienced anxiety or depression, 43 percent had eating disturbances, and 63 percent had been subjected to abuse. Twenty‐four percent of those with psychiatric conditions had previously been in treatment. After the intervention, 86 percent changed their original request for cesarean section and were prepared to give birth vaginally. The follow‐up survey confirmed long‐term satisfaction with having changed their request for a cesarean delivery. Of these, 69 percent gave birth vaginally and 31 percent were delivered by cesarean for obstetrical indications. Conclusions: Impending birth activates previous traumatic experiences, abuse, and psychiatric disorders that may give rise to fear of vaginal birth. When women were referred to a specialist service for fear of birth and request for cesarean, they became conscious of, and to some degree worked through, the causes of their fear, and most preferred vaginal birth. They remained pleased with their choice later. (BIRTH 33:3 September 2006)     

Cesarean delivery or vaginal birth: a survey of patient and clinician thresholds

OBJECTIVE: To estimate what level of additional fetal risk women and their caregivers in late pregnancy considered acceptable to avoid a cesarean and achieve a vaginal birth. METHODS: Six hundred women in late pregnancy and 294 obstetric consultants, registrars, midwives, and medical students were recruited to the study. With the assistance of a visual probability aid representing 10,000 births, they were asked to consider what level of fetal risk of death or serious disability they would consider acceptable to avoid cesarean and achieve vaginal birth. RESULTS: The median level of fetal risk deemed acceptable to achieve a vaginal birth for pregnant women was 10 per 10,000 births (95% confidence interval [CI] 10-13 per 10,000), although the range of responses was wide (1-5,000 per 10,000). Among staff, the median level of acceptable fetal risk was 13 per 10,000 births (95% CI 10-20 per 10,000). Women participating in lower intervention models of care, such as the birth center or team midwifery, were more tolerant of fetal risk (odds ratios [ORs] 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.9 and 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3, for accepting a fetal risk of 20 per 10,000 or greater), whereas women with a complicated pregnancy were less tolerant of fetal risk (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.9). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women and their caregivers have a low tolerance for fetal risk associated with vaginal birth. This study demonstrates the difficulty of minimizing obstetric intervention rates in the face of high expectations for fetal outcome. Obstetric and demographic factors were found to significantly impact the "acceptable fetal risk" threshold, which highlights the importance of individualized counseling regarding mode of birth. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.     

Uterine leiomyoma in pregnancy: its influence on obstetric performance.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of uterine leiomyoma on obstetrical performance. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 102 women with singleton pregnancies who were found ultrasonographically to have uterine leiomyomas during the first half of their pregnancy and who gave birth at our hospital at > or = 22 weeks of gestation between January 1990 and December 1997. RESULTS: The 102 women gave birth to 101 healthy infants, weighing 2,974 +/- 579 g at 38.8 +/- 2.6 weeks of pregnancy. One woman experienced an unexplained antepartum fetal death at 24 weeks of gestation. Bleeding at the first trimester occurred in 16% of the women. Pain localized in the lower abdomen and requiring relief occurred in 28% of the women during the first or second trimester. Tocolytic treatment was required in 25% of the pregnancies, and preterm delivery occurred in 12% thereof. A cesarean section was performed in 39% of the pregnancies. Bleeding > or = 500 ml occurred at delivery in 48% of the cases. The largest fibroid, > 6 cm in diameter, which was seen in 51 women, was associated with higher frequencies of tocolytic treatment (41%), preterm delivery (24%), bleeding > or = 500 ml at delivery (59%), and cesarean delivery (51%). In 76 women (75%) who attempted vaginal delivery, the obstetrical outcome was comparable to that of 115 control women who were matched regarding age, parity, and gestational week. CONCLUSIONS: Although pain in the lower abdomen, the requirement of tocolytic treatment, preterm delivery, and cesarean delivery were common, the neonatal outcome was fairly good in women with uterine leiomyomas. The present data might be encouraging to pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas.     

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after uterine rupture in labor

OBJECTIVE: There is significant controversy about the risks related to attempted vaginal birth after cesarean and the implications for informed consent of the patient. Recent data suggest that women who deliver in hospitals with high attempted vaginal birth after cesarean rates are more likely to experience successful vaginal birth after cesarean, as well as uterine ruptures. We conducted a study to evaluate maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality after uterine rupture at a tertiary care center. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective chart review of cases of uterine rupture from 1976 to 1998. All women who had a history of uterine rupture were identified with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, identifiers with hospital discharge data cross-referenced with a separate obstetric database. We abstracted demographic information, fetal heart rate patterns, maternal pain and bleeding patterns, umbilical cord gas values, and Apgar scores from the medical record. Outcome variables were uterine rupture events and major and minor maternal and neonatal complications. RESULTS: During the study period there were 38,027 deliveries. The attempted vaginal birth after cesarean rate was 61.3%, of which 65.3% were successful. We identified 21 cases of uterine rupture or scar dehiscence. Seventeen women had prior cesarean deliveries (10 with primary low transverse cesarean delivery, 3 with unknown scars, 1 with classic cesarean delivery, 2 with two prior cesarean deliveries, and 1 with four prior cesarean deliveries). Of the 4 women who had no history of previous uterine surgery, one had a bicornuate uterus whereas the others had no factors increasing the risk for uterine rupture. We confirmed uterine rupture and scar dehiscence in 19 women. Specific details were not available for 2 patients. Uterine rupture or scar dehiscence was clinically suspected in 16 women with 3 cases identified at delivery or after delivery. Sixteen women had symptoms of increased abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or altered hemodynamic status. There were 2 patients who required hysterectomies and 3 women who received blood transfusions; there were no maternal deaths related to uterine rupture. The fetal heart rate pattern in 13 cases showed bradycardia and repetitive variable or late decelerations. Thirteen neonates had umbilical artery pH >7.0. Two cases of fetal or neonatal death occurred, one in a 23-week-old fetus whose mother had presented to an outlying hospital and the second in a 25-week-old fetus with Potter's syndrome. All live-born infants were without evidence of neurologic abnormalities at the time of discharge. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the relatively small risk of uterine rupture during vaginal birth after cesarean that has been demonstrated in previous studies. In an institution that has in-house obstetric, anesthesia, and surgical staff in which close monitoring of fetal and maternal well-being is available, uterine rupture does not result in major maternal morbidity and mortality or in neonatal mortality.     

Cesarean and Vaginal Birth in Canadian Women: A Comparison of Experiences

Abstract: Background: Many publications have examined the reasons behind the rising cesarean delivery rate around the world. Women’s responses to the Maternity Experiences Survey of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System were examined to explore correlates of having a cesarean section on other experiences surrounding labor, birth, mother‐infant contact, and breastfeeding. Methods: A randomly selected sample of 8,244 estimated eligible women stratified primarily by province and territory was drawn from the May 2006 Canadian Census. Completed responses were obtained from 6,421 women (78%). Results: Three‐quarters of the women (73.7%) gave birth vaginally and 26.3 percent by cesarean section, including 13.5 percent with a planned cesarean and 12.8 percent with an unplanned cesarean. In addition to more interventions in labor, women who had a cesarean birth after attempting a vaginal birth had less mother‐infant contact after birth and less optimal breastfeeding practices. Conclusion: Findings from the Maternity Experiences Survey indicated that women who have cesarean births experience more interventions during labor and birth and have less optimal birthing and early parenting outcomes. (BIRTH 37:1 March 2010)     

The Importance of Mode of Birth After Previous Cesarean: Success,Satisfaction, and Postnatal Health

Introduction: The recent National Institutes of Health consensus conference on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) recommended a focus on strategies that increase women's opportunities to make informed choices about VBAC. This study aimed to expand knowledge of women's experiences of planned VBAC by focusing on postnatal experiences of women who participated in an Australian birth‐after‐cesarean study. Methods: At 6 to 8 weeks after birth, 165 women who experienced childbirth after a previous cesarean rated satisfaction with their birth experiences using a 10‐point visual analogue scale, reported on postnatal health problems, and indicated whether they would make the same birth choice again. Results: Significant differences were found in satisfaction scores by mode of birth. Mean scores out of a possible score of 10 ranged from 8.86 for spontaneous vaginal birth, 7.86 for elective repeat cesarean delivery, 6.71 for emergency cesarean delivery, to 6.15 for instrumental vaginal birth (F= 5.33; P= .002). Mean satisfaction scores for spontaneous vaginal birth and elective repeat cesarean delivery were statistically higher than for instrumental vaginal birth and emergency cesarean birth. Women who experienced instrumental vaginal birth and emergency cesarean birth also reported a higher number of postnatal health‐related problems and were least likely to agree that they would make the same birth choice again. Discussion: Mode of birth was the most important determinant of postnatal satisfaction, postnatal health, and whether women felt they would make the same birth choice again. Clinicians, researchers, and policymakers should identify effective labor management practices that enhance women's opportunities to achieve spontaneous vaginal birth during planned VBAC.     

Birth Centers in Australia: A National Population‐Based Study of Perinatal Mortality Associated with Giving Birth in a Birth Center

ABSTRACT: Background: Perinatal mortality is a rare outcome among babies born at term in developed countries after normal uncomplicated pregnancies; consequently, the numbers involved in large databases of routinely collected statistics provide a meaningful evaluation of these uncommon events. The National Perinatal Data Collection records the place of birth and information on the outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth for all women who give birth each year in Australia. Our objective was to describe the perinatal mortality associated with giving birth in “alongside hospital” birth centers in Australia during 1999 to 2002 using nationally collected data. Methods: This population‐based study included all 1,001,249 women who gave birth in Australia during 1999 to 2002. Of these women, 21,800 (2.18%) gave birth in a birth center. Selected perinatal outcomes (including stillbirths and neonatal deaths) were described for the 4‐year study period separately for first‐time mothers and for women having a second or subsequent birth. A further comparison was made between deaths of low‐risk term babies born in hospitals compared with deaths of term babies born in birth centers. Results: The total perinatal death rate attributed to birth centers was significantly lower than that attributed to hospitals (1.51/1,000 vs 10.03/1,000). The perinatal mortality rate among term births to primiparas in birth centers compared with term births among low‐risk primiparas in hospitals was 1.4 versus 1.9 per 1,000; the perinatal mortality rate among term births to multiparas in birth centers compared with term births among low‐risk multiparas in hospitals was 0.6 versus 1.6 per 1,000. Conclusions: This study using Australian national data showed that the overall rate of perinatal mortality was lower in alongside hospital birth centers than in hospitals irrespective of the mother’s parity. (BIRTH 34:3 September 2007)     

Relationship Between Hospital‐Level Percentage of Midwife‐Attended Births and Obstetric Procedure Utilization

Introduction

Research has shown good outcomes among individual low‐risk women who receive perinatal care from midwives, yet little is known about how hospital‐level variation in midwifery care relates to procedure use and maternal health. This study aimed to document the association between the hospital‐level proportion of midwife‐attended births and obstetric procedure utilization.

Methods

This analysis used 2 data sources: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database data for New York in 2014, and New York State Department of Health data on the percentage of midwife‐attended births at hospitals in the state in 2014. Using logistic regression, we estimated the association between the hospital‐level percentage of midwife‐attended births and 4 outcomes among low‐risk women: labor induction, cesarean birth, episiotomy, and severe maternal morbidity.

Results

Hospital‐level percentage of midwife‐attended births was not associated with reduced odds of labor induction or severe maternal morbidity. Women who gave births at hospitals with more midwife‐attended births had lower odds of giving birth by cesarean (eg, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59‐0.82 at a hospital with 15% to 40% of births attended by midwives, compared to no midwife‐attended births) and lower odds of episiotomy (eg, aOR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23‐0.74 at a hospital with more than 40% of births attended by midwives, compared to no midwife‐attended births).

Discussion

Our results indicate that hospitals with more midwife‐attended births have lower utilization of some obstetric procedures among low‐risk women; this raises the possibility of improving value in maternity care through greater access to midwifery care.     

Impact of First Childbirth on Changes in Women’s Preference for Mode of Delivery: Follow‐up of a Longitudinal Observational Study

ABSTRACT: Background: A woman’s childbirth experience has an influence on her future preferred mode of delivery. This study aimed to identify determinants for women who changed from preferring a planned vaginal birth to an elective cesarean section after their first childbirth. Methods: This prospective longitudinal observational study involved two units that provide obstetric care in Hong Kong. A mail survey was sent to 259 women 6 months after their first childbirth. These women had participated in a longitudinal cohort study that examined their preference for elective cesarean section in the antenatal period of their first pregnancies. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify determinants for women who changed from preferring vaginal birth to elective cesarean section. Results: Twenty‐four percent (23.8%, 95% CI 18.4–29.3) of women changed from preferring vaginal birth to elective cesarean section after their first childbirth. Determinants found to be positively associated with this change included actual delivery by elective cesarean section (OR 106.3, 95% CI 14.7–767.4) intrauterine growth restriction (OR 19.5, 95% CI 1.1–353.6), actual delivery by emergency cesarean section (OR 8.4, 95% CI 3.4–20.6), higher family income (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1–8.8), use of epidural analgesia (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0–6.8), and higher trait anxiety score (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.3). The most important reason for women who changed from preferring vaginal birth to elective cesarean section was fear of vaginal birth (24.4%). Conclusions: A significant proportion of women changed their preferred mode of delivery after their first childbirth. Apart from reducing the number of cesarean sections in nulliparous women, prompt provision of education to women who had complications and investigations into fear factors during vaginal birth might help in reducing women’s wish to change to elective cesarean section. (BIRTH 35:2 June 2008)     

Vaginal birth after a cesarean delivery for arrest of descent*

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) success rates for patients with a prior cesarean delivery (CD) for arrest of descent, as well as determine any predictors for success.

Study design: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients delivered by a single MFM practice from 2005 to 2017 with a singleton pregnancy and one prior CD for arrest of descent. We estimated the rate and associated risk factors for successful VBAC.

Results: We included 208 patients with one prior CD for arrest of descent, 100 (48.1%) of whom attempted a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) with a VBAC success rate was 84/100 (84%, 95% CI 76–90%). Among the women who attempted TOLAC, women with a prior vaginal delivery >24 weeks’ had a significantly higher VBAC success rate (91.8% versus 71.8%, p?=?.01). Maternal age, body mass index, estimated fetal weight, induction of labor, and cervical dilation were not associated with a higher VBAC success rate.

Conclusions: For women with a prior CD for arrest of descent, VBAC success rates are high. This suggests that arrest of descent is mostly dependent on factors unique to each pregnancy and not due to an inadequate pelvis or recurring conditions. Women with a prior CD for arrest of descent should not be discouraged from attempting TOLAC in a subsequent pregnancy due to concerns about the likelihood of success.     

Survey of Mode of Delivery and Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Canada

ObjectiveTo identify determinants of cesarean delivery (CD) and examine associations between mode of delivery (MOD) and maternal and perinatal outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of a Canadian multicentre birth cohort derived from provincial data collected in 2008/2009. Maternal and perinatal characteristics and outcomes were compared between vaginal and cesarean birth and between the following MOD subgroups: spontaneous vaginal delivery (VD), assisted VD, planned cesarean delivery (CD), and intrapartum CD. Multivariate regression identified determinants of CD and the effects of MOD and previous CD on maternal and perinatal outcomes.ResultsThe cohort included 264 755 births (72.1% VD and 27.9% CD) from 91 participating institutions. Determinants of CD included maternal age, parity, previous CD, chronic hypertension, diabetes, urinary tract infection or pyelonephritis, gestational hypertension, vaginal bleeding, labour induction, pre-term gestational age, low birth weight, large for gestational age, malpresentation, and male sex. CD was associated with greater risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Subgroup analysis demonstrated higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes with assisted VD and intrapartum CD than spontaneous VD. Planned CD reduced the risk of obstetric wound hematoma and perinatal mortality but increased maternal and neonatal morbidity. Previous CD increased the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity among multiparous women.ConclusionsThe CD rate in Canada is consistent with global trends reflecting demographic and obstetric intervention factors. The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes with CD warrants evaluation of interventions to safely prevent nonessential cesarean birth.