Subsequent obstetric performance related to primary mode of delivery

Objective To relate subsequent obstetric performance with primary mode of delivery.
Design Postal questionnaire survey of women who delivered their first child five years ago.
Setting Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Population Women who were delivered of their first baby in 1991: 250 by normal vaginal delivery; 250 by instrumental vaginal delivery; and 250 by caesarean section.
Main outcome measures Answers to fixed choice questions on fear of future childbirth, number of subsequent children and reasons for no further children.
Results The response rate was 64%. Overall, 222 (4606%) women were initially frightened about future childbirth. According to mode of delivery: 93 (57.1%) after instrumental vaginal; 79 (47.9%) after caesarean section; and 50 (33.8%) after normal vaginal delivery. Five years after the primary delivery, 99 women (20.8%) were still frightened about future childbirth: instrumental vaginal group 41 (25.2%); caesarean section group 43 (26.1%); and normal vaginal group 15 (10.1%). In the group of women who were delivered by caesarean section 13% more women had not had a second child after five years compared with the normal vaginal delivery group ((   P < 0.03  , relative risk 1.46 (1.07–1.99)). In the group of women who had a vaginal instrumental delivery 6% more had not had a second child after five years compared with normal vaginal delivery group. Of the women who had no further children, 30% who had caesarean section and 28% vaginal instrumental delivery had involuntary infertility.
Conclusions Caesarean section or vaginal instrumental delivery leaves many mothers frightened about future childbirth. Primary caesarean section and to some extent vaginal instrumental delivery is associated with an increased risk of voluntary and involuntary infertility.     

Absence of conception after caesarean section: voluntary or involuntary?

BACKGROUND: Women who deliver by caesarean section have been shown to be less likely to have a subsequent pregnancy. It is not clear whether this is due to a direct effect of the procedure on future fertility or due to deliberate avoidance of a future pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether absence of conception following caesarean section is voluntary or involuntary. DESIGN: Follow up of a population-based retrospective cohort. SETTING: Grampian region, Scotland. POPULATION: Women who had no further viable pregnancies within 5 years of an initial delivery. METHODS: Cases included women who delivered their first child by caesarean section between 1980 and 1995 but had no further viable pregnancies by December 2000. Controls included women who delivered their first child during the same period, by means of either spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) or instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD), and who had no further viable pregnancies by December 2000. Eligible women were identified from the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (AMND) and sent postal questionnaires to determine the extent to which not conceiving after first delivery was voluntary and the reasons for avoiding further pregnancies. Characteristics of the different mode of delivery groups were compared using univariate techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extent to which absence of conception following an initial delivery by caesarean section is voluntary. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 3204 (60%) of 5300 women identified from the AMND. Of these, 1675 women had not conceived at all during the follow-up period (median duration = 13 years). Absence of conception was voluntary in 488 (69%; 95% CI 66-73%) women following caesarean section, 340 (71%; 95% CI 67-76%) following SVD and 354 (72%; 95% CI 68-76%) following IVD. Few women considered seeking fertility treatment (caesarean section = 72 [10%], SVD = 50 [11%], IVD = 39 [8%]). Of the women who decided to delay or avoid a further pregnancy, fewer women who delivered by SVD reported that the birth experience influenced their decision (caesarean section = 163 [32%], SVD = 67 [18%], IVD = 136 [35%]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of mode of delivery, not conceiving following the birth of the first child is mainly voluntary. The experience of the previous birth is one of several factors affecting women's decisions to avoid a subsequent pregnancy.     

Vaginal delivery after previous caesarean section for failure of second stage of labour

Objective To determine the outcome of subsequent labour in primiparous women after a caesarean section for delay in descent in the second stage of labour in cephalic presentations with or without trial of instrumental vaginal delivery.
Design Retrospective follow up study.
Setting Medical Centre Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
Participants All primiparous parturients who delivered after prior caesarean section during the second stage of labour in the period 1986–1998.
Methods Data concerning the outcome of the first subsequent delivery were gathered from delivery notes and patients charts. The group of women was subdivided into those with or without trial of instrumental vaginal delivery during the previous labour.
Results Of 132 women, 29 (22%) underwent a planned repeat caesarean section. Of the 103 women who were allowed a trial of labour, 82 (80%) were successful in having a vaginal delivery, and 21 (20%) had a second caesarean section. Of the 74 women with a failed trial of instrumental delivery during the previous labour, 19 had a planned repeat caesarean section and 41 of the remaining 55 (75%) had a successful trial of labour.
Conclusions In women with a cephalic presentation who had an arrest of descent in the second stage of labour during their first delivery, the chances of vaginal delivery in their next pregnancy are high, even after a failed instrumented vaginal delivery, and a trial of labour can usually be pursued.     

Assisted vaginal delivery versus caesarean section in breech presentation

BACKGROUND: The Term Breech Trial (TBT), a well-known study conducted by Hannah and published in the Lancet, revealed a better outcome for neonates after primary caesarean section compared with attempted vaginal delivery. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the results of TBT have to be taken into account when counseling pregnant women in central Europe. METHODS: We investigated 882 women who had delivered infants in breech presentation over a period of 11 years. The neonates had a birthweight of >2500 g and no malformations. We compared mortality and serious neonatal morbidity after attempted vaginal delivery and after primary caesarean section. RESULTS: No infant or maternal mortality was registered in either group. Serious neonatal morbidity was higher (0.5%; n = 2) for attempted vaginal delivery than for primary caesarean section; in the latter group, no child fulfilled the criteria for serious neonatal morbidity. However, the difference was not statistically significant. As expected, after attempted vaginal delivery, the base excess, and 5-min APGAR scores were indicative of more markedly depressed children. CONCLUSION: After careful exclusion of risk factors and informing the patient in detail about the risks and possible complications, vaginal delivery from breech presentation is still warrantable.     

Postpartum emotional distress: a controlled study of Nigerian women after caesarean childbirth.

The study investigated postpartum emotional distress including depression among 47 Nigerian women who had a caesarean section by comparing them at 6-8 weeks following childbirth with 47 matched controls who had normal vaginal delivery. Analysis of scores on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) showed that women that delivered by caesarean section were significantly different from the controls on the GHQ and BDI scores in the postpartum period. Apart from marital status, other sociodemographic variables did not significantly contribute to psychopathology in this group of women. This observation is in support of the view that caesarean childbirth may predispose Nigerian women to adverse psychological sequelae.     

Expectation and experiences of childbirth in primiparae with caesarean section

Objective  The aim of this study was to examine the expectations and experiences in women undergoing a caesarean section on maternal request and compare these with women undergoing caesarean section with breech presentation as the indication and women who intended to have vaginal delivery acting as a control group. A second aim was to study whether assisted delivery and emergency caesarean section in the control group affected the birth experience.
Design  A prospective group-comparison cohort study.
Setting  Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sample  First-time mothers ( n = 496) were recruited to the study in week 37–39 of gestation and follow up was carried out 3 months after delivery. Comparisons were made between 'caesarean section on maternal request', 'caesarean section due to breech presentation' and 'controls planning a vaginal delivery'.
Methods  The instrument used was the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ).
Main outcome measures  Expectations prior to delivery and experiences at 3 months after birth.
Results  Mothers requesting a caesarean section had more negative expectations of a vaginal delivery ( P < 0.001) and 43.4% in this group showed a clinically significant fear of delivery. Mothers in the two groups expecting a vaginal delivery, but having an emergency caesarean section or an assisted vaginal delivery had more negative experiences of childbirth ( P < 0.001).
Conclusions  Women requesting caesarean section did not always suffer from clinically significant fear of childbirth. The finding that women subjected to complicated deliveries had a negative birth experience emphasises the importance of postnatal support.     

Comparison of maternal satisfaction following vaginal delivery after caesarean section and caesarean section after previous vaginal delivery

OBJECTIVES: To compare (i) satisfaction levels among women who delivered vaginally after one previous caesarean (VBAC) with women delivered by caesarean after previous vaginal delivery (CSAVD) and (ii) to assess reasons why women may request caesarean delivery on subsequent pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective questionnaire-based study of maternal satisfaction following both modes of delivery during an 8-month period. RESULTS: One hundred and forty women completed an early postnatal questionnaire, 70 each in VBAC and CSAVD cohorts. The vast majority in both groups were satisfied with their respective mode of delivery, but would opt for vaginal delivery in their next pregnancy (89% in VBAC versus 94% in CSAVD). The VBAC group experienced minimal pain after delivery and had felt better prepared for delivery (74% versus 41% in the CSAVD group). Reasons for dissatisfaction in the VBAC group included the physical stress of labour and inadequacy of analgesia. CONCLUSION: Maternal satisfaction with vaginal delivery is high. Those who have experienced both modes of delivery would prefer vaginal birth on future pregnancies. These findings are reassuring to women contemplating vaginal delivery.     

Mode of delivery and future fertility

A cohort of 22,948 women from a stable homogeneous population who gave birth for the first time between 1964 and 1983 were followed up prospectively. Analysis by mode of delivery showed that of those delivered by caesarean section 23.2% fewer had another pregnancy than those who had a spontaneous vaginal delivery. Women delivered by forceps were in an intermediate group. Miscarriage was more common in women who had been delivered by caesarean section. The relative infertility after caesarean section could not be accounted for by early sterilization, was not associated with maternal height or social status, and was only partly attributable to age.     

Method of delivery and subjective distress: Women's emotional responses to childbirth practices

Abstract

Forty women who had given birth for the first time following full term-pregnancy participated in a study concerning distress in response to one of four obstetric procedures: spontaneous vaginal delivery; induced vaginal delivery; instrumental vaginal delivery; or, emergency caesarean section. During their sixth week post-delivery, they completed questionnaires and supplied biographical data. Those who had undergone instrumental delivery (as assisted by episiotomy) described the birth of their child as significantly more distressing, themselves as being more at risk of injury and dissatisfied with the efficacy of pain relief during labour than women in the other three obstetric groups. By comparison, those who had an emergency caesarean section retrospectively reported little psychological distress or perceived risk of serious injury and significantly greater satisfaction with pain relief. Thus, it would appear that the well-being of women who experience an instrumental delivery is in need of additional support. Further prospective research is needed with a larger study population to confirm or otherwise the observations made in this initial investigation.     

Pelvic floor morbidity at 3 years after instrumental delivery and cesarean delivery in the second stage of labor and the impact of a subsequent delivery

OBJECTIVE: To compare pelvic floor symptoms at three years following instrumental delivery and cesarean section in the second stage of labor and to assess the impact of a subsequent delivery. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 393 women with term, singleton, cephalic pregnancies who required instrumental vaginal delivery in theatre or cesarean section at full dilatation between February 1999 and February 2000. 283 women (72%) returned postal questionnaires at three years. RESULTS: Urinary incontinence at three years post delivery was greater in the instrumental delivery group as compared to the cesarean section group (10.5% vs 2.0%), OR 5.37 (95% CI, 1.7, 27.9). There were no significant differences in ano-rectal or sexual symptoms between the two groups. Pelvic floor symptoms were similar for women delivered by cesarean section after a failed trial of instrumental delivery compared to immediate cesarean section. A subsequent delivery did not increase the risk of pelvic floor symptoms at three years in either group. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of urinary incontinence persists up to three years following instrumental vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section in the second stage of labor. However, pelvic floor symptoms are not exacerbated by a subsequent delivery.     

Primary mode of delivery and subsequent pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between primary mode of delivery and subsequent pregnancy and to compare the findings with a previous study conducted on an earlier cohort from the same population. DESIGN: Population cohort. SETTING: Aberdeen City, Scotland. POPULATION: Women who delivered their first singleton child in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital between 1980 and 1997. METHODS: Population-based data relating to the index and next pregnancy event, if any, were obtained from the Aberdeen Maternity Neonatal Databank. Subsequent pregnancy was compared across the three modes of delivery groups using log rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: First subsequent pregnancy following index delivery. RESULTS: Women who delivered by caesarean section (CS) were less likely to have a subsequent pregnancy compared with those who had a spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), hazard ratio = 0.91 (95% CI 0.87, 0.95). This confirmed the findings of a previous study conducted on an earlier cohort of the same population. The median time to next pregnancy following CS was 36.3 months, 31.8 months following instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD) and 30.4 months following SVD. In contrast to the earlier study where women who had an instrumental delivery were found to be an intermediate group, we found no difference in subsequent pregnancy following IVD compared with SVD, HR = 1.0 (95% CI 0.96, 1.03). CONCLUSIONS: Following an initial delivery by CS, fewer women went on to have another pregnancy compared with SVD. The incidence of subsequent pregnancy is similar following instrumental and SVD.     

Cohort study of maternal views on future mode of delivery after operative delivery in the second stage of labor

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess maternal views on the future mode of delivery after either previous instrument vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery at full dilatation. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 393 women with term singleton cephalic pregnancies. RESULTS: More than one half of the cohort intended to have a further pregnancy, with no significant differences between the instrument vaginal delivery and caesarean delivery groups (51% vs 54% before discharge; adjusted odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.2, 6.0), and there was little change in maternal views over time. Women were more likely to aim for a future vaginal delivery after an instrument vaginal delivery (79% vs 39% before discharge; adjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.2, 9.2), but the proportion decreased over time (68% vs 42% at 1 year; adjusted odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6, 8.1). There were no significant differences in preferred future mode of delivery for women who had a caesarean delivery after a failed instrument delivery and those who were delivered by immediate caesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of women who have had a previous difficult instrument vaginal delivery would still prefer vaginal delivery in a future pregnancy.     

Short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes by mode of delivery. A case-controlled study

OBJECTIVE: Side-by-side comparisons of short-term maternal and neonatal outcomes for spontaneous vaginal delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, planned caesarean section and caesarean section during labor in patients matched for clinical condition, age, and week of gestation are lacking. This case-controlled study was undertaken to evaluate short-term maternal and neonatal complications in a healthy population at term by mode of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Four groups of healthy women, with antenatally normal singleton pregnancies at term, who underwent instrumental vaginal delivery (no. 201), spontaneous delivery (no. 402), planned caesarean section without labor (no. 402) and caesarean section in labor (no. 402) have been retrospectively selected. Outcome measures were maternal and neonatal short-term complications. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Maternal complications were mostly associated with forceps-assisted and vacuum-assisted instrumental deliveries (OR: 6.9; 95% CI: 2.9-16.4 and OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1-8.8, respectively, versus spontaneous deliveries). No significant differences in overall complications were observed between spontaneous vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections, whether planned or in labor. By comparison with caesarean sections in labor, instrumental deliveries significantly increased the risk of complications (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.6-6.5). Neonatal complications were also mostly correlated with forceps-assisted and vacuum-assisted instrumental deliveries (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.9-6.7 and OR 3.8; 95% CI 2.0-7.4, respectively, versus spontaneous deliveries). By comparison with caesarean sections in labor, instrumental vaginal deliveries significantly increased the risk of complications (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 2.4-7.4). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy women with antenatally normal singleton pregnancies at term, instrumental deliveries are associated with the highest rate of short-term maternal and neonatal complications.     

Vaginal birth after caesarean

Caesarean section (CS) rates continue to evoke worldwide concern because of their steady increase. The national caesarean section (CS) rate in the UK is almost 25%, having increased by 5.7% in the last 10 years. A rising primary CS rate is a significant contributor to this trend. The latest available data show that almost 1 in 5 women in the world now give birth by CS.The World Health Organisation states that, when medically justified, a caesarean section can effectively prevent maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. However, there is no evidence showing the benefits of caesarean delivery for women or infants who do not require the procedure. As with any surgery, caesarean sections are associated with short and long-term risk which can extend many years beyond the current delivery and affect the health of the woman, her child, and future pregnancies. These risks are higher in women with limited access to comprehensive obstetric care.There are two standard care pathways for women having childbirth following previous CS – Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) or Elective Repeat CS (ERCS). Attempting a VBAC is a safe and appropriate choice that must be offered to most women who have had a prior caesarean delivery. Approximately 70–75% of women who attempt VBAC will have a successful vaginal delivery. Focused antenatal counselling sessions highlighting the risks and benefits of VBAC vs ERCS may impact upon the pathway a woman chooses. Continued counselling and discussion of relative risks versus benefits will also encourage patient choice and help support the woman throughout antenatal and intrapartum periods.     

Chilean women's preferences regarding mode of delivery: which do they prefer and why?

OBJECTIVE: Caesarean section rates in Chile are reported to be as high as 60% in some populations. The purpose of this study was to determine pregnant Chilean women's preferences towards mode of delivery. DESIGN: Interviewer-administered cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Prenatal clinics in Santiago, Chile. Population Pregnant women in Santiago, Chile. METHODS: Of 180 women completing the questionnaire, 90 were interviewed at a private clinic (caesarean delivery rate 60%) and 90 were interviewed at a public clinic (cesarean delivery rate 22%). Data collected included demographics, preferred mode of delivery, and women's attitudes towards vaginal and caesarean deliveries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mode of delivery preferences, perceptions of mode of delivery measured on a 1-7 Likert scale. RESULTS: The majority of women (77.8%) preferred vaginal delivery, 9.4% preferred caesarean section, and 12.8% had no preference. There was no statistical difference in preference between the public clinic (11% preferred caesarean) and the private clinic (8% preferred caesarean, P= 0.74). Overall, women preferring caesarean birth were slightly older than other groups (31.6 years, versus 28.4 years for women who preferred vaginal and 27.3 years for women who had no preference, P= 0.05), but there were otherwise no differences in parity, income, or education. On a scale of 1-7, women preferring caesarean birth rated vaginal birth as more painful, while women preferring vaginal birth rated it as less painful (5.8 versus 3.7, P= 0.003). Whether vaginal or caesarean, each group felt that their preferred mode of delivery was safer for their baby (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chilean women do not prefer caesarean section to vaginal delivery, even in a practice setting where caesarean delivery is more prevalent. Thus, women's preferences is unlikely to be the most significant factor driving the high caesarean rates in Chile.     

Fear of failure: a place for the trial of instrumental delivery

Summary. The safety of performing potentially difficult midcavity forceps or vacuum extractions, as trials of instrumental delivery was assessed retrospectively. Successful vaginal delivery was achieved in 61% of 122 patients with delay in the second stage who had a trial of instrumental delivery performed in an operating theatre with full preparations to proceed to caesarean section. The outcome was compared with that in 42 patients who were delivered for the same indication, by primary caesarean section, without prior instrumentation. Transient fetal trauma occurred only in the trials of instrumental delivery, and there was no significant difference in immediate neonatal or maternal morbidity. In another group of 61 patients instrumental delivery was attempted without full preparations for possible caesarean section and when unexpected difficulty arose, the forceps or vacuum extractor were abandoned in favour of caesarean section. Within this group of unexpected failures of instrumentation there were significantly more babies with low Apgar scores, delayed onset of respirations or needing intubation. A carefully conducted trial of instrumental delivery is an acceptable alternative to caesarean section for delay in the second stage due to a potentially difficult midcavity arrest.     

Fear of failure: a place for the trial of instrumental delivery

The safety of performing potentially difficult midcavity forceps or vacuum extractions, as trials of instrumental delivery was assessed retrospectively. Successful vaginal delivery was achieved in 61% of 122 patients with delay in the second stage who had a trial of instrumental delivery performed in an operating theatre with full preparations to proceed to caesarean section. The outcome was compared with that in 42 patients who were delivered for the same indication, by primary caesarean section, without prior instrumentation. Transient fetal trauma occurred only in the trials of instrumental delivery, and there was no significant difference in immediate neonatal or maternal morbidity. In another group of 61 patients instrumental delivery was attempted without full preparations for possible caesarean section and when unexpected difficulty arose, the forceps or vacuum extractor were abandoned in favour of caesarean section. Within this group of unexpected failures of instrumentation there were significantly more babies with low Apgar scores, delayed onset of respirations or needing intubation. A carefully conducted trial of instrumental delivery is an acceptable alternative to caesarean section for delay in the second stage due to a potentially difficult midcavity arrest.     

Antioxidant levels in the cord blood of term fetus.

The aim of this study was to compare the differences in the total antioxidant levels in the cord blood after a normal vaginal delivery and after an elective caesarean section. This was a prospective study approved by the Wirral Hospital ethical research committee. The study was carried out in a district general hospital. We investigated 96 healthy pregnant women who had normal antenatal period with singleton pregnancies between 37 and 42 completed weeks of gestation. Sixty-five women had a spontaneous normal vaginal delivery and 31 underwent elective caesarean section. Umbilical cord blood was obtained immediately after delivery. Antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and compared between the normal vaginal delivery and elective ceasarean sections. The mean values for GPx in umbilical cord arterial blood (95; 86-103, n=74) was found to be significantly higher (P=0.0133) than that found in umbilical cord venous blood (84; 80-88, n=95). The arterial SOD values were found to be significantly higher (P=0.0337) in infants who had been delivered by caesarean section (1188; 1065-1311, n=22) than by vaginal delivery (1021;958-1083, n=39). The differences in the levels of GPX between the arterial and venous systems is not well documented but may be due to differences in the level of selenium, hydroperoxides or glutathione. In addition, why infants delivered by ceasarian section have a higher level of arterial SOD than those delivered by vaginal delivery remains unclear, but it may be a reflection of a relatively low level in infants subjected to the stress of labour.     

A Qualitative Study of Women's Feelings About Future Childbirth: Dread and Delight

Introduction: There is extensive knowledge about expectations of and thoughts about childbirth among women who have not given birth. When it comes to women who have given birth to at least 1 child, on the other hand, knowledge about their expectations for a future birth is limited. The purpose of this study is thus to describe the emotions of this group concerning future childbirth. Methods: Participants were 908 women in Sweden who had given birth to at least 1 child. This study is based on responses to the following request in the questionnaire sent out to women 4 to 7 years after they had given birth vaginally: “Please describe your feelings when you think about giving birth in the future.” Results: One‐third of the women responded that they were mostly frightened of future childbirth, while the remaining two‐thirds had mostly positive feelings. The qualitative analysis resulted in 3 categories and 8 subcategories and an overall theme: a mixture of dread and delight. Even with negative feelings/fears about future childbirth, many women want to give birth to more children. Discussion: Despite experiences of severe pain or complications during a previous birth, many women nonetheless looked forward to future childbirth, primarily since they were motivated by having another child and encouraged by having been given good support by the midwife.