Do women in Slovenia prefer vaginal birth after prior caesarean and what hinders its successful outcome? A single institution retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background: To analyze the mode of delivery and the outcome of a trial of labor in women with one prior caesarean birth. Methods: We extracted from the national database our hospital’s information on women with a prior caesarean section from January 2014 to July 2019. They were then divided into groups that either opted for a trial of labor or repeat caesarean section. We further focused on the trial of labor group and divided them in two subgroups of either a vaginal delivery or repeat caesarean section. Results: 796 women with one prior caesarean section were identified and 201 (25.3%) opted for a trial of labor. Successful vaginal delivery was achieved in 84.1% of women that opted for a trial of labor. Women pregnant for the third time or greater delivered vaginally at a higher rate (24.3% vs 10.7%). More women who had labor induced with a Foley catheter ended in caesarean section (8.1% vs 17.9%). There was one uterine rupture without further complications. Failed trial of labor was caused by the lack of persistence (14.3%) and arrest of labor (50.0%). Conclusion: Improved counselling is needed for those women who choose a trial of labor. The rate of successful vaginal delivery following a trail of labor is high, but could be improved with more conservative management during the first stage of labor.

Keywords

• vaginal birth after a cesarean section
• trial of labor
• repeat caesarean delivery
• birth outcomes