Vaginal birth after caesarean section with less than two years delivery interval

Abstract

Background and objective: A dramatic rise in caesarean deliveries has been occurring over the past three decades. The old myth of “once a caesarean always a caesarean” is no longer acceptable as this increases maternal morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and success of vaginal birth after caesarean section performed before less than two years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil, Iraq from May to October 2012. Ninety two patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included in this study and followed up during their labour. Patients monitored for vaginal bleeding, scar tenderness and tachycardia. Results: Of 92 patients with single lower segment caesarean section that underwent trial of labour; 52 (56.5%) patients had successful trial of labour and 40 (43.5%) had a repeated caesarean section. Factors found to be significantly affecting trial of labour were parity (P = 0.01), inter-delivery interval (P <0.001) and cervical dilatation (P = 0.015). Conclusion: Vaginal birth after caesarean section is a reasonable choice for women with single lower segment caesarean section with good monitoring of mother and baby during labour. Short inter-delivery period does not preclude vaginal delivery in a woman with single lower segment caesarean section providing that there is no contraindication for vaginal delivery.