Maternal and neonatal morbidity after elective repeat Cesarean delivery versus a trial of labor after previous Cesarean delivery in a community teaching hospital

Abstract

Objective: To compare maternal and fetal outcomes after elective repeat Cesarean section versus a trial of labor in women after one prior uterine scar.

Study design: All women with a previous single low transverse Cesarean section delivered at term with no contraindications to vaginal delivery were retrospectively identified in our database from January 1995 to October 1998. Outcomes were first analyzed by comparing mother-neonate dyads delivered by elective repeat Cesarean section to those undergoing a trial of labor. Secondarily, outcomes of mother-neonatal dyads who achieved a vaginal delivery or failed a trial of labor were compared to those who had elective repeat Cesarean delivery.

Results: Of 1408 deliveries, 749/927 (81%) had a successful vaginal birth after a prior Cesarean delivery. There were no differences in the rates of transfusion, infection, uterine rupture and operative injury when comparing trial of labor versus elective repeat Cesarean delivery. Neonates delivered by elective repeat Cesarean delivery were of earlier gestation and had higher rates of respiratory complications (p < 0.05). Mother-neonatal dyads with a failed trial of labor sustained the greatest risk of complications.

Conclusion: Overall, neonatal and maternal outcomes compared favorably among women undergoing a trial of labor versus elective repeat Cesarean delivery. The majority of morbidity was associated with a failed trial of labor. Better selection of women likely to have a successful vaginal birth after a prior Cesarean delivery would be expected to decrease the risks of trial of labor.