Outcome of pregnancy in women with previous one cesarean section

Background: Worldwide rise in cesarean section (CS) rate during the last three decades has been the cause of alarm and needs an in-depth study. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of pregnancy in women with previous one cesarean section and maternal and perinatal complications. It also aimed at identifying the factors, which can influence the outcome of trial of labour (TOL).Methods: The prospective study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kamla Nehru hospital for mother and child, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, from June 2013 to May 2014 which included all women undergoing trial for vaginal birth after a previous cesarean who were more than 34 weeks, singleton viable fetus of appropriate size with cephalic presentation with inter delivery interval more than 18 months. Collected data was analysed by Student T-test and Chi-square test was used where required, for statistical analysis using Epi info 7 software. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Out of 152 subjects given trial of labour, 107 (70.39%) subjects had successful VBAC and 45 (29.61%) had repeat emergency cesarean section. The maternal morbidity in emergency cesarean section group and vaginal delivered group was seen in 14 (31%), 8 (7.47%) subjects respectively. No significant perinatal morbidity was observed. VBAC rate was significantly more in women who had prior vaginal deliveries, especially in those with previous VBAC.Conclusions: In carefully selected cases, trial of labour (TOL) after a prior cesarean is safe and often successful. A prior vaginal delivery, particularly, a prior VBAC are associated with a higher rate of successful TOL.