Guidelines for Vaginal Birth after Previous Caesarean Birth

No. 382-Trial of Labour After Caesarean

OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence-based guidelines for the provision of a trial of labour after Caesarean section.

OUTCOMES

Fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality associated with vaginal birth after Caesarean and repeat Caesarean section.

EVIDENCE

MEDLINE database was searched for articles published from January 1, 1995, to October 31, 2017 using the key words "vaginal birth after Caesarean (Cesarean) section." The quality of evidence is described using the Evaluation of Evidence criteria outlined in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Exam.

VALIDATION

These guidelines were approved by the Clinical Practice Obstetrics Committee and the Board of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

RECOMMENDATIONS

[Fear of childbirth among nulliparous women: Relations with pain during delivery, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and postpartum depressive symptoms]

OBJECTIVE

Fear of childbirth is common in women who are pregnant with their first child and is associated with important consequences such as abortions and miscarriages. Twenty percent of nulliparous women seem to exhibit a mild or moderate fear, while 6% present an excessive and irrational fear known as tocophobia. Tocophobia is suggested to be associated with many negative consequences such as postpartum depression (PPD) and Post-traumatic stress (PTS). However, there is little empirical evidence to support these relationships. Recently, Fairbrother and Woody (2007) did not observe a link between the fear of childbirth and symptoms of PPD and PTS in nulliparous women. Some results, near the significance level, could be explained by a lack of statistical power. The present study focused on the link between the fear of childbirth and the process of delivery, the perception of pain, PPD and PTS. More specifically, it aimed to test three hypotheses: (i) fear of childbirth will be linked to the process of delivery, especially regarding the perception of pain, the use of anaesthesia and the use of Caesarean section; (ii) a high level of fear of childbirth will be associated with more negative postpartum consequences (namely PPD/PTS symptoms); (iii) the process of delivery and pain will also be related to post-delivery symptoms. Mediation effects were tested.

METHOD

Data from a longitudinal study were used to meet the hypotheses. A total of 176 nulliparous pregnant women responded to questionnaires at two time measurements (during pregnancy and at 5weeks postpartum).

RESULTS

Fear of childbirth is related to the perception of pain at birth among women delivering vaginally, in the absence of anaesthesia. It is also linked to symptoms of PPD and PTS, regardless of whether or not anaesthesia was used. Fear of childbirth also appears to be strongly associated to symptoms of PTS in women who have experienced an unplanned caesarean section. Thus, symptoms of postpartum PTS could play a mediating role in the link between fear of childbirth and PPD.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the relevance of taking into account the fear of childbirth and perception of pain in connection with symptoms of PTS and PPD in nulliparous women. The unplanned caesarean section (including emergency caesarean) also appears to be important in the study of the relationship between fear and symptoms of PTS. Fear of childbirth could render the experience of childbearing more negative and predispose to PTS and PPD. Enabling psychological vulnerabilities could also be an interesting avenue for understanding these links. Limitations are discussed.

[Benefits and harms to the newborn of maternal attempt at trial of labor after prior caesarean versus elective repeat caesarean delivery]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate neonatal outcome after elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD) versus trial of labor (TOL) after previous cesarean delivery.

METHODS

This systematic evidence review is based on Pubmed search, Cochrane library and experts recommendations.

RESULTS

The risks of fetal, perinatal and neonatal mortality are low after previous cesarean delivery but significantly higher for TOL as compared with ERCD. The risk of bag-and-mask ventilation and intubation for meconium-stained amniotic fluid are higher for TOL as compared with ERCD. Infants born after ERCD are more likely presented transient tachypnea. The risk of hypoxic encephalopathy/asphyxia is low after previous cesarean delivery but significantly higher for TOL as compared with ERCD. The risk of neonatal sepsis after previous cesarean delivery is significantly higher for TOL as compared with ERCD. There is no significant difference between TOL or ERCD regarding NICU admission. The strength of evidence is low to conclude about the impact of route of delivery upon birth trauma and Apgar score.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of the main neonatal complications is low whatever the route of delivery after previous caesarean delivery. However, the risk of perinatal mortality, bag-and-mask ventilation, perinatal asphyxia, is higher after TOL compared with ERCD. The risk of transient tachypnea is higher after ERCD compared with TOL.

A Description of the Management and Outcomes of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Birth in the Homebirth Setting

Our objective was to describe the outcomes of intended home birth among 57 women with a previous cesarean birth. Data were drawn from a larger prospective study of intended homebirth in nurse-midwifery practice. Available data included demographics, perinatal risk information, and outcomes of prenatal, intrapartum, postpartum, and neonatal care. The hospital course was reviewed for those transferred to the hospital setting. Fifty-three of 57 women (93%) had a spontaneous vaginal birth, 1 had a vacuum-assisted birth, and 3 (5.3%) had a repeat cesarean birth. Thirty-one of 32 (97%) women who had a previous vaginal birth after cesarean birth (VBAC) had a successful VBAC; 22 of 25 (88%) women without a history of VBAC successfully delivered vaginally. Fifty (87.7%) of these women delivered in the home setting, whereas 7 (12.3%) delivered in the hospital setting. None of the women experienced uterine rupture or dehiscence. One infant was stillborn. This event was attributed to a postdates pregnancy with meconium. Certified nurse-midwives with homebirth practices must be knowledgeable about the risks for mother and baby, screen clientele appropriately, and be able to counsel patients with regard to potential adverse outcomes. Given what is presently known, VBAC is not recommended in the homebirth setting. It is imperative in the light of current evidence and practice climate to advocate for the availability of certified nurse-midwife services and woman-centered care in the hospital setting.

Developing criteria for cesarean section using the RAND appropriateness method

Background

Cesarean section rates are increasing worldwide, and a rapid increase has been observed in Iran. Disagreement exists between clinicians about when to use cesarean section. We aimed to identify the appropriateness criteria for the use of cesarean section in Iran.

Method

A consensus development study using a modified version of the RAND Appropriateness Method (RAM). We generated scenarios from valid clinical guidelines and expert opinions. A panel of experts participated in consensus development: first round via mail (12 members), second round face-to-face (9 members). We followed the RAM recommendations for the development of the scenario lists, rating scales, and statistical analyses.

Results

294 scenarios relevant to cesarean section were identified. 191 scenarios were considered appropriate, of which 125 scenarios were agreed upon. The panel found cesarean inappropriate for 21% of scenarios, and 'equivocal' for 14% of scenarios.

Conclusion

RAM is useful for identifying stakeholder views in settings with limited resources. The participants' views on appropriateness of certain indications differed with available evidence. A large number of scenarios without agreement may partly explain why it has been difficult to curb the growth in cesarean section rate.

A prospective observational study of emergency caesarean section rates and the effect of the labour ward experience

The National Sentinel Audit found that one in five births in England and Wales was by caesarean section. The reasons for the increase in caesarean section rates are multi-factorial. Anecdotally, it is suggested that obstetric intervention rates and caesarean section rates vary among obstetricians without a difference in fetal and maternal outcomes. The aim of this prospective observational study of 817 deliveries was to assess the effect of experience on the caesarean section rates for different obstetricians. Obstetricians with greater than 3 years of 2nd on-call labour ward experience had a statistically significant lower caesarean rate than less experienced obstetricians 10.25% vs 25.49%, respectively (p < 0.05). Differences in instrument deliveries was also studied.

Uterine dehiscence in term pregnant patients with one previous cesarean delivery: growth factor immunoexpression and collagen content in the scarred lower uterine segment

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between the occurrence of uterine dehiscence in term pregnant scarred uteri and the presence of altered biochemical behavior of the scarring process.

STUDY DESIGN

Collagen content and the expression of transforming growth factor-beta and its isoforms transforming growth factor-beta1 and transforming growth factor-beta3, connective tissue growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in myometrium of lower uterine segment were assessed in 19 otherwise healthy term patients with one previous cesarean delivery who were not in labor. We were searching for differences between patients who showed uterine dehiscence (9 cases) and patients who showed a normal-appearing scarred lower uterine segment (10 cases). We also evaluated all these features in lower uterine segment from unscarred uteri of 10 otherwise healthy patients who were not in labor.

RESULTS

In the case of uterine dehiscence, the scarred lower uterine segment showed a higher collagen content, a reduction of pan transforming growth factor-beta expression because of a marked decrease or absence of transforming growth factor-beta3, a reduction of connective tissue growth factor, an increase in basic fibroblast growth factor and a slight enhancement in vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression.

CONCLUSION

These findings contribute to meliorate our knowledge about uterine scar healing and allow us to hypothesize that uterine dehiscence of a scarred uterus may be related to altered biochemical behavior of the scarring process.

Sonographic evaluation of the lower uterine segment in patients with previous cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the appearance of the lower uterine segment (LUS) in pregnant women with previous cesarean delivery and to compare the LUS thickness with that in women with unscarred uteri.

METHODS

In a prospective study, sonographic examination was performed on 53 pregnant women with previous cesarean delivery (cesarean group), 40 nulliparas (nullip-control), and 40 women who had 1 or more childbirths with unscarred uteri (multip-control) between 36 and 38 weeks' gestation to assess the appearance and compare the thickness of the LUS. In the cesarean group, the sonographic findings were correlated with the delivery outcome and the intraoperative LUS appearance.

RESULTS

In the cesarean group, 44 patients (83.0%) had a normal-appearing LUS indistinguishable from that of control groups; 2 patients (3.8%) had an LUS defect suggestive of dehiscence; and 7 patients (13.2%) had thickened areas of increased echogenicity with or without myometrial thinning. Although the cesarean group had a thinner LUS (1.9 +/- 1.4 mm) when compared with both the nullip-control group (2.3 +/- 1.1 mm; P > .05) and the multip-control group (3.4 +/- 2.2 mm; P < .001), only the latter difference achieved statistical significance. One of the 2 patients who had a sonographically suspected LUS defect had confirmed uterine dehiscence during surgery. An intraoperatively diagnosed paper-thin LUS, when compared with an LUS of normal thickness, had significantly smaller sonographic LUS measurements (1.1 +/- 0.6 versus 2.0 +/- 0.8 mm, respectively; P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

Prior cesarean delivery is associated with a sonographically thinner LUS when compared with those with prior vaginal delivery. Prenatal sonographic examination is potentially capable of diagnosing a uterine defect and determining the degree of LUS thinning in patients with previous cesarean delivery.