Abstract
Author(s): Dina Yahia Mansour, Heba Alla S. Ashoush and Marwa S. Snosi*
Background: Caesarean section rate has increased markedly worldwide; it reached 72% in some Arab countries as Egypt, in 2021; according to the last governmental statistics, the most common indication is previous CS. Trial of labor after cesarean section is one of the most important strategies to decrease this rise.
Objective: The study aimed to determine the rate of VBAC in a private hospital in UAE and any associated maternal or fetal complications.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among all patients admitted to the labor room between 2015 and 2019 for vaginal delivery after one CS, which was uncomplicated. Data were collected from patients’ files, and finally, 672 files were analyzed.
Results: Out of 672 patients, 208 had successful VBAC, which represents 31.0%. Most patients with successful VBACs were in the 25-29 age group (71.28%) with cervical dilatation >4cm and lower head station. Regarding causes of failure, (49.8%) were due to fetal distress, scar tenderness (30%), failure of progress (9.9%), maternal request (5.4%), and the least cause was vaginal bleeding 5.0%. The most prevalent maternal complications recorded were hemodynamic instability (3.4%) in the failed group, and the most prevalent neonatal complications were respiratory distress syndrome (9.1%) in both groups. with one case of neonatal death in each group.
Conclusion: VBAC is a safe procedure, which should be encouraged to decrease the alarming rise in cesarean section rates and its subsequent complications.