VBAC program in a nurse-midwifery service. Five years of experience.
Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is well documented by research studies to be safe and, in many cases, better for women with a previous cesarean birth than a repeat cesarean. The article describes one nurse-midwifery service's policies and procedures for helping women to prepare for and have a trial of labor. During the intrapartal period women with a uterine scar are managed similar to those without a scar except for closer monitoring, lab studies, and intravenous heparin lock. An obstetrician is always in the hospital and available for consultation. Of 53 women attempting VBAC, 83% had a vaginal birth. Those with a previous cesarean for failure to progress had the lowest vaginal birth after cesarean rate of 65%. Maternal and newborn morbidity was low. The authors conclude that nurse-midwifery management of vaginal birth after cesarean candidates is safe and very successful when appropriate physician consultation and hospital services are readily available.
K L
KL
Hangsleben
M A
MA
Taylor
N M
NM
Lynn
D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009721:Nurse Midwives; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014219:Trial of Labor