Trial of labor following cesarean section: a two-year experience.
Elective repeat cesarean section is one of the major factors responsible for the increase in the total cesarean section rate observed since 1970. Beginning in January, 1980, a voluntary program encouraging a trial of labor for patients with a documented previous low-transverse cesarean section and no apparent recurring indication was instituted. Two hundred seven patients were managed with an adequate trial of labor, and 84.5% were delivered vaginally over a 2-year period. There were no deaths associated with a trial of labor, and maternal and fetal morbidity was negligible. This voluntary program resulted in a 27.9% decrease in the repeat cesarean section rate over the 2 years reported. Patient and physician acceptance of such a program was evaluated by follow-up questionnaires. Current recommendations include a mandatory trial of labor in patients with only one previous low-transverse cesarean section and no current indication for cesarean delivery. A more liberal management policy regarding patients with two or more previous low-transverse cesarean sections also seems warranted.
D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D012086:Reoperation