Risk factors at caesarean section and failure of subsequent trial of labour.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors at caesarean section (CS), related to failure of a trial of labour (TOL) in subsequent pregnancy.


METHODS
Hospital records (1988-1999) of the index pregnancy were reviewed at caesarean delivery for oxytocine use, indication for caesarean, dilatation of cervix, speed of dilatation, duration of contractions and birth weight. The records of the subsequent pregnancy were reviewed for successful vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), maternal and neonatal outcome. Data were tested for statistical significance with a Mantel-Haenszel equation for odds ratios (OR, with 95% confidence interval (CI)), a Fisher exact test or a Student's 't'-test.


RESULTS
From 214 women with a previous caesarean section, 68.7% underwent a TOL, which was successful in 71.4%. A labour pattern during the index pregnancy characterised by oxytocine use (OR=3.1; 95% CI=1.4-7.1), contractions for more than 12h (OR=3.0; 95% CI=1.3-7.0) and cervical dilatation less than 1cm/h (OR=5.6; 95% CI=1.1-39.4) increased the risk of a failed TOL at subsequent labour significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Women who attempt VBAC may be informed that a labour pattern of their index pregnancy characterised by oxytocine use, contractions for more than 12h and slow dilatation is associated with a reduced chance of success. A partograph obtained during first labour can be a managerial tool for subsequent labour.
Spaans
Wilbert A
WA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Juliana Hospital, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. waspaans@obgyn.net
Sluijs
Myrthe B
MB
van Roosmalen
Jos
J
Bleker
Otto P
OP
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014219:Trial of Labor; D014590:Uterine Contraction; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean
D010121:Oxytocin