Preferred and actual delivery mode after a cesarean in London, UK.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the delivery mode preferred by pregnant women with 1 previous cesarean delivery and to investigate the relationship between preferred and actual mode of delivery.


METHODS
We reviewed the records of 215 women who were delivered in a London hospital with a history of 1 cesarean delivery. Women who planned an elective repeat cesarean section (ERCS) were compared with those who planned a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).


RESULTS
Although 55.3% chose VBAC overall, only 37.8% of those who chose it were delivered by it, whereas 94.8% of those who chose ERCS were delivered by ERCS. Nonwhite women were more likely to choose VBAC than white women (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-6.1) but less likely to be deliver by it (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.68).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, VBAC was the method of delivery preferred by most women. Nonwhite women were more likely to choose VBAC over ERCS but less likely to be delivered by VBAC.
Selo-Ojeme
Dan
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Directorate, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, Chase Farm Hospital, London, UK. Dseloojeme@aol.com
Abulhassan
Nashwa
N
Mandal
Ramna
R
Tirlapur
Seema
S
Selo-Ojeme
Uati
U
D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D017604:Cesarean Section, Repeat / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014900:West Indies / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data