VBAC: Is It Safe for Your Patients?
Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is being increasingly considered as an alternative to elective repeat section, in order to help reduce overall caesarean rates and achieve improved perinatal outcomes. This review examines the evidence for the safety of VBAC compared to the traditional practice of "Once a caesarean, always a caesarean." It appears that the incidence of uterine rupture is much lower than previously thought (less than 1%), and that the rates of overall fetal and maternal mortality improve with the use of VBAC. A number of associated treatments such as epidural anesthesia and oxytocin use are also examined.
A J
AJ
Reid
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983 Jun 1;146(3):255-63
6859134
Lancet. 1972 Oct 7;2(7780):768-9
4116186
Obstet Gynecol. 1978 Jul;52(1):50-2
683630
J Reprod Med. 1984 Jan;29(1):12-6
6708013
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Jan 15;139(2):123-9
7457528
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1979 Nov 1;135(5):555-61
500774
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1985 Mar 1;151(5):564-9
3976755
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1968 May 1;101(1):133-6
5645630
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1985 Feb 1;151(3):297-304
3970097
Br Med J. 1972 Jun 24;2(5816):740-2
5036881
J Reprod Med. 1984 Jan;29(1):26-30
6708016
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1963 Jan 15;85:241-9
14012083
J Reprod Med. 1984 Jan;29(1):3-8
6708017
J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1969 Feb;76(2):137-43
5765805
Obstet Gynecol. 1964 Jun;23:898-905
14170210
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1961 Mar;81:501-10
13741925
Obstet Gynecol Annu. 1984;13:71-82
6371620
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984 Mar 15;148(6):759-63
6702945
Clin Perinatol. 1981 Feb;8(1):131-43
7237886
Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1980 Jun;23(2):507-15
7398161
J Reprod Med. 1983 Nov;28(11):770-2
6655634
Obstet Gynecol. 1982 Feb;59(2):135-48
7078857
Obstet Gynecol. 1973 Oct;42(4):589-95
4742663
Obstet Gynecol. 1982 Jan;59(1):6-12
7078850
JAMA. 1983 Jun 3;249(21):2935-7
6842808
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1984 May 1;149(1):35-45
6720772
J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1971 Mar;78(3):203-14
5558837