title: Can a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery be a normal labor and birth? Lessons from midwifery applied to trial of labor after a previous cesarean delivery.
abstract: Women who undergo a trial of labor after a previous cesarean delivery (TOLAC) have special needs prenatally and during the intrapartum period. Counseling about the choice of TOLAC versus an elective repeat cesarean delivery involves complex statistical concepts. Prenatal counseling that is patient centered, individualized, and presented in a way that addresses the health literacy and health numeracy of the recipient encompasses best practices that support patient decision making. Evidence-based practices during labor that support vaginal birth and increase patient satisfaction are of special value for this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA. tking@acnm.org
authors.forename: Tekoa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014219:Trial of Labor; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean