title: VBAC: a medicolegal perspective.
abstract: History has always been a series of pendulum swings, and there is perhaps no better example in obstetrics than that of vaginal birth after cesarean. Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates rose steadily in the early 1990s. However, VBAC rates have declined dramatically over recent years, while the cesarean delivery rate has continued to rise unabated. Many physicians and hospitals are no longer offering trial of labor after cesarean, largely because of medicolegal concerns. This article explores the medical and legal risks of trial of labor after cesarean.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. cab90@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.forename: Marilee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clausing
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014219:Trial of Labor; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000209:etiology; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*