Preferences of pregnant individuals to undergo labor after one cesarean in southern China

BACKGROUND

Labor after cesarean (LAC) remains an optional delivery method among healthy pregnant individuals. Exploring women's attitudes, preferences, reasons for previous cesarean delivery, and the incentives underlying pregnant individuals' preferences could help us understand their choice of delivery mode. In this study we evaluated the preferences and attitudes of eligible pregnant women regarding participation in a LAC in Foshan, China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 438 pregnant individuals with one prior cesarean delivery (CD) who attended their antenatal examination at a tertiary hospital in southern China, between November 1, 2018, and October 31, 2019. Information on demographic characteristics, obstetric data, preferences for LAC, and incentives for LAC were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 85.4% (374/438) of women preferred LAC if they did not have contraindications before delivery, whereas 12.3% (54/438) refused and 2.3% (10/438) were unsure. Participants reported that the most important factors affecting their willingness to undergo LAC were safety indicators (i.e., "ability of hospitals to perform emergency cesarean delivery" [score of 9.28 ± 1.86]), followed by accessibility indicators (i.e., "priority bed arrangements" [score of 9.17 ± 1.84]). Logistic regression analysis indicated that neonatal wellbeing with the prior CD was an independent influencing factor (OR = 2.235 [95%CI: 1.115-4.845], p = 0.024) affecting willingness to access LAC in the subsequent pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high preference for LAC among pregnant individuals without contraindications before delivery in southern China. Healthcare providers need to ensure access to LAC and increase pregnant individuals' LAC willingness through high-quality shared decsision-making in alignment with patient preferences.

Predicting obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in patients who undergo vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND

Women with a history of previous cesarean delivery must weigh the numerous potential risks and benefits of elective repeat cesarean delivery or trial of labor after cesarean delivery. Notably, 1 important risk of vaginal delivery is obstetrical anal sphincter injuries. Furthermore, the rate of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries is high among women undergoing vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. However, the risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries is not routinely included in the trial of labor after cesarean delivery counseling, and there is no tool available to risk stratify obstetrical anal sphincter injuries among women undergoing vaginal birth after cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model to estimate the risk of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in the setting of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery population to improve antenatal counseling of patients regarding risks of trial of labor after cesarean delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a secondary subgroup analysis of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery prospective cohort (1999-2002). We identified women within the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network cohort with 1 previous cesarean delivery followed by a term vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. This Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery cohort was stratified into 2 groups based on the presence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries, and baseline characteristics were compared with bivariate analysis. Significant covariates in bivariate testing were included in a backward stepwise logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors for obstetrical anal sphincter injuries and generate a predictive model for obstetrical anal sphincter injuries in the setting of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Internal validation was performed using bootstrapped bias-corrected estimates of model concordance indices, Brier scores, Hosmer-Lemeshow chi-squared values, and calibration plots. External validation was performed using data from a single-site retrospective cohort of women with a singleton vaginal birth after cesarean delivery from January 2011 to December 2016.

RESULTS

In this study, 10,697 women in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery cohort met the inclusion criteria, and 669 women (6.3%) experienced obstetrical anal sphincter injuries. In the model, factors independently associated with obstetrical anal sphincter injuries included use of forceps (adjusted odds ratio, 5.08; 95% confidence interval, 4.10-6.31) and vacuum assistance (adjusted odds ratio, 2.64; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-3.44), along with increasing maternal age (adjusted odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.07 per year), body mass index (adjusted odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.00 per unit kg/m²), previous vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.23), and tobacco use during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.82). Internal validation demonstrated appropriate discrimination (concordance index, 0.790; 95% confidence interval, 0.771-0.808) and calibration (Brier score, 0.047). External validation used data from 1266 women who delivered at a tertiary healthcare system, with appropriate model discrimination (concordance index, 0.791; 95% confidence interval, 0.735-0.846) and calibration (Brier score, 0.046). The model can be accessed at oasisriskscore.xyz.

CONCLUSION

Our model provided a robust, validated estimate of the probability of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries during vaginal birth after cesarean delivery using known antenatal risk factors and 1 modifiable intrapartum risk factor and can be used to counsel patients regarding risks of trial of labor after cesarean delivery compared with risks of elective repeat cesarean delivery.

Effect of China's Universal Two-child Policy on the Rate of Cesarean Delivery: A Case Study of a Big Childbirth Center in China

China's universal two-child policy was released in October of 2015. How would this new policy influence the rate of overall cesarean delivery (CD) in China? The objective of this paper is to investigate the trend of overall CD rate with the increase of number of multiparous women based on a big childbirth center of China (a tertiary hospital) in 2016. In this study, 22 530 cases from the medical record department of a big childbirth center of China from January 1 to December 31 in 2016 were enrolled as research objects. Electronic health records of these selected objects were retrieved. According to the history of childbirth, the selected cases were divided into primiparous group containing 16 340 cases and multiparous group containing 6190 cases. Chi-square test was carried out to compare the rate of CD, neuraxial labor analgesia, maternity insurance between the two groups; t-test was performed to compare the in-hospital days and gestational age at birth between the two groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship among observed monthly rate of multiparas, overall CD rate, and Elective Repeat Cesarean Delivery (ERCD) rate. The results showed that the CD rate in multiparous group was 55.46%, which was higher than that in primiparous group (34.66%, P<0.05). The rate of neuraxial labor analgesia in multiparas group was 9.29%, which was lower than that in primiparas group (35.94%, P<0.05). However, the rate of maternity insurance was higher in multiparas group (57.00%) than that in primiparas group (41.08%, P<0.05). The hospital cost and in-hospital days in multiparas group were higher, and the gestational age at birth in multiparas group was lower than in primiparas group (P<0.05). The overall CD rate slightly dropped in the first 4 months of the year (P<0.05), then increased from 36.27% (April) to 43.21% (December) (P<0.05). The rate of multiparas women and ERCD had the same trend (P<0.05). There were linear correlations among the rate of overall CD, the rate of multiparas women and the rate of ERCD rate (P<0.05). With the opening of China's two-child policy, the increasing rate of overall CD is directly related with the high rate of ERCD. Trials of Labor After Cesarean Section (TOLAC) in safe mode to reduce overall CD rate are warranted in the future.

Vaginal birth after cesarean section-The world trend and local experience in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

The trend of increasing cesarean section rates had evoked worldwide attention. Many approaches were introduced to diminish cesarean section rates. Vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) is a route of delivery with diverse agreements. In this study, we try to reveal the world trend in VBAC and our experience of a 10-year period in a medical center in northern Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of all women who underwent elective repeat cesarean delivery or trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) following primary cesarean delivery by a general obstetrician-gynecologist in the Tamshui Branch of MacKay Memorial Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan) between 2006 and 2015. We excluded cases of preterm labor, two or more cesarean deliveries, and major maternal diseases. We compared the characteristics and outcomes between these groups.

RESULTS

We included 400 women with subsequent pregnancies who underwent elective repeat cesarean delivery or TOLAC during the study period. Among the study population, 112 women were excluded and 11 underwent repeat VBAC. A total of 204 (73.65%) cases underwent elective repeat cesarean delivery and 73 (26.35%) chose TOLAC. The rate of successful VBAC among the women who chose TOLAC was 84.93%.

CONCLUSION

With respect to maternal and fetal safety, and success rates and adverse effects of VBAC, the results of this study are promising and compatible with the global data. It shows that a trial of VBAC can be offered to pregnant women without contraindications with high success rates.

"In God we trust" and other factors influencing trial of labor versus Repeat cesarean section

PURPOSE

To investigate factors influencing women's decisions to undergo trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) or elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD) based on the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC), religious observance and family planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study of candidates for TOLAC or ERCD at two hospitals in Israel. Eligible women completed a demographic questionnaire and Form C of the MHLC scale.

RESULTS

The study included 197 women. Those who chose TOLAC (N = 101) were more religiously observant, wanted more children and had higher Internal and Chance health locus of control. Women who chose ERCD (N = 96) were more likely to be secular and had a higher health locus of control influenced by Powerful Others, notably physicians. Women not influenced by others were more likely to choose TOLAC.

CONCLUSIONS

A woman's choice of TOLAC or ERCD is influenced by her sense of control over her health, degree of religious observance and number of children desired. Healthcare providers can use this information to better understand, counsel and educate women regarding appropriate delivery decisions. Women who feel in control of their health, educated about delivery options and are less influenced by provider preference, might choose TOLAC; thus, reducing the rate of unnecessary ERCD.

Patient Counseling and Preferences for Elective Repeat Cesarean Delivery

Objective We sought to identify factors influencing a woman's decision to have an elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD) versus vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Methods and Materials A prospective study at two academic medical centers of women with one prior cesarean, and no contraindication to a trial of labor, delivered by ERCD from October 2013 to June 2014. Participants completed anonymous surveys during their delivery hospitalization. Counseling was considered adequate if women reported being counseled, recalled being quoted a VBAC success probability, and this probability was within 20% of that derived from an established VBAC success prediction model. Participants were also asked why they chose ERCD. Results Of 68 participants, only 8 (11.8%) had adequate counseling. Of those with inadequate counseling, 21.7% did not recall being counseled, 63.3% were not quoted a chance of success, and 60.0% had more than a 20% discrepancy between their recalled and predicted success rates. Eighteen women were calculated to have more than 70% chance of successful VBAC. Of these, 16 (88.9%) were not adequately counseled. Conclusion Most women were inadequately counseled about delivery options. The most important factors influencing the choice of ERCD over VBAC were patient preferences, risk for fetal injury, and perceived physician preference.

Counseling women with a previous cesarean birth: toward a shared decision-making partnership

Pregnant women who had a previous cesarean birth must choose whether to have a repeat cesarean or to attempt a vaginal birth. Many of these women are candidates for a trial of labor. Current practice guidelines recommend that women should be thoroughly counseled during prenatal care about the benefits and harms of both a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and an elective repeat cesarean delivery and be offered the opportunity to make an informed decision about mode of birth in collaboration with their provider. The purpose of this article is to improve the process of counseling, decision making, and informed consent by increasing health care providers' knowledge about the essential elements of shared decision making. Factors that affect the decisions to be made and concepts that are critical for effective counseling are explored, including clinical considerations, women's perspectives, decision-making models, health literacy and numeracy, communicating risk, and the use of decision aids. Issues related to birth sites for TOLAC are also discussed, including access, safety, refusal of surgery, and clinical management.

Delivery for women with a previous cesarean: guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF)

The primary cause of uterine scars is a previous cesarean. In women with a previous cesarean, the risks of maternal complications are rare and similar after a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and after an elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD), but the risk of uterine rupture is higher with TOLAC (level of evidence [LE]2). Maternal morbidity in women with previous cesareans is higher when TOLAC fails than when it leads to successful vaginal delivery (LE2). Although maternal morbidity increases progressively with the number of ERCD, maternal morbidity of TOLAC decreases with the number of successful previous TOLAC (LE2). The risk-benefit ratio considering the risks of short- and long-term maternal complications is favorable to TOLAC in most cases (LE3). Globally, neonatal complications are rare regardless of the mode of delivery for women with previous cesareans. The risks of fetal, perinatal, and neonatal mortality during TOLAC are low. Nonetheless, these risks are significantly higher than those associated with ERCD (LE2). The risks of mask ventilation, intubation for meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and neonatal sepsis all increase in TOLAC (LE2). The risk of transient respiratory distress increases in ERCD (LE2). To reduce this risk, and except in particular situations, ERCD must not be performed before 39 weeks (grade B). TOLAC is possible for women with a previous cesarean before 37 weeks, with 2 previous cesareans, with a uterine malformation, a low vertical incision or an unknown incision, with a myomectomy, postpartum fever, an interval of less than 6 months between the last cesarean delivery and the conception of the following pregnancy, if the obstetric conditions are favorable (professional consensus). ERCD is recommended in women with a scar in the uterine body (grade B) and a history of 3 or more cesareans (professional consensus). Ultrasound assessment of the risk of uterine rupture in women with uterine scars has not been shown to have any clinical utility and is therefore not recommended during pregnancy to help decide the mode of delivery (professional consensus). Use of X-ray pelvimetry to decide about TOLAC is associated with an increase in the repeat cesarean rate without any reduction in the rate of uterine rupture (LE2). It is unnecessary for deciding mode of delivery and for managing labor during TOLAC (grade C). TOLAC should be encouraged for women with a previous vaginal delivery either before or after the cesarean, a favorable Bishop score or spontaneous labor, and for preterm births (grade C). For women with a fetus with an estimated weight of more than 4500 g, especially in the absence of a previous vaginal delivery and those with supermorbid obesity (BMI>50), ERCD must be planned from the outset (grade C). For all of the other clinical situations envisioned (maternal age>35 years, diabetes, morbid obesity, prolonged pregnancy, breech presentation and twin pregnancy), TOLAC is possible but the available data do not allow specific guidelines about the choice of mode of delivery, in view of the low levels of proof (grade C). The decision about planned mode of delivery must be shared by the patient and her physician and made by the 8th month, taking into account the individual risk factors for TOLAC failure and uterine rupture (professional consensus). TOLAC is the preferred choice for women who do not have several risk factors (professional consensus). The availability onsite of an obstetrician and anesthetist must be pointed out to the patient. If the woman continues to prefer a repeat cesarean after adequate information and time to think about it, her preference should be honored (professional consensus). Labor should be induced in woman with a previous cesarean only for medical indications (professional consensus). Induction of labor increases the risk of uterine rupture, which can be estimated at 1% if oxytocin is used and 2% with vaginal prostaglandins (LE2). Mechanical methods of induction have not been studied sufficiently. Misoprostol appears to increase the risk of uterine rupture strongly (LE4). Based on the information now available, its use is not recommended (professional consensus). Routine use of internal tocodynamometry does not prevent uterine rupture (professional consensus). The increased risk of uterine rupture associated with oxytocin use is dose-dependent (LE3). In the active phase, it is recommended that the total duration of failure to progress should not exceed 3h; at that point, a cesarean should be performed (professional consensus). Epidural analgesia must be encouraged. The simple existence of a uterine scar is not an indication for a routine manual uterine examination after VBAC (grade C).