Are There Differences between Women who Choose Elective Repeat Caesarean Versus Trial of Labour in St. John's, NL?

OBJECTIVES: To compare the demographic and clinical characteristics between women who chose elective repeat Caesarean section (ERCS) versus trial of labour after Caesarean section (TOLAC) in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case control study of women with live singleton gestations delivering at term in St. John's, NL between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2014. Inclusion criteria were women who had a previous single lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS). TOLAC, successful TOLAC, and VBAC rates were calculated. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between women who chose ERCS versus TOLAC. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS: A total of 1579 women were included, of whom 160 (10.1%) chose TOLAC, with 107 resulting in successful VBAC (67% successful TOLAC rate). The overall VBAC rate was 6.8%. Women who chose ERCS compared with those who chose TOLAC were more likely to be obese (aOR 3.20, 95% CI 1.85-5.54, P < 0.001), less likely to have had GA at delivery greater than 40 weeks (aOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.08-0.21, P < 0.001), less likely to have had a previous vaginal delivery (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20-0.80, P < 0.001), and less likely to have had the previous CS for breech presentation (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33-0.80, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: The overall TOLAC and VBAC rates in St. John's are low when compared with reported national rates. The successful TOLAC rate is within the expected range reported in the literature. Differences exist between women who chose ERCS compared with TOLAC.