Maternal morbidity as related to trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery. A quantitative analysis.

Overview

In patients with previous cesarean births, a trial of labor (TOL) appears to be a reasonable alternative to the standard practice of performing a routine repeat cesarean section (C/S). A major benefit of a TOL in these patients is a potential reduction in maternal morbidity. However, current data supporting this assertion have been somewhat incomplete or unconvincing. Thus, we retrospectively evaluated 873 patients with a history of previous C/S who delivered in 1980. A TOL in patients with a prior C/S was found to be safe and was associated with significantly less maternal morbidity than in patients who did not undergo a TOL. Thus, it appears that a TOL may be beneficial from the financial and social points of view.