Fetal and Maternal Complications in Vaginal Birth after C-Section: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the outcome of vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) in cases where there had been prior cesarean surgery to decrease the need for a subsequent cesarean procedure and associated complications.

Study design: A cross-sectional study

Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Armed Forces Hospital Alhada Taif Saudi Arabia from January 2020 to December 2020.

Methodology: Following a consecutive and purposive sampling method, the study comprised 50 pregnant women between 37 and 42 weeks of gestational age who had previously undergone one cesarean section. A woman's vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, were recorded hourly during spontaneous or induced labor, along with continuous electronic fetal monitoring via cardiotocography, petrography, and uterine monitoring contractions to identify scar dehiscence sooner by identifying maternal tachycardia in the absence of fever, vaginal bleeding, scar tenderness, and changes in the fetal heart rate

Results: Out of the 50 pregnant women 16 had vaginal deliveries (32%), and 34 had emergency cesarean sections (68 percent). Both vaginal and cesarean sections were most common in the 20- 30 year age range. In terms of prenatal care, 13 instances (81.25%) of vaginal deliveries were regular. Fetal survival rates were 14 (87.5 percent) and 33 (97.05 percent) in vaginal & cesarean births, respectively. When comparing the number of maternal problems, the vaginal delivery group had no complications.

Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that effective prenatal care is crucial and that it is linked to a higher rate of vaginal birth in pregnancies with a previous cesarean section. Postpartum bleeding was more common in the vaginal birth group, whereas wound infection was more common in the cesarean delivery group. In previous cesarean deliveries, the trial of labor results is acceptable, effective, and safe for both mother and fetus. Advanced surgical techniques, safe anesthetic, blood transfusion facilities, and modern electronic devices for monitoring the fetus throughout the intrapartum period made this possible.