An exploration of barriers to access to trial of labor and vaginal birth after cesarean in the United States: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Increasing the number of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) deliveries is one strategy to reduce the cesarean rate in the United States. Despite evidence of its safety, access to trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and VBAC are limited by many clinical and non-clinical factors. We used a scoping review methodology to identify barriers to access of TOLAC and VBAC in the United States and extract potential leverage points from the literature. Content We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL for peer-reviewed, English-language studies published after 1990, focusing on access to TOLAC and/or VBAC in the United States. Themes and potential leverage points were mapped onto the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework. The search yielded 21 peer-reviewed papers. Summary Barriers varied across levels of influence and included factors related to restrictive clinical guidelines, provider reluctance, geographic disparities, and midwifery scopes of practice. While barriers varied in levels of influence, the majority were related to systemic and interpersonal factors. Outlook Barriers to TOLAC and VBAC exist at many levels and are both clinical and non-clinical in nature. The existing body of literature can benefit from more research examining the impact of recent revisions to clinical guidelines related to VBAC as well as additional qualitative studies to more deeply understand the complexity of provider reluctance.