Vaginal Birth after Cesarean and Trial of Labor after Cesarean: What should we be Recommending Relative to Maternal Risk: Benefit?

Abstract

Trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) delivery is currently a hot obstetrical topic owing to the acute rise in the rate of cesarean deliveries, both primary and repeat. When the physician and patient are considering TOLAC, several factors should be considered: risk of uterine rupture, contraindications, minimizing risk and morbidity, choosing the appropriate candidate and whether or not to induce. Each patient has her own set of individual risk factors that may decrease her chance of successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery or increase her risks with TOLAC. Once all things are considered, the risk: benefit of TOLAC should be weighed up before a decision is reached. Each of these factors is discussed in respect to maternal risk: benefit, with the focus on evidence presented in the current literature.