Effect of Short Inter-Pregnancy Interval on the Outcome of Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Section

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of short inter-pregnancy interval on the outcome of vaginal birth after cesarean section.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Oct 2021.

Methodology: A total of 400 pregnant females were selected for this study. For every consecutive pregnant woman with a previous cesarean section and short inter-pregnancy interval (<18 months) recruited into the study, a suitable control with inter-pregnancy interval ≥18 months were recruited.

Results: Only 107(53.5 %) females with short interpregnancy interval had a successful vaginal birth after cesarean section, whereas 143(71.5 %) females with >18 months’ inter-pregnancy interval had a successful VBAC. In patients with a history of vaginal delivery, the success of vaginal birth after the cesarean section was significantly higher than in those without previous vaginal delivery or VBAC (p=0.005). 231 out of 250(92.4%) pregnant females with spontaneous onset of labour had a successful VBAC compared to those who had induction of labour, 19(7.6%) (p=0.005). Patients who needed augmentation during delivery had a higher rate of undergoing a cesarean section than VBAC (p=0.003). However, no significant difference was observed in the spontaneous onset of labour and the need for induction and augmentation of labour for the inter-pregnancy interval.

Conclusion: Our study concluded that with increasing inter-pregnancy interval, the chances of a successful VBAC increase (p=0.001) with fewer reported complications.