Vaginal birth after one caesarean section in a low resource setting – Obio Cottage Hospital, Port Harcourt

Abstract

Our main objective is to find out the success rate of vaginal delivery after one caesarean section in women who had a non-recurrent indication for caesarean section. We also wanted to document any adverse fetomaternal outcome following this if any in a low resource setting. A total of 134 women with one previous caesarean section at term were studied over a 9 month period. Vaginal delivery was achieved in 75 (64.7%) of those allowed a trial of labour. Elective caesarean section was done in 18 (13.4%). Intrapartum caesarean section was done in 41 (35.3%). There was no maternal mortality and no maternal morbidity of note but perinatal loss of 4 babies. There was no significant correlation between vaginal delivery and birth weight, gestational age or initial indication for the primary caesarean section. In conclusion, trial of labour is safe after one previous caesarean section in well selected patients in a low resource setting facility.

Keywords: Vaginal, birth, caesarean, resource.