Impact of Gestational Weight Gain on Trial of Labor after Cesarean Success.

OBJECTIVE: Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including increased risk of cesarean delivery (CD). Data are limited on associations between GWG and outcomes in women undergoing trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). We aimed to investigate whether appropriate GWG impacts TOLAC outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing TOLAC at a single institution from May 2007 to April 2016. Women were divided into three groups based on GWG as compared with the Institute of Medicine recommendations. The primary outcome was successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Secondary outcomes included various perinatal morbidity markers. RESULTS: A total of 614 women underwent TOLAC, of whom 444 (72.3%) had successful VBACs. When grouped by GWG in accordance with the Institute of Medicine guidelines, 149 (24.3%) women had GWG below guidelines, 224 (36.5%) met guidelines, and 241(39.3%) exceeded guidelines. There was no difference in the rate of VBAC success among the three groups. We also found no differences in secondary perinatal morbidity markers. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in TOLAC success rates with excess GWG. Providers should not consider excess GWG a risk factor for failed TOLAC, even in obese patients.

Vaginal birth after cesarean: Does accuracy of predicted success change from prenatal intake to admission?

BACKGROUND: There are 2 prediction nomograms for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. The first is based on variables that are available at the first prenatal visit, and the second includes variables at the time of admission. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of prediction scores that are calculated by the intake and admission prediction nomograms in a modern cohort of racially and ethnically diverse women. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzed the data for women with at least 1 previous cesarean delivery who attempted a trial of labor from 2007-2016 at a tertiary medical center. Participants were stratified into 3 probability-of-success groups: low (<35%), moderate (35-65%), and high (>65%). The primary outcome was the difference between the intake- and admission-predicted success scores in the 3 groups. Secondary outcomes were characteristics that were associated with successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery . RESULTS: Of the 614 women included in the analysis, 444 (72.3%) had a successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery . Predicted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rate ranged from 14.4-96.2%. Patients were stratified into 3 groups by intake predicted success rates: low (<35%; n=21), moderate (35-65%; n=136), and high (>65%; n=457). The change in predicted success rates was compared between the intake and admission nomograms. Women in the low and moderate groups improved their prediction score by approximately 7-8% when variables at the time of admission were included. As a result, more than one-half of these women (172/307; 56%) shifted to a higher predicted success group. The admission nomogram, as compared with the intake nomogram, more accurately predicted vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success in all groups. Analysis of admission variables showed that cervical dilation >2 cm compared with a closed cervix was the strongest predictor of successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (relative risk, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.89). CONCLUSION: The admission prediction nomogram was more accurate and showed higher predicted success compared with the intake nomogram for the same cohort. Because prediction scores may improve at the time of admission, additional counseling on the risks and benefits of trial of labor may be helpful at that time.

Impact of obesity class on trial of labor after cesarean success: does pre-pregnancy or at-delivery obesity status matter?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether pre-pregnancy versus at delivery obesity status impacts TOLAC success rates in a modern cohort. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of women undergoing TOLAC at a single institution from May 2007 to April 2016. Women were divided into four groups (not obese; class I, II, and III obesity) by pre-pregnancy and at delivery weight class. We investigated associations between obesity status at both time points and TOLAC success rates. RESULT: Six hundred and fourteen women underwent TOLAC; 444 (72.3%) had successful VBACs. We found no difference in rate of VBAC success across the four groups, both prior to pregnancy (p = 0.91) and at delivery (p = 0.75). We found no differences in secondary perinatal morbidity outcomes. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in TOLAC success rates stratified by obesity class. Properly counseling patients on TOLACs can lower rates of morbidity in women with high-risk conditions and comorbidities.