Vaginal birth after caesarean birth in Italy: variations among areas of residence and hospitals.
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ABSTRACT: The rates of caesarean section (CS) are increasing globally. CS rates are one of the most frequently used indicators of health care quality. Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) could be considered a reasonable and safe option for most women with a previous CS. Despite this fact, in some European countries, many women who had a previous CS will have a routine CS subsequently and VBAC rates are extremely variable across countries. VBAC use is inversely related to caesarean use. The objective of the present study was to analyze VBAC rates with respect to caesarean rates and the variations among areas of residence, hospitals and hospital ownership types in Italy.This study was based on information from the Hospital Information System (HIS). We collected data from all deliveries in Italy from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 and we considered only deliveries with a previous caesarean section. Applying multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted proportions of VBAC for each Local Health Units (LHU), each hospital and by hospital ownership types were calculated. Cross-classified logistic multilevel models were performed to analyze within geographic, hospitals and hospital ownership types variations.We studied a total of 77,850 deliveries with a previous caesarean section in Italy between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014. The proportion of VBAC in Italy slightly increased in the last few years, from 5.8% in 2010 to 7.5% in 2014. Proportions of VBAC ranged from 0.29 to 50.05% in Italian LHUs. The LHUs with lower proportions of VBAC deliveries were characterized by higher values for primary caesarean deliveries. Private hospitals showed the lowest mean of crude VBAC proportions but the highest variation among hospitals, ranging from 0 to 47.1%.Hospital rates of caesarean section for women with at least one previous caesarean section vary widely, and only some of the variation can be explained by case-mix and hospital-level factors, suggesting that additional factors influence practices. Identifying disparities in VBAC may have important implications for health services planning and targeted efforts to reduce overall rates of caesarean deliveries.
Project description:Medical practitioners are concerned with the selection of delivery mode after caesarean delivery. Several researchers have developed numerous models for predicting vaginal birth after caesarean delivery. This study selected seven widely used and representative advanced models, such as those of Grobman, Troyer and Parisi, Schoorel, Flamm, Gonen, Weinstain and Smith et al., analysed the constitutions and clinical applications of the models and identified the factors associated with patients to provide midwives a scientific reference for vaginal delivery evaluation of pregnant women after caesarean delivery.
Project description:BackgroundThe OptiBIRTH study incorporates a multicentre cluster randomised trial in 15 hospital sites across three European countries. The trial was designed to test a complex intervention aimed at improving vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) rates through increasing women's involvement in their care. Prior to developing a robust standardised model to conduct the health economic analysis, an analysis of a hypothetical cohort was performed to estimate the costs and health effects of VBAC compared to elective repeat caesarean delivery (ERCD) for low-risk women in four European countries.MethodsA decision-analytic model was developed to estimate the costs and the health effects, measured using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), of VBAC compared with ERCD. A cost-effectiveness analysis for the period from confirmation of pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum was performed for short-term consequences and during lifetime for long-term consequences, based on a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 pregnant women in each of four different countries; Belgium, Germany, Ireland and Italy. A societal perspective was adopted. Where possible, transition probabilities, costs and health effects were adapted from national data obtained from the respective countries. Country-specific thresholds were used to determine the cost-effectiveness of VBAC compared to ERCD. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the uncertainty of model assumptions.ResultsWithin a 6-week time horizon, VBAC resulted in a reduction in costs, ranging from €3,334,052 (Germany) to €66,162,379 (Ireland), and gains in QALYs ranging from 6399 (Italy) to 7561 (Germany) per 100,000 women birthing in each country. Compared to ERCD, VBAC is the dominant strategy in all four countries. Applying a lifetime horizon, VBAC is dominant compared to ERCD in all countries except for Germany (probabilistic analysis, ICER: €8609/QALY). In conclusion, compared to ERCD, VBAC remains cost-effective when using a lifetime time.ConclusionsIn all four countries, VBAC was cost-effective compared to ERCD for low-risk women. This is important for health service managers, economists and policy makers concerned with maximising health benefits within limited and constrained resources.
Project description:BACKGROUND: Uncertainty exists about benefits and harms of a planned vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) compared with elective repeat caesarean (ERC). We conducted a prospective restricted cohort study consisting of a patient preference cohort study, and a small nested randomised trial to compare benefits and risks of a planned ERC with planned VBAC. METHODS AND FINDINGS: 2,345 women with one prior caesarean, eligible for VBAC at term, were recruited from 14 Australian maternity hospitals. Women were assigned by patient preference (n = 2,323) or randomisation (n = 22) to planned VBAC (1,225 patient preference, 12 randomised) or planned ERC (1,098 patient preference, ten randomised). The primary outcome was risk of fetal death or death of liveborn infant before discharge or serious infant outcome. Data were analysed for the 2,345 women (100%) and infants enrolled. The risk of fetal death or liveborn infant death prior to discharge or serious infant outcome was significantly lower for infants born in the planned ERC group compared with infants in the planned VBAC group (0.9% versus 2.4%; relative risk [RR] 0.39; 95% CI 0.19-0.80; number needed to treat to benefit 66; 95% CI 40-200). Fewer women in the planned ERC group compared with women in the planned VBAC had a major haemorrhage (blood loss ? 1,500 ml and/or blood transfusion), (0.8% [9/1,108] versus 2.3% [29/1,237]; RR 0.37; 95% CI 0.17-0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Among women with one prior caesarean, planned ERC compared with planned VBAC was associated with a lower risk of fetal and infant death or serious infant outcome. The risk of major maternal haemorrhage was reduced with no increase in maternal or perinatal complications to time of hospital discharge. Women, clinicians, and policy makers can use this information to develop health advice and make decisions about care for women who have had a previous caesarean. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN53974531
Project description:ObjectivesTo develop a nomogram to predict the likelihood of vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) among women after a previous caesarean section (CS).DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingTwo secondary hospitals in Guangdong Province, China.ParticipantsInclusion criteria were as follows: pregnant women with singleton fetus, age ≥18 years, had a history of previous CS and scheduled for trial of labour after caesarean delivery (TOLAC). Patients with any of the following were excluded from the study: preterm labour (gestational age <37 weeks), two or more CSs, contradictions for vaginal birth, history of other uterine incision such as myomectomy, and incomplete medical records.Primary outcome measureThe primary outcome was VBAC, which was retrospectively abstracted from computerised medical records by clinical staff.ResultsOf the women who planned for TOLAC, 84.0% (1686/2006) had VBAC. Gestational age, history of vaginal delivery, estimated birth weight, body mass index, spontaneous onset of labour, cervix Bishop score and rupture of membranes were independently associated with VBAC. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the prediction model was 0.77 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.81) in the training cohort. The validation set showed good discrimination with an AUC of 0.70 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.79).ConclusionsTOLAC may be a potential strategy for decreasing the CS rate in China. The validated nomogram to predict success of VBAC could be a potential tool for VBAC counselling.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Despite evidence supporting the safety of vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC), rates are low in many countries. METHODS:OptiBIRTH investigated the effects of a woman-centred intervention designed to increase VBAC rates through an unblinded cluster randomised trial in 15 maternity units with VBAC rates <?35% in Germany, Ireland and Italy. Sites were matched in pairs or triplets based on annual birth numbers and VBAC rate, and randomised, 1:1 or 2:1, intervention versus control, following trial registration. The intervention involved evidence-based education of clinicians and women with one previous caesarean section (CS), appointment of opinion leaders, audit/peer review, and joint discussions by women and clinicians. Control sites provided usual care. Primary outcome was annual hospital-level VBAC rates before the trial (2012) versus final year of the trial (2016). Between April 2014 and October 2015, 2002 women were recruited (intervention 1195, control 807), with mode-of-birth data available for 1940 women. RESULTS:The OptiBIRTH intervention was feasible and safe across hospital settings in three countries. There was no statistically significant difference in the change in the proportion of women having a VBAC between intervention sites (25.6% in 2012 to 25.1% in 2016) and control sites (18.3 to 22.3%) (odds ratio adjusted for differences between intervention and control groups (2012) and for homogeneity in VBAC rates at sites in the countries: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.67, 1.14, p =?0.32 based on 5674 women (2012) and 5284 (2016) with outcome data. Among recruited women with birth data, 4/1147 perinatal deaths >?24?weeks gestation occurred in the intervention group (0.34%) and 4/782 in the control group (0.51%), and two uterine ruptures (one per group), a rate of 1:1000. CONCLUSIONS:Changing clinical practice takes time. As elective repeat CS is the most common reason for CS in multiparous women, interventions that are feasible and safe and that have been shown to lead to decreasing repeat CS, should be promoted. Continued research to refine the best way of promoting VBAC is essential. This may best be done using an implementation science approach that can modify evidence-based interventions in response to changing clinical circumstances. TRIAL REGISTRATION:The OptiBIRTH trial was registered on 3/4/2013. Trial registration number ISRCTN10612254.
Project description:BackgroundVaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is a safe mode of birth for most women but internationally VBAC rates remain low. In Australia women planning a VBAC may experience different models of care including continuity of care (CoC). There are a limited number of studies exploring the impact and influence of CoC on women's experiences of planning a VBAC. Continuity of care (CoC) with a midwife has been found to increase spontaneous vaginal birth and decrease some interventions. Women planning a VBAC prefer and benefit from CoC with a known care provider. This study aimed to explore the influence, and impact, of continuity of care on women's experiences when planning a VBAC in Australia.MethodsThe Australian VBAC survey was designed and distributed via social media. Outcomes and experiences of women who had planned a VBAC in the past 5?years were compared by model of care. Standard fragmented maternity care was compared to continuity of care with a midwife or doctor.ResultsIn total, 490 women completed the survey and respondents came from every State and Territory in Australia. Women who had CoC with a midwife were more likely to feel in control of their decision making and feel their health care provider positively supported their decision to have a VBAC. Women who had CoC with a midwife were more likely to have been active in labour, experience water immersion and have an upright birthing position. Women who received fragmented care experienced lower autonomy and lower respect compared to CoC.ConclusionThis study recruited a non-probability based, self-selected, sample of women using social media. Women found having a VBAC less traumatic than their previous caesarean and women planning a VBAC benefited from CoC models, particularly midwifery continuity of care. Women seeking VBAC are often excluded from these models as they are considered to have risk factors. There needs to be a focus on increasing shared belief and confidence in VBAC across professions and an expansion of midwifery led continuity of care models for women seeking a VBAC.
Project description:Aims and objectivesThis research was conducted to explore the effectiveness of employing the healthcare failure mode and effect analysis method in the management of trial of labour after caesarean, with the aims of increasing vaginal birth after caesarean section rate and reducing potential risks that might cause severe complications.BackgroundPreviously high caesarean section rate in China and the "two children" policy leads to the situation where multiparas are faced with the choice of another caesarean or trial of labour after caesarean. Despite evidences showing the benefits of vaginal birth after caesarean, obstetricians and midwives in China tend to be conservative due to limited experience and insufficient clinical routines. Thus, its management needs further optimisation in order to make the practice safe and sound.DesignA prospective quality improvement programme using the healthcare failure mode and effect analysis.MethodsWith the structured methodology of healthcare failure mode and effect analysis, we determined core processes of antepartum and intrapartum management, conducted risk priority numbers and devised remedial protocols for failure modes with high risks. The programme was then implemented as a clinical routine under the agreement of the institutional review board and vaginal birth after caesarean success rates were compared before and after the quality improvement programme, both descriptively and statistically. Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence 2.0 checklist was chosen on reporting the study process.ResultsSeventy failure modes in seven core processes were identified in the management process, with 14 redressed for actions. The 1-year follow-up trial of labour after caesarean and vaginal birth after caesarean rate was increased compared with the previous 3 years, with a vaginal birth after caesarean rate of 86.36%, whereas the incidence of uterine rupture was not compromised.ConclusionsThe application of healthcare failure mode and effect analysis can not only promote trial of labour after caesarean and vaginal birth after caesarean rate, but also maintaining a low risk of uterine rupture.Relevance to clinical practiceThis modified vaginal birth after caesarean management protocol has been shown effective in increasing its successful rate, which can be continued for further comparison of severe complications to the previous practice.
Project description:IntroductionWith the wide adoption of the two-child policy in China since 2016, a large percentage of women with a history of caesarean delivery plan to have a second child. Accordingly, the rate of vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) delivery is increasing. Women attempting repeat VBAC may experience multiple morbidities, which is also one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality. However, it remains to be addressed how we evaluate factors for successful VBAC. This study aims to use a novel approach to identify a set of potential predictive factors for successful VBAC, especially for Chinese women, to be included in prediction models which can be most applicable to pregnant women in China. We plan to assess all potential predictive factors collected through a comprehensive literature review. Then the certainty of the evidence for the identified potential predictive factors will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation process. Finally, a two-round international Delphi survey will be conducted to determine the level of consensus.Methods and analysisThis study will apply a methodology through an evidence-based approach. A long list of potential predictive factors for successful VBAC will be extracted and identified through the following stages: First, an up-to-date systematic review of the published literature will be conducted to extract identified potential predictive factors for successful VBAC. Second, an online Delphi survey will be performed to achieve expert consensus on which factors should be included in future prediction models. The online questionnaires will be developed in the field of patient, maternal and fetal-related factors. A two-round international Delphi survey will be distributed to the expert panel in the field of perinatal medicine using Google Forms. Experts will be asked to score each factor using the 9-point Likert rating scale to establish potential predictive factors for the successful VBAC. The expert panel will determine on whether to include, potentially include or exclude predictive factors, based on a systematic review of clinical evidence and the Delphi method.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Jiaxing Maternity and Children Healthcare Hospital (approval number: 2019-79). The results of this study will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals or conferences in perinatal medicine or obstetrics.
Project description:BackgroundVaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is an alternative to a caesarean section (CS) in the absence of repeat or new indications for primary CS. There is a knowledge gap regarding the trend and successful VBAC in Ethiopia. Therefore this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the trend, pooled prevalence of successful VBAC and its predictors in Ethiopia.MethodsElectronic databases (SCOPUS, CINAHL, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science), Google Scholar and lists of references were used to search works of literature in Ethiopia. Stata version 14 was used for analysis and the odds ratios of the outcome variable were determined using the random effects model. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed by computing values for I2 and p-values. Also, sensitivity analyses and funnel plots were done to assess the stability of pooled values to outliers and publication bias, respectively.ResultsA total of 12 studies with a sample size of 2080 were included in this study. The overall success rate of VBAC was 52% (95% confidence interval 42 to 65). Cervical dilatation ≥4 cm at admission, having a prior successful vaginal delivery and VBAC were the predictors of successful VBAC.ConclusionsMeta-analyses and sensitivity analyses showed the stability of the pooled odds ratios and the funnel plots did not show publication bias. The pooled prevalence of successful VBAC was relatively low compared with existing evidence. However, the rate was increasing over the last 3 decades, which implies it needs more strengthening and focus to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality by CS complications. Promoting VBAC by emphasizing factors favourable for its success during counselling mothers who previously delivered by CS to enhance the prevalence of VBAC.
Project description:ObjectiveTo compare outcomes at 3 months post partum for women randomised to give birth by planned caesarean section (CS) or by planned vaginal birth (VB) in the Twin Birth Study (TBS).DesignWe invited women in the TBS to complete a 3-month follow-up questionnaire.SettingTwo thousand and eight hundred and four women from 25 countries.PopulationTwo thousand and five hundred and seventy women (92% response rate).MethodsWomen randomised between 13 December 2003 and 4 April 2011 in the TBS completed a questionnaire and outcomes were compared using an intention-to-treat approach.Main outcome and measuresBreastfeeding, quality of life, depression, fatigue and urinary incontinence.ResultsWe found no clinically important differences between groups in any outcome. In the planned CS versus planned VB groups, breastfeeding at any time after birth was reported by 84.4% versus 86.4% (P = 0.13); the mean physical and mental Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) quality of life scores were 51.8 versus 51.6 (P = 0.65) and 46.7 versus 46.0 (P = 0.09), respectively; the mean Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue score was 20.3 versus 20.8 (P = 0.14); the frequency of probable depression on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was 14.0% versus 14.8% (P = 0.57); the rate of problematic urinary incontinence was 5.5% versus 6.4% (P = 0.31); and the mean Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 score was 20.5 versus 20.4 (P = 0.99). Partner relationships, including painful intercourse, were similar between the groups.ConclusionFor women with twin pregnancies randomised to planned CS compared with planned VB, outcomes at 3 months post partum did not differ. The mode of birth was not associated with problematic urinary incontinence or urinary incontinence that affected the quality of life. Contrary to previous studies, breastfeeding at 3 months was not increased with planned VB.Tweetable abstractPlanned mode of birth for twins doesn't affect maternal depression, wellbeing, incontinence or breastfeeding.
