Labour characteristics of women achieving successful vaginal birth after caesarean section in three European countries

Abstract

Objective: Knowledge about labour characteristics of women achieving successful vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) might be used to improve labour and birth management. This study examined sociodemographic and labour process-related factors regarding a) differences between countries, b) the comparison of successful VBAC with unplanned caesarean section, and c) predictors for the success of planned VBAC in three European countries.Design: We analysed observational data collected within the OptiBIRTH trial, a cluster-randomised controlled trial.Setting: Fifteen study sites in Ireland, Italy and Germany, five in each country.Participants: 790 participants going into labour for planned VBAC.Measurements: Descriptive statistics and random-effects logistic regression models were applied.Findings: The pooled successful VBAC-rate was 74.6%. Italy had the highest proportion of women receiving none of the four intrapartum interventions amniotomy (ARM), oxytocin, epidural or opioids (42.5% vs Ireland: 26.8% and Germany: 25.3%, p