VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CAESAREAN SECTION (VBAC): A 5-YEAR REVIEW

*Constance E. Shehu, Aliyu M. Chapa, Marcus N. Mbakwe and Abubakar A. Panti

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Vaginal birth after caesarean delivery (VBAC) has long been proposed as a viable measure to reduce overall caesarean delivery rates in both developed and developing countries. This study was carried out to determine the success rate, predictive factors, and the outcome of the practice of VBAC at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria. Methodology: It was a retrospective descriptive study of all patients who underwent a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section (VBAC) over a five-year period from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2016. The data were collated and analysed using statistical software package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: There were 15,452 deliveries during the study period, of which 2,363 were caesarean sections thereby giving a caesarean section rate of 15.3%. There was successful VBAC in 105(66.9%) and failed VBAC in 52(33.1%). There was no maternal death. The most common complication was retained placenta. The perinatal mortality rate was 19.1 per 1000 birth. Cervical dilatation of more than 4cm at presentation, weight of the babies at birth, admission into Special Care Baby Unit and presence of maternal morbidities after birth were significantly associated with the outcome of VBAC. p≤ 0.01. Conclusion: VBAC has become an acceptable and safe management option in most patients with one previous Caesarean section and no recurring indication for operative delivery. Whenever possible, women should be availed of this safe and relatively less expensive option.

Keywords: Vaginal Birth After Caesarean; maternal death; uterine rupture; perinatal mortality.