Sarcouncil Journal of Medicine and Surgery

Abstract: There is an increased Cesarean section (CS) rate all over the world, which has formed a higher population of women who have undergone CS in the past. The outcome of pregnancies in this group would be vital to clinicians who may choose a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or a repeat CS. The present study is a review of maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with a history of CS, with the focus on delivery modes, complications, and neonatal mortality. It was a retrospective cohort study with health records of women who had prior CS delivered at Diyala, Iraq, hospitals between June 2022 and June 2023. The outcomes of the analysis were delivery mode (VBAC vs. repeat CS), maternal complications, and neonatal complications, placental pathology, and perinatal mortality. A data of clinical information on 130 patients was made. Fifty-eight percent had a repeat CS, and 42 percent tried VBAC with a 72 percent success rate. Repeat CS had a greater number of maternal complications than VBAC (15 vs. 8 per cent), particularly surgical site infections. There was no difference in neonatal outcomes, although infants born through VBAC had a higher Apgar score. The prevalence of previa was higher post-repeat CS (10% vs. 4%). Perinatal mortality was uncommon (<1%) and was associated with emergent CS. The rate of low labor induction reduced the success of VBAC by 18% less. To sum up, VBAC is still a possibility to some women, and its success rate and maternal morbidity are higher when compared to repeat CS.