1. Purpose According to the Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity 1 in Victoria the caesarean section rate has been steadily increasing in public hospitals state-wide from 21% in 2000 to 27% in 2005. The most common indications for caesarean section are previous caesarean section, dystocia, malpresentation and non-reassuring fetal status 2. Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) should be considered as an option for all women who present for prenatal care with a history of previous caesarean birth. Where contraindications exist a repeat caesarean section will be advised, but in the majority of cases successful vaginal birth can be achieved safely for both mother and baby 2. The success rate of VBAC ranges from 50% to 85% 3. Predictors of successful VBAC include: Non-recurring indication of caesarean section (eg malpresentation) 2 Pregnancy induced hypertension 2 Previous vaginal birth 2 Institutions in which success rates are high 2 Onset of labour is spontaneous. It is essential women make an informed choice regarding whether to attempt a vaginal birth or whether to plan another caesarean section. Therefore, these guidelines recommend that obstetricians and women discuss the risks and benefits of VBAC (reinforced by the provision of appropriate literature) to plan the birth. 2. Definitions Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section (VBAC): Active first stage of labour Painful, regular contractions Descent of the presenting part Cervix is fully effaced, dilatation is 3 cm 4 and progressively dilating, and/or With or without spontaneous rupture of membranes. OR Onset of labour Painful, regular contractions Effacement and/or dilatation of the cervix, and/or With or without rupture of membranes (assess presence of vaginal loss for quantity, colour) 2. 3. Responsibilities To be developed. 4. Procedure 4.1 On admission Inform registrar on admission to birth suite of all women who have a uterine scar. The registrar must refer to the RWH VBAC Antenatal Assessment form to review and revise the management plan prepared antenatally in consultation with the woman. Notify anaesthetist and theatre of any patient for planned VBAC in birth suites and in labour2. Uncontrolled document when printed Updated/Formatted: (03/03/2015) Approved by Director Birth Centre on 03/05/2013 Page 1 of 5
IV access with 16G cannula from onset of labour. Blood to be taken for: Group and save Hb 4.2 Ongoing management ARM to be considered once the cervix is: 3cm dilated, and effaced, and applied to the presenting part. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring throughout the labour 2, 4. Aim to deliver within 12 hours of onset of active labour. In suspected uterine dehiscence activate a Code Green 2. 4.3 First Stage Vaginal examination by JMO / registrar every 4 hrs until 7cm dilated, and 2-hourly thereafter. JMO to notify registrar of findings at each assessment. Progress: anticipate 1 cm dilatation / hour (after achieving 3cm). Discuss progress with on call obstetric consultant if less. Whilst prostaglandins (Prostin E2Gel) is contraindicated, oxytocin administration is not contraindicated for induction of labour in women undergoing a VBAC. However this decision must be taken in consultation with the Birth Centre Consultant. Consideration should be given to the use of an intrauterine pressure catheter to monitor contraction strength and guide oxytocin dosage. Augmentation with oxytocin is not recommended.. Epidural may be used as indicated. 4.4 Second Stage Notify registrar when patient assessed / considered to be fully dilated. Duration should not exceed 2 hours: 1 hour to allow for passive descent, but no more than 1 hour of active pushing (or 30 minutes if the woman has had a prior vaginal delivery). The option of any mid-cavity assisted vaginal delivery must be discussed with the consultant. No mid-cavity assisted delivery to be performed without the consultant being present, and then to be performed in the operating theatre. 4.5 Third Stage Active management. Refer to guideline: Labour: Third Stage Management Digital examination of the scar is not required 5. Evaluation, monitoring and reporting of compliance to this procedure To be developed. 6. References 1. The Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity, Hospital Profile of Perinatal Data, Royal Women s Hospital (2005). 2. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) Clinical Practice Guidelines: Guidelines for Vaginal Birth After Previous Caesarean Birth (2005). Uncontrolled document when printed Updated/Formatted: (03/03/2015) Approved by Director Birth Centre on 03/05/2013 Page 2 of 5
3. Dodd JM, Crowther CA, Huertas E, Guise JM, Horey D. Planned elective repeat caesarean section versus planned vaginal birth for women with a previous caesarean birth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2004), Issue 4. 4. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Clinical Guidelines: Intrapartum Fetal Surveillance (2002). 7. Legislation/Regulations related to this procedure Not applicable. 8. Appendices Appendix 1: Notes Appendix 2: RWH Clinical Practice Guideline Evidence Table PGP Disclaimer Statement The Royal Women's Hospital Clinical Guidelines present statements of 'Best Practice' based on thorough evaluation of evidence and are intended for health professionals only. For practitioners outside the Women s this material is made available in good faith as a resource for use by health professionals to draw on in developing their own protocols, guided by published medical evidence. In doing so, practitioners should themselves be familiar with the literature and make their own interpretations of it. Whilst appreciable care has been taken in the preparation of clinical guidelines which appear on this web page, the Royal Women's Hospital provides these as a service only and does not warrant the accuracy of these guidelines. Any representation implied or expressed concerning the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any treatment or product is expressly negated In view of the possibility of human error and / or advances in medical knowledge, the Royal Women's Hospital cannot and does not warrant that the information contained in the guidelines is in every respect accurate or complete. Accordingly, the Royal Women's Hospital will not be held responsible or liable for any errors or omissions that may be found in any of the information at this site. You are encouraged to consult other sources in order to confirm the information contained in any of the guidelines and, in the event that medical treatment is required, to take professional, expert advice from a legally qualified and appropriately experienced medical practitioner. NOTE: Care should be taken when printing any clinical guideline from this site. Updates to these guidelines will take place as necessary. It is therefore advised that regular visits to this site will be needed to access the most current version of these guidelines. Uncontrolled document when printed Updated/Formatted: (03/03/2015) Approved by Director Birth Centre on 03/05/2013 Page 3 of 5
Appendix 1 Notes Appendix 1: Notes Refer to the Women s procedure: VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section): Antenatal Management If prelabour ROM, management as per appropriate procedure Rupture of Membranes: Premature at Term. Uncontrolled document when printed Updated/Formatted: (03/03/2015) Approved by Director Birth Centre on 03/05/2013 Page 4 of 5
Appendix 2 RWH Clinical Practice Guideline Evidence Table Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section (VBAC): intrapartum management March 2007 Reference title: Authors Level of Evidence 1 - IV Type of study Source Journal title, date, volume, page number Guideline site Database used E.g. Cochrane, Medline Other comments The Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity, IV Hospital Profile of Perinatal Data, Royal Women s Hospital (2005). Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) I Clinical Practice Guidelines: Guidelines for Vaginal Birth After Previous Caesarean Birth (2005). Medline SOGC website Dodd JM, Crowther CA, Huertas E, Guise JM, Horey D I Planned elective repeat caesarean section versus planned vaginal birth for women with a previous caesarean birth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2004), Issue 4. Cochrane The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists IV Clinical Guidelines: Intrapartum Fetal Surveillance (2002). Uncontrolled document when printed Updated/Formatted: (03/03/2015) Approved by Director Birth Centre on 03/05/2013 Page 5 of 5