Delivery after prior cesarean: maternal morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Nearly 1 in 3 pregnant women in the United States undergo cesarean. This trend is contrary to the national goal of decreasing cesarean delivery in low-risk women. The decline in vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) contributes to the continual increase in cesarean deliveries. Prior cesarean delivery is the most common indication for cesarean and accounts for more than one-third of all cesareans. The appropriate use and safety of cesarean and VBAC are of concern not only at the individual patient and clinician level but they also have far-reaching public health and policy implications at the national level.