Since 1996, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates have consistently declined, and today fewer than 1 in 10 women delivers by VBAC, while c-section rates have been steadily rising. Preliminary 2008 data just released by CDC shows that the cesarean delivery rate rose for the 12th straight year to 32.3 percent of all births. Last month, the National Institutes of Health hosted the Consensus Development Conference on Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: New Insights in order to produce an evidence-based consensus statement on the "controversial" issue of VBAC.
At the conference, experts presented findings from a systematic review of the scientific evidence, discussed key questions and heard public comment. The expert panel was comprised of independent health professionals and public representatives.
In their consensus statement, the expert panel acknowledged that about 75% of women who attempt a VBAC will have a vaginal birth and VBACs overall are a reasonable choice for most mothers and babies. Additionally, the panel found that repeat cesareans expose women to greater risk of death than VBAC and pose serious risks to mothers and babies in future pregnancies when the likelihood of serious conditions including placenta previa and placenta accreta steeply rises.
The panel also recognized the negative impact of the current guidelines issued by specialty societies on women’s access to VBAC and urged them to reassess their guidelines and align them with best evidence to better serve the needs of women and babies.
Find the draft statement, program and abstracts, webcast and evidence report here
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