Trial of labor after cesarean section in twin pregnancies: Maternal and neonatal safety

Daniel Aaronson, Avi Harlev, Eyal Sheiner, Amalia Levy

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    13 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Objective: To assess maternal and perinatal morbidity in patients undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) in twin gestations. Methods.A retrospective study including all twin pregnancies with a single prior cesarean section was performed. Stratified analysis using a multiple logistic regression model was performed to control for confounders. Patients who had a clear medical indication for a cesarean section (i.e. previous corporeal cesarean section, breech or transverse presentation, placenta previa, placental abruption, and herpes infection) were excluded from the analysis. Results.During the years 19882007, 134 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 25 patients underwent a trial of labor and the remaining 109 underwent a repeat cesarean delivery. There were no cases of uterine rupture, maternal mortality, or peripartum fever in our population. Higher rates of perinatal mortality were noted in patients undergoing a trial of labor (8 vs. 1.8, p0.042, OR4.652, 95 CI1.12219.286). However, a trial of labor was not found to be an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality after controlling for confounders such as gestational age, ethnicity, and fetal malformations (adjusted OR1.07, 95 CI0.0715.95, p0.95). Conclusions.A TOLAC is not associated with an increased risk for maternal morbidity, including uterine rupture. Nevertheless, in our population TOLAC was noted as a risk factor for perinatal mortality, although residual confounding cannot be excluded. Further prospective randomized studies should evaluate the safety of TOLAC in twin gestations to establish appropriate guidelines.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)550-554
    Number of pages5
    JournalJournal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
    Volume23
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 Jun 2010

    Keywords

    • Perinatal mortality
    • Trial of labor
    • Twins
    • Vaginal birth after cesarean

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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