Continuity of care important in helping women to have vaginal birth after caesarean sections

A new study has been published today in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology on the uptake and success rate of vaginal birth after caesarean.

Commenting on the study, Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This is very interesting research. The wide variation in women aiming for a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is significant and it would be very useful to have more information about why this variation is happening. It will help midwives and maternity services to tailor their care more effectively.

“Midwife-led birth after caesarean clinics have been successful in supporting women to consider a vaginal birth and also to make those women who decide to have a repeat section feel that they have explored all the possibilities. Some areas are able to offer support in labour such as labouring in water which can be a useful aid to for women having a VBAC. Anything that enhances the normal process of birth will increase success rates.

“As a general point, reducing the number of repeat caesarean sections will produce better outcomes for women and cost savings for the family and health services. The RCM supports strategies to normalise birth and to reduce the number of women having their first baby by caesarean section.

“It is also very important that we have enough midwives to ensure they have enough time to spend with women to explain the options available and support women. Ensuring better continuity of care for women from midwives that they know and trust will also play a significant part in helping women to have a VBAC.”