Vaginal Birth After Two Cesarean Sections (VBAC-2), Success Rate and Adverse Outcomes of VBAC-2 Versus VBAC-1 and Repeat Cesarean Sections: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background & Objective: Vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) is often offered as an option after a single cesarean section (CS). To evaluate the success rate of vaginal birth after two cesarean sections (VBAC-2). Materials & Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, using search terms (cesarean OR cesarean OR caesarean OR caesarian) AND (“Vaginal birth after cesar Keywords: Vaginal birth after Cesarean, Cesarean section, Maternal, Fetal outcomesean” OR VBAC) AND (two OR Twice OR second OR multiple). Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, and abstracted and tabulated data and pooled estimates were obtained. Meta-analyses were performed using Open-meta and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. Results: Mean success rate of VBAC-2 was 72% (2174 out of 3020 cases) with a range of 24-90%. The mean hysterectomy rate was 0.43% ranging from 0% to 1.7%. Our meta-analysis showed no significant difference between VBAC-2 and CS-3 in the case of hysterectomy, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.699, but with a wide confidence interval (95% CI was 0.347-1.407). VBAC-2 being associated with 2-fold increased risk of perinatal mortality compared to CS-3. Conclusion: Vaginal delivery is a suitable option for women with two previous cesarean sections; the outcomes are significantly more favorable for women with a history of vaginal birth.