Background

Hospital policies restricting access to trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) are prevalent. Many women with a previous cesarean birth are affected by these bans, but there are limited data on the effect of these bans and whether women would consider changing delivery hospitals in the setting of a real or hypothetical TOLAC ban.

Methods

This was a survey of TOLAC-eligible women receiving prenatal care at four hospitals where TOLAC is available, and 1 non-TOLAC site. Participants were asked about their likelihood of switching hospitals to pursue TOLAC if it were unavailable. Women at the non-TOLAC site had their medical records reviewed to ascertain final location and approach to delivery.

Results

A total of 297 women were interviewed, 48 from the non-TOLAC site. 162 (54%) participants indicated they would transfer care if TOLAC were unavailable. Among women at the non-TOLAC site, 57% who indicated an intention to switch hospitals did so. In a multivariable logistic regression model, variables associated with transferring care included race/ethnicity other than Latina (aOR 25.20 [95% CI 2.23-284.26]), being unaware of the TOLAC ban (19.81 [1.99-196.64]), and perceiving that a close friend/relative thought they should undergo TOLAC (17.31 [1.70-176.06]).

Conclusions

More than half of women with prior cesarean would consider transferring care if TOLAC became unavailable, and more than 1 of 3 of women at a non-TOLAC site transferred care. More research is needed on the impact of TOLAC bans and how to facilitate transfer for those who desire TOLAC.

Objective

To estimate the risk of short-term complications in neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks by week of gestation.

Design

This is a retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Deliveries in 2005 in the United States of America.

Population

Singleton live births between 34 and 40 weeks gestational age.

Methods

Gestational age was subgrouped into 34, 35, 36 and 37–40 completed weeks. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression models, with 37–40 weeks gestational age designated as referent.

Main Outcome Measures

Perinatal morbidities, including 5-minute Apgar scores, hyaline membrane disease, neonatal sepsis/antibiotics use, and admission to the intensive care unit.

Results

There were 175,112 neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks in 2005. Compared to neonates born between 37 and 40 weeks, neonates born at 34 weeks had higher odds of 5-minute Apgar<7 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=5.51, 95% CI [5.16–5.88]), hyaline membranes disease (aOR=10.2 [9.44–10.9]), mechanical ventilation use >6 hours (aOR=9.78 [8.99–10.6]) and antibiotics use (aOR=9.00 [8.43–9.60]). Neonates born at 35 weeks were similarly at risk of morbidity, with higher odds of 5-minute Apgar <7 (aOR 3.42 [3.23–3.63], surfactant use (aOR 3.74 [3.21–4.22], ventilation use >6 hours (aOR 5.53 [5.11–5.99] and NICU admission (aOR 11.3 [11.0–11.7). Further, neonates born at 36 weeks remain at higher risk of morbidity compared to deliveries at 37–40 weeks.

Conclusions

While the risk of undesirable neonatal outcomes decreases with increasing gestational age, the risk of neonatal complications in late preterm births remains higher compared to infants delivered at 37–40 weeks gestation.

Objective

To estimate the risk of short-term complications in neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks by week of gestation.

Design

This is a retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Deliveries in 2005 in the United States of America.

Population

Singleton live births between 34 and 40 weeks gestational age.

Methods

Gestational age was subgrouped into 34, 35, 36 and 37–40 completed weeks. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression models, with 37–40 weeks gestational age designated as referent.

Main Outcome Measures

Perinatal morbidities, including 5-minute Apgar scores, hyaline membrane disease, neonatal sepsis/antibiotics use, and admission to the intensive care unit.

Results

There were 175,112 neonates born between 34 and 36 weeks in 2005. Compared to neonates born between 37 and 40 weeks, neonates born at 34 weeks had higher odds of 5-minute Apgar<7 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=5.51, 95% CI [5.16–5.88]), hyaline membranes disease (aOR=10.2 [9.44–10.9]), mechanical ventilation use >6 hours (aOR=9.78 [8.99–10.6]) and antibiotics use (aOR=9.00 [8.43–9.60]). Neonates born at 35 weeks were similarly at risk of morbidity, with higher odds of 5-minute Apgar <7 (aOR 3.42 [3.23–3.63], surfactant use (aOR 3.74 [3.21–4.22], ventilation use >6 hours (aOR 5.53 [5.11–5.99] and NICU admission (aOR 11.3 [11.0–11.7). Further, neonates born at 36 weeks remain at higher risk of morbidity compared to deliveries at 37–40 weeks.

Conclusions

While the risk of undesirable neonatal outcomes decreases with increasing gestational age, the risk of neonatal complications in late preterm births remains higher compared to infants delivered at 37–40 weeks gestation.

Objective

We sought to assess the relationship between strength of preference for vaginal birth and likelihood of vaginal delivery among women attempting this delivery mode.

Study design

We conducted a longitudinal study of mode of delivery preferences among women who were <36 weeks' pregnant. Participants completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and were asked if they preferred vaginal or cesarean delivery. Participants who preferred vaginal delivery completed a standard gamble exercise to assess the strength of this preference on a 0-to-1 scale (higher scores indicate stronger preference for vaginal delivery); those preferring cesarean delivery were assigned a value of 0. Data on clinical characteristics and delivery mode were obtained via telephone interview or chart review. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of delivery mode among women who attempted a vaginal delivery.

Results

Of 210 participants, 156 attempted a vaginal delivery. Their mean and median vaginal delivery preference scores were 0.70 (SD 0.31) and 0.75 (interquartile range, 0.50-0.99), respectively. In multivariate analyses, women with a prior cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.39) or who delivered an infant ≥4000 g (aOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.28) had significantly lower odds of having a vaginal delivery. After controlling for potential confounders, participants with a stronger preference for vaginal delivery were at significantly higher odds of having a vaginal delivery (aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.01-2.34 for every 0.2 increase on the 0-to-1 scale).

Conclusion

Among women who attempt a vaginal delivery, the strength of preference for vaginal birth is predictive of the delivery mode ultimately undergone.

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of postpartum sexual activity and functioning in a diverse population of women using the Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire (SHOW-Q).

Methods

This was a prospective study of 160 postpartum women assessing relationships between demographic factors, mode of birth, depression, breastfeeding, and sexual activity and function. Questionnaires were administered over the telephone 8 to 10 weeks postpartum and in person 6 to 8 months postpartum. Primary outcomes were sexual activity at 8 to 10 weeks postpartum and global and subscale SHOW-Q scores at 6 to 8 months postpartum; the primary predictor was mode of birth. Associations were assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses.

Results

Seventy-five percent of this population (n = 140 at 8-10 weeks, n = 129 at 6-8 months) gave birth vaginally, and 60.7% resumed sexual activity by 8 to 10 weeks postpartum. Only multiparity was associated with increased odds of having resumed sexual activity by 8 to 10 weeks postpartum (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.44; P = .03), whereas older age was associated with decreased odds (aOR, 0.92; P = .02) of having resumed sexual activity. Women who were depressed (effect estimate, -13.3; P = .01), older (-1.1, P = .01), or exclusively breastfeeding (-16.5, P < .001) had significantly poorer sexual satisfaction, whereas multiparous women reported better sexual satisfaction (11.1, P = .03). A significant relationship between mode of birth and SHOW-Q scores did not emerge, although we did observe a trend toward lower SHOW-Q scores among women who underwent cesarean compared with those giving birth vaginally.

Discussion

Multiparity and younger age predict early resumption of sexual activity, whereas depression and breastfeeding are associated with poorer postpartum sexual functioning. The relationship between mode of birth and resumed sexual activity or postpartum sexual function remains uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate the association of patient preferences and attitudes with TOLAC.

Study design

Prospective observational study of TOLAC-eligible women at 26-34 weeks gestation. Preferences (utilities) were elicited using the time trade-off and standard gamble metrics. Logistic regression was used to identify preference- and attitude-based factors associated with TOLAC.

Results

Of the 231 participants, most (n = 197, 85%) preferred vaginal delivery, but only 40% (n = 93) underwent TOLAC. Utilities for uterine rupture outcomes did not differ based on delivery approach. In multivariable analysis, strength of preference for vaginal delivery, value for the experience of labor, and the opinion of the person whom the participant thought of as most important to this decision were associated with TOLAC.

Conclusions

Future decision support interventions incorporating individualized information regarding the likelihood of vaginal birth and empowering patients to express their preferences and engage their families in the decision-making process may improve decision quality and increase TOLAC rates.

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess women's preferences for vaginal vs cesarean delivery in 4 contexts: prior cesarean delivery, twins, breech presentation, and absent indication for cesarean.

Study design

This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant women at 24-40 weeks' gestation. After assessing stated preferences for vaginal or cesarean delivery, we used the standard gamble metric to measure the strength of these preferences and the time tradeoff metric to determine how women value the potential processes and outcomes associated with these 2 delivery approaches.

Results

Among the 240 participants, 90.8% had a stated preference for vaginal delivery. Across the 4 contexts, these women indicated that, on average, they would accept a 59-75% chance of an attempted vaginal birth ending in a cesarean delivery before choosing a planned cesarean delivery, indicating strong preferences for spontaneous, uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Variations in preferences for labor processes emerged. Although uncomplicated labor ending in vaginal birth was assigned mean utilities of 0.993 or higher (on a 0-1 scale, with higher scores indicating more preferred outcomes), the need for oxytocin, antibiotics, or operative vaginal delivery resulted in lower mean scores, comparable with those assigned to uncomplicated cesarean delivery. Substantially lower scores (ranging from 0.432 to 0.598) were obtained for scenarios ending in severe maternal or neonatal morbidity.

Conclusion

Although most women expressed strong preferences for vaginal delivery, their preferences regarding interventions frequently used to achieve that goal varied. These data underscore the importance of educating patients about the process of labor and delivery to facilitate incorporation of informed patient preferences in shared decision making regarding delivery approach.