Researchers at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have published research this week in which it is claimed that those who opt for a natural birth after previously undergoing a C-section have a low rate of suffering subsequent complications.
The researchers looked at data from birth certificates from 41 US states from the year 2013, which represented 90% of all US births that year.
Out of all births examined by the study experts, around 20% of the mums-to-be were found to have attempted a natural birth having previously undergone a Caesarean. According to the statistics, approximately 70% had a successful vaginal delivery; the remaining 30% ended up requiring an emergency C-section.
Furthermore, researchers found that those women who did have a successful natural birth after a C-section were less likely to require blood transfusions, unplanned hysterectomies or admission to intensive care units.
Commenting on the landmark study, author Sally Curtin wrote: “Women with a previous Caesarean delivery who laboured and had vaginal birth generally had lower rate for most morbidities.”
“Given the lower morbidity for vaginal compared with Caesarean deliveries, attempting a trial of labour is recommended for most women with no previous Caesarean as well as for low-risk women with a previous Caesarean delivery,” she added.
The experts did, however, warn of the risks associated with vaginal deliveries after a C-section, saying that they are heightened for women who go on to require emergency C-sections; according to the study, these women are seven times more at risk of uterus rupture in comparison to those who had a planned C-section.
