Temporal trends in the rates of trial of labor in low-risk pregnancies and their impact on the rates and success of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery

We found a major decline in trial of labor and vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rates in low-risk women from 1998 to 2002. There was no change in vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success in those patients who attempted trial of labor. This suggests that the decline in the vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rates that have been observed nationally may be due to a decline in trial of labor attempts and not to a change in vaginal birth after cesarean delivery success rates. The steep declines in trial of labor attempts and vaginal birth after cesarean deliveries suggest that there was a rapid change in the perception of optimal treatment practices for these patients by obstetricians.