Author(s)

Irazú Guinan, Marjorie Suárez, Fabiola Angulo, Luis Mayol, Paula Suárez, Lisandris Dominicci, Nathalie Chang, Saribel Torres, Antonio Rodríguez, Raymond L. Tremblay, Maricarmen Colón-Díaz

Department of Physiology and Pathology, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, USA.

Background: Cesarean section (CS) has increased steadily over the last decade, with an estimated one-third of women delivering by cesarean section worldwide. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the demographic and associated factors influencing vaginal birth after one cesarean (VBAC-1) success focusing on variables like pre-pregnancy BMI, diabetes, hypertension, education, and smoking. Study Design and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 285 cases (81 unsuccessful VBAC-1, 204 successful VBAC-1) from San Juan City Hospital (Puerto Rico) between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. We used odds ratios and model selection comparison to assess the impact of variables on successful VBAC-1, using a significance threshold of 95% CI. Model selection assessed binomial model combinations using a generalized linear approach to identify key risk factors. Results: Unsuccessful VBAC-1 (a repeat cesarean), was associated with diabetes (OR: 0.376, p = 0.086), hypertension (OR: 0.23, p = 0.006), and university-educated women (OR: 1.372, p = 0.711). High school-educated women had an OR of 3.966 (p = 0.105), while overweight women were 0.481 times more likely to have unsuccessful VBAC-1 (p = 0.041). Significant associations were not found with obesity (OR: 0.574, p = 0.122), underweight/normal (OR: 1.01, p = 0.810), or smoking (OR: 1.227, p = 0.990). Conclusion: Results revealed women with higher education levels, hypertension, or diabetes are less likely to have a successful VBAC-1. Understanding the complex interactions affecting these outcomes is aimed at establishing guidelines for healthcare professionals to conduct systematic risk/benefit assessments. This study lays a foundation for evidence-based practices and policies, offering initial insights into VBAC-1 success factors in Puerto Rico.

Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, Trial of Labor, Vaginal Birth after Cesarean

Guinan, I. , Suárez, M. , Angulo, F. , Mayol, L. , Suárez, P. , Dominicci, L. , Chang, N. , Torres, S. , Rodríguez, A. , Tremblay, R. and Colón-Díaz, M. (2024) Risk Factors Associated with Unsuccessful Vaginal Birth after One Cesarean (VBAC-1) in Puerto Rico. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 14, 888-902. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2024.146071.