PROSPOCS - Prospective observa study in pregn with one prev C-section.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prospective Observational Study in Pregnancy with one previous Caesarean Section (PROSPOCS)
IRAS ID
206120
Contact name
Bidyut Kumar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In the UK about a quarter of pregnant women give birth by caesarean section (CS). After a CS, in any further pregnancy women may elect to undergo a vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC). The chances of achieving a successful VBAC amongst those who attempt VBAC is about 70%. Many women who want VBAC might need induction of labour (IOL) due to various reasons including a prolongation pregnancy beyond the due date. There will be some women with history of one previous CS who will undergo elective CS for delivery because of their past experience or obstetric history. This means that 30% of those who attempt VBAC will end up needing a CS for delivery. Many women who attempt VBAC will fail to achieve VBAC due either to failure of IOL or due to other reasons including lack of progress in labour or fetal distress. Some women might have dehiscence or rupture of previous CS scar which when diagnosed before delivery will lead to a CS. At present there is no means of predicting a successful vaginal birth or no means of identifying in advance those women who will fail their attempt to achieve VBAC. Hence practically many women undergo IOL or augmentation of labour with oxytocin and go through a lengthy labour only to end up in a CS for delivery. This trial is an attempt to identify those women who are likely to fail VBAC so that an elective CS could be recommended for them. Ultrasound detected lower uterine segment thickness and cervical length when combined with certain factors in women’s past obstetric history may serve as an indicator of failure or success of VBAC. Ultrasound scan will be carried out in different stages to find predictors of success of VBAC.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
17/WA/0048
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion