Obstetric outcomes associated with induction of labor after 2 prior cesarean deliveries

We sought to determine whether, in the setting of induction, obstetric outcomes differ based on the number of prior cesarean deliveries (CD) and to determine whether women with 2 cesareans undergoing induction face increased risks of adverse outcomes compared to women undergoing a repeat CD.

This is a secondary analysis of a 4-year multicenter prospective cohort. Women with 1 or 2 CD were included. Frequencies of vaginal birth after cesarean as well as maternal and neonatal complications were compared among women with 1 CD undergoing induction, women with 2 CD undergoing induction, and women undergoing repeat CD with 2 cesareans.

Of the 10,262 women included in this study, 4100 (40.0%) underwent an induction after 1 CD, 152 (1.5%) underwent an induction after 2 CD, and 6010 (58.6%) had a repeat CD after 2 CD. In women undergoing induction, the chance of vaginal birth after cesarean was no different in women with 2 compared to 1 prior CD (65% vs 69%, P = .28). Similarly, composite maternal (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-2.3) and neonatal (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.7-1.7) outcomes were not different between the 2 groups. In women who had 2 prior CD, undergoing an induction carried similar composite adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to having a repeat CD (aOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3-2.0; aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.2).

Labor induction outcomes are similar regardless of whether women have had 1 or 2 CD. After 2 CD, undergoing an induction carries similar maternal and neonatal risks as having a repeat CD.