Factors associated with successful vaginal delivery after cesarean section

To assess obstetric parameters that would predict successful vaginal delivery in patients with prior cesarean sections, the perinatal records of 579 such patients were reviewed. Sixty-six percent of the patients (385) had elective repeat cesarean sections. Of the 194 patients who attempted vaginal delivery, three-fourths (148) had success. Perinatal parameters that were statistically significant indicators of success included: nonrecurrent indication for cesarean section, vaginal delivery either prior or subsequent to cesarean section, duration of labor less than 24 hours prior to cesarean section, infant's birth weight less than 4,000 gm and cervical dilatation greater than 4 cm on admission for attempted vaginal delivery.