Pregnant women who previously birthed by cesarean section are presented with a choice: whether to try for a vaginal birth, or book in for a repeat caesar.

Those mulling over a vaginal birth are counseled at length about the risk of a rare but nasty outcome—the uterus rupturing while labor is in full flight.

But new research looking at 130,000 births over five years has uncovered an increased risk of another outcome women deserve information about: extensive tearing around the vaginal region during birth.

Our new study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, hones in on the risk of vaginal trauma for those who birth vaginally after a prior cesarean. This kind of birth trauma relates to significant injury to a woman’s perineum, the important region between the vagina and anus. The perineum anchors many pelvic floor muscles that help control the bladder and bowels.

We defined serious birth injury as a tear in the perineum that extends into the anal sphincter—the delicate ring of muscle that helps us control our bowels. Damage to this muscle is called a third-degree perineal tear.

What we studied

The study looked at 130,000 births in Victoria and compared the risk of a third-degree perinatal tear among first-time mums with those who birth vaginally after a prior cesarean (sometimes referred to as a VBAC). In our study, vaginal birth included women birthed without any medical assistance, and births by forceps or the ventouse (vacuum birth). Anything but birth by cesarean.

The results were clear: a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean increases the chance of significant vaginal trauma (third-degree tear) by 21% (albeit from a low baseline rate).

A potential reason for this increased risk might include a mismatch between a uterus that has birthed before and a perineum that has not. If this is the case, the labor progresses quickly, which does not allow enough time for the perineum to stretch naturally. However, the real reason for this risk is unknown and further research is needed.

Lifelong impacts

Once a vaginal birth injury occurs, the tears are immediately repaired by obstetricians. Many women heal fully—but some who sustain a third-degree tear during birth develop distressing issues that never disappear, despite expert care, including from specialist physiotherapists.

Symptoms can include an ongoing dragging sensation in the pelvic floor, or true prolapse of the vaginal walls. Sometimes, coughing or sneezing can cause urine leakage. And for some, jogging becomes too hard due to leaking of urine and pelvic discomfort. Others might suffer from reduced fecal control and even the odd episode of fecal soiling. Sex can be painful.

This doesn’t mean women shouldn’t consider VBAC

This increased risk of injury does not make it unsafe for women who have had a cesarean before to try for a vaginal birth. But our results should be incorporated into counseling of these women about their choices.

Since the risk of vaginal birth injury including the anal sphincter sits at around 5–7% in Victoria for first-time mothers, the increase of 21% raises the overall likelihood to around 6–8.5%. It’s a modest rise that will bother some, but not others.

Still, women deserve to be given this information so they can judge for themselves whether it worries them enough to ask for a repeat cesarean, or try for a vaginal birth.

Counseling is not just about cautioning women of the risks. As midwives and obstetricians, we talk with these women about what will happen when they go into labor, when to come into hospital, and what their chance (and definition) of “successful” vaginal birth might be.

We also mention the most enticing advantage for those whose destiny is an uncomplicated vaginal birth—they sidestep another caesar. Often, this means a shorter recovery time and improved likelihood of breastfeeding.

After these discussions, some women will feel the very small risk of serious vaginal trauma (or uterine rupture) is one well worth taking and opt to try for a vaginal birth. Others will opt for the certainty of a repeat cesarean.

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