Reasons Why Some Japanese Pregnant Women Choose Trial of Labor After Cesarean

BACKGROUND: We examined whether or not the Japanese pregnant women with a history of a cesarean section have the knowledge about the benefits and harms of trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD). METHODS: We reviewed the obstetric records of 121 Japanese women with a prior cesarean section who visited our hospital for reservation of their second delivery between January and December 2013. RESULTS: Forty-five (37%) of them wanted to perform TOLAC at the first interview. Of these, 14 women (31%) with a history of an urgent cesarean chose TOLAC because of the insufficient anesthetic effect during cesarean, while 11 women (24%) with a history of an elective cesarean did not have the knowledge of the risks of TOLAC and urgent cesarean. Nineteen of those (76%) selected ERCD following the counseling. CONCLUSIONS: Some Japanese pregnant women with TOLAC hope seemed to have insufficient knowledge about the benefits and harms of TOLAC and ERCD. Therefore, the improvement of the process of counseling and decision making may be needed for pregnant women with a history of a cesarean section in Japan.