Disparities in planned and successful vaginal delivery after a cesarean delivery by body mass index: a population-based cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous literature suggests that pregnant individuals with obesity have fewer planned and successful vaginal births following a previous cesarean delivery. Concern is growing that discrimination based on body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities associated with BMI, rather than BMI itself, are primarily responsible for these findings.

Objective

To describe disparities in planning and having a successful vaginal delivery after a previous cesarean delivery by BMI status.

Study design

This population-based cohort study included all singleton pregnancies ≥37 weeks' gestation from 2003 to 2021 in Nova Scotia, Canada, with one previous cesarean and without contraindications for a trial of labor. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were e

SUBMITTER: Gray E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12828375 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature