Original article
Acceptance of trial of labor after cesarean (Tolac) among obstetricians in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.02.010Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

Babies to women eligible for trial of labor after a cesarean (TOLAC) are sometimes delivered by cesarean section (CS). To obtain clinicians’ attitudes and beliefs about TOLAC, this study was designed to investigate the views of clinicians when advising TOLAC-eligible pregnant women about TOLAC, and to explore their reasons in favor of or against TOLAC.

Methods

Interviews were carried out individually (face-to-face) with clinicians using a specially designed questionnaire to collect data from obstetricians in the Western Region of Saudi. Regression analysis was used as appropriate.

Results

Among the 183 obstetricians included in the current study, approximately 79.2% were against offering TOLAC. However, most of the physicians (89.1%) were in favor of offering TOLAC to patients who had had a successful vaginal birth after CS. significant associations were found between physicians’ opposition to TOLAC and medical and most non-medical factors.

Conclusion

Clinicians should recognize that the critical role they play in the delivery decision-making process and in boosting women’s confidence in TOLAC may be key to increasing the rate of TOLAC.

Keywords

Trial of labor after cesarean section
Vaginal birth
Acceptance
Obstetricians
Cesarean section
Saudi physicians

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Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.