Current Events: VBAC Rates in the U.S.

In this installment, we look at a study conducted to better understand the current rates of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) in the United States. Keep reading for more details!

Demographic, Socioeconomic, Health Systems, and Geographic Factors Associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: An Analysis of 2017 U.S. Birth Certificate Data

This study was conducted as an attempt to better understand vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates in the U.S. by looking at geographic and sociodemographic factors associated with VBAC.

Information was collected from birth certificate data from the 2017 Natality LImited Geography Dataset.

Results from the study indicated that adjusted odds of VBAC were 18% higher for American Indian/Alaska Native birthing people, 6% higher for Black birthing people, and 9% lower for Asian/Pacific Islander birthing people when compared to white birthing people. Further, birthing people who used Medicaid to pay for their births had a 5% increased likelihood of VBAC. Those who paid for their births had twice the likelihood of VBAC over those who used private insurance. Additional research is recommended to address the inequities in order to improve maternity care.

Read the full study here.

Melissa Guevara
Director, BIRTHIFT for Everyone
@birthfitforeveryone_nonprofit nonprofit.birthfit.com

References:

Basile Ibrahim B, Kennedy HP, Holland ML. Demographic, Socioeconomic, Health Systems, and Geographic Factors Associated with Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: An Analysis of 2017 U.S. Birth Certificate Data. Matern Child Health J. 2020 Nov 17. doi: 10.1007/s10995-020-03066-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33201453.

Previous posts about current events in maternal health care:

September 2020 October 2020 November 2020