TOLAC: IOL at 39 Wks or Wait?

Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls.

After a primary CS, the decision to undergo trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) or schedule a repeat cesarean birth is one in which a patient’s values and preferences should be prioritized in a process of shared decision making. Some clinicians elect to utilize a TOLAC calculator as part of the shared decision-making process, while others use a more generalized counseling approach. Once TOLAC is decided upon, which is better: elective induction at 39 weeks, or expected management? Does elective induction at 39 weeks increase the rate of uterine rupture compared to expected management? Older observation data has suggested that very thing. In this episode, we will review a brand new publication from the AJOG (released on June 7, 2024) that provides valuable information in counseling patients on either IOL or expectant care at 39+ weeks for TOLAC.