Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of Trial of Labor after Cesarean Section in a Tertiary Care Setting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: a Retrospective Cohort Study (2023-2024)

The aim of this study is to evaluate the success and complications of TOLAC, specifically by fulfilling the following objectives: (1) estimate the incidence of maternal and perinatal outcomes of TOLAC, and (2) examine the association between two risk factors (advanced maternal age and maternal obesity) and the incidence of successful VBAC. This retrospective cohort study had a final sample size of 207 women undergoing TOLAC at a tertiary care hospital, Latifa Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Their data was extracted from the SALAMA Electronic Medical Record database and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 29.0.0.0) for descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis. The success rate of vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) was 70.05%. The incidences for all maternal and perinatal outcomes was determined, with postpartum hemorrhage (3.86%) as the most frequent maternal outcome and fetal distress (22.71%) as the most frequent perinatal outcome. There was no statistically significant association between successful VBAC and either maternal age ≥35 years (p = 0.384) or BMI >30 kg/m 2 (p = 0.646) as predictors. Descriptively, women aged ≥35 years showed slightly higher VBAC success at 73.7% compared to 69.7% and those with a BMI <30 showed slightly higher VBAC success at 73.2% compared to 67.3%. The findings support TOLAC as a safe option for eligible women in Dubai but highlight the need for larger prospective studies to validate the predictors of success (such as maternal age and obesity). This study provides the first United Arab Emirates-based data on its outcomes, addressing the regional knowledge gap and strengthening evidence for VBAC counseling, establishing a foundation for prospective research in the UAE’s antenatal and obstetric field.