Midwifery
-
in the context of a rising caesarean section (CS) rate in Japan, the objectives of this study were; to investigate the national situation for women's birth options after primary CS; to explore characteristics of institutions accepting planned vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC); to identify the timing and type of information given to women about their birth options by health professionals. ⋯ strategies are needed to support women as well as pregnancy care providers to support women to consider VBAC as a possible birth option after CS and to expand the use of shared decision making in pregnancy care settings in Japan.