pregnancy after casaerean and fertility question........

ailuro2

Even with a normal birth they recommend leaving a year in between pregnancies to allow your body to fully recover, and thereby give the next baby a good start.

I agree with a CS it is probably to allow the scars,and of course all the underlying muscle that was cut to fully heal and give you a chance at a natural birth next time round.

Congrats on your lovely new addition.

kittymary

Of course you should always consult your midwife/doctor about these sorts of things, since they would know all the details of your particular situation, as well as being qualified to give such advice, but here is what the research seems to say, according to the WHO and the NHS.


Here is what the World Health Organisation has to say:

http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/birthspacing/birth_spacing.pdf

Recommendation for spacing after a live birth

After a live birth, the recommended interval before
attempting the next pregnancy is at least 24 months
in order to reduce the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal
and infant outcomes. 1
Rationale for the recommendation
The studies presented at the meeting considered
various maternal, infant and child health outcomes.
For each outcome, diff erent birth-to-pregnancy
intervals were associated with highest and lowest
risks. To summarize, birth-to-pregnancy intervals of
six months or shorter are associated with elevated
risk of maternal mortality. Birth-to-pregnancy intervals
of around 18 months or shorter are associated
with elevated risk of infant, neonatal and perinatal
mortality, low birth weight, small size for gestational
age, and pre-term delivery.


Here's some information from an NHS question and answer site for doctors about the correct advice about how long you should wait before becoming pregnant again after having a caesarean:

http://www.clinicalanswers.nhs.uk/index.cfm?question=4865

Although, according to one source, the wound in your uterus will heal almost fully by about six weeks, more recent evidence shows that the uterine scar seems to become stronger over time. Small reductions in scar rupture rates are seen as the time between pregnancies increases from 6 to 24 months

However, the risks are small in all cases and the length of time after a caesarean that you become pregnant should not make a significant difference to the pregnancy or birth.

It is also important to consider how physically and emotionally recovered you feel to cope with another pregnancy. It is a very personal decision.

A short gap between pregnancies should not rule out a vaginal birth. Many women have had a second baby vaginally within a year of their caesarean...” [3]



It does seem that the advice to wait 2 years was based on the most up to date knowledge we have on this.

Allison

Hi congrats to you

I had 3 CS, first two emergencies, the 3rd planned. I was told after the first CS to wait about a year. After the 2nd I was told to wait at LEAST a year and 18 months to 2 years would be better. After CS three I was advised not to have anymore children, I was done at 3 anyway so didnt follow this advice up.

It would be better to speak with your GP for advice

crispeater

with my first section i got an infection and had to go down to surgery twice to have large amounts of skin/flesh cut away so i was left with a rather large hole it took me 9mths to heal and then 9mths after that i was pregnant again! i was told to wait 2 years for my scars to heal properly but these things happen and i had no problems during my 2nd pregnancy.

congratulations on your new arrival

kal25

Hi, congratulations on your new addition. :beer: I would agree with the poster above and give it probably around 9 mnths before thinking of getting preg again. the reason I say this is obviously getting preg again would stretch skin and you really don't want to be putting too much pressure on your scar so recent after event. Giving a good 9mnths mean it should be able to take the strain by the time it is needed.
I wouldn't worry too much about age gap, mine are 7,4 and 15mnths- 3yrs almost exactly between them without planning too, is some doing.I don't think I could have coped if they had been any nearer to be honest, it has given me time with each of them. Ds1 was going to nursery when had DS2 so had time wth lo especially when he started school. Now I have time with DD as Ds2 is at nursery and starts school ft in sept, so will just be me & dd at home which I can'tr wait for TBH.
I would say heed the advice given, talk to MW again if you need to. But enjoy little one and think about it again in a few months after enjoying little one for a while and if it happens it will happen.
HTH.

Js_Other_Half

I had a C section just before Christmas - the next morning I asked the consultant when I could get pg again...lol. Admittedly I was still on painkillers.

She said as I would have to have another C section ( she felt I couldn't give birth naturally anyway) that it was up to me...however, this may be due to my age (late 30s) and fertility issues.

Take the time to enjoy your new little one - I'm amazed you can even think about seriously wanting one just yet - I was so sleep deprived when Ds was 3 weeks old I couldn't think straight.

Sazere

Congratulations on your LO! I have had 4 CS without too much bother. 1st emergency at 33wks, 2nd planned at 38wks - 22months gap (wish now I had pushed for natural), 3rd emergency at 36weeks - 14months gap, 4th planned at 39weeks - 34months gap.

Don't rush into things, my last has just turned 6months and already I would love no 5 but I know it's just the hormones running wild. Everyone always asks when the next one is coming but just enjoy spending time with your babies. It can be more tiring being pregnant with small children at home!

Penry

Firstly, congratulations on your new(ish) arrival. Also condolences on the loss of your daughter. I hope you got good support at the time. I have a friend who went through a similar loss and wanted desperately to become pregnant again very quickly. She now feels that this was due to her hormones and a wish to create the family she would have had if she had not lost a child. Just my experience and obviously not suggesting that this is a factor for you!

I had one emergency section and was told to wait at least a year. I ended up waiting much longer and had a second child by vaginal delivery 3 years later. I'm really happy with this age gap and I'm much more ancient than you!

Good luck with whatever you decide is best for your family.

poppyscorner

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the advice given to me on this it is much appreciated I will talk about it with my doctor in more detail at my 6week check however I am settling down abit about it and thinking abit more in depth about it.
As I said in my first post I am desperate to have a baby girl and think this is where the longing comes from don't get me wrong I love my boys to bits they are the apples of my eyes and I wouldn't swap them for the world.
The age issue is a personal choice of my hubby he likes his hols abroad and his own parents had raised their family by early fourties so had their lives back so to speak and he wants the same.
Thanks again for all the advice Amanda x

inkie

I'm a MW and think that you have been given sound advice by your MW in light of the current research available. Optimum outcomes for you and a potential offspring have to come over and above any other factors that may influence your decision.