Getting Pregnant After a C-section

Updated on November 14, 2009
D.H. asks from Dearborn, MI
13 answers

Hello,

I recently had a c-section 8 months ago, March 8 2009 to be exact, and I recovered fairly quickly. My baby boy was a few weeks early, born at 34.5 weeks, but only stayed in the hosptial for a week. I also have a 2 year old boy, born natural delivery. Now the big question! Has anyone gotten pregnant right after a c-section? how many months after?
Although it'll almost be a year, which is the recommended wait time, I don't mind trying for my third now. I feel great, my scar looks great, and haven't had any trouble after my csection. But you read so many issues on uterine rupture and so on. But before you answer the question, I'd like to mention that my 3rd, hopefully, will definitely be a scheduled csection!

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your wonderful advice,

I am totally aware that I have to talk to my doctor, and I have, I actually talked to more than one doctor. I am pretty educated in that department lol. Most doctors said to wait one year and if I did get pregnant now it wasn't a big deal. There is always risk for something going wrong, whether it's your first, second, or third child. I think I have decided to go ahead and try for the third! I am a very faithful person and I believe that whatever shall happen is meant to happen. Another question now that I have made my decision...
I had a very horrible experience at Hutzel Women's Hospital, which I don't even want to go into details because of how painful it is...their mistakes were the cause of my c-section in March of 2009 and the early birth of my second child. DOES ANYONE RECOMMEND BEAUMONT OB'S? IF SO CAN SOME OF YOU REFER YOUR OWN OB'S? EVEN IF THEIR NOT BEAUMONT, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE SOME REFERRALS! AS LONG AS THEIR NOT THROUGH HUTZEL! THANKS!

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K.V.

answers from Detroit on

I got pregnant 9 months after having a c-section. I was worried about feeling pain in my uterus as it expanded and the scar expanded. However, I didn't feel any discomfort other than the usual pregnancy-induced complaints. And, my second delivery was vaginal which I much prefer.

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S.B.

answers from Detroit on

Hi,

Well my first was an emergency c-section in March 2006. I went on and got Pregnant at the end of 2006 and had a baby girl in August of 2007 and she was a repeat c-section. So they are 17 months apart. I then got PG in June 2008 and miscarried in August 2008. Pg off period in October and just had another baby girl July 4, 2009 via c-section. I had great recoveries with all 3 c-sections. They will not let you have a vbac so close to a c-section. If you want a vaginal birth you have to wait at least 18 months. This is what my doctor told me. It is for fear that your uterus will rupture. But if you don't mind having another c-section I would say go for trying for baby #3.

Good Luck and I hope that helps

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D.C.

answers from Detroit on

My kids were both c-sections, and I got pregnant with #2 almost exactly 9 months later! My doctor at the time never told me I couldn't that soon, and I also had no trouble with my recovery! If you start now, it may take a few months...so it might be the one year anyway! If the doctor has no problem with it, do what your heart tells you. I am thrilled to have my babies 18 months apart!

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M.K.

answers from Detroit on

Hi D. -

How exciting that you are thinking about #3! I also got pregnant with my second child 9 months after my son was born (via c-section) and that was after I had a myomectomy (uterine surgery to remove a fibroid the year before). Uterine rupture is always a very scary possibility, but if you and your Dr.'s believe you and your body can handle it, go for it!

I see a wondreful doctor through Beaumont. Dr. McBride. He is part of Oakland Macomb OBGYN. They are a fairly large practice of about 8 dr.'s and they also have midwives. Some people don't like such large practices...so that is up to you!! They are wonderful though. ###-###-####. Dr. McBride has seen me through some very difficult times. Wonderful bedside manner and awesome doctor. Good luck!

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P.S.

answers from Detroit on

I had my first child via c-section and got pregant with my second when my first was 4 months old. They are almost exactly 13 months apart. My OB was fine with it and I had zero problems. Second pregnancy was easier for me than my first. Good luck!

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A.H.

answers from Detroit on

Something to keep in mind with the feedback you will be sure to get from those with more than one child here...

EVERY BODY is different, as is every pregnancy for each body and each time.

What one person experiences, is still going to be different for you. As we do not have your health history (and I feel your medical background can play a part in how your pregnancy will be affected - whether you have an easy one or not), the best way to get this answered is to talk with your OBGyn as she has your background in the previous deliveries, as well as your annual physicals.

Your doctor will be able to give you sound advice on what to expect if you conceive after a c-section as well as how long you should wait to allow your body to shift back after the internal trauma of carrying the pregnancy.

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H.H.

answers from Detroit on

I would suggest waiting the one full year before becoming pregnant again if you want to try for a vbac. I would also educate myself on VBAC statistics and the safety of having multiple c-sections.

This website is a great help, http://www.vbac.com/.

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B.J.

answers from Detroit on

Talk to your doctor, but I would at least wait the recommended 1 year.

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L.W.

answers from Detroit on

I know you already made your decision, but just wanted to let you know that after a horrible pregnancy 9 years ago that ended with 14 hours of labor, an emergency c-section and infection (but healthy baby!), I got pregnant (unexpectedly) at 8 months postpartum. One of the doctors freaked me out saying I should schedule a c section because of ruptured uterus risk, but I chose VBAC (with a scheduled c section day after due date in case I didn't go into labor by then...thinking that must be God's plan). At any rate, I carried my daughter to term with no complications from previous c section and had an amazing delivery (VBAC was successful!). My point is not that you should try VBAC (pretty sure most hospitals don't even allow it anymore for liability reasons)...but that I had no problems carrying baby to term even that quickly after my c section. Besides, it is ultimately going to be up to God anyway..."we plan and God lughs" :)
Good luck!

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N.S.

answers from Detroit on

I'd look into the other risk, what about the risk of the placenta forming to the scar tissue? Does the risk go down with time?

I tried a year after our csec and had a miscarriage. Then success 2 months later.

I agree with above. Everyone is different and it's between you and your doctor. Maybe find another doctor to get a second opinion?? My cousin started a website where people can ask doctors questions. Might be worth asking there. It's in the begining stages, but when I emailed a question before I got a response from the doctor 24 hrs later. There's a doctor for each area of expertise (pregnancy being one of them). http://www.physiciansforpatients.com/
Oh, and it's free.

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M.M.

answers from Saginaw on

I have two daughters and both were c-section. I was two weeks late with my first and they induced me but 14 hours later I had to have a c-section. My doctor told me 2 years wait to let everything internally fully heal. My doctor indicate the risk of miscarrige is increased before the two year mark as well. Hope this is helpful.

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B.W.

answers from Detroit on

Hi D.,

My first child was an emergency c-section. I then got pregnant when she was 9 months old and planned to have a VBAC until we found out he was breach. So my son ended up being a scheduled c-section. They are almost exactly 18 months apart and I had absolutely no problems with my second c-section. The recovery was a lot easier as well but I attribute that to not going through 18 hours of labor. Good luck. You will be fine. Don't get yourself all freaked out.

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B.S.

answers from Detroit on

My first 2 boys are 18 months apart, first was an emergency c-section (6/06), and second was a VBAC (12/07).
My OB had recommended I wait at least a year to get pregnant following the c/s, but I was about 10 weeks shy of (her) goal, oops.
Keep in mind everyone is different.

Good luck & enjoy those babies!

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