How Soon After C-section

Updated on April 08, 2009
C.M. asks from Kansas City, MO
21 answers

I was wondering if anyone has been told how long after a c-section they should wait before trying to have another baby. My hubby is not ready yet for another one and I'm not so sure I am either but I think if I have a time frame to go on, it will help me know when I am ready. I want to make sure that my body will be able to handle the stress before we try for another one.

Note: I'm not asking when it is ok to have sex. I'm asking when is it ok to have another baby. BIG difference!!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies for the advice. I will definately talk to my dr about it when we see him again. I just wanted a ball park ahead of time to see what other drs have said.

Featured Answers

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R.C.

answers from Wichita on

I know you are satisfied with the answers you got, but wanted to add that if you are interested in VBAC, there is a wonder birth center in Topeka that does vbacx, and they have an excellent record. They are just a couple blocks from a hospital in case a transfer is necessary, but it rarely is. For vbac birth, 18 mos between births is very nearly as safe as if you had never had a cesarian. Lots of people do just fine with less time, but the numbers are better with the 18 mos.

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N.T.

answers from St. Louis on

I don't know about a time frame but my friend had a baby this past July via c-section and she is expecting another one this coming July so her 1st baby was 3-4 months old when she got pregnant again and everything is going good.

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

The dr. told me it would be best if the two surgeries were 2 years apart (so waiting to get preggo til your little one is 15 mos). Most of it will depend on how well you recovered after the first one. I had a C-section the same week as 2 of my friends. One of them stopped taking pain meds the day she left the hospital. The other stopped about a week after she got home. I took mine until the prescription ran out. I really struggled with my recovery and decided I should make sure to wait the recommended time. But I think the other two would have been fine. I would ask your dr. what they recommend since they are more familiar with your history. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Joplin on

It takes 3 to 5 years for your body to completely heal after any baby.

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J.O.

answers from Kansas City on

One doctor told me it is best to wait 9 months after having a baby (with a vaginal birth), another told me it is best to wait 18 months after having a c-section.

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J.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I have had two c-sections. I have always been told to wait at least a year so your body has enough time to heal and get back to normal before you have another pregnany.

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J.H.

answers from St. Louis on

There is varying research out there that suggests to wait 19 months to 24 months if you are going to do a vaginal birth after cesarean. Other research finds no coorelation between time intervals and uterine rupture.

If you want to educate yourself on choices for your next birth look into the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). There is a chapter in Kansas City KS. The choice is yours. Uterine Rupture is a reality as another respondent stated. However, it is fairly rare .5 to .8 percent chance, depending upon the study you read. There are things you can do to increase your chances of a vaginal birth and lower your chances of UR. It is really important for women who want large families to consider VBACs. Repeat cesareans carry risks as well. The more cesareans the higher the risk. Educate yourself on your choices.

I had my VBAC 19 months after my cesarean with my son. Since it had taken over a year to conceive my son I was figuring I would start early. I was pregnant in 3 months. Be prepared for it to happen if you start planning early. I think the best spacing is one that works for your family.

Good luck

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R.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I would say that yuo can probably try to have another child as soon as you are ready, with one little side note. I had my 2 children 18 months apart and my doctor told me that he would prefer that I wait at least a year or 2 to try to concieve a 3rd time to give my uterus a chance to go back to it's normal state. But, I got much larger with my 2nd, and my 2nd child was larger than my 1st (thank goodness!) and after I gave birth to my 2nd, my uterus dropped out of place and I had to do special exercises to get it back where it needed to go. So, I had circumstances that may have caused my doctor to say that. My 1st child was born only 6 days early and she was only 6 pounds and 6 ounces, my 2nd was born at 7 pounds and 13 ounces and he was 2-1/2 weeks early. I also had re-occurring UTI's with my 2nd pregnancy that I didn't have with my 1st. So, in conclusion, I think that as long as you and your husband are comfortable and have a good feeling about it, you could start today!

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D.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I have had 2 c-sections. With my first (10 years ago) we had to wait 4-6 weeks before we did anything - we waited 4 weeks. With my second(also had tubes tied) (October 2008) I was told to wait 6-8 weeks - we waited 8 weeks. Hope this helps.

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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

I never had a C-section. When my son was born they said I had to wait atleast 6wks before doing anything. So I would assume having surgery it would be longer, you can always call your OB to find out. They should have told you that info in the hospital.

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I have had 3 c-sections and wasn't told how soon we could have more kids but the first 2 are 3 years apart and 3rd one is 5 yrs younger than our 2nd. I had a lot of problems after the first one and think that one took me a lot longer to heal but didn't have any problems with the 2nd baby and healed a lot faster. 3rd one the doctor let me go into full labor which I was not supposed to so she had to do another emergency c-section so had some problems but still wasn't as bad as after the first one. Just go with how you feel, If everything goes well you will probably feel well within a few months.

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A.J.

answers from Kansas City on

I was told to wait at least a year, which I did. I will say it is harder at the beginning to take care of your todler and a newborn but after awhile it gets easier. Course everyone is different and all pregnancies are different, mine were. I would call your Dr. and talk to him/her about it they will have a better idea. Good luck and best wishes.

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I heard a rumor to wait 2 years to let your body heal. Not sure if its true but I know some people that got pregnant when they had a 3 month old and they were fine. Guess it just depends.

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K.K.

answers from St. Louis on

I had a c-section in July of 08 and was told by my doctor to wait at least a year before you get pregnant again.

Hope this helps!

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V.F.

answers from Topeka on

I know many who have had another within a year to a year and 1/2 after a C Section. Good Luck!!

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C.F.

answers from Kansas City on

I deal spacing for kids is 3 yrs per Peds. So that would put waiting a min of 1.5 yrs. Giving you a half a year of trying. It take approx 1 year for the body and hormones to go thru the healing and adjustment process post delivery,but that time also lenghtens when breast feeding. To make the milk you are also producing higher amounts of hormones. So add the time of breast feeding to that. Then your body will be ready to take on another pregnancy. This wait also gives the incision in the uterus time to heal and thicken. If it doesn't thicken it can actually rupture during the pregnancy or during a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section)During my time working in OB we did see scar ruptures and fortunately they were in the hospital when it happened. When that happens it is an emergency situation to save both mom and babe.

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C.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Wow... I had a c-section but I don't recall being told anything about waiting. I was one of those that was done with the pain meds the day after it happened, but I'm waiting anyway til two cars are paid off to have another one anyway! Be sure to ask your doctor this question since everyone is different.

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A.H.

answers from Springfield on

On average (C-Section or not), I believe most doctors say space kids out no closer than 2 years apart; however, I believe (and heard once) that the human body is designed to reproduce approximately every 4 years (hence the reason for the term 7 year itch). It is more like 4 years and later was misconstrued into the term "7 year itch." Reality: It is more closer to 4 years vs. 7 years for "the itch." The itch (in history) causes mates to change partners and have a variety of children. While this is not acceptable to many people, it does have something we can learn from...4 years allows ample time for the child to have parental attention, to be loved and nurtured...potty trained and walking.

If you are considering having another child seek professional advice from your doctor and plan for it as opposed to just letting it happen naturally w/o planning for it first.

Hope this answers your question and good luck.

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A.F.

answers from Lawrence on

I am not sure what the recomendation is but, my children are 15 months apart and I had a c-section for my first pregnacy. I had no coplications on my second pregnacy other than my son being 2 weeks late.

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D.A.

answers from St. Louis on

I got pg with #2 when #1 was 14 mos old. I recovered just fine. I've heard that you should wait at least a year, but I have know people who waited less than that without any problems. Obviously, the longer you wait, the easier it is on your body.

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A.D.

answers from Springfield on

I got pregnant only four months after having a c-section. It was not planned but everything was eventually fine. The second one was a lot harder to recover from however due to my body not having a break. Good luck.

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