QuestionQUESTION: I delivered a baby through a c-section in October 18 2007 but she died. Am now 28 weeks pregnant and I feel fine. I have heard that you need to wait for atleast 18 months before you get pregnant again, what are the risk that are involved. Am I going to have any complications. Please help me.
ANSWER: Josephine,
First of all, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you.
To answer your question, it is recommended to wait 18 months between children if you have a c-section to allow the uterus time to heal from the trauma of the incision. Having children closer together can put more strain on the uterus and lead to an increased risk of uterine rupture.
Just because you don't have 18 months between pregnancies doesn't mean that anything bad will happen. However, there are certain things you can do to limit your risks.
To limit the risk of uterine rupture, you should avoid having your labor induced as this increases the force of contractions and can cause many other complications besides uterine rupture.
Also, depending on the reason for your first c-section, you most likely will be able to have a VBAC or vaginal birth after cesarean section. I would highly recommend you look into this option if you haven't already. In the vast majority of cases, a woman who has a primary c-section can go on to have the rest of her children vaginally.
Actually, the risks decrease once you have a successful vaginal birth. Inversely, the risks increase with every c-section you have.
So, try your best to relax and enjoy your pregnancy.
Best,
Catherine
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: To avoid going into labor can I give birth through a c-section at week 38 or could it be premature birth.
ANSWER: Josephine,
I'm not quite sure why you would want to avoid going into labor as there is much research that shows babies benefit from labor. It stimulates their respiratory system, lowers the incidence of allergies/asthma, removes fluid from the body and other such benefits.
While c-sections are sometimes scheduled at 38 weeks, it could be a premature birth as the baby's lungs are still developing since pregnancies can go as long as 42 weeks safely. Also, if your dates are off or you have irregular cycles, you may not be as far along as you thought. Without testing for lung maturity, you won't know if the baby is ready to be born.
Best,
Catherine
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Catherine
If I went into normal labor and gave birth through vaginal birth would that cause the uterine rupture.
At times when I press on my stomach it is painful what could be the cause of the pain that I experience.
AnswerJosephine,
Having a vaginal birth does not mean you will have a uterine rupture. It also doesn't prevent one. Having a c-section does not guarantee you won't have a uterine rupture either. It's truly impossible to give you odds on this because of the limited information I have on your history.
There could be many reasons why pressing on your belly is painful, including the baby's position, the stretching of muscles/tissue, how hard you're pressing, etc. If it hurts when you press on it, stop pressing.
If there is no pain when you don't press on your belly, then I wouldn't worry.
Catherine
