QuestionQUESTION: I just recently had and emergency c-section at 28.3 weeks. My uterus was still
very thick they had to cut the Uterus vertically. What are my dangers of going
into labour in the future? and how soon will my Uterus heal? and when is it safe
to get pregnant again?
ANSWER: Dear Gloria,
With any previous C-section, there is some risk that the surgical scar from that C-section could stretch and pull apart (rupture) during a subsequent labor and delivery, often with very serious consequences for mother and/or baby. Typically, a classical (vertical) incision line is considered to be a higher risk for a rupture occurring because the incision line runs through the main body of the uterus, which is more muscular and contains more blood vessels. In this case, a repeat C-section may be advised to avoid a rupture of the uterus. However, if pregnancy and labor are allowed and closely monitored, a woman may be able to have a normal vaginal delivery (VBAC).
In researching the timing of a subsequent pregnancy for you, I found some information from some studies done on complications after a C-section (not totally specific to classical scars). In one study of 170 women, the risk of scar rupture was significantly higher when the gap between pregnancies was less than six months. In another more powerful, study of 2,409 women who opted for a VBAC, the women who had conceived within 18 months of their previous section were three times more likely to have a scar rupture than women with a longer gap between pregnancies. In a third study an increased risk of scar rupture was seen for women who had had a premature delivery by C-section, particularly if they hadn't labored at all before the section and if the gap between the deliveries was less than two years.
As far as healing, the usual time for recovery from a C-section is usually 4-6 weeks, with full healing usually complete by three months.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have heard of women getting pregnant 5 months after a vertical c-section, and
had no complications. Is that a rare happening? I just lost my twin babies and i
do not want to wait so long to get pregnant, I am almost 30 and we want a
family, but I do not want to danger my health or lose a baby again! Am I crazy to
get pregnant 6 months after my c section?
AnswerDear Gloria,
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. All I can do is to give you the statistics that I presented in your previous question. Except, I can also tell you that I do not consider it crazy to want to get pregnant again after what you have gone through and in your circumstances!
I would definitely suggest that you have a PRE-pregnancy consultation with your OB/GYN. He/she should know how the surgery went, what the condition of your uterus was, etc,... That would be the person to give you the most knowledgeable answer as to the suggested spacing of another pregnancy in your specific case. Each case is different. If your uterus was in very healthy condition and the incision healed ideally without any obvious weakened areas - he/she may not have any issues with you starting to try to conceive again relatively soon. But you really need to get the most educated opinion as to your particular case.
I hope this has helped you. Be well!
Brenda
