Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Problems conceiving after csections

36 replies

Dipsy3 · 28/10/2010 11:13

Hi there! Been ttc for 12 months now: 'no' luck. Have had three c sections. Could they be the cause of my subfertility? All tests on dh and I have come back normal. Should I ask for a scan of ovaries to check if scar tissue may be the culprit? If scar tissue is an issue, would that mean I would have normal periods or not? I have a regular 28 day cycle. Opks predict regular ovulation, and fertility friend confirms ovulation on days 14,15,or16(varies from one month to the next). If scar tissue was an issue, would this affect my cycles, or would they be this normal? I am 43 and dh is 47. Maybe it is due to our ages? I have an 15yr old, then 6 year old and 4 yr old ( all delivered by c section). Grateful for any/ all replies and advice. Thankyou xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
Dipsy3 · 28/10/2010 22:14

MA: you've really been through it haven't you darling ? I am so so sorry for all that you have been through. Couldn't you travel to somewhere like London( just seen your AS link on YouTube: very informative: also highlights just how important it is to see a specialist, as the list of things he mentions which could go wrong don't bear thinking about)for treatment? This is very important: please weigh up all your options before you go for treatment. You only get one chance: don't waste it. I also read somewhere that whilst conducting these investigations, the implements cancause damage to the Walls of your tubes and cause further adhesions and scar tissue to form: so it's even more important to get the correct diagnosis and treatment; and for that it requires you to go to a person who has the credentials to match. I know you are more knowledgeable than I, but please don't be hasty... Make judgements you'd recommend to a friend. This is not something you can afford to compromise on. I sense that you may try and cut corners to stay local, but you might well have to travel further afield if you want the best for you and any future children. If I have spoken out of turn then please forgive me: especially if I have misread your situation. Smile x x x

OP posts:
MummyAbroad · 28/10/2010 21:54

Hi Dipsy,

I had a mc 7 months ago and never got my period back. Even progesterone wont bring it on. I had some weird complication where placental cells grew back, they thought it was molar for a while but it turned out not to be. Basically I had retained tissue for about 3 months which is very unusual. My blood tests are also all normal (although I have to get more done next week, because my doc still suggesting this could be a hormonal problem)

I am really worried that I had AS before the pregnancy and this may have caused the mc. It was a mmc discovered at 14 weeks, the baby died at at least 8 and half so right around when the placenta would have started doing its job (which it wouldnt have been able to do if there was scar tissue present)

I have a DS, who is 2. When he was born, I opted for a natural third stage but the midwife pulled the placenta out straight away causing massive hemoraging, a month later I had to have an ERPC for retained placenta products, I am worried that this did damage.

I have been put on the pill Sad, to see how my body responds to hormone stimulation, I have around a week left, then I am doing more bloods and then an HSG. I know from scans that my uterine lining is only 3mm (should be 8 post ov) I am ovulating (both scans and charting confirm this) and am also fit, healthy and vitamined up to my eyeballsGrin
My dilema at the moment is finding the best way to get diagnosed. I live in Costa Rica and am paying privately but I am finding it really hard to find a doctor I trust (they all just take your money and tell you what you want to hear!) I would rather a 4D scan than the HSG because I believe it has better accuracy, but a scan is only as good as the person reading it and there are no AS specialists over here. The other problem is getting the courage up to do it, I have had so many sessions in those stirrups, I start having panic attacks now! I hate it so much!
Having said that I will do it, because I really need to know whats going on with my body.

Original poster
Dipsy3 · 28/10/2010 21:28

Mummyabroad: I have had all of the tests you kindly suggested above. I have been taking a lot of supplements including the ones you mentioned; B6, B complex; iron (prescribed by gp as I'm anaemic), co-enzyme Q10,flaxseed oil, vitabiotics, seaweed- reason: I always have done for as long as I can remember. I'm a health freak! I spend an hour a day working out: weights, aerobics and sometimes swim too! CM very embarrassing: pantyliner in place most days of the month. Ovarian reserve: that of a 29 year old ( apparently), hormone levels good: but to be on the safe side (because of my age), the dr kindly prescribed clomid for 3 months: with 'no' tracking: to help things along. First month 50mg dose, increased for the next month to 100mg and the last to 150mg. No use. Ended that treatment after 3 months. What have you tried MA?How long have you been trying? What's your story? x

OP posts:
MummyAbroad · 28/10/2010 21:09

Hello,

I am no expert but have been doing a lot of reading lately about Ashermans Syndrome (scar tissue on in the uterus), as I am going to be tested for it too.

A scan of your ovaries wont be able to tell you if you have AS (which affects the uterus lining, making implantation difficult or impossible and/or fallopian tubes affecting conception) but they scan will show you if you have any cysts, and then thickness of your uterine lining (if done post ovulation) so it could still be useful in looking for infertility problems generally.

Women with AS have lighter than normal periods or no periods at all. They ovulate normally and in cases where there are no periods often feel period pain around the time they should be bleeding. Diagnosis of Ashermans syndrom can be done via:

  • Sonohysterography your uterus is filled with saline solution and then looked at with 4D ultrasound
  • an HSG exam, where dye is put into your uterus and then an xray is taken
  • a hysteroscopy (keyhole surgery where a small camera is inserted to have a look)

Here are two great sources of info about AS

Dr Lower interview
www.ashermans.org/

Of course there are many reasons for subfertility, AS is usually the last to be explored. Have you had day two blood tests to see if your hormone levels are OK? Is your ovarian reserve OK? Do you have good quality CM? If not, have you tried taking evening primrose oil or Guaifenesin?

best wishes
xxx

Original poster
Dipsy3 · 28/10/2010 17:22

Anytimenow: sorry to hear of your losses. Hope you get some answers and more importantly SOLUTIONS. FX for you. We haven't even had a BFP. I think my age is a contributing factor too though. I just feel sorry for my dh really Sad

OP posts:
AnytimeNOW · 28/10/2010 17:05

Hello Dipsy I am in a similar situation...have two DC 6 and 7 both by sections, and was advised any further births would be section also.

I am in a new relationship now, and we would love a child together...so far this year we have two early losses and one chemical pregnancy.
I have had basic bloods done, all ok, and have been referred to recurrent mc clinic to hopefully get some answers.

Like you though, I am worried that my scar tissue may be stopping implatation??? even my GP agrees it may be the problem.

Hopefully somebody will be along soon to advise better.

I am starting acupunture next week as have read many good reports! may just relax me...but worth a shotSmilex

Original poster
Dipsy3 · 28/10/2010 11:51

Thankyou very much Ariane and Ripmac( loving your name! ): you've confirmed what I was thinking i.e. Age and stress, so I will try to persevere, whilst requesting a scan and looking for a decent reflexologist in my area. Smile

OP posts:
ariane5 · 28/10/2010 11:35

try reflexology iam convinced it worked for me when ttc no.3 esp as it took me 2yrs for 1st and 18mths for 2nd.

if nothing else its relaxing which might help in itself.

i have a lovely friend who is 45 and has just had her third baby so age doesnt necessarily mean itll be more difficult.

Original poster
Dipsy3 · 28/10/2010 11:24

We would like a baby together. We have only been together for two years. My previous husband is the father of my 3dcs. He succumbed to cancer when my youngest was only 3 weeks old. My present dh has 'no' kids of his own, and I would dearly love to give him his own biological child. He is a wonderful dad to my kids and a good husband. Just trying to understand whether it is my sections or age which are the factor here, for not falling pregnant as quickly as I used to do in the past.

OP posts:
RipMacWinkle · 28/10/2010 11:23

Well it did take us a while after our CS to conceive our DD.

However, I'd like to very gently point out that, although the CS may be a factor, I suspect your ages could be a bigger factor.

However, I could be taking rubbish here.

Good luck!

ariane5 · 28/10/2010 11:18

i have pcos and have had 3 c/s.took me 18 mths to conceive my 2nd baby and i was worried the c/s had caused probs. i had placenta accreta and a lot of other probs but it only took 1 month of trying to get pg with no.3.

might be worth going to gp and asking for scan referral just so that they can check and hopefully put your mind at rest.

good luck!

Swipe left for the next trending thread