Infertility after c section

Just to add generally, I wanted a natural birth but had an elective c section as I was advised I was more than 50% likely to finish up with a c section if I was induced or went into labour (won’t go into details as not relevant here). However, I was never made aware that secondary infertility was a risk of c section. Many doctors tell you c section is much safer. I do wonder whether with more and more people having c sections, in a few years we will be more aware of the risks of damage to the reproductive organs. I am regretful of my decision to have an elective c section now for obvious reasons.

@Lucy040288bumping this tread as reading your post I did a double take to see if it wasn’t me who had written it a few months ago! Also TTC since Jan 2024 for my second baby after c section. After 9 months and several scans that showed nothing I went to a fertility clinic and did a hycosy. They found my right tube was closed with right ovary immobile and stuck to my uterus. Left tube appeared healthy but was “slow to fill” on the test. Was pleased initially as thought they had finally found the problem and cleared my left tube and so I would get pregnant. 3 months later and no success and I was back at the clinic and they recommended IVF. Like you, I wanted a laparoscopy to check for endometriosis. However, my fertility consultant advised against it. Her take was that it was my c section that had caused adhesions that were blocking my tubes. She said a laparoscopy risked further scarring and was not recommended without a proper reason to do it. Fast forward and the IVF cycle was very successful. I am lucky to have a high egg count so finished up with several good embryos (which I had PGT-A tested due to being 38 and more than half were genetically abnormal so the add on was worth it IMO). My consultant was confident in my prospects but my first transfer failed. We are going to do one more transfer and if that doesn’t work, she has recommended further investigations to see if anything else is wrong. It is a tough decision and a huge gamble but at least having done the IVF I have “banked” a few healthy embryos. Time is critical the closer you get to 40. Have you had any luck since you posted?

@Lucy040288
there were no blockages found - I had a HSG done after my first ectopic- but the doctors were honest in that there is no test which can prove either way whether a tube is damaged internally/externally and no longer functions - the only way of knowing would be to get pregnant with a baby in the right place.
in fact when they removed my first tube they said visually my remaining tube looked “perfect” - but I went on to lost it pretty much on the next pregnancy

if you’ve been having chemical pregnancies post c section it’s entirely possible that these were in fact ectopics which you me body managed to resolve itself

Yes I was left infertile after a c section for my eldest child. Ultimately scar tissue caused 2 ruptured ectopic pregnancies and I had to spend £40k on IVF to conceive again. It can only be related to my c section as post c section I would have the most horrendous pain at ovulation to the point I’d have to take a sick day from work and my stomach would swell. When they operated for my first ectopic they found a lot of scar tissue and my ovary was stuck to my bowel. They did do an adhesionectomy but I still went on to have the 2nd ectopic

Its hard to know what caused the tubal blockage.
C section scarring can potentially cause scarring of the womb affecting implantation . Scarring of the tubes themselves tho from c section , while possible the risk is considered very low risk.
it's possible to have had an infection after the surgery also which is quite possible. Or , it could simply have always been there. I conceived despite quite a severe tubal blockage and you'd never know it was there. It doesn't always produce symptoms and and it was only after pregnancy that mine became bothersome . I only knew it existed prior due to fertility investigations

Just 1 tablet from Holland and Barrett sorry I can’t remember the dose. I think it was what was advised in Its Starts With An Egg book. Or some instagram account

2-3 months

Yeah one of the confirmed issues is Asherman Syndrome

Oh I see! I had an emergency c-section with my first one but had no problems conceiving my other 2. They are 23 months apart between my eldest and my middle child and 13 months between my middle child and my youngest. So I was completely oblivious to this!

I had an emergency c section 10 years ago and have been trying to conceive for over 4 years. Same as you had right sided pain etc I have just had laparoscopy on Wednesday and they couldn’t find any reason for the pain. It’s so frustrating isn’t it 🥺

@Lucy040288 I have to say I have never heard about a c section affecting fertility. You say you have a blocked tube? Did I understand correctly? Could that be affecting your inability to conceive? What does your doctor say with regards to this?

Go for the ivf xxx

I think you can see a fertility specialist and do some other steps first before you go to ivf. Worth a try?

are you doing stuff like coq10 I don’t know if it made a difference but we both took it after getting fed up of not conceiving each month