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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Do you have to wait a year post C-section to TTC again?

21 replies

Guntie · 13/09/2013 19:56

I had an EMCS with my first and really don't want to wait a year before TTC again.

Has anyone been in the same boat? I don't want to do anything irresponsible but I'm just desperate to TTC # 2

Please be gentle with me- I know I seem like a lunatic!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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MissStrawberry · 13/09/2013 20:05

Not a lunatic at all!

I had an EMCS but wasn't sewn up properly so it didn't heal. When I finally got taken seriously this was 15 months later and I told the doctor I might be pregnant. He said it would be better if I wasn't but they would deal with it if I was. I wasn't. I finally got pregnant 18-19 months after my section and had another baby 22 months later. That third pregnancy was the problem as I nearly ruptured and DC and I nearly didn't make it.

Having said all that if you have recovered well and your body has fully healed then there may not be a reason to hold off. My point is a baby being born more than 4 years after the first birth, and 3 years after the op, was an issue for me but DC2 was fine (had a retained placenta though, apparently common after a section) so there is no way of knowing what might happen.

Get medical advice and good luck.

ZingWantsCake · 13/09/2013 20:11

you don't have to do anything, but I would actually wait for at least a year.

the single biggest problem is the risk of the scar rapturing - and that means any of the seven layers including the uterus itself, so there is a risk of internal bleeding.

if your child is about 2 years old when baby is born, you have a good chance of being able to go for a VBAC, if that's what you want.

any smaller gap between the kids will probably mean you'll have to have an ELSC - and you will be recovering with a very young child in tow!!!!!

I understand that you are eager to try again.

how old is your child?

SingingBear · 13/09/2013 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

penguinplease · 13/09/2013 20:15

I had 2 c sections 13 months apart.. All worked out fine for me. Best thing I ever did!

ZingWantsCake · 13/09/2013 20:17

singing that is very interesting (and well done you! )

when was your DC1 born? in the UK?

my DC4 was ELSC - he is almost 7.

I wonder if advice varies so much depending on the consultant/hospital/area

SingingBear · 13/09/2013 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rufus43 · 13/09/2013 20:49

2 c sections 17.5 months apart. No long term problems, apart from the ciders themselves obviously

TippiShagpile · 13/09/2013 20:52

I had em section with ds1 and had ds2 (vbac) 12 months later. Not ideal but doable.

JoinYourPlayfellows · 13/09/2013 20:55

If you wait a year you could still have a 21 month age gap.

That's a pretty small gap.

I would wait. It really takes about a year to start feeling totally back to yourself after a section.

I did the 22 month gap and although it worked out fine, I don't think it did my body any favours at all.

Next gap was 2.5 years and god, the different in how well I felt while pregnant was enormous.

superzero · 13/09/2013 21:00

Was pg 10m after 1st ELCS and had 2nd DC by ELCS 18m later.No problems.I've since had a 3rd,22m later,again no problems and no regrets.

Original poster

Guntie · 13/09/2013 21:22

Thank you all. I know I should be responsible and wait. The desire for another pregnancy right now is so strong. Do you have any idea if the internal scar can be checked on to see if it healed well? With a scan or something? Sorry- rambling but very much enjoying reading others experiences.

I feel even more disappointed things ended with the section- if it hasn't I wouldn't be in this quagmire..

OP posts:

JoinYourPlayfellows · 13/09/2013 21:29

Even if you hadn't had a section a lot of HCPs recommend giving your body at least a year of not being pregnant.

Is there any reason you're in such a rush?

poocatcherchampion · 13/09/2013 21:43

I was pregnant 9 months after dc1. was all lined up for a vbac but dc2 was footling breech so another section.

I've been advised by surgeon to wait 2 years this time which we will do as I'm not in such a rush now . no one gave me any timescale last time and my second pregnancy was so much better than my first. as was my second section for that matter.

blibblibs · 13/09/2013 21:45

I had 2 c sections 15months apart - all was good

VerySmallSqueak · 13/09/2013 21:49

I don't even remember being told to wait a year.
I was pregnant 9 months after c section and there was absolutely no questions raised when it came to me requesting that I try VBAC.
I ended up with a second c section,but nothing to do with the previous one.

rallytog1 · 13/09/2013 22:18

I was told to leave at least a year between c sections - ie I could get pregnant when DD was three months old if I wanted. Oh how I laughed.

abigboydidit · 13/09/2013 22:36

I had a VBAC when DS was 20 months old with full support of consultant. My GP said to consider CS recovery along same lines as hysterectomy and that you'd be back at work after the later 12 weeks post surgery!

Shootingstarsandcomets · 16/09/2013 20:39

I had a c section 12 months ago and conceived again 5 months later.
One consultant advised an elcs due to short time between births and another much better one said I could try a vbac as the time between pregnancies makes very little difference on scar rupture rates which are incredibly low anyway.
If you feel ready I think you can ttc whenever you like.

Billy11 · 16/09/2013 22:22

I was advised to wait at least a year...but accidentally i conceived 4.5 months after...due in two weeks for another c section ...i have been fine apart from some stretching pains in my old scar...

Stangirl · 24/09/2013 09:34

I had IVF when DC1 was 8 myths after ELCS and no consultant advised that was wrong. All went well.

YoMamma · 24/09/2013 10:44

I am currently 24 weeks pg with dd2 and dd1 will be 1 in 2 weeks. Had emcs with dd1 and wasn't advised to wait any specific length of time before ttc again. I did check with my mil who is a GP and she didn't recommend against the small age gap. I'm planning a vbac this time and nobody has recommended otherwise. In fact I don't recall midwife or consultant even mentioning the small age gap.

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