Fluid in uterus, ttc previous cesareans

[Herehoping93]

Has anyone else got any experience with infertility caused by a c section scar defect and fluid in uterus?
I currently been ttc for 3+ years since 2 previous c sections and few miscarriages since. I was rejected for ivf based if the finding of a niche and fluid accumulation. Theu said the won't put the embryo in with the fluid there.
I am awaiting surgery to repair the niche, remove adhesion and any endometriosis.
I have had an MRI scan which confirmed the defect but was only small and was no fluid at that time but I have been advised to try ivf before surgery due to potential more infertility problems after surgery and such a long waiting list times with nhs.
So I have spoken to ivf clinic they have agreed to go ahead but have said that when it comes to egg transfer day if there is fluid it will be a freeze all until fluid is gone or I have the surgery. So worried about this i just want the fluid to go.
Every transvaginal scan I have had has shown a small amount of free fluid in cavity.
Any advice on how to get this out naturally before egg transfer.
Or any advice would be great.

Thank you so much for replying. Congratulations on your little one 🥰 Would you mind me asking what the recovery was like? I’m scheduled to have it on 20th October and am very nervous. Did you go private? I am due to my age (42) x

I went privately as well, I am a vomiter with anaesthetics so that was my main issue post. The recovery was fine. I took it easy for a couple of weeks and had this time off work and had no issues going back to work (I’m a nurse so do lots of manual stuff in my job). The most frustrating part of my recovery was having to wait at least 6 months before trying to get pregnant again.

@Dojiejo congratulations 💕 I wondered if you would share whether you were able to conceive prior to the niche repair? I can conceive but just have early miscarriages, I’ve had 6 in a row now. Just waiting for niche repair surgery. Thanks in advance.

So sorry for the delay in replying.

I am sorry to hear the difficulty journey you have experienced with 6 miscarriages.

Prior to my niche repair I had miscarriage and a chemical pregnancy (from 6 IVF transfers).

After my niche repair I had 1 unsuccessful transfer and a successful pregnancy. I continued to have fluid in uterus and on the successful pregnancy they aspirated the fluid from my uterus before my transfer.

Feel free to send my a DM if you have further questions.

@Dojiejo im currrently considering repair after a c section scar ectopic. Can you please share where you had your repair done / which doctor? Did they use Davinci robot? Thank you

Hi all,

I'm jumping on to this thread late and really hope you've all had positive outcomes 🤞🏼.

I've been having symptoms since my periods returned after my second child, but it wasn't until I was admitted to hospital a couple of months ago with a serious infection, that the doctors figured out my problem of a niche. The fluid that was built up in there and 'trapped' became infected and I needed IV antibiotics. Once they did their job they just sent me home (NHS). Anyway, I've asked to be referred back as I'm still have pain and bleeding throughout the month after my period and I feel at risk of another infection all the time - it's really worrying me. Has anyone had success with their niche being treated on the NHS? I'm awaiting an appointment with gynecology

Thank you x

I did not end up going for a repair but didn’t want to not respond. Join the C section scar defect (isthmocele) support group - group on Facebook. There are women on there that did get a repair on nhs. Global group, so a lot of women from US and elsewhere, but if you do search of Uk or London you’ll find them. A lot go privately in UK- I found Dr Saridogan in London to be a top surgeon here for repairs- laproscopic and hysteroscopic. I met with him privately and he suggested I ttc without repair as I am asymptomatic except had a c section scar ectopic. Since you have symptoms and are being treated on NHS so far, you may have luck to get them to foot the bill. I did read one woman reach out via letter to a doctor in a different city and was treated on nhs that way, but it took time. Wishing you luck!

@mommytobe2020
Thank you so much for replying, that's really helpful and interesting to hear. I'll certainly join that group and gather some more information. Xxx

@seven201I hope you don’t mind me messaging as I know this is a very old post, but I’m also going to see Dr Lower next month as I have a c section niche and have had multiple chemical pregnancies since having my daughter 3 years ago. You mentioned that you were preg the month after your surgery…did he give any advice about delaying ttc afterwards? The thought of waiting to try fills me with dread due to my age, so your post gave me some hope that this might not be the case!

I can’t remember clearly, as it was a few years ago now, if I had to delay or not. IF I did have to delay it would only have been one month max. I’m about 70% sure that I didn’t have to delay at all. I think my surgery was pretty soon after my period, so had long enough to recover.

I haven’t scrolled up to see what I previously posted on this thread but I did have a happy ending. The main thing Mr Lower fixed for me was removing an adhesion that was acting like a coil, tidied up my c-section niche and removed a cyst. After I had one pregnancy very quickly after the surgery (mc), another I think 2 months later (mc), then lots of investigations and mc prevention treatment elsewhere and an ivf pregnancy (mc) then a pregnancy with letrazole (ovulation induction) and mc prevention treatment and now have an 18month old.

I was obsessed with delays so I understand where you’re coming from - used to drive me mad having yet another wasted month. I never bought into the use it as a chance to relax thing - just couldn’t relax. Good luck with your journey

@seven201thanks for the reply. Your story is so encouraging. I’m with a different clinic too (CRP) but all my immunology tests came back as normal so I’m not convinced that I’m being treated for the right thing. It’s so hard to know what the right path is when you’re so tight on time!

I was with CRP too (after Mr Lower surgery) and I do believe I wouldn’t have my child now if I hadn’t gone to CRP (but they did find things to treat for me, so not the same scenario as yours). I was 41 when I had my second, much older than I personally wanted but sometimes we just can’t control it. It’s very hard letting go of control and trusting doctors.

i regret the first gynaecologist I saw (gave me an incorrect diagnosis that wasted a few years really) and the ivf clinic I went with (as if I’d been to one that is more thorough on testing that issue would have been spotted and I wouldn’t have done 3 rounds of ivf that had no chance of success). It’s really hard to trust people but that’s the only option really. Mr Lower and CRP both have good reputations.

@seven201so frustrating about getting the wrong diagnosis from your first gynae. I’m also SO worried about this because of my normal results. Did you do super ovulation with CRP? I’ve done 2 cycles but felt like my body responded really weirdly to it - I went for my scan on day 9 and was told to trigger a
couple of days later. I continued to do ovulation tests (as I’m obsessed with having as much info as possible) and both months I got a positive ovulation test before triggering. I’m sure that meant I was too late taking the trigger, as my body had already started the natural ovulation process. The second month I suspected I would peak before the trigger and CRP told me to move the trigger timing 12 hours earlier, but again I got a peak just before. I understand they need to base their timings off scan measurements of the follicles, but I’m worrying that I’m harming my chances by doing superov instead of improving them. I ovulate myself every month and was only doing it because of my age. It’s just so hard knowing what is best!!

Yeah I did super ovulation. Ovulation tests just show you should ovulate in next day or so I think. If you’re worried have sex just before too. So hard not to overthink every little thing.

@Dojiejo i appreciate post was some time ago however I’ve just been diagnosed with an isthmocele and I’m trying to find someone that can operate on it as I’m too old to wait for the nhs. If you don’t mind me asking, what was the name of your surgeon? Many thanks. Any information appreciated

@mommytobe2020 I hope you dont mind me messaging. I am.extremely symptomatic and need a repair. I am TTC for over a year and only just discovered I have this, despite always having fluid in scans and 16 day long bleeding. I have also been recommended mr Saridogan and looking to book.an appointment. How did you find him and did he indicate a cost at all if you were to do the repair? I live im Devon and I find it hard that you cant really ask any questions before spending so much on just a consultation . Thanks

@Akcl2021 I’m sorry you’re going through this. I am unsure about pricing- I believe he does both hysteroscopic and lap repairs, depending what’s needed. I found him to be great actually. He advised me to not do the surgery and come back in 6 months if I did not successfully conceive. I think that’s quite honest of him - rather than suggesting payment. I really liked him and I believe his consult was approx 200£. He takes insurance, but does not work with AXA. He also reviewed other scans that I had at other places before the meeting, so if you have any scans or reports do send them in first. I hope he can help you. I would recommend to see him.

Brilliant thanks so much for replying. Did he scan you ? Im wondering if I do the first consultation remote if he wont be scanning me. Yes I have lots of scans he can review! Annoyingly my insurance wont cover me as I raised these symptoms 14 months ago to the NHS and then took my insurance out 12 months ago... so deemed a pre existing condition even without the diagnosis... Thanks so much

@Akcl2021 he did not scan me and I do think my consult could have been done remotely. Perhaps he may suggest a scan after your appt, but likely another appointment and not done during the consult. Especially if you already have scans to share- I would say go for the remote appt.

Thank you so much

Thank you so much

Thank you so much

I’ve had this surgery done but there’s a 4-6 month wait till I can do a frozen embryo transfer so just waiting at the moment and have to wait for 3 months to see if the niche is gone!

Ah I was aware they recommend 3 month wait until you can try after surgery. Im hoping the wait for surgery isn't too long. Where did you have your surgery done? Thanks

I think 3 is best case and some surgeons say 6! Feels like a long time. I had it done in London via robotic laparoscopic repair. There’s a useful fb group if you want to join.