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Original poster

When is too soon to try again after c section?

34 replies

dancingmumma · 06/12/2021 18:38

My lovely daughter was born 8 weeks ago by planned c section and I already can't stop thinking about when we can try again for a sibling. She's our first baby and we'd really love 3 children, but I feel like I'm too old to have 2 more pregnancies even though I'm only 28!

I know it's advised against getting pregnant again within the first 12 months after a section, but would it be harmful if I did?

OP posts:
Asi1 · 06/12/2021 18:42

The longer you leave your scars to heal the stronger you will be. Advice is 6 months, my sister in law waited two yrs and it took her a year to get back to normal.

But you know your body so its how you feel, definitely seek advice before actually actively trying.

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 06/12/2021 19:03

I fell pregnant with DD2 when DD1 was 10 months - DD1 was IVF, DD2 was a total surprise and both were planned c sections

dillydallydollydaydream7 · 06/12/2021 19:04

Congratulations on your little girl also :) I loved the days of them being so small so much

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Chely · 06/12/2021 19:09

Under 2 years is usually seen as an increased risk for scar rupture. I've seen some on here have less than a year between c-sections and been fine.

I had my 1st elcs in 2015 with twins, had another in Aug and had scar rupture as I laboured before surgery (very big baby 4.96kg). I was booked for an elcs but she didn't want to wait an extra day. I was told to wait 2 years if we have more.

TulipsGarden · 06/12/2021 19:10

Your body needs a year to recover. You may feel fit and well again, but the wounds are deep for a c section and your body takes a while to go back to normal. I know my lower stomach was still swollen at four months post-birth.

And think very carefully about having two very little ones at the same time - everyone I know who did it found it much harder than expected and basically just existed for a year or two.

Sunrae28 · 06/12/2021 19:14

I was told 2 years

TheEncouragingStranger · 06/12/2021 19:14

Small age gap is lovely, but honestly I'd give yourself at least a year to recover. Partly to enjoy your daughter on her own for a while - it's lovely having the time to fully devote to one child. 2, or 3 children is a lovely thing too, but your attention will be much more divided once more come along.

But also, the scar rupture risk is a real reason to let yourself heal as much as you can. Your baby/ babies will want you fit and healthy, not hospitalised with pregnancy problems. Keep yourself healthy for you, but also for them.

User0ne · 06/12/2021 19:48

The increased risk of uterine rupture is actually very small.

Lots of women get pregnant less than a year after a section and many of those will have a "normal" vaginal delivery.

I had ds2 (hbac) when ds1 (section) was 16m old with no issues. It is very challenging having a young toddler and a baby though.

Anybridget7 · 06/12/2021 20:45

You're 28... you have a lot of time for another few babies. I had my 1st at 35 as did most of my friends.
Enjoy your newborn. Let your body heal - you've had major surgery.

FTEngineerM · 06/12/2021 21:20

Hmmmm, I don’t want anymore but if I did, I’m 10 weeks pat emcs and I wouldn’t be contemplating it yet. Scar still feels hard underneath, numbness and tingling, it’s very much not healed to even be back to normal let alone stretch out again to maximum capacity.

Certainly not one to risk imo.

MoonRiverLaLaLa · 06/12/2021 23:27

I wouldn't make any decisions just yet, if I were you. 8 weeks is nothing. See how you feel after 8 months of exhaustion and sleep deprivation Grin Maybe you'll decide against having more kids at all, lol.
In any case, at 28 you have plenty of time.

Imohsotired · 06/12/2021 23:40

I was pregnant at 6 months post CS with no issues - I thought it was one year between births but no idea where I got that from. Having a 1 year old and a newborn was much harder than the pregnancy!

SkankingMopoke · 07/12/2021 00:06

< waves > Hi, statistic here!
Risk of rupture is definitely real, and not all that small (1 in 200 chance as an average for VBACs, but would be greater if a very small gap between DCs). DC1 was an ELCS due to breech, so it was a calm unrushed operation, and all indicators were that it had healed very well. When I fell pregnant with DC2, DC1 was 15mo and the scar site was almost invisible with no loss of feeling and no discomfort. I still ruptured right along the scar line. It ended in a Cat 1 EMCS, with DC2's head pushed out into my abdomen by the time they got to her. I lost a lot of blood, and there was a very real risk to both of us if they hadn't got her out when they did. They later told me they had 7 minutes from when the alarms went off on our monitors before she would have been oxygen deprived for too long. Not a lot of time given I wasn't in the operating theatre when it happened, so they also needed to get me in there and knocked out in that time too (they managed it in under 5 mins, which is astounding).

OP, at 28 you have plenty of time to have more than your planned 2 further DCs, even leaving 2+yr gaps between them. Why the rush really? Enjoy your baby.

Franca123 · 07/12/2021 00:18

I was pregnant before my sons first birthday. It was fine. I'd had an internal scan where they said everything looked really good in regards to the scar. I wouldn't rush though. Enjoy your baby!

Yelsiap · 07/12/2021 02:29

I got pregnant 4 months after an emergency c-section. Consultant was very relaxed and said the risk of scar rupture was very very small.

MimiDaisy11 · 07/12/2021 02:58

I felt like you when I had my baby and I’m in my 30s. He’s now around 6 months and I’ve since decided to wait longer. One reason is realising how much harder two can be and wanting more time just with one baby so the older one can be a bit more independent when the second comes.

mrssunshinexxx · 07/12/2021 03:08

A lot depends on if you will aim for a VBAC or another section ? @dancingmumma
I had EMC and got pregnant (planned ) when dd1 was just 6 months I just had the baby 3 weeks ago another EMC they have strongly advised me to wait 12 months before TTC no3

Sourwolf · 07/12/2021 03:21

I was pregnant 3 months after my c-section. My doctor had said that when my periods started up again was the sign that my body was ready. Reading these comments not sure how factually I should have taken that!

My c-sections were under a year apart and both were fine and recovery was quick and as easy as these things can be.

User156 · 07/12/2021 21:11

There is a risk of your scar rupturing if you fall pregnant again within a year. That would be very dangerous to you and your baby, and could leave you unable to safely carry a baby ever again.

Depending on how you heal you might not need to wait a full year but I would have a conversation with your GP before you start trying. They will be able to advise you.

You have plenty of time for 2 more pregnancies if you’re only 28 so don’t worry that you’re running out of time!

MiniPumpkin · 07/12/2021 21:18

I was told 2 years. Had dc1 when 28, had dc2 when 32, perfect age gap… but I would really worry personally about having another quickly after section due to the risk of rupture

Pallisers · 07/12/2021 21:25

You are really really young at 28. Plenty of time.

Also I found I desperately wanted another baby at exactly the 8 week mark for my first - like wanted to get pregnant again. My sister (a midwife) told me it was really common and I might want to wait a bit and see how it goes :)

That said, I had my second c-section 14 months after my first (so I got pregnant when dd was 6 months). It wasn't exactly planned (but not not planned either) and I was in my mid 30s. It was absolutely fine - tbh my scar was better after the first.

My sister in law had 4 c-sections. the first two a year apart the others with 2 years+ in between.

ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy · 07/12/2021 21:37

@Yelsiap

I got pregnant 4 months after an emergency c-section. Consultant was very relaxed and said the risk of scar rupture was very very small.
Same here. It was all fine (ELCS second time though, as I didn't want to go through another labour like the first one!).
Lo12345 · 19/05/2022 13:51

@Yelsiap hi did anyone mention anything to you about getting caught so early I’m in this situation my son is 4 months old and I’m 5 weeks pregnant I have a daughter as well who is 21 months there is 17 months between my two kids
no one mentioned anything to me about not trying so soon but obviously is a worry incase my scar come open or anything else that could happen 🤦🏻‍♀️ X

breatheintheamazing · 19/05/2022 13:59

I thinks it's more of an issue when you've had 2 c sections and are going for a 3rd - I know a few women who were told after their 2nd or 3rd c section that there was a lot of scar tissue and not to risk another pregnancy

Username1234321 · 19/05/2022 14:05

@Lo12345 nobody said anything, I was quite surprised how relaxed everyone was to be honest. They were happy for me to have a planned section or VBAC. There was no stress at all. Congratulations!

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