Abdominal surgery and fertility

[Hellsbells84]

Hi, in 2005 when I was in my early 20s I had a series of abdominal surgeries to treat a gangrenous appendix. Unfortunately the first few operations were exploratory because the hospital didn't investigate my condition properly and they panicked which led to complications, including a perforated intestine and peritonitis.

Four operations later, I was told to have children earlier rather than later in case I had complications such as adhesions on the fallopian tubes. Still in University I wasn't quite ready to think about kids, but now I'm 30, my husband and I are thinking about getting pregnant and I am deeply concerned about my prospects. I know I have bad abdominal adhesions and I had an incisional hernia in 2006, which they repaired with a mesh, so I'm worried about getting pregnant and also carrying the baby because of the hernia and weak stomach muscles. I feel quite isolated, because my condition is complicated and I just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through anything similar and if so, is there anything you can share about increasing the chances of having a healthy pregnancy for yourself and your baby and actually conceiving?

Thanks for bearing with me on this long post!

Hello. Didn't want you to go unanswered, though I'm not sure I can help much. I can empathise though - although for different reasons, I knew I may well have a problem conceiving and through my 20s worried about it on and off, then became slightly obsessed with it once I'd met DH and knew babies were seriously on the cards. My GP was thoroughly unsympathetic - basically go away and try and come back after 12 months if you haven't got pregnant. In the end I paid for a private consultation at a fertility clinic which confirmed my worries. We went ahead and tried naturally but eventually ended up needing IVF. It's been a tough, tough journey but I'm now (early days so cautiously) pregnant with DC2.

It might be worth a chat with your GP - you might get one who is a bit more useful than mine was. Particularly given your concern is about safely carrying a pregnancy as well as getting pg in the first place. If you don't get any joy then I'd really urge you look at talking to an expert privately - pricey but may help answer your questions and even put your mind at rest a bit.

Have you actually started trying yet? That's the other thing - I'd recommend not hanging about. You're young and that's in your favour - I guess what I'm saying is that you already know that you might have one issue, best to at least know you've got time and age on your side, ifyswim. I started trying at 30 but with one thing and another (trying naturally but failing, treatment, failed treatment, waiting for appts, etc) was 35 by the time DC1 arrived.

Also, have a look at the Fertility Friends website where you might find people in a similar boat.

Absolutely best of luck - I really hope things work out for you.

Get trying, you may be pleasantly surprised. I worried myself sick about infertility due to a medical condition however we got pregnant first try! We were shocked.

Get to know your cycle - look out for your cervical mucus, it'll tell you much more than peeing on sticks, and have some fun!

You would be surprised about what your body can cope with
I had 3 operations in my 20s one of switch was having my ovary removed due to endo (long story) i have a lovely long scar at my bikini line and several keyhole surgery points around my pelvis and stomach
I am 30 weeks pregnant from IVF and my stomach is fine and the doctors have no concerns about the delivery, I was also worried about carrying a baby but I was advised everything heals very well etc

I would advise you give it a try , sounds like the trouble is further up and your fertility may not be affected. You could always have your tubes flushed if nothing happens say within 6 months?

I got pregnant with twins 3 days after having my appendix removed

I did worry about adverse effects to the scar tissue etc but everything was absolutely fine.

I had massive abdominal surgery to remove fibroids and endometriosis last year and I'm pregnant

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. It fills me with more hope. Congratulations on all your pregnancies :)

I had multiple abdominal operations , including one for a bowel perforation and peritonitis, before getting pregnant. I did end up with a hernia from the pregnancy putting pressure on an old incision point, and they were reluctant to do a c-section due to adhesions etc but in the end they had to do a crash c-section which was ok.
The hernia has since been repaired with mesh too.

@Frank85 I know this is a very late post but Your message is kind of hope for me, I had abdominal surgery oopherectomy to remove my right ovary. I also have a big incision on my abdomen at age of 16, I had multiple incisions and laproscopy due to ovarian cysts. Iam 29 right now diagnosed with unexplained infertility. TTYC not successful. I went through one round of IVF without success (Did not get pregnant with normal PGD tested embryo). Going for another round of IVF but I still have questions following me everyday what is the reason for my infertility , Am I not proactive and missing out something and trying rounds of IVF .Not able to find reason for infertility is highly frustrating. Any thoughts will be very helpful and encouraging.

It really depends on what you can afford. The NHS won’t often refer you for further tests (like a hsg/ultrasound) unless you have been trying for 2 years unless you have a sympathetic GP. But if you can afford 1-2k you might be able to get all the tests you need (or most of them) via a fertility clinic. The good thing is in cases of infection it’s often just the fallopian tubes infected, nothing else, so the chances of a success first time via ivf is really high.

I had 2 major surgeries in my 20s, total colectomy followed by laparatomy of small intestine. I'm 38 this year and have been TTC for the past 5 years with no success despite many tests and treatments done. I'm still trying and hoping for a child soon.

I’d talk to your GP about it. They will have experience of this. I know I have seen people who have had bowel resections go on to have successful pregnancies.