How soon after an elective C section can you start TTC (Or start IVF in my case)

[VillageFete]

Hi,

I have a 9 year old DD, her birth was induction, 28 hours of hell, an hour of pushing, failed forceps, emergency section.

Started TTC when she was 4. It took 6 months of clomid, a couple of operations, 3 failed rounds of IVF and then I got a surprise, natural BFP. Currently 18 weeks pregnant and will be having an elective C section.

Keen to complete my family before i’m too old. Ovarian reserve isn’t the greatest.

Planning on having either a hysteroscopy when my next baby is approx 10 months old to check i’ve healed ok & to have any excess scar tissue removed. I’m then planning on freezing my embryos when baby is approx 8 months old. I won’t be breastfeeding so hoping periods return after a few months and all the above can go ahead.

If all is well and i’m lucky, I wanted to transfer my first embryo when baby is approx 12 months old. Is this deemed safe? Would that give me enough time between C sections (21 months) if it was successful first time, or am I putting myself in any unnecessary danger? I’m reading things about uterine rupture, placenta accreta etc?? And It’s terrifying me! I’d be having another elective section if lucky enough to have a 3rd child.

Anyone been in a similar position or can offer any advice?

Just re-read that and it sounds a bit muddled. I meant having my embryos frozen when baby is 8 months old, then a couple of months later having a hysteroscopy, then a couple of months after that having my first embryo transfer... I wish I could just try naturally, but age isn’t on my side and it took me 4 years this time. IVF seems the best option.

How old are you? If you don't mind me asking? It took me 3 years with dd, is there a reason you can't try for a baby naturally? Xx

I think you need to ask your consultant & surgeon this question after your section. They will have seen the condition of your uterus and can give a proper response.

I’ll be 35 when I deliver my next baby. I have PCOS and one fully blocked fallopian tube, and one partially blocked tube, so this pregnancy is rather miraculous!

Yes, will definitely ask the surgeon what he thinks after my section. I did have a hysteroscopy a couple of years back, and thankfully uterus was as well as could be. Just worrying this C section may mess it all up.

I was told to wait 18 months after an EMCS to TTC. I have a just under 2.5 year gap between my two. A friend has 17 months between two of hers (both ELCS) and because it was a bit sooner than her consultant would have ideally liked she had extra monitoring but that was it. No issues. Probably worth speaking with your consultant?

I was actively encouraged by my obstetrician to start ttc the day after DC3 was born by EMCS.

I heard 12 months. I started trying as soon as DS turned one.
He'll be 21mo when dc2 is born. I'm pretty sure they say a year. It's to avoid uterine rupture.

Thanks for all replies.

Yes, I was wondering is it because of risks of uterine rupture if you opt for VBAC? I’ll be having another elective section (providing i’m lucky enough to conceive number 3 through IVF) so this may not effect me anyway.

Is their an increased risk of other placenta problems if you conceive too soon after a C section? Or is it just uterine rupture?

I’m really hoping I can start transferring embryos at 12 months. I’ve had 2 rounds of IVF in the past. It can take a long time before an embryo sticks. This is why i’m keen not to wait any longer than 12 months. I know I could get lucky though and have it work first time, so just want to know if it’s somewhat safe to get pregnant 12 months post C section.

I'd heard 12-18 months between births, but you'd want to check. Certainly I became pregnant at 12 months post section and no one has expressed any concerns about it.

My ivf center won't do ivf till after the previous baby is 12 months old, regardless of how well or bad the birth went.

Thanks for all replies. I think 12 months sounds ok?

My IVF centre are happy to freeze my embryos as soon as I want after birth, but don’t want me to transfer before 12 months.

I guess I just need to know if it’s “safe” to transfer 12 months post section. 12 months does seem plenty of time to heal in a normal C section situation where all goes well?

I have 2 IVF babies (PCOS too) and am currently 35w with a natural surprise!

DD1 was born by CS and I was told at the time to wait 12 months before getting pregnant again. I’m in Germany and I would say that ob/gyns are generally more conservative over here. Similar to you I wanted to try for another ASAP as I was in my late 30s. Luckily I had 2 frozen embryos from my first IVF round which I had transferred when DD1 had just turned 1. DD2 was born by VBAC without any issues 21 months later.

Obviously a lot will depend on the state of your scar after your second CS as a second incision in the same place may add to the risk. But all being well, as a general rule waiting 12 months seems to be common advice.

Like you say, I wonder if the standard advice is based partly on the policy of many hospitals to encourage VBACs over repeat CSS. As I understand it the risk of uterine rupture is mainly during labour rather than during pregnancy.

Good luck!

I'm pregnant now and got pregnant when my son was 15 months.