Pregnancy at site of c-section

[russianred]

Has anyone any experience of this?

I had three children, delivered by c-section in 2008/2010/2015 - no complications and all well. I am in a different relationship with a wonderful man who has no children and we decided to try to have a child together - I am 36. I had a positive test in August, but miscarried in early October and then fell pregnant again immediately. I had light spotting yesterday which turned into relatively heavy bleeding at what I guessed was 9 weeks (dates unclear because of previous miscarriage) and went to the EPU this morning.

From the scan it appeared the embryo has implanted in my c-section scar which is not ideal. It might be that I am miscarrying anyway or it might be that I am bleeding because of the complication of it implanting there. They can’t see everything they would like to - the sac looks like that of a pregnancy at 6 weeks And there was no visible pole, so it could be that it isn’t progressing and will likely end or could be that my dates are wrong and it will go on to progress (my instinct says this is unlikely).

One very experienced midwife told me that it was very rare and that the pregnancy was clearly not viable with no heartbeat but I shouldn’t be worried to try again. She said that were I to get pregnant again, they would scan me early. She was very clear that this was unlikely to happen again, though a part of me is now worried that my earlier miscarriage happened for the same reason.

I was then transferred to a consultant who told me that it could be viable but was an incredibly risky pregnancy because of where it was sited and that the outcome of it would be a miscarriage, a termination because of the highly increased risk or a decision to carry on with the knowledge that either way I shouldn’t be trying to get pregnant again. Ever. The mixed messaging here has me reeling.

I have another scan in a week’s time to see where things have got to and to make a more informed decision at that point. I am still bleeding heavily, but that is a complication of a c section site pregnancy apparently, as well as a possible indication of miscarriage.

I realise this is a unique set of circumstance, but any insights into any of it would be really welcomed.

Sorry your going through this haven't been in this situation but couldn't read and run. Hope all turns out well for u but if not in my personal experience after 4 I would tend to trust what the midwife says over the consultant about trying again. Midwives normally have far more experience and delivered a lot more babies than consultants

Midwives normally have far more experience and delivered a lot more babies than consultants

Midwives have more experience in DELIVERING babies not managing a pregnancy where the baby is a c section ectopic. Especially in these early days where viability isn't confirmed.

I've had 2 ectopics but both in my tubes. Both ruptured and I nearly died....twice.

C section ectopics are rare and yes having had one you are high risk to have another - the risk about doubles each time you have one.

If you are 6 weeks with no heartbeat then sadly viability isn't guaranteed - I would accept methotrexate treatment although this means you mustn't get pregnant for 3 months afterwards as It can cause birth defects.
Risk of serious harm to the mother with ectopics is a very real possibility and I personally wouldn't risk that with 3 kids at home

Thank you so much both for your responses - there is so little information about c section ectopics that having some words of support is incredibly helpful. The risk you mention - of the likelihood of it happening again doubling after it has happened once is the kind of information I’m seeking. Thank you so much. I’m in quite a lot of discomfort and the scan on Wednesday can’t come soon enough.

I think it's like 10% chance of having a second ectopic and then after that 20% of having a third and 40% of having a 4th and so on

There are some good (ish) Facebook support groups for people going through ectopics and ive seen a few who have had c sections ones

Just bear in mind that ectopics are still pretty rare and therefore many consultants aren't that experienced in dealing with one either. There is a lot of conflicting information given out there too x