How long to wait TTC after c section?

[Running365]

Is anyone pregnant after having a previous c section? Were you advised to wait a certain amount of time by a doctor? My little boy had to be delivered by emergency c section at 28 weeks in December, he died 3 days later. Whilst we are so sad I do really want to start TTC again (life is too short and we don't know the journey ahead of us) but we've not yet asked or been given any medical advice. I'm almost too scared to ask at my 6 week check next week when the gp will ask about contraception. It will be my third pregnancy (first little boy born by c section from failed induction in October 2018 so over 2 years between them).

At least 12 months is what they advise.

I fell pregnant a few months after having our twins by cesarean, sadly I miscarried at 8wks. Had another mc since then and 10wk atm, if all goes well our girls will be 6 before this one arrives.

So sorry for your loss

I was told 18 months minimum by my consultant when they were discharging me from hospital. Sorry if that’s not what you are hoping to hear.

Condolences on your loss, I can't even imagine how heartbreaking it is to lose one so late. I know it's hard to hold off but your body does need time to recover fully to give your next pregnancy the best chances of success. Good luck

So sorry for your loss xx

I’m so sorry OP.
I got pregnant about 15 months after my c-section, had my second child just under 2 years after my first, my second was a c-section birth too. My consultant said they like approx 2 years or more between c-section births, due to the risks of complications (which are fairly small anyway).
Definitely ask your doctor for advice at your next appointment.

@Chelyanne did you speak to anyone medical after falling pregnant after 8 weeks and did they say anything about it being a problem?

And so sorry for your losses, what a journey you have had - sending strength for your current pregnancy. I'm sure your twins will be delighted with their baby brother/sister when they arrive later this year.

@Running365 so sorry for your loss. I fell pregnant 4.5 months after my c-section. My 2nd daughter was born exactly 12 months and 11 days after my 1st daughter via c-section again.

So sorry for your loss. We ttc at 9 months and fell pregnant when my ds was 11 months. Healthy pregnancy and really quick vbac.

Good luck

Sorry for your loss. Please just go and talk to your dr. I was advised 2 years between deliveries

I've heard of the advice depending on age. E. G. If you're mid forties, you're not going to be told to wait 18m, you'll be told to wait 6m.

I think if you leave a shorter gap between pregnancies you may just need more monitoring? Or maybe having the c section a bit earlier if you're getting pain in your scar? Could you ask your midwife?

I'm so sorry for your loss.

They advised 12 months, but I got "caught" pregnant 8 months after my c-section (previously infertile and needed many rounds of ivf so we didn't take contraception)

Unfortunately I lost the pregnancy but no midwives gave me any advice or said it was too soon after 8 months?

I'm sorry for your loss OP xx

I suggest wait until at least a year after your operation and then see an Obs/Gyn for examination to check how well healed you are.

At the moment it isn't a good idea to become pregnant anyway because life is generally so uncertain (though of course we hope by the end of this year there will be more stability).

The loss of your baby was very tragic and I am so sorry. x

running I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Losing a child is the worst experience.

Have you got a bereavement midwife? You may be best contacting them as they will have more up to date and pertinent knowledge. Or if there is a rainbow unit? Who has been doing your postnatal checks? They may be the one to ask.

I lost a little boy at 21+4 in the middle of November, he lived for an hour and a half. We are already TTC, I get it completely, wanting to try again, it's not about replacing your boy, it's about needing to have something positive to focus on you you don't drown in sadness. That's how I feel anyway.

Have you been in contact with SANDS? The forum is incredibly helpful, as is the Facebook page, if you asked the question on there then there will be women who have had a similar experience and will be able to advise you too.

Sending so much love xxx

At the moment it isn't a good idea to become pregnant anyway because life is generally so uncertain (though of course we hope by the end of this year there will be more stability).

No. Just, No. Don't.

Everyone's body's recover differently from a c section. I had ongoing infections after mine as was really poorly. But then at 6 months had a scan to check how I was healing and saw a consultant. He said I was fine to fall pregnant again and I was literally a few weeks later. Pregnancy and baby all fine! It depends how you recovered and what you feel with small age gaps. Also at the time or asking for advice I was told different time scales by gp, midwife and consultant.

Thank you for all sharing some of your experiences with me. I don't feel like we have really had the contact from the hospital that I might have expected following the delivery yet but perhaps this will come once they have finalised the post mortem findings soon. If we still don't hear anything in the next few weeks I will contact them and also seek advice from my gp. Such a painful time and still processing everything that happened.

@AlexaPlayWhiteNoise I'm sorry you feel that way about it not being a good idea to get pregnant at the moment due to the pandemic although I can't say I agree. There's always uncertainty in life.

Hi I had my first baby by emergency c section she passed away shortly after. I then fell pregnant within 6months with my son now 1. They will just say whenever you feel ready as long as your scar has healed and you feel OK I had a great pregnancy after they are just following guidelines! Good luck

Apologies @AlexaPlayWhiteNoise that comment was meant towards @LizFlowers

I'm sorry if I said anything inappropriate, Running. It really wasn't intentional.

Whatever you decide I wish you the very best.

@AlexaPlayWhiteNoise I'm sorry for your loss in November and send you strength as you start your TTC journey to bringing your next baby home with you in your arms. Your words summarise how I feel exactly.

I've started therapy with the bereavement team but not had a bereavement midwife has such so I'll definitely ask.

I've been on the Tommy's fb group but not sands so thank you for the information.

@Running365 I never got around to contacting the GP or midwife team about that pregnancy.
They had explained after the twins birth that it's best to wait 12 months as the scar tissue is much weaker and can be high risk of rupture if you fall pregnant too soon.
We have 5 kids atm, 10th pregnancy so lost more than my fair share. Counting down the days to my dating scan atm and hoping this one is successful.

I think those who are saying they were told to wait were in a different situation.

I’m really sorry about your little boy. One of my babies died neonatally after a c section. I was not only told that I could ttc ASAP but actively encouraged and supported to do so. I’d already had two previous c sections so this was encouragement with the full knowledge it would be a fourth c section for me.

In the end my baby was born 14 months later. It was a really anxious pregnancy but the hospital’s bereavement midwife was able to arrange an early scan and I immediately went under the care of the head of fetal medicine. I had scans every fortnight and an elective section at 37 weeks.

I wish you all the best.

I was told by my consultant to wait 12 months after my second c section to show the scar to heal internally.
Ask for your notes. They should indicate any scaring that was visible and how your uterus appeared.
There are very valid physical reasons to wait the 12 months but discuss them with your doc.

I'm very sorry for your loss. The death of your baby is horrifically sad. Do your best to look after your mental health too.

@LizFlowers

I'm sorry if I said anything inappropriate, Running. It really wasn't intentional.

Whatever you decide I wish you the very best.

thank you.