Conceiving post c section

[Theawkwardblonde]

Those of you who had a c section - did any of you try for another child relatively quickly after having a section?
Im 4 weeks post EMCS (fail to progress). I'm in no way thinking of conceiving straight away as I'm aware you need to let your body recover.

I'm however looking at trying again around the 6 month mark. It took us 18 months to conceive DD, and I've been flagged up as having low AMH at age 30. DH is 34, and conscious he doesn't want to wait too long to have another child. We're concerned it may take ages to conceive again and don't want to leave it too late, HOWEVER I'm also aware that you're more fertile after giving birth so don't want to try too early in case I fall straight away.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who conceived after section relatively quickly, those with fertility issues who conceived again after pregnancy, and for those who have two DCs under 2.
Thanks ☺️

You need to let the scar heal otherwise might tear when belly grows and grows x so depends how fast your body heals and go from there...

I think the recommendation is about 18 months

I conceived 8 months after my first. I healed very well from my first c section and the consultant has flagged no concerns about this pregnancy. Good luck x

Thanks for the replies. I've been advised 6 months to get pregnant, I had a good EMCS with no complications other than a minor infection.

@smooshraspberry are you pregnant now? Do you mind be asking if you're having an elected section or going for a VBAC?

Congrats on your newborn OP! I fell pregnant 6/7 months after my first section & had no complications

I've just had an ELCS a few weeks ago and been advised to wait 18 months before trying to conceive. It's not just the external incision you need to worry about, your uterus needs time to heal to avoid issues with the placenta or even compete rupture.

@cheesychips15 is there any reason you've been told 18 months? I've been told by gp and consultant it'll be 6 months. Back at doctors for a review in 2 weeks but can't see it changing. I'm intrigued by the variation in dates.

@cheesychips15 sorry if my response sounded a bit sharp! One handed messaging whilst trying to feed newborn! ☺️

I fell pregnant about 18 months after my first EMCS.

I had a concern that MC rates are higher as sometimes to embryo can implant in the scar tissue but discussed this with my midwife who said it’s actually very rare. Now pregnant again and have opted for an ELCS - why potentially ruin my pelvic floor as well as having the scar that I already do?

I was told to wait 12 months to let everything heal internally to avoid complications in the next pregnancy. We started trying at 12 months and took 7 months to get pregnant again. Now expecting DC2 in March, haven’t had a single twinge or ache in my incision. I’m really glad I waited as I want to go for a VBAC and I feel like I’ve given myself the best chance!

@mylion thanks ☺️ were you advised on a timeframe before you conceived after your 6 months?

@McOrange congrats on your pregnancy. Yes I've read about MC rates being higher if it implants on scar tissue. I suffered MCs when we initially were TTC so I don't want to go through that again.
Totally get the not wanting to ruin the pelvic floor 😂

@FedUpOfLighteningCrotch class name! I'd love to go for a VBAC - was so disappointed I had a section. I know time is a factor in going for a VBAC. Congrats on your pregnancy.

I was told to wait 12 months, and did. I'm now nearly 9 weeks pregnant, and the age gap will be 22 months, so as you can see it happened pretty quickly for us! In contrast, it took 7 months for us to conceive DD, which I know isn't much in the scheme of things, but I was quite surprised how quick conceiving was this time.

They tell different people different lengths of time - I think it depends how the C-section went and a bit on your age. A friend of mine was told 2 years. If you've been told 6 months by your doctors then personally that's who I'd listen to.

I'd like a VBAC but shall see how it goes. My previous section was after an induced labour which failed to progress - I'd probably ask for an elective C-section this time if I ended up in a situation where the alternative was an induction.

My DC are a bit older now and weren't born in the UK. We ttc for 6 years before I fell pg with Dd at age 37. I fell pg with her one month after a miscarriage. It was a difficult birth with an emcs when I went in for my pre-op assessment.

We weren't really trying again. I assumed we'd have the same problem but ended up with a 16 month age gap between DD and DS. DS was a difficult birth too and I struggled when they were young. Lots of Doctors and even the paediatrician told me 'you should have waited a bit longer you know' but none of them explained why.

It was difficult and both births were horrific but I recovered and the age gap is perfect now they're older but the early years were a blur.I don't have any regrets though.

@Theawkwardblonde So I was told 6 months was reasonable but for my own reasons I started trying as soon as my cycles returned, which was about 3 months after birth then it took about 3/4 months following that

I conceived very quickly after my EMCS - there's 10.5 months between my two and they're the best of friends!!

I had a c section with DC2 as well because I wasn't progressing / because of how close the pregnancies were together, but actually the consultant still tried to convince me to try to birth naturally but I didn't want to after my experience of 3 day labour with DC1 and only getting to 3cm. Not that again!!

Their main concern was to check to make sure that the embryo had not implanted in the c section scar so I had an early scan to check that (c-section ectopic).

All went well with the second c section and I healed even better than the first one.

Times have been hard, especially with 2 under 2 but now it's getting so much easier and I love it!

Good luck op

I was pregnant again 5 months after my c-section. I didn't have fertility issues in the first place, however.

I was told 24 months before ttc after my emcs to keep myself and baby as absolutely safe as possible.

Like you, my dd took 18 months to conceive (with a loss in between) and I started ttc again when she turned 1, knowing it'd take me a while most likely! Every month longer it takes, I think well my scar and internal has healed even more than last time. It really is best to be safe.

I conceived my second at 6 months post ECS. You're meant to leave it a year. My second birthday was also ECS and the surgeon said I was VERY lucky for my uterus not to have ruptured. It was really thin apparently. In hindsight I would have left it longer for safety

@110APiccadilly thanks for your reply. Congratulations! I'm all for a VBAC, however I'd like to avoid induction with a second. Was was on the drip for hours (failed to progress too) and it was horrific. Would take an elective over induction too!

@mrsnec I can imagine it was a blur when they're young. I love the idea of a close age gap especially when they're older.

@mylion thanks! Glad to hear it was straightforward.

@FlushTheLoo wow that is close together! Reassuring to hear you still had the option for VBAC. My labour was bad and I got stuck at 4cm after a long induced labour. Want to about that too!

@NoWordForFluffy thanks, do you find it okay with that age gap between children?

@Chanel05 thanks for replying. I do want to make sure I'm fully healed. I'm just terrified of it taking ages. My low AMH is playing on my mind. I'm fit and well otherwise, still young enough too. Just annoying knowing I have limited eggs left! Wish you luck if you are still TTC

@legalseagull oh grief. That is the worry if you don't leave it. How was your recovery?

Honestly? It was manic for a good two years. Getting out of nappies / being able to ditch the buggy were big milestones! It wasn't helped by DS being a shit sleeper (DC2).

It's alright now (they're 7 and 8). Give or take!