4 months PP EMCS and pregnant again

[jolls91]

Hi guys,

I am 4 months PP, I had an emergency C Section. My husband and I hadn't been actively trying for a baby - but it was a case of it happens it will happen.

Today I took a test and found I am pregnant. My mom said it's too soon due to c sec (she had two children naturally in the same year).

I was so overjoyed, but now I'm a little scared. Has anyone got any similar experience of this they can share?

Care to elaborate on that?

I was told by a professional there was no reason to wait.

Does that mean you believe 6 months is ok? Most others are saying 12 months, and you believe only 6?

I was only asking for advise as upon reading further into this, ive seen lots of information saying it's not advisable. I was looking to see if I could find some positive outcomes from people who have been through this.

A friend of mine became pregnant 4 months after her section and homebirthed her baby. All was perfectly well. I wouldn’t worry xx

Why would you trust a GP over midwives?

I don’t understand why you were in such a rush. You’re only 32.

I think you’ve ignored the advice you were given by midwives/doctors that you didn’t like in favour of a GP who told you what you wanted to hear, or that’s what you chose to hear.

Chances are all will go well.

But you have increased your risks of complications by conceiving so soon. Risk of scar rupture, etc. Not sure if your GP is just incompetent or if you just heard what you wanted to hear- there's often way too much information delivered at the postnatal check and it's difficult for patients to retain everything. And usually you aren't given any type of written advice after to consolidate it.

At 32 there really is no reason to rush into it. You starting your period at 8 is neither here nor there.

As per a previous response

As per a previous response what?

Not that you only have a specific amount of eggs?

And tbh, in hindsight, it probably was foolish to listen to the GP over the midwives

If it’s that your periods started at 8 that’s neither here nor there and didn’t mean in your mid 30s you were going to speed into perimenopause.

Premature menopause is relatively uncommon, even if you had early menarche. I'd understand it more if you had multiple women in your close family who went through premature menopause ie mother, sister. That would be a more concrete risk factor. But there isn't any reason to decide because you had your periods start at 8 you are imminently menopausal

Were you given any more advice from your midwife today? Or any idea of a care plan?

I’d suggest a high potency prenatal supplement- your body will be depleted from pregnancy, obviously get started on folic acid if you haven’t already and it may be worth asking for comprehensive blood tests- including iron levels. This is the cash strapped NHS but it doesn’t hurt to ask!

I would also advise reading up on the risk of complications. I stuck a link on here earlier.
You are likely to have a healthy pregnancy but every case is unique and there is no denying your risks are increased . In brief: low birth weight, early birth, uterine rupture, and complications with the placenta.
A low lying placenta is more common in your situation as the placenta “grabs” onto scar tissue and can grow into the healing tissue.
Uterine rupture means immediate delivery and can result in a surgical hysterectomy.

I would make sure you’re given closer monitoring during this pregnancy to check the uterus and placental position as you progress.

No one can tell you everything will be fine, although I understand you finding some reassurance in anecdotal accounts.

Thankfully modern medicine can allow women to conceive immediately after c sections because many of the complications can now be successfully managed if detected early enough.

Maybe a conversation with your mum too? She’s understandably a bit concerned not only about your health but perhaps about the support you might require after birth?

I don’t wish to put the fear of god into you with all this info but you seem to be very uninformed . You both refer to the trauma of your first delivery so it may be tempting to put your head in the sand somewhat! However, Knowledge is power and all that!

Wishing you the best x

A) 12 months it isn't drilled into you - I was told by two separate obstetricians that 6 months is absolutely fine

B) All elective c-sections are performed at 39 weeks rather than 40, to prevent natural labour from occurring - not to do with having two c-sections close together

C) I was given the option of a VBAC and was told I would have a 75 percent chance of success - and this is 8 months c-section to conception.

I think some posters here are looking at the stats quite negatively.

I’m afraid I agree with @FlyOnTheWall89. Medical professionals have a duty of care to their patients and should always err on the side of caution when giving post surgical advice.

The risks of pregnancy complications falls significantly (for most) 6 months post CS but the risks are reduced further by waiting a year.

Its not a gp’s place to be “negative” or “optimistic” when following the NICE guidelines.

Im guessing there was a misunderstanding with what the gp advised, or the fact that you’d had a section 6 weeks prior was missed.

@SmileyClare - You are at higher risk of some of the unfortunate scenarios you mention even 12 months or several years after a c-section. The risk doesn't disappear completely after the 'magic' 12 months, so your post is somewhat misleading.

I didn’t say the risks “disappear completely after the magic 12 months “ but apologies if my post was misleading.

Pregnancy is never risk free. The risk of complications arising from a previous section is reduced after 6 months, and reduced further after 12.

Out of interest @Janedoelondon did you get your vbac ? I got pregnant 5.5PP and ended in another emc sadly pregnant again and aiming to finally get my vbac ?

Oops !* x

I personally opted for another c-section this time around but I was given both options and both were discussed with me. Hope that helps and wishing you the best!!

You have put yourself at increased risk by going against the professionals who advised you to wait. You’ve risked your health and your unborn baby’s health, whilst having a young child at home that should have been your priority.
Thats selfish in my opinion.

I don’t think 6 months is ok, I listen to the professionals that say 12 months, but 6 months is a hell of a lot better than 4 months.

Please follow VBAC group on Facebook or HBAC group as there are many many many women who have gotten pregnant with a shorter gap between section and conception. MANY of these women go on to have vaginal births or homebirths. I don’t think I’ve read ANY story where something bad has happened in pregnancy due to the shorter gap. Yes, some people didn’t manage to get the birth they had longed for (which in itself causes a lot of emotional pain) but all of the pregnancy’s were fine. There are literally hundreds of stories.

best of luck to you x

Why would you risk this? It's madness. If your uterus ruptures along your scar you'll be putting both your baby's life and your life at risk, leaving your current baby without a mother. What a selfish decision. I don't believe for a second that your GP told you it was fine but if they truly did then you need to raise that as an issue.

Congratulations on your pregnancy OP. I'm sure the doctors and midwives will know how to care for you.
I had a c-section in October (my first one after multiple natural births) i don't think I could couple falling pregnant again so soon after so your a stronger woman than me 😂

Just for the posters talking about homebirth after a c section - every single midwife I spoke to said it’s the mother’s choice, but they wouldn’t recommend it at all.

You may lie to get the desired outcomes you wish. I've been open and transparent.

I was advised there wasn't a NEED to wait