Pregnant again after C-Section at 10cm Dilated

[Floundering66]

Just wondering if anyone on here has been in the same situation!
I had my little boy nearly two years ago, during labour I got to 10cm dilated then had to have an emergency C-section.
I’m pregnant again now and have been told that due to my last labour, I have a higher risk of miscarriage or preterm labour. I have a transvaginal scan at 16 weeks to check my cervix.
Is there anyone here that had a similar experience with their first birth and if so what were subsequent pregnancies like?

I was 9cm dilated then EMCS due to baby in distress. I booked an ELCS with my second which was almost 3 years later so I got to 39 weeks. I did have issues in pregnancy but none related to the previous labour.

The transvaginal scan I think is to locate the scar from the c section, have a look at this https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/mar/extra-one-minute-check-can-stop-some-babies-being-born-prematurely

So it seems like they are taking good care of you.

My first I had C section at full dilation, I've not long had my second. I had to have my cervical length measured at around 16/17 weeks and then again around 20/21, the length at the second scan had decreased and it was considered a short cervix so I was put on progesterone pessaries until about 34 weeks.

They said there was a risk of preterm labour due to short cervix and I was advised not to do anything too strenuous like heavy lifting or any exercise that wasn't gentle.

All was fine in the end and ended up with an elective section but not because of the cervix issue, it was a constant worry that something might happen!

I had what sounds identical with my son. Second pregnancy was uneventful and I had a vbac. I did need to speak to a consultant to sign off for the midwife led birthing unit (same hospital just a floor up) where they emphasised the risks but ultimately said they were happy for me to proceed on that basis. I wasn't offered a cervical check at any point. I was a slightly older mum but had normal bmi pre pregnancy in case that’s relevant.

(When it came to it the midwife led unit was full anyway so I gave birth in the general labour ward which was fine.)

Ask your m/w if there’s a vbac clinic you can make an appointment with.

the name is a little misleading- it’s an appointment to go through your previous birth and why you needed intervention, and they’ll talk you through how that impacts on this birth and what your risks are for both c section and vbac.

i found it absolutely invaluable. I was sent away with some really good reading material with a further appointment booked. At that appt I was asked what I wanted, vbac or section, and a plan made accordingly.

at my hospital everyone is offered a transvaginal scan at their normal scan appointments to measure cervix length and assess prematurity risk.

as for vbac- I was told that the biggest indicator for a successful attempt was if you got over 5cm dilated. If you got to 10 that increases your chances significantly. But it was always my choice.