Pregnancy After C-section

Hi!
I have two wonderful boys. The first was a c-section (emergency) after 18 hours of labor. The second was a planned c-section due to HOSPITAL policy. My OB always encouraged VBACS, but the hospital mandated that VBAC had to be attended by a doctor from the moment they enter the hospital through delivery, which meant a resident would have to deliver. I was high risk and therefore, not exactly comfortable with someone else delivering. After a lot of research, I decided to schedule the C-section. I ended up going into labor four weeks early. My doctor did the second c-section, and discovered that my uterus had indeed split along the previous scar. I am thankful that I did not attempt a VBAC. Our third child will also be born by C-section. The recovery from the second surgery was much shorter and less painful than the first :)

I had many complications when I was pregnant with my son. I have only 1 child. I could not eat or drink for 7 months of my pregnancy. I could not keep anything down not even water. They put a pic line in my neck. They were about ready to give up on me. I went down to 75lbs when I was 7 months pregnant. My body was rejecting my son. Then he was 8 days late. They had to subduse me. He was not breathing well and his head was swollen. I had to have a c section. It hurt and was really sore for a long time. Even now and then it is sore. I would not worry about your next pregnancy being unpleasant. If you have Jesus in your life he will help you through it. He will always be there for you.

Please check out www.ican-online.org . This is the website of the International Cesarean Awareness Network. You may even find a support group meeting in your area. Good luck and best wishes for a beautiful VBAC!

I had both of my daughters by C-section, first one was an emergency c-section and the second one was planned. I had no problems with the second c-section or the pregancy and my girls are only 16 months apart. The only thing was that my belly looked a little mis-shaped because of the scar tissue.
Hope this helped.

Hi A.. I have 2 children a boy who is 7 and a girl who in 2 months will be 4. I had c-sections with both of them. I didn't have any problems with my pregnancy after the first c-section. I didn't even want to consider having a vaginal birth after it. I will also say that I don't think it took any longer to recouperate after the second one either. I have heard about complications with a vbac like you could have problems with your bladder dropping.

I hope this helps some. Let me know if you want to talk.

S.

Ok let me start off with asking WHY more kids lol.. Sorry I am 38 and my 2 are MONKEYS lol... Anyway I had c section with both of mine and my scar is still numb but not a lot other than that I am fine. I would SO do another c section IF I was to have another one BUT we are done with our girl and boy... Good Luck but you should be ok

I had c-sections with both of my girls. The first was not planned but the second was because my doctor said "once a c-section, always a c-section" and their practice no longer allows vaginal deliveries after c-sections. My second pregnancy and recovery were actually easier than the first. :)

Hello A.,

I had an emergency c-section with my first (placental abruptio) so was very paranoid the whole time with my second. My doctor actually encouraged me to go vbac and towards the end I kept saying I wanted to play it safe and just go c-section again. Well, went I went into the hospital with my labor they gave me two epidurals and I could still feel the old scar, so then we did a saddleblock and a c-section. The doctor said it was a good thing because my daughter's head was a lot larger than my birth canal, so would have been a serious struggle.

If I had it to do over again or if we have #3 I will definitely just schedule a c-section on a date that's memorable to our family or has some fun historical significance and save the worry!

Hi A.,

I had a c-section with both my children and they are only 15 months apart. I didn't have any complications with either the pregnacy or the birth. The second c-section was scheduled but I didn't make it to that date. I had to have them by c because of a smaller pelvic opening (the only thing about me that is small LOL). It was lucky my second was a c because the cord was wrapped around my daughter's neck which would have been a problem if I had gone vaginally.

I had a c-section with my first due to my pelvis being too narrow, he was 8 lbs 6 oz. Our second baby was due exactly 2 years after the first (to the day), but I unexpectedly woke up in the middle one night with contractions 3 minutes apart and spotting (bleeding) at 33 weeks, 4 days. We went directly to the hospital and they couldn't stop the labor, so I had him VBAC. I had already scheduled a c-section because our second was supposed to be bigger than the first, but since he was so early, he was only 5 lbs 7 oz, so it wasn't a problem laboring with him. I didn't have any problems during that pregnancy either, other than the obvious pre-term, which has nothing to do with having a previous c-section. This time around (I am currently 25 weeks pregnant and the baby is due 2 1/2 years after the second was born), we'll see how it goes. I have gained a lot more with this pregnancy unfortunately, so I am planning on a c-section unless I go very early pre-term again.

All that being said, the main thing that should be considered is why you had the first c-section. If it was because the baby was breech or something that was a one-time occurrence like that, I would definitely consider a VBAC. It was AMAZING how much easier the recovery was with the VBAC (I was walking around within a couple of hours with that, as opposed to a couple of days with the c-section, and I am in pretty good shape). Plus, nursing was much easier with the VBAC. However, if you have a problem like mine where your pelvis is too narrow or something else more permanent, a c-section is probably the way to go. I know Professionals for Women's Health does VBACs (that is who did mine). I now have switched to Crosswoods Women's Health, who also does VBACs. There are some practices in the area who won't touch them with a ten-foot pole, so you be sure to check before you get pregnant if they will do one for you or not.

My sister has had 3 kids, all C section, and has never mentioned any kind of discomfort during pregnancies.

I don't know anything about the c-section, but you should try using vitamin e or cocoa butter on your scar to help it heal better.

Hi, That statement is sooo not true. Statistics show that your change of uterus rupturing is just little bit higher than if you had no c-section. A VBAC is still better for you and the baby. Unless you had a cut up and down. The USA is second highest in newborn deaths in all the developed countries! We are also one of the highest on c-section rates! Please feel free with any more questions to email me or call me ###-###-####. It is good to wait a year though! Gentle Birth Choices is a good pregnancy book to read.
Here also is two good websites http://www.ican-online.org/ and www.vbac.com. It is not true about our bladder, you have more of change having cut during surgery or then vaginal. C-section you have more change of infecton and life long problems with scar tissue. I have had c-section and I wish doctors would tell you everything.
Jo
CD(DONA), CHBE, CPCE

A.-

First, it is NOT too early for you to be worrying about all this. After my first child (c/s in 2005) I was thinking about my options for birth #2. I had a cruddy labor and my recovery (after c/s) was horrible! Ultimately I chose to VBAC (March 2006). I did a lot of research and had a care provider (An OB/GYN practice with midwives who delivered at the hospital) who worked with me as an INDIVIDUAL. I understood the risks and my care provider "let me" go (be pregnant before a scheduling a c/s and labor) as long as it was medically safe. I had no problems with the incision site or internal tissue (uterus, nervous system, etc...) during my pregnancy, labor or delivery. It was an amazing birth (delivered by a midwife in a hospital).

Studies have shown that it is best for you and your next child if you wait a year between birth and your next pregnancy. That year will help your body heal from your surgery. The concern about your incision - putting basic creams and oils on the outside will not "strengthen" the tissue that was cut. Proper nutrition, exercise (stretching/Yoga, Kegals, crunches) and time will be these best things to help you have a VBAC.

I would also suggest that you get a doula for physical and emotional support. I am so glad we had a doula for my first birth (I wasn't a doula when I had my first child). For my second child although was a doula, but needed someone to encourage me and support me through something was a bit worrisome for me.

If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me.
:) Caroline

Hi A.!
I have 4 children - vag, emergency c-section, vbac, c-section. Personally for me, it was fine. with the 4th, I really, really, really wanted another vbac but my water broke early and she hadn't dropped yet so I labored 16 hours then had a c-section. If it weren't for that, we'd be in for #5 because the recovery after a c-section, especially your second with 4 kids to care for, is really tough. The pregnancy felt no different but it took me longer to heal and get rid of the pain in the first 4-6 weeks after. My doctor even told me he'd do another c-section if we wanted another. And he is a perinatologist (high risk specialist) so I really trust his opinion.
Email me separately if you want to know how I am working my way out of a corporate job so I can stay home more with my kids. I'm starting my own businesses!
Take care,
L.

A LOT of doc's are all for the vacginal delivery after a c-section. As long as your in good health and it was a bikini cut incision, and no complications during the section you should be fine. The older docs will tell you it's not advised but the younger ones are much better about it. I too had a csection and had pain and tightness for a long time, but it got better as time went on.

It's never too early to start getting information! Better now than after you are already pregnant.

First, I would switch doctors or get a midwife. Any doctor that tells you that VBAC isn't recommended hasn't read the research. PM me if you'd like a list of books that have current stats on VBACs. The best chance you have at a VBAC is a doctor or midwife who supports the VBAC! The only thing to keep in mind is that you can't be induced and can only have minor augmentation if labor is slow.

As for pregnancy, there is a higher chance of tubal pregnancy and placenta previa after having a c-section. They are still small chances, but they are something to keep in mind. I would really recommend reading up on post-c-section pregnancy before attempting to get pregnant and make sure you know what you want before you get too far along. I know a woman who was told by her doc that they would support her VBAC and then at 36 weeks recanted and told her to schedule surgery. She switched docs and had a 10lb baby naturally! But it's not worth the stress at 36 weeks. Look in to your options and make sure you get all the answers you can from potential practioners (they should be able to tell you their VBAC rate) before settling on one.

Good Luck!

Have you thought of getting a scar massage?? I work for a physical therapy clinic and we see lots of women after c sections. Talk to your doctor about it. It will loosen things up.