Hi all:
My baby is a whopping 15 months old, and my husband and I are now thinking about trying to get pregnant with a second child. I've heard that you're supposed to wait until 18-24 months after having the first child if the first child was a c-section baby, but also wanted to get started as I am no spring chicken! (I'm 35 now) Although we got pregnant really quickly the first time (about 2 weeks after we stopped using protection), I've heard that fertility drops off rapidly after 35 and even more so after a c-section. Any words of wisdom on timing the second baby after a c-section? Would starting too soon likely lead to complications or require that the second baby also be a c-section baby? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
I am sure this is one of those things that is highly individual, but I became pregnant with my second after a c-section when she was only 13 months...no complications, no issues...all was fine. They are 7 and 5 now.
Good luck.
I got pregnant with my 2nd when my daughter was 13 months old (born via c-section) and I had a successful VBAC! AND we got pregnant naturally after having to inseminate with our 1st! It IS possible! Your body, your birth, your choice. :)
Best of luck!!!
I think it's 24 months from c-section date to next baby's due date. Now that your first is 15 months, she will be at least 24 months by the time the second would come, so I THINK you are safe by now. But ask your doctor just to be sure since every women is different...
I had my first in an emerg csection and the Dr rec waiting at least 1yr after to start trying, but I got preg when my little girl was 6 months-yes it was a surprise and I had no complications at all. I would check what your Dr rec. L.:)
My 1st pregnancy was an emergency c-section.
I also had a c-section with my 2nd child, because I did not want to risk a VBAC.
As for "when" to conceive after having a c-section, you need to ask your OB/GYN. Each one seems to have a varied opinion. My Doc, recommends at least 1 year at the least.
The internal body has a lot to heal from.
Next, I was no "spring chicken" when I conceived my 1st child- I was over 35 yrs. old.
I conceived my 2nd child, 4 YEARS after the birth of my firstborn.... and by that time, I was in my 40's.
BOTH of my pregnancies, was conceived naturally. Fortunately.
Yes, if after 35 years old, it is considered late maternal age pregnancy. AND, there is the option for tests such as the Amniocentesis etc.
But, conception varies for each woman... NO MATTER how "old" or "young" you are.
All the best,
Susan
My DD turned one last New Year's Eve, and I was preggo with #2 mid - January (Due on Oct 12!). My first was c-section, as she was breech, then broke my water. My 2nd is also going to be c-section for 2 reasons: 1) VBACs aren't performed in my area anymore due to the risks, and 2)I'm not a candidate at all because of I had to have a T cut in my uterus to get her out, so I'm high risk for rupture. My doc monitored me and made sure I was healthy enough and gave us the go ahead before my DD turned 1 (I'm 37 now)... I didn't want to wait too long either!
Just some positive encouragement about your age. At 36 all it took for us was one try so if fertility drops off after 35 my body did not get the memo! LOL I say if you guys are ready and your doc is cool with it, go for it. Have fun trying. : )
If you are looking to not have a c-section this time and have a VBAC, ask your doctor how long you have to wait in between. My doctor would only do a VBAC if was 2 1/2 years after my first baby. So, for my doctor I could get pregnant when my first baby was 21 months old. We started trying to have a second baby when my first was only 1 years old, but did not get pregnant until my first was 2 1/2. So they kids are 3 years apart so I was able to have a successful VBAC. Just talk to your doctor and see what he says. Every doctor is different.
I'm pretty sure 24 months from birth to birth is the recommendation you're referring to. That gives the body proper time to heal and be strong for another pregnancy & birth. However, each cesarean recovery is different too (spectrum of absolutely no complications to serious issues and infections and everything inbetween), and I personally believe that probably has an effect on how quickly you heal and are ready for another pregnancy. Check what your care provider requires, especially if going for a VBAC. If they're not a stickler on the time between, you should be just fine to get pregnant now.
C-sections can affect fertility, but I'm not too knowledgeable about that, so it's something you should look into.
Check out http://ican-online.org. It may have good information for you, as a non-profit organization who helps with cesarean recovery, and promotes VBACs and preventing unnecessary c-sections.
~N.
