When Can I Get Pregnant Again?

[ItsAWonder]

My beautiful daughter is 12 days old today and was delivered via an unexpected c-section. I was on pitocin for 2 days but nothing more than mild cramps occurred. Due to her small size and her heart rate fluctuations during induction a c-section was the only way to go. Unfortunately I am allergic to numbing agents so I had to deliver under general anesthesia. I am still trying to wrap my head around this but am just happy that my girl is healthy and in my arms.

My DH and I had been planning to try for our second as soon as my doctor allows as we are both 37. However, with a c-section, when will I be allowed to try again? I am reading all of this information saying 18-24 months but I don't want to have my next when I am 40.

 

[babybaker2011]

Congrats! I was told to have at least 12 months between subsequent C sections...so you could get pregnant when lo was at least 3 months old and be okay.

 

[BearFamily]

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.
I'm trying for a vbac and another 2 children maybe a fourth child. So I waited 23 months before we started ttc (but I don't have time against me).

If I was in your position, and only wanted one more I would give your body at least 12 months rest before ttc again. But I would also be going to my GP and asking to be refered to an ob to talk about this.

 

[cooch]

I wondered about this too. Everything I've read on internet agrees with what you mentioned. But when I spoke to mw before being discharged, the time scale was never mentioned nor were any risks. She only stressed that waiting a yr would allow me to fully enjoy my little one.

As baby baker said, a few months would allow for 12 months between deliveries. My dh is thinking 6 months for us. I'm now 35 and our little one here was ivf so we really wanted to start trying naturally ASAP in the hope that something would work.

 

[ItsJana]

My two daughters are 16 months apart. With my first I had an emcs due to severe preeclampsia. We weren't planning on having our second so soon after, but it happened. My ob told me that in Canada at least they like to have a solid 18 months before attempting a vbac. However, she was very supportive and a vbac was part of the plan. There is an ultra sound you can get to check the thickness of your uterus, I don't know much about it because I never had it done, but check with your doctor it might help you make a more informed decision on when to ttc again

 

[klsltsp]

Hey congrats!! My oh and I were both 36 when we had our first so I understand.. My doc said that it depended, if I wanted to VBAC then 18 - 24 months, if I was having another c-section then as soon as I wanted...

Good luck!!!

Oh and the ultrasound the pp was talking about is called a saline infused sonogram (SIS) they put some saline into your uterus and they are able to tell you how thick your uterus wall is around your scar. The problem is there is no set thickness that is okay for a uterus. They don't have much data on thickness of non-pregnant uterus'. For me, in February they checked and it was only 3.6 mm, they told me waaay tooo thin, we waited 4 months just had another one of these u/d and it was 6.5 and I was told to wait until september then I would be free to go! I'm 38 so time is not on our side! I have done a tonne of research on this so feel free to ask any questions

 

[ItsAWonder]

Thanks for all of the info ladies! I will see my ob again in about four weeks and will ask about the ultrasound etc. I would love a vbac but may choose to have another sooner. Our local hospital won't do vbacs anyway

 

[klsltsp]

Good luck!

I would also ask if you get pregnant sooner, if they can check the thickness of your uterus wall. Most hospitals will VBAC if your wall thickness is over 3.0 - 3.5 mm. That way it may be less than 18 - 24 months but if your uterus is strong enough why not!!

 

[MMW430]

My doctor told me 9 months minimum, but 12 months is best.

 

[Mummytobe85]

My daughters are 19 an half months apart, I got pregnant when my oldest was 10 months old after having a emcs cos I didn't dilate after being in labour for 3 days - the longer you leave it the better chance of scar healing.

With my second daughter I had a planned c-section due to complications when I signed the consent form, I got told that if I got pregnant again so quickly after a c-section it can result in an ectopic due to the scar healing.

Good luck and enjoy your little bundle

 

[momofone08]

My dr. said there must be 18 months between pregnancies if you want a vbac. If it doesn't matter if csection or vbac, my Dr said to wait about 12 months in order to fully heal. There were 3 years 2 months between my first two pregnancies. I was 11 months PP when I got pregnant with #3 and I was rather sore in the tummy and scar area while pregnant which didn't happen with the bigger age gap. I would say let your body rest for a year then start trying.

 

[Rachie004]

Can I just clarift something as there seems to be conflicting information. When we're discussing time periods do we mean between the section and TTC again or between the section and giving birth? Both seem to have been mentioned so I'm a little confused. Not that I'm in a rush to do it again but it's nice to know