Pregnancy After C-Section Delivery, Worried About Miscarrying

Christina - posted on 12/22/2010

Thanks to everybody who responded to my question. All of your advice really helped. However I do have some good news! My husband and I recently found out that I'm already pregnant with our 4th baby, a little ahead of schedule! Just thought I'd share our happy news with eveybody! Thanks again everybody!

Jenna - posted on 12/04/2010

I had an extremely easy first birth. epidural, induced, no pain no problems.
My second not so much... he got distressed, so in for an emergency C-section, my artery burst during surgery, and i nearly bled to death. 2 weeks of my bowel shutting down, 4 months later i'm still recovering.
I think you should relax! I know that's easy for me to say and hard for you to do. The more you are stressed, the more chance of a MC.
I was TERRIFIED of getting preggers again after his birth, I was so scared that I might actually die, or that the next one may not survive. I've decided now not to worry too much about things that I have absolutely no control over.
Good luck with getting preggers!

Vanessa - posted on 12/03/2010

you should talk to to your obstetrician. i asked mine the same question and he told me that if i got pregnant again after a c-section i could have the next one natural with low risk of miscarriage. i had a c-section with my now 3 yr old. make an appointment your obstertician and get their opinion.

Ashley - posted on 12/03/2010

Of course there are risks of misscarriage, but wouldn;t worry about it because of having a csection. I have a daughter, but I work as a nanny for a family who is having their 3rd baby today, and this will be her 3rd csection. She had complications with hemmoraging after her last delivery, but everything turned out to be ok, but she's had 3 pregnancies and no miscarriages and having her 3rd csection. So don't worry about an increase in misscarriage because of having a csection last time unless you have a history of miscarriages. I think you are having a harder time with it because of all the other miscarriages you have been hearing about lately. Just try not to stress about it because that will not help when you do get pregnant :) SO just try and relax and enjoy the fact that you want to have another baby and focus on the positive! Good Luck :)

Summer - posted on 12/02/2010

I just had a second c section. My pregnancy was perfectly normal. Talk to your dr about a VBAC if you want to avoid another section. I don't think a section increases your chances of miscarriage, especially if you've never had an issue with miscarrying before. Don't let this worry stop you from expanding your family. You can always go to your doctor to reassure yourself.

Jamila - posted on 12/02/2010

I had a c section with my only son who is now 5 months. Now, I did not have any children afterwards but my mother's friend has 4 kids. Her first was a c section then the other 3 were vbacs, and she had the second child only i think like 14 months after her first. So, I think you will be fine. Don't stress, that's not good for you or baby. In my opinion, I say go for it and you will have another bouncy baby!!! :)

Jennifer - posted on 12/01/2010

Just had my third c- section and no miscarriages. I also got pregnant 4 months after my first c- section and everything was fine. So you should be fine :)

Monika - posted on 12/01/2010

I had a C-section with my son who is now 13 months old. We just got pregnant with our second baby, i think miscarriage is always a concern when you are trying to get pregnant because its something you really want and you dont want to lose that. So far things are going fine for us and things are similar to when i was pregnant with our son. Im not too concerned, I try not to think about it. Just stay healthy and exercise really does make a huge difference even if it is just a family walk or going to the park...and try not to stress it...i know its easier said than done but good luck hope all goes well for you guys, i love big families!

Christine - posted on 11/30/2010

I had an emergency c-section with my son and I am now 4 months pregnent, no complications, no miscarriages...... I know alot of people who had healthy pregnancies after a c-section. I don't think you need to worry to much. I've never heard of a c-section giving you a higher risk to have a miscarriage

Karen - posted on 11/30/2010

I live in Lancaster as well :) I have been worried about having another baby as my first was a C as well, I got preeclampsia at 32 weeks . But I want to experience a Vaginal Birth at least once to know what it is like, I have heard though with a VBAC they recommend no epidural so you can tell if your scar is tearing.

Tosha - posted on 11/30/2010

i had a c section with my son who is now 3. and i just had another with my daughter who is only 3 weeks old. my pregnancy was rather normal. the only problem i had was there was some pain where the scar from the c section is because of the stretching but my doctor told me that it was nothing to worry about. i dont think having a csection will cause miscarriage but talk to your doctor about your worries. My doctor calmed all my fears about having a baby after having a ceseran.. hope this helps :) and good luck on # 4!!

Amie - posted on 11/30/2010

My mum had a natural 1st a c section with me then 3 more naturals. I also had a friend do the same you will be fine :-)

Stifler's - posted on 11/28/2010

Don't worry about miscarriages! They are something that is usually no one's fault. Just eat healthy and relax and enjoy trying and getting pregnant.

Meghan - posted on 11/27/2010

All 3 of my kids are c-section babies. They are ages 1, 2, and 3. Seriously, I'm not joking, I had them THAT close together. There was on 10.5 months between the older two! I didn't have ANY problems in any pregnancy even after the c-sections. I talked with my doctors about these things, there was no worry, only in the delivery process after a c-section. YES YOU CAN have a vaginal birth after a c-section delivery, but since it hasn't been that long since your c-section, you will want to talk to you doctor about options for delivery both vaginally and surgically and get some recommendations etc.

As for question number 2, they always show more bad things in the media than they do good. for each miscarriage you hear about, there are probably 10x the amount of healthy pregnancies. NEVER heard anything about the risk of miscarriage going up b/c of a c-section...never (And I've had 3 so I would like to think that I would've heard something about that if it WAS a concern) I will tell you, stress is not going to help in your quest to become pregnant again. If I was going to worry about something interfering with getting pregnant, I'd look at my stress levels.

I don't think you have ANYTHING to worry about and I think it would be safe to say that it would be good to just put your mind at ease and RELAX :) GOOD LUCK:)

Brittany - posted on 11/26/2010

It isn't surprising that you are hearing about miscarrages they are very common. About 1 in 4 pregnancies end up in a misscarrage, many before the mom even knows she is pregnant.

That doesn't make one any less scary though. If you had normal prgnancies before your c-section then your chances shouldn't go up because of the c-section.

Alison - posted on 11/26/2010

If you want anymore support or just someone who has been through it before, send me a personal message. I am more than happy to hear your concerns and speak from experience

Alison - posted on 11/26/2010

Don't worry I just had my 4th at home!!

2nd baby was c-section and 3rd VBAC. The chances of a rupture during labor are less than a miscarriage from a routine amniocentesis.

Your uterus is amazingly resilient and don't let Dr's freak you out with labor horror stories or stories about babies dying from VBAC delivery.

Robin - posted on 11/25/2010

You know they may monitor you a little closer but its nothing to worry about, I had my first son 2 yrs ago, 6 mo later find out that I am preggo again, it is no different than a normal pregnancy unless you have other complications that have nothing to do with the c section, both of mine were c section, your body and baby should be fine with proper monitoring, but believe me I totally know what you are going through I was terrified with both pregnancies until my babies were safe in my arms. Just a side note, you dont need a repeat c section, I just did because I had other risk factors, I had a pulmonary embolism while preggo with no 2, if I went into labor on my own and needed an epi for some reason, I couldnt get one because with the blood thinners I was on (a shot) they would have to put me out anyway and perform a c section, the blood thinners most likely will cause paralysis, so we did a planned c section so I could be awake for the baby and not have any complications.

Kate - posted on 11/25/2010

there are no risks of miscarrying after a csection. causes of a miscarriage having nothing to do with the way you delivered your previous child. it can just deiced on how you deliver the next child. but you will have to discuss that with the doctor because it all depends on if he cut your uterus vertically or horizontally. you wont be able to tell by the scar from the csection on your skin because they cut everyone horizontally there.

Serena - posted on 11/25/2010

Hey Darl, Ill give it to you straight. I had my son as an emergency caesarean cause he was prem. I was ment to have a caesarean again for my 2nd baby it was planned and everything. I went into hospital at 13 weeks from a gastro bug and had a threatend miscarrige. I got told to rest and by 4 months i would be safe. On the day of my scheduled c cestion i was literally outside the theatre doors and i wanted to push, i ended up having my baby normally ( and with no drug) phewww !! You should be fine there is no risk of a miscarriage from after having a caesarean. all normal risks apply with being pregnant. You should be algood :):) good luck !

Wendy - posted on 11/25/2010

Hey christina, I'm Pregnant to my 3rd child, and will be having another c section like my last two. I would wait a year to have another child to give ur body that break and let that scar have the chance to heal and get stronger. I got pregnant 3 months after my first c section and carried full term with my second child. had a yr break and now 24 weeks pregnant with a healthy little girl. and she will be a c section baby too. Unfortuanly the limit is four c sections, so the answer is, It's not the c section that causes Miscarriges is health problems u might have and stress. If u stress alot about having a misscarage u might just have one. So put ur mind to rest the c section wont cause a misscariage. I hope u can make sence out of this lol.

Kat - posted on 11/25/2010

Check out theunecessarian.com. I had a c-section with my first and am planning a HBAC (home birth after c-section) with this one...all the studies point that there is NO RISK with getting pregnant or having a vaginal delivery after a section. And for me personally, this entire pregnancy has been so much easier than my first! And as far as I know, your risk for miscarriage does not increase with prior c-sections; try not to worry and stress, and just enjoy trying for that fourth baby:)

Kirsty - posted on 11/25/2010

hi...First. i had my son nearly 3yrs ago by c-section (not planned) and fell pregnant about 9months after and i did miscarry but with in two months i was pregnant again i did worry about miscarrying again but got told worrying about it will just make me not enjoy pregnancy.... second my mum has has four c-sections and has not miss carried... and each person and pregnancy is different.. i hope that has helped

EMMA - posted on 11/25/2010

i had c-sections on my 2 daughters i wouldnt say it causes miscarriages although i did have several miscarriages whilst trying for my youngest (jessica) but there is a 4yr gap between them so yeah i'd say your worrying over nowt have a word with your gp or a midwife dont worry just relax i doubt it'll cause a miscarriage

Louise - posted on 11/24/2010

i waited 4 yrs between each pregnancy

Ally - posted on 11/24/2010

I've had 2 C-sections no miscarriages. first one was breech this last one was just because the last was a C section but it was a totally normal pregnancy... don't worry its the freaking out that will make you miscarry if you do.. stress can make you miscarry. My best friend has lost 7 babies and had no c sections if that helps in any small measure. I think it depends on the woman and pregnancy. My obsession (2nd pregnancy) was the nightmares I had of it but after a while they stopped and everything was calm and great! I was obsessed both pregnancy's with bringing home baby and this last pregnancy with I didnt know I was pregnant =)

Louise - posted on 11/24/2010

I have had two children afte my first child which was a c-section, there has been no complications at all and I am generally healthy. If you are genrally healthy and haven't had any problem throughout your other pregnancies you should be fine, don't work yourself up worring unnessariliary

Katie - posted on 11/24/2010

My kids are 15months apart. Both of them were a c-section. When my son turn 1 i had 2 more months till my daughter was due. You shouldnt misscarry. I hoped i helped.

Kara - posted on 11/24/2010

Hi. Well, I will say this. I have had 2 miscarriages trying to complete our family. The first was my first pregnancy and the second was after I had our daughter, however neither were c-section related. I have had a c-section with both children that I have carried and will undergo another at the end of the pregnancy that I am currently in the middle of. I have had no complications with my pregnancies that stemmed from previous c-sections, however I do not know if I would recommend having a vaginal birth after a ceserean. Usually, after one c-section the doctors are more apt to perform a c-section on future births, however like I said this one will be my 3rd c-section and I ahve had no complications with them whatsoever, infact I actually prefer the c-sections to vaginal births. I hope everything works out for you and all your fears are put to rest. Good luck with you pregnancy and your delivery.

Amanda - posted on 11/23/2010

I had a normal birth after a c-section with no problems falling pregnant. I dont think there is a need to worry unless you have miscarried before.

Christina - posted on 11/23/2010

Thanks Jenna! I totally agree there is a lot of bad info out there. I will also be checking out that website you mentioned!

Jenna - posted on 11/23/2010

No problem :) I've only put in what I've been researching myself throughout the whole TTC journey, and believe me there is a LOT of bad info out there lol
It may also help you to join a forum as well. I found bellybelly.com.au/forums to be a great place, even though it's an Australian site it also caters to people from overseas as well and it's based from a pregnancy centre so they have all the most up-to-date info available on their main website as well.

Christina - posted on 11/23/2010

Thanks Jenna for all the info! It really helped!

Jenna - posted on 11/23/2010

Hi, I just wanted to say that there is currently no substantiated or fully researched link between having had a previous c-section and subsequent miscarriages.
The only reason a previous c-section MIGHT cause an early miscarriage is if the site of implantation is right on the scar tissue area, and thus may not have enough endometrial tissue to burrow into. Other than that, any later losses may be caused by the placenta "slipping" or coming loose (placental abruption -sp?-) from the scar tissue area. What would be much more likely to happen however is that you would need a d&c after delivery to remove the placental tissue that grows "into" the scar tissue and sometimes (though it is rare) go all the way through to the outside of the uterus which may result in surgery similar to a c-section to remove it.
What will happen during your ultrasounds is that the sonographers and doctor's will keep an eye on the position of the placenta throughout the pregnancy until they are satisfied that it is in a good position.
I myself had an emergency c-section with my son, and I also had a previous history of 3 miscarriages following a termination due to developmental issues - though there are no substantiated links between terminations and miscarriages either - and had another 2 early miscarriages before becoming pregnant again with #2, due in March, for which I will be attempting a VBAC.
My stepmother also had 4 c-sections, and never had a miscarriage after any of them.
Just remember that approximately 75% of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal and genetic problems, the other 25% are caused by environmental, implantation locations and currently unknown reasons, and it would NOT be your fault if something did happen.
As for VBACs, theoretically a doctor has no right to refuse you one, and can be "legally" sued, for refusing to allow you to go through a trial of labour again.
While the risk of uterine rupture is higher after a previous c-section, it's still rare in occurance and a well trained doctor or midwife can pick up on the signs.
Also beware of internet research and googling, as there are a lot of phony sites out there, and there are also so many different research articles all coming up with different answers to the same questions and you may just end up confused about just what to believe.
The best thing to do is to actually ring around the different OB's in your area and ask if they have any pamphlet's on the issues you are concerned about, visit your local hospitals and get your hands on their pamphlet's as well, and go up to the maternity wards and speak to the midwives as they can give you a lot of information as well (just remember that many of them will have different views and many of the older ones will have been "old school" trained).
Hope that helps :)

Nicole - posted on 11/23/2010

Good luck!

Christina - posted on 11/23/2010

Thanks Nicole for being concerned but I might still consider a VBAC at home. My husband and I live right around the corner from the hospital so if there were problems, I could get there very quickly. I also found a birthing center that does VBACS and it's right across the street from a hospital so if there are complications, they can get you over there quickly, the only problem with that is it's all the way in Riverside, CA and my husband and I live in Lancaster CA. I'll talk to my doctor and see what he or she recommends.

Nicole - posted on 11/23/2010

I wouldnt recommend a BVAC home birth. You want to be close to an OR just in case of hemorrhaging, You should talk to your doctor about 'trial of labour' if you want to try a BVAC.

Christina - posted on 11/23/2010

Thanks, Sarah for letting me know that. I was under the impression that if you had a c-section with a previous delivery that you couldn't have a home birth. It is definitely something I'll look into!

Sarah - posted on 11/23/2010

I have not had a c-section, but a good friend of mine not only had a VBAC for her second, but she did it at home! I think as long as you try to remain as stress-free as possible you should have no problems.
Good luck!

Nicole - posted on 11/23/2010

As long as you had a lower abdominal incision that goes across, not up and down, you should be fine. I have had two c-sections exactly 4 years apart. I was told by my OB that it is fine to become pregnant one year after a c-section. You said it has been a year so you should be totally healed. Having had natural birth before your c-section also gives an advantage because your uterus stretched from labour before ever being cut. This means you weren't cut through thick uterus tissue like I was (I have never had labour). Don't stress about it! Stress is more likely to cause you to miscarry than a uterine scar. Good luck!

Antoinette - posted on 11/23/2010

Hi love. With only one child and never having a c-sec I may not be the one to speak about it. But my belief is that God will have his way. He blessed us as mothers to bring forth the fruit from our womb and he will give us the strenght and the courage to complete the task. We are made of so much and we when we dig really deep with all the faith that we are blessed with we can do anything with Christ and we know it better than anyone......

Tasha - posted on 11/22/2010

I had a csection with my first child because I wasnt dilating and her heart rate started to drop because of the patossin. I am now pregnant with my second child due in january. I had bleeding my whole first trimester with this one but the docter said it had nothing to with my previous csection. My docter has also said that I could have this one natural if I wanted to but I have decided to go with the csection because I feel it is best for me. As far as miscarriages due to csections I think its at the same rate as any other pregnancy. Just keep your stress level low and get rest.

Hannah - posted on 11/21/2010

Who knows - maybe your current OB will even do one! :) good luck! and many blessings for a happy and healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby!

Christina - posted on 11/21/2010

Thanks Hannah! I've already started doing research about VBACS, I have since the AMA has come about their recommendation for advocating more VBACS. I'm just hoping I can find a doctor who will perform one.

Hannah - posted on 11/21/2010

I think it is a cultural phenom right now that people are talking about miscarriages. The truth is that about one in three women will experience a miscarriage, and it is estimated that upwards of 40% of pregnancies actually end in miscarriage (often times within the first several days of conception - many women don't even realise they are pregnant, let alone miscarrying).
I would say that you should just have a nice, safe, healthy lifestyle.
Once you are pregnant, you should be aware that if your pregnancy is NORMAL, and with your prior success with vaginal birth, you are a GREAT candidate for a VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Cessarian.
You should find an OB and a facility that allows these. In the past, the saying was, once a c-section, always a c-section. However, the AMA just came out with reccomendations advocating more use of VBAC. Do some internet searching to educate yourself some more, then have a discussion with your OB.
Good luck and many blessings!

Liz - posted on 11/21/2010

Hi, I had an emergency c-section with my b/g twins who are two now. I just had a repeat c-section in July with my now four and a half month old son. With my first pregnancy I made it to 33 wks 6 days. With my second I made it to 38 wks 6 days and had minor complications, but I think that was mostly because of the fact I was busy during the day taking care of my toddlers.

Christina - posted on 11/21/2010

Thanks, Kimberly! I've only had one c-section but it was an emergency one because my son was transverse and his heart rate kept going doing. I did find out that if you wait at least 1 year after having a c-section to get pregnant, the miscarriage rate is about the same as if you'd had a vaginal delivery, and since our son is a year old, then I really shouldn't have anything to worry about, plus all three of pregnancies minus the morning sickness came off without a hitch. I'll just pray about and leave it in God's hands! :)

Kimberly - posted on 11/21/2010

I was told I couldn't have kids because of all of the problems I had when I was 16...I had re-occurring cysts that were borderline malignant (and being a virgin at the time having dr.s examine your lady parts was quite an odd experience) and had to have an ovary and one of my fallopian tubes taken out as well as having my uterus lifted since it had fallen from a previous cyst removal operation...After having all this. I was terrified yet overjoyed when i found out i was pregnant for the first time...I've had c-sections with both of my children. I had to have one with my daughter because I had developed toxemia, she was face-dwn instead of face-up, and the cord was wrapped around her neck and her heart-rate was deccelerating as well as my inability to dialate...I couldnt have a spinal and had to be put to sleep and it was TERRIFYING not knowing if I'd wake up or if she would make it when I did, but we made it through...My son had to be delivered almost 3 wks before his due date by a repeat c-section because of signs of toxemia showing again and the cord was wrapped around his neck as well...It is a very scary thing and it is normal to worry about the what if's but you will worry yourself sick...To be honest, this is the first that I've heard of someone having a miscarriages because of having c-sections so i'm kinda dumbfounded (which isnt hard for me lol)...It is easier to recover after having had one already (and in my case, having already been cut open a total of 4 times after the kids)...As long as you havent had a previous miscarriage, it shouldnt be something to overly concern yourself with...Have faith and God bless!!!

Rebekah - posted on 11/21/2010

I have had 3 c-sections. The reason is when we were pregnant with our first child she passed before her due date and my doctor had to do a c-section. When I got pregnant with my 2nd child I did have concerns because of the section but pregnancy was normal. The only thing that bothered me was as my uterus was stretching I did have some pain around my scar and when I asked my dr about it she told me that it was just the scar tissue stretching out as my belly got bigger. Other than that everything was normal. Oh and once you have had one c-section the recover time just seems to get easier.

Candace - posted on 11/21/2010

I know several women who have had healthy pregnancies after having to have a c-section. I think since you've been hearing about it happening a lot lately you've got it in your mind that the same thing will happen to you. I'm sure you will be fine. Some mom's have to have a c-section with all of their pregnancies. Pray, calm down, relax and enjoy your baby making process!!!