Most often, a second pregnancy after a caesarean section is a deliberate and deliberate step towards family expansion. However, it is not surprising to learn of a pregnancy that has occurred until you see two cherished stripes on the test. In any case, the situation should not be left to chance, as a second pregnancy after Caesarean is associated with certain risks, which should be kept to the necessary minimum.
For women who have their first child in surgery, it is advisable to plan for two children of at least three years of age. You can read more about this in the article "New Pregnancy: How long after Caesarean is it worth waiting for? But not always everything happens the way we want, and the second pregnancy, if there is a scar on the uterus, in any case, needs special control by doctors. Let's look in particular at the condition of the female reproductive system after the last caesarean section.
Condition of the female body after caesarean section
Even if we analyze the condition of the woman one year after the surgery at delivery, we can confidently say that the operation did not affect the functioning of the reproductive system. At the moment when the second pregnancy after caesarean occurs, as a rule, the woman's menstrual cycle is fully restored, and the uterus after caesarean is normal in size.
But not too visible in normal life, the scar after caesarean may be very important in the next pregnancy. Tissue replacement that occurs during scarring can be done with connective, muscular or mixed tissue. Depending on this uterus, it may have less elasticity in the formation of connective tissue near the scar. Limiting the ability of the uterus to stretch significantly complicates the next pregnancy after a caesarean section. It is from this factor that the doctor will push you back to additional examinations.
Medical control and necessary examinations
Of course, a second pregnancy after a caesarean section should be monitored from an early stage by a competent person you trust. The doctor will palpate your scar, examine it visually, and direct it to a more thorough examination of the relationship between scar tissue and scar tissue. It is especially important to undergo these examinations in cases where, due to circumstances, pregnancy is observed after the second caesarean section.
Most often, the study of the scar during pregnancy is limited to visual examination and ultrasound, conducted from 35 weeks. It uses a device equipped with a vaginal sensor to assess the state of the scar from the inside, to analyze the situation more accurately and to choose the right method of delivery.
At the planning stage, women may be advised to check the condition of the scar with hysteroscopy and hysterogarafia procedures. These methods are indeed more reliable and confirm the validity of the scar at the documentary level.
Hysteroscopy is a visual examination of the uterus from the inside with the help of a professional endoscope and allows to evaluate the composition of the tissues that make up the scar. The best option is to replace the fibres with muscle tissue, as the rumen's connective tissue may not be able to withstand sprains when the baby is being carried out.
Hysterography is done with a two-dimensional X-ray image. However, it is worth noting that the behaviour of the uterus in a calm state and during pregnancy is very different, and to predict the behavior of the rumen, observing the unborn uterus during pregnancy is very problematic.
Both procedures are not recommended to do without an emergency, especially for pregnant women. However, if the visual examination and the usual ultrasound cause doctors to doubt the success of the embryo and there is a question of terminating the pregnancy, these procedures will help to bring final clarity.
Pregnancy after caesarean: possible complications
The second pregnancy after caesarean section, strange as it may seem, is practically no different from the usual one. The scenario of development of the baby and changes in the body are fully consistent with the course of a standard pregnancy. In addition to individual features, complications after caesarean are associated solely with the presence of a scar on the uterus. With the growth of the baby and the increase in pressure on the uterus, the scar that turned out to be inadequate can lead to a rupture of tissues in the future, which entails a serious threat to the life of the child and his mother.
Doctors pay special attention to women who have a second pregnancy after Caesarean after a very short period of time or in multiple pregnancies. Of course, in the case of twins or triplets, the load on the suture increases manifold. In this case, the risk of rumen divergence is slightly higher, although too much depends on the individual characteristics of the body.
Pregnant after a C-section? Don't panic!
The brightest and most contrasting emotions are experienced by those expectant mothers, who had a sudden pregnancy after a year after the second caesarean, and after the first one too. Most often, the second caesarean section of the incision is carried out in the vicinity of the already existing scar. It would seem, it is more terrible not to invent a second load on the scar, and during the year, when its solvency is doubtful - this is one of the most unfavourable scenarios of events.
Nevertheless, modern research shows that after six to eight months after surgery, the suture is ready to carry the next child. In the majority of the observed cases, even the pregnancy goes smoothly one year after the second caesarean. But it is necessary to have the scar examined by a doctor throughout the pregnancy to avoid complications.
If the situation is critical and the doctor does not see the possibility of a favourable outcome, early termination of the current pregnancy may be recommended. Referral for abortion is given in really serious situations, in which the risk of death of the woman and the future child is high. In such situations, it is useful to obtain information from several sources to avoid the possibility of a medical error. If unfortunately, the information is confirmed, you should realize that your firstborn and family need you alive. Perhaps after a while, the condition of the scar will allow you to safely give your child a brother or sister, just need to wait a little bit.
If the threat of suture divergence is observed at a late stage, doctors put the situation under control and at the first signs of failure of the scar is an emergency Caesarean section. Modern medicine is able to ensure the full development of the child outside the womb, nursing even the smallest crumbs so that you and the child will have a chance.
A little miracle: the birth of a second baby
It is worth recognizing that the planned second pregnancy after caesarean section is not something special and does not carry additional risks. Seven to twelve months after surgery, the scar is not an obvious problem. A woman is able to bear a child in peace, and of course, after the caesarean, she can give birth in the most natural way possible, without any medical contraindications. Have a good pregnancy!