You will need to wait at least 6 months but your doctor or midwife may advise you to wait for 12–18 months. The longer you leave your scar to heal, the stronger it will be. It's particularly important to make sure your scar has completely healed if you want to try for a vaginal birth next time.
It is essential NOT to try for another pregnancy within 6-12 months of a C-section procedure. At that point, the risk of a uterine rupture becomes high and complications of a pregnancy could be life threatening.
Research shows that getting pregnant less than six months after a C-section can increase your risk of complications, such as ruptured uterus or a low birth weight baby.
If you've already had a cesarean birth (also called c-section), you may be able to have your next baby vaginally. This is called a vaginal birth after cesarean (also called VBAC). Cesarean birth is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your health care provider makes in your belly and uterus.
For most women, it's best to wait at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. This means your baby will be at least 1½ years old before you get pregnant with another baby. This much time gives your body time to fully recover from your last pregnancy before it's ready for your next pregnancy.
Although the average duration of a full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks, which equals 10 months approximately, labor typically occurs anywhere between weeks 37 and 42. The reason why pregnancies are monitored weekly is because it allows for a more accurate follow-up.
What's the best interval between pregnancies? To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and other health problems, research suggests waiting 18 to 24 months but less than five years after a live birth before attempting your next pregnancy.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of complications becomes (Biler et al 2017, RCOG 2016).
“So, every patient is different and every case is unique. However, from the current medical evidence, most medical authorities do state that if multiple C-sections are planned, the expert recommendation is to adhere to the maximum number of three.”
One rule of thumb, DeAngelis said, is if a woman who previously had a cesarean should spontaneously go into labor with her second baby, chances of having a vaginal delivery increase. If she goes beyond her due date though and her body isn't showing any signs that it is ready for labor, a cesarean may be recommended.
Can c-section scarring cause infertility? Yes, c-section scarring sometimes causes infertility. But with treatment, many people go on to have healthy pregnancies.
A repeat caesarean section usually takes longer and is more difficult than a first operation because of scar tissue. It carries a possibility of wound infection and blood transfusion. A higher risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis) in the legs or lungs.
It's possible for your scar to gape slightly as your pregnancy progresses (scar dehiscence) . Although this may sound worrying, it isn't a sign that you have a uterine rupture. As long as the edges of the scar stay healed and intact, it won't cause pain or bleeding or endanger you or your baby .
Low birth weight for the new baby: Even if your next baby is delivered at term, studies show a slight increase risk in low birth weight if you get pregnant less than 18 months after your previous pregnancy.
Getting Pregnant After C-Sections
The good news: If you've had multiple C-sections you're just as likely to conceive as women who gave birth vaginally. Doctors recommend you wait at least six weeks after a C-section before having sex and generally encourage using birth control until six to 18 months postpartum.
Answering the question of whether the second cesarean section is more painful, the answer is: Usually no more pain depending on the condition of the old incision with little or no adhesion, and the surgical technique, and pain relief of the doctors.
Ideally, your doctor will cut through the same scar so that you don't have multiple scars on your abdomen and uterus. Sometimes scar tissue can be difficult to cut through but your doctor should be able to cut through it.
For years, women who'd had a C-section were encouraged to skip vaginal deliveries altogether and schedule C-sections for all future births. But now, a vaginal birth after cesarean (or VBAC) is considered a safe option for many women and their babies.
Babies born by Caesarean section have dramatically different gut bacteria to those born vaginally, according to the largest study in the field. The UK scientists say these early encounters with microbes may act as a "thermostat" for the immune system.
Long-Term Effects of C-Sections
Children born by C-section also suffer increased rates of diseases, including asthma, type I diabetes, allergies, obesity, as well as reduced overall cognitive functioning and lower academic performance.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises waiting at least six months or more after your last baby's birth before getting pregnant again and cautions against the risks of pregnancy sooner than 18 months after having a baby.
Not necessarily. Your body needs time to recover from the stress of your last pregnancy and to replenish its nutrients. However, it's difficult to say whether a short gap between pregnancies is actually dangerous for you and your baby.
The longest recorded human pregnancy was 375 days, or just over 12 and a half months, according to Guinness World Records. During this pregnancy, a woman named Beulah Hunter gave birth to a healthy baby girl in 1945.