Out of the nearly 2,500 people followed for the study, about 69 percent were able to conceive again within 3 years after having a C-section. Of those who had vaginal births, about 76 percent were able to conceive in the same time frame.
Most women did not begin ovulating until at least 6 weeks after childbirth, but a few ovulated sooner. Usually, women who are not breastfeeding ovulate sooner after giving birth than women who do breastfeed. However, a woman's first ovulation cycle might occur before she gets her first postpartum period.
Among women who delivered by C-section, 68.9 percent conceived within the next three years, compared with 76.7 percent of women who delivered vaginally.
C-section was associated with a 15% lesser chance of conception than vaginal birth during 3 years of subsequent follow-up, whether or not women were trying to conceive (adjusted hazard ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.74-0.96), reported Kristen Kjerulff, PhD, of the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, and colleagues.
Future risks
After you have two C-section scars, each added scar in the uterus raises the risk of placenta problems in a later pregnancy. These problems include placenta previa and placenta accreta, which raise the risk of problems for the baby and your risk of needing a hysterectomy to stop bleeding.
What Are the Risks of Getting Pregnant After a C-Section? 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.
“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.”
After you give birth, you may notice an increase in cervical mucus. This is due to an increase in estrogen levels. If you see an increase in cervical mucus that is clear, slippery, and resembles raw egg whites, this could be a sign of ovulation.
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.
Some couples find it easier to get pregnant the second time around (maybe because they are already familiar with their unique ovulation patterns), but for many couples, it takes longer to get pregnant the second time. In fact, secondary infertility is more common than primary infertility.
A woman's fertility declines with age, sometimes it can be harder to get pregnant with a second child than it was with the first. When a woman has trouble getting pregnant on her own after a previously successful natural conception and birth, fertility doctors refer to this as secondary infertility.
Based on the study findings, they suggest the optimal time between giving birth and getting pregnant again is 18 months, with a range of 12 to 24 months.
Various reputable sources of medical information, such as WebMd, state that the prior births do not “reset” a woman's fertility,asserting that the notion is a myth.
Yes, you can get pregnant before your first post-pregnancy period. Some women have a sterile first period — in other words, they don't ovulate during their initial cycle. Others ovulate before having a period, which means they could conceivably go from pregnancy to pregnancy without ever unpacking the tampons.
The risk of having a complication after delivery is highest during the first two weeks after delivery. But waiting will also give your body time to heal. In addition to postpartum discharge and vaginal tears, you might experience fatigue, vaginal dryness, pain and low sexual desire.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of complications becomes. If you've had a caesarean in the past, it's still possible to give birth to your baby vaginally.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take and the higher your risk of serious complications becomes. You will have scar tissue where your wounds have healed after each operation.
In rare cases, your C-section incision might open (or reopen). In medical terms, this is called C-section dehiscence.
Types of C-section incisions
The first is through the skin of your lower abdomen, about an inch or two above your pubic hair line. The second is into the uterus, which is where the doctor will reach in to deliver your baby. The type of cut on your abdomen may not be the same as the one on your uterus.
A 2-Year Age Gap
Sibling rivalry is strongest during these years and parents are often already struggling with a toddler who is developing a strong sense of identity and loves to use the word “No!” On the upside, a 2 year age gap works out pretty well as the kids get older.
It's technically possible for two siblings to be as close as 9 or 10 months apart. After your pregnancy comes to an end, you'll start ovulating again before you have your first postpartum period.
Two children. Research suggests that having two children is still most people's idea of the 'ideal' family size.
Getting pregnant after a c-section
It's important to give your body time to recover before you start trying to get pregnant again. 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.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against getting pregnant within 6 months of giving birth to your little one—and many providers say that waiting 18 months or so after delivering a baby is the “sweet spot” for you to get pregnant again.