F*%#ing c-sections - secondary infertility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, maybe this is what's wrong with me. I got pregnant quickly the first 2 times, but had an emergency c section the 2nd time. We are trying for a 3rd, but have been trying for over a year and a half. I just had a consult with my doctor today. I'll have to bring this up to her. OP, how did your doctor diagnose? Did you have x-rays, etc?

Please see an RE, and not just your regular doc.

OP here and I agree. I've been telling my regular OB for years that I still sometimes had discomfort around my scar, that sex was often painful, etc and I was pooh-poohed every time. Now I'm pissed and wished I hadn't listened to her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just had a D&C and I will also be having a saline sonogram to make sure there's no damage--I HATE how casual doctors are about these procedures, as if there's no risk.

No matter what the forms say, they don't seriously believe there's a risk until it actually happens, then somehow you're a statistical anomaly, when here are several of us posting about scar tissue from these "routine" procedures.

I'm not impressed with the medical profession after years of IF treatment and no answer, and not even reasonable treatment protocols.

I agree with you about the casualness. And it's strange b/c something like 30% of women get scarring post-D&C (can't recall exact stat).

I highly recommend getting a hystersocopy instead of a saline sonogram to diagnose scarring. It is considered the gold standard, and other techniques may miss it (they did in my case). Luckily once my scarring was ultimately diagnosed (had to switch REs after 3 more failed IVFs), and I'm now 9 weeks (on my first IVF post-surgery).

I was told it's 10%, which still seems high to me.

I asked for the hysteroscopy but my doctor wants to "start" with teh saline sonogram. I want to go straight to the hysteroscopy--I'm so sick of pushing for what I want. Doctors actl like they have your best interests at heart but you have to push and push and they resent being questioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I was told it's 10%, which still seems high to me.

I asked for the hysteroscopy but my doctor wants to "start" with teh saline sonogram. I want to go straight to the hysteroscopy--I'm so sick of pushing for what I want. Doctors actl like they have your best interests at heart but you have to push and push and they resent being questioned.

Wikipedia quotes higher stats (depending on the circumstance of the D&C), but I agree that even 10% is pretty high:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherman's_syndrome

It's frustrating that doctor's don't just move to the best test if there is a reasonable indication of scarring. You might consider seeing another doctor who will do hysteroscopy (it's likely your doc doesn't, I don't htink most RE's do it). I saw Dr. Robinson at GW and he was great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I was told it's 10%, which still seems high to me.

I asked for the hysteroscopy but my doctor wants to "start" with teh saline sonogram. I want to go straight to the hysteroscopy--I'm so sick of pushing for what I want. Doctors actl like they have your best interests at heart but you have to push and push and they resent being questioned.

Wikipedia quotes higher stats (depending on the circumstance of the D&C), but I agree that even 10% is pretty high:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherman's_syndrome

It's frustrating that doctor's don't just move to the best test if there is a reasonable indication of scarring. You might consider seeing another doctor who will do hysteroscopy (it's likely your doc doesn't, I don't htink most RE's do it). I saw Dr. Robinson at GW and he was great.

OP here. Enlighten me ladies...the PA who did my HSG suggested they would do a saline sonogram first and then a lap. What questions should I ask? Should I insist on going straight for the lap or do another test to confirm?

[Anonymous]

PP here who had scar tissue after D&C. It was diagnosed with a saline sono. It's not a bad place to start - it can be done right in the RE's office.

[Anonymous]

As a doula, I always ask my clients about ANY prior procedures performed on their uterus OR cervix, because scar tissue is such a common problem that can affect future fertility, the ability to give birth vaginally, and comfort during sex.

For some reason, doctors simply don't seem to care about these issues. I wish women were given more information. And I don't understand why they are not.

[Anonymous]

As a doula, I always ask my clients about ANY prior procedures performed on their uterus OR cervix, because scar tissue is such a common problem that can affect future fertility, the ability to give birth vaginally, and comfort during sex.

For some reason, doctors simply don't seem to care about these issues. I wish women were given more information. And I don't understand why they are not.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for double post--I don't know what happened!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a doula, I always ask my clients about ANY prior procedures performed on their uterus OR cervix, because scar tissue is such a common problem that can affect future fertility, the ability to give birth vaginally, and comfort during sex.

For some reason, doctors simply don't seem to care about these issues. I wish women were given more information. And I don't understand why they are not.

OP here. Can you point to any studies or other reputable literature about this? I honestly feel like sharing it with every woman that I know, because no - my doctors definitely did NOT mention impacts on future fertility or sex, and I've clearly been affected in both areas. I did ask prior to the c-section about impacts on future fertility and it was shrugged off. I don't think I had much of a chance in having the c, but I'm the kind of person who wants the straight dope so I'm not disappointed later. I'm furious that they downplayed the risk so much and that my OB has discounted my concerns for so long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. Can you point to any studies or other reputable literature about this? I honestly feel like sharing it with every woman that I know, because no - my doctors definitely did NOT mention impacts on future fertility or sex, and I've clearly been affected in both areas. I did ask prior to the c-section about impacts on future fertility and it was shrugged off. I don't think I had much of a chance in having the c, but I'm the kind of person who wants the straight dope so I'm not disappointed later. I'm furious that they downplayed the risk so much and that my OB has discounted my concerns for so long.

www.ashermans.org has links to studies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. Can you point to any studies or other reputable literature about this? I honestly feel like sharing it with every woman that I know, because no - my doctors definitely did NOT mention impacts on future fertility or sex, and I've clearly been affected in both areas. I did ask prior to the c-section about impacts on future fertility and it was shrugged off. I don't think I had much of a chance in having the c, but I'm the kind of person who wants the straight dope so I'm not disappointed later. I'm furious that they downplayed the risk so much and that my OB has discounted my concerns for so long.

www.ashermans.org has links to studies.

Thanks. Amazingly, this is the only site I've found in my research that even mentioned adhesions resulting from c-section. Every other fertility site I've found mentions D&C ad nauseum. No wonder more women don't know that c-sections CAN cause future fertility problems. I'm not generally a big activist on these issues, but women deserve to receive full information from their docs. I would've had to have a C anyway, but at least I would have known.

[Anonymous]

OP back. I had my lap/hysteroscopy and the news was not good. Severe scarring and the doc is worried about how it will heal. He says if we can get it 80% healed we can do another procedure; if not, I will likely be unable to get pregnant again. I feel so devastated. Anyone else been in the same situation and eventually had a successful pregnancy? I need some inspirational stories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back. I had my lap/hysteroscopy and the news was not good. Severe scarring and the doc is worried about how it will heal. He says if we can get it 80% healed we can do another procedure; if not, I will likely be unable to get pregnant again. I feel so devastated. Anyone else been in the same situation and eventually had a successful pregnancy? I need some inspirational stories.

I'm sorry to hear this OP. I too am suffering secondary infertility after a c-section. I have been working with an RE, but a lap has never been talked about or suggested. How did you go about getting the lap? Did your RE suggest it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back. I had my lap/hysteroscopy and the news was not good. Severe scarring and the doc is worried about how it will heal. He says if we can get it 80% healed we can do another procedure; if not, I will likely be unable to get pregnant again. I feel so devastated. Anyone else been in the same situation and eventually had a successful pregnancy? I need some inspirational stories.

I'm sorry to hear this OP. I too am suffering secondary infertility after a c-section. I have been working with an RE, but a lap has never been talked about or suggested. How did you go about getting the lap? Did your RE suggest it?

Thanks. Sorry to hear you are having troubles too. My RE suggested the surgery after diagnosing the scarring with an HSG. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I had a c-section to remove a fibroid. My tubes were open during then. Due to adhesions after the surgery my tubes got blocked. My RE did a laparoscopy and removed the scar tissues but did not surgically open the tubes. He said there is a high chance of ectopic pregnancy with that. Obviously IVF was the only solution left.