How long to wait after C-section?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how long you are supposed to wait after having a C-section before TTC? I'm 34 with a 6-month-old girl and would like another baby but am getting nervous about waiting to have another, given my age. I've heard both 6 months and 1 year...

Thanks!
M

[Anonymous]

I never knew there was any rule like that.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if there is a rule but I got pregnant six months after my c section. My OB said it was fine and the biggest challenge is for those that get pregnant 3 months or less after a c section...but even then it wasn't the end of the world.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the thoughts. I think the idea is that your body needs time to recover from pregnancy and major surgery so it is in optimal shape to do it again.

[Anonymous]

I think you should ask your doctor. It depends a lot on the type of uterine incision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never knew there was any rule like that.

I hope you've not had a c-section!

[Anonymous]

If you want a VBAC, I've heard 1 year between pregnancies at least. Which leads me to believe if you don't want a VBAC less is fine.

I think the ideal time between pregnancies, all else equal, is apparently 18-24 months.

[Anonymous]

If you are doing IVF (which is sounds like you are not) you can always go through the medicated cycle, freeze the embryos, and wait to implant them. There is some research that says that frozen transfers have a higher success rate because the cycle where the transfer happens is more natural and normal than the one where the eggs are retrieved (not as much medication in you). This way you could retrieve eggs now while you are younger and wait a year to transfer them.

[Anonymous]

My dr told me 18 months between c-sections. So if you get pregnant right away, then I guess start trying once your child is 9 mos old. FWIW, I'm delivering my first within a few weeks of my 35th birthday and this is the advice she gave me.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. I know I need to talk to my doctor - I just didn't want to make a whole separate appointment just to ask this question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never knew there was any rule like that.

I hope you've not had a c-section!

Yes, I did and am pregnant now, but luckily my son is two so I'm guessing I'm okay.

[Anonymous]

I vbac'ed 16 months after my section then again 18 months after that. My doctor didn't have any concerns.

[Anonymous]

Mine said we should wait a year, but if I happen to get pregnant within that year, it would be ok. So while probably not recommended, it isn't some catastrophic thing if it happens.

[Anonymous]

My Ob said to wait 6 weeks.

Incidentally, my mother was told the same 6 weeks. My older sister is 10 and a half months older than I am.

[Anonymous]

My OB takes the view that you should wait a year to get pregnant no matter what, to give your body time to replenish itself, especially if you are bfing the first baby.