Is there a known elevated m/c rate after c-sec?

[babydoll]

Ok I might just be freaking myself out here, but I just read the poll question about how long did it take you to conceive #2 after a c-sec. I noticed that a lot of Mommas had m/c after c-secs. Is this a known risk after c-section for the rate of m/c to be higher or just a coincidence of the people who replied to this question? I know that there can be scar tissue and there is a higher risk for placenta previa and I think placenta acredia (sp?). Also this might be a question for a new thread, but I am nursing and I wondered that IF I got pregnant while nursing there would be a higher risk for m/c because of nipple stimulation causing uterine contractions. I know a woman in my LLL that nursed throughout her pregnancy but I think she did have some problems. I have also heard/read that your milk can dry up. My dd is 9 mos old and I thought I would plan to wean her before I get pregnant again. I have not had a real period other than the faintest pink spotting last month and I am not charting so I don't know if I am ovulating or not...

Oh yeah, I am not trying to get pregnant right now and I am not planning to wean before 18 mos at least. I am just wondering if there is a correlation here.

[KatherineinCA]

I know there's a higher risk of ectopic pregnancies, due to scar tissue.

[frogertgrl]

Yes, sadly (b/c docs do not communicate this risk to C-sec mamas) there is an increased risk of miscarriage after C-section. Also infertility. And Katherine is right about the increased risk of ectopic pregnancies.

C-sec is obviously, fraught with post partum risks and not just another way to birth.

Maybe someday doctors will inform patients of these risks to their future fertility and births.

Nah, never gonna happen.

It is safe to nurse throughout pregnancy. IMO, it is a shame to wean a child to have another. But that is my opinion. I am pregnant with #2 and conceived while my 13.5 month old was still exclusively breastfed. He continues to nurse all the time now.

Good luck.

[jayasun]

Oh, and also... I just read on BirthLove a study that links increase rate of stillborn to previous cesarean surgey.

Jaya
shaking her head that there are all these unspoken risks, and instead of hearing the truth, we hear how cesrean helps us preserve our continence, and our perineums. Geesh!

[KatherineinCA]

Hi, Jaya!

Any chance you can send me a copy of that study? Sounds like I fit that category .

Love,
Katherine

[MommyKim]

my experience

I know that there are risks, certainly more than the doctors tell us! But I have had 2 c-sections. I got pregnant 8 months after having my first and had no complications through either. I nursed my first for over a year and was 5 months pregnant when he weaned. I didn't have any problems with premature contractions until much later. I'm not a huge advocate of c-sections - in fact I was set on having a home birth, but it wasn't in the cards for me.


Anyway, After you've had to have a c-section, research and knowledge, I think, is key, but we can't stress too much over it. Too much stress, after all, can cause many, many more problems! What's done is done and we have to just make sure that we keep ourselves healthy and do everything we can to keep our future babies healthy also.

Here's to our Peace of Mind!