c-section question - type of incision

JJ1973

For those of you who have placenta previa or vasa previa (rare - so I'm thinking I may be the only one on this board who has it at the moment given lack of response to another question, but I thought I'd ask), what kind of c-section incision did you have/will you have? I am just curious. I am so new to c-sections I didn't even know to ask this question when I spoke with my OB the other day. 

ashleeomalley

I have placenta previa as well...not vasa previa though. I had no idea there were different types of incisions! I see my dr on the 14th so I'll ask her about it.

jennybean80

Almost all c-sections are done through a 'low-transverse incision' (the bikini cut) versus the older-style up and down 'classical incision'. This is usually the case even with placenta and vasa previous. Mainly because a vertical (classical) incision on the uterus relates to a higher risk of uterine rupture in following pregnancies.

That being said, if ultrasounds show your placenta is high up the anterior wall of the placenta they might do a slightly higher than normal transverse incision.

Just a note, the direction of the incision on the skin does not guarantee the direction of the incision on the uterus.