2U2 Moms and C-sections

emmasue18

I had my 2nd son in January and my husband and I are discussing baby #3 due to him being in the military. I have my PP check-up in a couple weeks and I'm curious to hear what you were told/did about spacing LOs if you had a c-section. My first was born vaginally, this is all brand new to me!

Also, opinions on VBAC are welcome!!

TIA!!

DeeandBrad

My dr wanted us to wait a year after my csection,but I got pregnant 6 months later.  He said I wasn't at an increased risk for anything.  He would Have let me attempt a vbac but he said there was no way with my body make that I could delivery vaginally.  He didn't not induce vbac patients.

My pregnancy was smooth and my 2nd csection recovery was ok. 

delg23

I was told it was ok for a VBAC and I got pregnant 9 months after my c-section. I attempted VBAC and failed due to fetal distress and irregular contractions. 

I had to wait 2 weeks to lift my son. It was really difficult having him adjust to a sibling and tell him I can't pick him up. But you already have 2 so it would probably be different. I would definitely get help though. I needed someone to lift him for his bath, into his crib, into high chairs, etc. 

ETA: my doctors recommend you wait a year though if you want to VBAC just because it does increase your odds of uterine rupture slightly if you wait less. Less than 6 months has the highest risk.

moonfaerie

My first two were both born via c/s, 14 months apart. My third will be c/s also, 18 months after #2. My OB didn't have any special concern about spacing between my c/s. Especially if you decide to do a repeat c/s, there isn't really any extra risk whether you wait 5 months or 5 years to get pg again.

As long as  you don't have any other medical reason why getting pg soon would be harmful, you can TTC whenever you and DH feel up to it.

mrsseguin

My doctor told me to wait a year before getting pregnant again.  My kids are 25 months apart and both were c-sections.

kcisthebombdotcom

My doctor said at my 6 week check I could conceive whenever I felt ready. I found out I was pregnant with my oldest when I was 4.5 months old, and #2 was born when my son was 12.5 months old. My doctor was comfortable with VBAC for me, but did not want me going past my EDD because of my son being such a large baby. I ended up with a repeat c-section because my dr wasnt comfortable with induction and didnt want baby to stay in there any longer.

Many doctors who are pro-VBAC want 18-24 months between births so if that is important to you I'd see what your doctor's policy is.

Under.the.Rose

My midwives recommended 1-2 years between having Connor and getting pregnant again. I got my BFP about 1.5 months before Connor turned one!

This pregnancy has been super easy and I have no complaints from my incision site.

I'll be having another c-section with this baby and the OB recommended we stop at 3 c-sections, she said it's our choice but the 4th c-section is when the operation gets a bit more complicated.

I would absolutely do a VBAC if I could. It would depend on the reasons behind your c-section, but if you had a vaginal birth before I would assume a VBAC would be a great option for you! How badly you want a VBAC will likely also be a factor in how long you wait between deliveries.  

akbride25

After my second, my midwife suggested I wait 2 years before even getting pregnant again. I think that was because I had had two kids close together. Baby #3 is due about 22 months after DD, and my midwife is okay with me doing VBAC. I think she likes to see at least 18 months between deliveries when doing VBAC. I also had a vaginal delivery for the first one and am hoping to VBAC this time around because the recovery was so much easier.

WhitePicketFence

I had a c-section with DD1 and my OB never said anything to me in regards to waiting to TTC again. I got pregnant when DD1 was 9 months old and had a successful VBAC with DD2.

g8orell

I was told to wait 9 months before trying...and we got pregnant when DD was exactly 9 months. They are 17m apart (repeat c-section) and I had NO problems during pregnancy or delivery. My OB said my uterus was nice and thick and I could have as many babies/c-sections as I'd like.

MamatoJackson

My doctor said 6 months later but we had an oopsie at 3 months.  Everything went fine but I had to have a second c-section.

Daisy22

My OB office likes there to be 18 months between pregnancies for a vbac but will consider  it at 12 months between. You still have to go into labor on your own and they will not induce or let you go past 41wks.

Since I didn't care to have a vbac, my ob didn't think twice about me being pg 6 months after DS1 came (DS2 was not planned through) and this time I got pg about 11 1/2 months after DS2 came. He didn't think twice about this one either. I'll be having my 3rd c/s in june.

bluejayway

I had an emergency c-section with my first. I got pregnant again 9 months later, so DD and LO are 18 months apart. My doctor said 18 months is the minimum between deliveries after a c-section, so I am just making the cut. It wasn't intentional, either. I am going for a VBAC and have had a perfect, smooth pregnancy. Except now baby won't come out (like baby number 1, I am not dilated at all and seem to never go into labor). The rules on induction are different after a c-section, too, depending on your OB practice, so just something to be aware of. 

sarahandeddiejune212008

I was told to wait 12 months.  My OB said she also prefers moms that have repeat c/s to have no more than 3 babies because of the risks involved (she also reminded me that it is our decision, but medically speaking 3 or less is best).

Bride2b2004

Ob said to wait a year before getting pg.  I waited 10 months and at my first pg appt she said that was fine, 1y is just a rule of thumb.  The longer you wait, the better your chances the doc will allow you to try for a VBAC.  I had almost 4 years between DS1 & DS2 and they allowed me to try for a VBAC.  But with only 20 months b/w DS2 and DS3, they would not.  I have to say though, I didn't mind the scheduled c/s, my recoveries were great and it is very convenient in terms of arranging child care for other LOs.