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VBAC
C-section and scar with #2
in VBAC
Can someone please tell me what happens to the c-section scar when pregnant with 2nd ???? I had mine 11 months ago and we are planning on #2 soon...
Wyatt 10/6/2010 The love of our life
This discussion has been closed.
Re: C-section and scar with #2
Do you mean only during pregnancy or during a second c-section surgery, too?
I think it's probably different for everyone, but for me:
(I have the low uterine scars-)
Pregnancy- I was worried about it, but I didn't notice any difference in my outward scar. Every once in a blue moon I would feel a little twinge if I got up quickly from bed in the morning, but I don't know if that's just because I was paranoid or not. I was scared it would stretch out and scary me to death, but it really doesn't stretch much there at all- if at all. (I'm sure this isn't true for the classical vertical cut, though, obviously- That would probably terrify me!)
2nd c-section surgery- Turns out my inward scar was great, too. The doctor said I looked excellent in there. And....I didn't expect this, but my scar actually looks so much better now. ( And I never minded it the way it was.) It's looks like a little pencil line now.
Oh, okay. If you have the low uterine scar, your chances of rupture aren't very high. I don't know the exact numbers anymore, but as long as you are careful, it is safe.
There's a chance with any option and I think that, statistically, it is still a little safer for baby if you RCS (especially if you wait til at least 39 weeks) and a little safer for mom if you VBAC. (And comparing the two, it is a little safer for mom to RCS than baby to VBAC, statistically, which is why doctors will lean towards it.)
But, things have started to change now from the way the statistics came to be....such as, induction isn't as common or if it is done, it is done mildly and very carefully. My doctors refused to do any kind of induction.
But I came to these conclusions through lots of reading and research, so I don't know if I could even point to one place. But I think the ACOG guidelines on VBAC should help you, if you look there!
It is possible to check the scar thickness, but I don't think that's normal. We never looked at it during my pregnancy, and there were plenty of opportunities (extra scans due to high risk of heart problems).
My visible scar turned bright red during pregnancy but it went back to "normal" not too long after delivery. You can't tell by looking at it that I ever got pregnant again or not. It did occasionally itch but it wasn't painful or scary in any way.
The chance of uterine rupture is either 4 or 7 in 1000, depending on which study you look at. In other words, very low. Your OB can help you decide whether you are a good candidate or not. Be sure to find a VBAC friendly OB or midwife if that's what you want to shoot for.
OP--the information people have posted here are pretty inconsistent and I highly recommend doing some of your own research about what is best for you and your next baby. From my research I've found uterine rupture (UR) risk to be only 1-2% depending on the study. The risks to a baby during a VBAC generally only have to do with UR, vacuum or clamp extraction, or are from inductions. There are a lot more risks for a mom going through a RCS, plus the recovery time is usually a LOT harder and longer than a VBAC.
Start googling and getting books at the library! Here are a few good solid sites to start you off:
https://vbacfacts.com/
https://www.ican-online.org/
This. My Dr said there is a 1% chance of UR - but getting pregnanct within a year of the c/s would make me ineligible for VBAC because it increases the chance of UR. Lots of women have been doing VBACs for years - my Aunt had one in 1982! If it's something you really want, then do your own research and make sure you are able to make an educated decision. I think the risk to baby and mom in a VBAC is the same - a UR is not good for either. RCS have lots of additional risks - mostly just for the mother. It is major surgery. And recovery can be hell (mine was pretty bad).