Patient's question:
Hello!I am an unfortunate person who lost my first child due to severe asphyxia right after birth. I had a C-section four months ago and am now very eager for the arrival of my second child. However, I heard that it is necessary to wait for 2-3 years before getting pregnant, and the risk is still very high. Could you please tell me when is the best time to get pregnant in my situation? Is the risk really that high? Is the vertical incision very disadvantageous to me?
I look forward to your reply! Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
Hello: Here are the precautions to be taken when getting pregnant again after a cesarean section:1. If you plan to have another child after a cesarean section, you should wait at least two years before getting pregnant. This is because the incision on the uterine wall takes time to heal after a cesarean. If you get pregnant too soon, the growing fetus will cause the uterus to expand continuously, making the uterine wall thinner, especially at the surgical incision site, which is made of connective tissue and lacks elasticity. A fresh scar can easily rupture during the later stages of pregnancy or delivery, leading to severe internal bleeding or even life-threatening complications. Therefore, it is safer to wait at least two years after the surgery before getting pregnant again.
2. Avoid any pressure on the abdomen during the later stages of pregnancy. To prevent the scar from tearing, it is essential to protect the area from pressure. During the later stages of pregnancy, avoid crowded places when traveling or walking, perform light household chores, and sleep on your back or side. Limit sexual activity to avoid any impact on the abdomen.
3. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience abdominal pain. A scarred uterus may spontaneously rupture in the later stages of pregnancy, with abdominal pain being the main symptom. As the pregnancy progresses, poor scar healing and increasing intrauterine pressure can cause the uterus to rupture from the scar, even without any apparent cause. Severe abdominal pain may occur during a rupture, but sometimes the pain is mild even if the uterus has already ruptured. Be vigilant in such cases.
4. Pay attention to fetal movement. Fetal movement refers to the irregular activity of the fetus inside the uterus and is one of the early signs of the fetus's well-being in the womb. Generally, there should be 3–5 movements per hour during pregnancy, or at least 10 movements in a day (12 hours). After a cesarean section...