MSc, MD,
Nguyen Van Thanh
This article has been consulted by MSc, MD Nguyen Van Thanh - Obstetrician - Gynecology Department - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
After a C-section, the body needs a reasonable amount of time for the incision in the uterus from the previous surgery to heal, and the mother’s health should also be ensured for the next pregnancy.
1. How long can you get pregnant after cesarean section?
Doctors advise waiting at least two years after a C-section for these reasons:
- Postpartum fatigue and blood lost... requiring a certain amount of time to recover in order to be ready for the next pregnancy.
- The incision in the uterus needs sufficient time for the scar to heal properly, to avoid the risk of rupturing the scar in the next pregnancy.
- The baby is still being breastfed: It needs to be properly cared for and breastfed to support its holistic development.
- Getting pregnant too soon means the mother won't have enough time to care for the small child and nourish the pregnancy effectively.
- Additionally, economic, family, and social issues such as managing a pregnancy while caring for a small child, finding someone to care for the child during the birth of the second baby, costs for the children, and concerns about work... will negatively impact the mother's health.
2. Effects of Getting Pregnant Too Soon After a Cesarean
2.1 Effects on Mother
- Risk of rupturing the previous incision scar: This is a dangerous obstetric complication, often occurring in women who have previously had a surgical scar in the uterus, such as a cesarean or myomectomy... The rupture of the old scar can occur during labor, especially when contractions are strong.
- Pain at the surgical site during pregnancy: As the incision may not have fully healed, it can cause discomfort for the mother.
- The mother may not have enough strength and time to care for her small child while also nurturing the pregnancy.
- Increased risk of placenta previa, low-lying placenta, and if there have been multiple C-sections, a high risk of placenta accreta is present. Abnormal placements of the placenta increase the risk of severe bleeding before, during and after delivery.
- Risk of the fetus attaching to the old surgical scar: This condition is very dangerous, but quite rare. The fetus can attach and implant directly on the old scar, leading to severe bleeding early on, often requiring abortion. In some cases, the placenta may implant deeply into the uterine muscle through the old scar, which can lead to placenta accreta, even perforating the uterus and causing severe
bleeding that can be life-threatening.
2.2 For the fetus
- High risk of preterm birth: The baby may be born preterm and underdeveloped, leading to potential health issues later.
- If there is a condition of accreta, the risks include: premature birth, inadequate growth, anemia, and a high rate of neonatal mortality.
- Furthermore, for the baby that is still being breastfed, there is a risk of losing the breastfeeding source and not being adequately cared for.
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3. If you are 6 months after a C-section and are pregnant again, do you have to abort?
Getting pregnant again too soon after a C-section often leads many mothers to rush into abortion, even if they wish to keep the baby for delivery. However, if the pregnancy is developing normally and the mother wishes to keep it, it is entirely possible to continue.
The risks for the mother and baby are not the same for every woman who conceives too soon. However, it is certain that getting pregnant too soon after a cesarean poses more risks for both mother and baby. Mothers should also be careful of performing any procedures, including surgical abortion, while the scar is still new as this can be very dangerous.
4. What to Do If You Get Pregnant Soon After a Cesarean?
If you become pregnant soon after a C-section, don’t panic—follow these steps instead:
- Schedule an early appointment when you find out you are pregnant to help assess the risks for both mother and baby.
- Ensure regular check-ups and monitoring of the pregnancy at a healthcare facility with high specialties and adequate medical equipment to respond promptly to any abnormalities during the pregnancy.
- If the fetus is still small (< 10 weeks), consider whether to keep or abort the pregnancy based on the mother's wishes.
- If the pregnancy is more than 12 weeks, it is advisable to keep it since performing an abortion in those with old surgical scars is very dangerous.
- Regular check-ups should be made to monitor the condition of the old scar and the development of the baby, and to detect any risk signs to intervene promptly and avoid the negative outcomes.
- Throughout the pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, the risk of rupturing the surgical scar is highest. The mother should monitor closely and be aware of danger signs.
- Planning a C-section in the 39th week to avoid adverse complications.
After a cesarean section, couples should take appropriate contraceptive measures to avoid the risk of becoming pregnant again too soon, which could pose various dangers to the health and life of both mother and child. However, if pregnancy occurs soon after a cesarean section, there’s no need to worry too much; it is advisable to visit a specialized medical facility for a check-up and specific consultation.
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