Classic c-section

• By nicu101-com
• Posted June 26, 2007 at 10:53 am
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I read the story the other day of a mom who had two classical c-sections, followed by a third that was done with a low transverse incision. They delivered her a tad early (35 or 36 weeks I think) to make sure she didn't go into labor. Other than that, she didn't seem to have any problems. I think they told her to wait something like 18 mos before getting pregnant again because of her incision. There are always risks, like an increased risk of placenta previa, and of course the fact that you can't VBAC, but I don't think that totally writes off having another baby. I think I'd be more worried about why my baby came early and preventing that.

Take care and good luck with your decision.

-Kristie

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• By Marquett
• Posted June 27, 2007 at 8:25 am
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Kimberly,
I know of a woman who had a preemie via c-section because of preeclampsia her first baby who then went on the have three more babies. She has named all of her scarsby their name. She's had trouble osing the belly bulge, but that hs been her only complaint to me.
My situation is identical to yours. My daughter is 14 months now, and my doctor has given me the green light to get pregnant. The only thing my team said was that I would have to have subsequent pregnancies c-ssectioned at 37 weeks.
Talk to your doctor before you try for another baby.
Marquett

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• By muenchkins
• Posted June 27, 2007 at 9:30 am
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I had a classic at 26 weeks with twins. I waited 4 years before getting pregnant again. I just had my daughter at 34 weeks. My doc was diligent with doing repeated Ultrasounds to detect any thinning along the uterine incision. The big fear here is uterine rupture which can be deadly for both mom and baby. When he started to see thinning, he said it was time. He had warned me that they would most likely deliver me at 35-36 weeks. Another complication is placenta acreta or percreta (where the placenta grows through the uterine wall and potentially outside of it onto other organs). I was very fortunate, my doc was skilled at 3D and 4D imaging. He recreated pictures of my uterine wall to look for any changes. I think that finding the right doc is key here. If he is committed to you and helping you have a healthy pregnancy, plus has the actual skills to make it happen, you should go for it. I know that there are no guarantees, but you can say that about a healthy first time pregnancy as well! At least you know what your risks are and can watch for signs that you are getting into trouble! Some women have uterine rupture and never had a reason for it, at least you are prepared. Good luck with your decision! Having the third baby was the best decision for me and I do not regret it even though she was early!

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• By preemieprincess
• Posted June 27, 2007 at 10:25 am
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I had to tell you I had an emergenct C-Section at 26 weeks and it was the bikini line cut... no up and down... I am not planning on having any more as i have been advised not to because of the eclampsia, so I have not thought of this, I just figure i would put in my experance.

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• By kelagreg
• Posted June 27, 2007 at 11:03 am
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Hi Kimberly, I'll tell you my pregnancy history and hopefully this will help you decide to move forward with more children. Keep in mind that when we went home in the afternoon, I had already been released...we were just waiting on the ped. doctor to get there or for the nurses to finish paperwork. My doctor always had his stuff done and was releasing me in the morning.

Dec 1990 oldest son was born via an emergency c-section (FT, but they lost his heartbeat). My abdominal scar was vertical & my uterine scar was horizontal. Week long hospital stay due to being knocked out for this.

Sept 2001 FT daughter born via planned c-section. They did schedule this at 38 wks to avoid me going into labor. Gestational diabetes but no other problems. Doctor followed original incisions. She was born Thursday morning, we went home Saturday afternoon. **We scheduled because I wanted to be awake & have my husband there. I did not want to be knocked out again and them have him leave the room**

May 2003 FT son born via planned c-section. Scheduled at 38 wks. No problems. Doctor followed original incisions. He was born Thursday morning, we went home early Saturday afternoon.

Feb 2005 FT daughter born via planned c-section. Scheduled at 38 wks. No problems. Doctor followed original incisions. She was born Thursday morning, we went home Sunday morning. This was because the ped. doctor on duty didn't like the way her bowel movements looked. Obviously we have never seen one from a breast-fed baby. :)

May 2006 FT daughter born via planned c-section. Scheduled at 38 wks. No problems. Doctor followed original incisions. She was born Thursday morning, we went home Saturday morning.

Mar 2007 triplet daughters born via planned c-section at 32 weeks. No problems!! Both incisions were done horizontally to assist in their fast delivery. They were born Saturday late morning & I was released Monday afternoon. The girls stayed longer in the NICU.

I have now been told that it would be extremely dangerous for me to get pregnant again. I have a single horizontal and a vertical (opened many times) incision on my uterus. My chances of that rupturing are very, very high. My doctor flat out told me that if I got pregnant again they could lose me. This wasn't really an issue as we had already decided that we were done, but it was nice to have this information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. At this point, I think I've been through it all or at least I feel like it!!!

Kelly

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• By Bellasmom1
• Posted June 28, 2007 at 1:05 am
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Hello,

Thank you ladies for all your comments. You have been very helpful. Although I realize there is a risk involved I do feel more confident in knowing many others have gone on to have successful pregnancies and births after a classic section. I do want more children.

It is a little scary after having a preemie and preterm birth. The nicu is not a place I anticipate seeing again but realize it's a possibility. I guess the best any of us can do is be aware of previous issues and stay on top of our care with the best possible doctor.

Take care and God bless, Kimberly

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• By FlorinsMom
• Posted June 28, 2007 at 5:46 pm
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I recently had baby #2. Fortunately we did not have a repeat of problems with the first so the classical c-section was the only complication we had to work around. My dr. said the reason to deliver early was to avoid labor contractions with a full-term size uterus.

Dr. planned to deliver at 35 weeks, 6 days because the baby was very large but a test of fetal lung development was not favorable. So she recommended the 2 steroids although they are not as effective after 34 weeks.

We then rescheduled for 36 weeks, 6 days - but I had mild contractions a couple of days before that. They were so mild that I was sent home. They increased during the day and so I went back to hospital where it was decided to go ahead and deliver at 36 weeks, 4 days.

The delivery went well. After an hour, the baby was showing signs of difficulty breathing so he took a trip to the NICU. They watched him, but provided no treatment, while his lungs cleared of fluid over 10 hours. He was then discharged and allowed to come to my room. Haven't had any problems since.

So - I was very closely watched during the pregnancy but since mild contractions didn't bother my dr. (I was told they could go on for days without causing trouble) I did not feel very worried for myself.

Anyway - this was all much better then #1 - born at 26 weeks, 370 grams.

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