If you had a c-section in the past and now trying to have a second baby and having some problems getting pregnant. Are you wondering if the two are related? A lot of women have difficulty conceiving their second baby after having a cesarean delivery. This may lead to a series of queries which also include doubts over a C-section. It has been a common question at every Best Infertility Hospital known. A c-section does not affect the ability to have kids. C-sections may lead to secondary infertility and nothing about it can make you infertile. But there are many other possible explanations. Here we will prove the myth is already wrong according to worldwide doctors.
C-Section or cesarean
Cesarean delivery is a surgical method of taking out a baby in which an incision is made in the woman’s uterus. This is commonly followed up due to complications in the pregnancy, where it could leave off a scar in the uterus. This may or may not prevent or can cause symptoms which hinder fertility. So, world health officials want cesarean section rates to drop to no more than 15%. Even if the chances of that happening is zero.
Do C-sections affect fertility?
A popular childbirth specialist once stated that fertility issues are way down the list of concerns regarding cesarean section. Secondary infertility can be caused due to damage to the reproductive organ. C-sections can be associated with other complications that can determine your fertility rates in the future. Some of them that can arise after a cesarean include:
- Internal infections
- Haemorrhages from surgery
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Damage to non-reproductive organs
In the past years, women who delivered their first child by cesarean section were less likely to have another baby within the next three years than those who delivered vaginally. But a recent study in 2020 stated that this count has become minimal. Researchers agree that when a first baby is born through a cesarean section, it decreases the chances of becoming pregnant again but by only 7 per cent. Bruce Flamm, MD, California ob-gynaecologist who has written two books on cesarean deliveries says, “If there is an effect on fertility, it is certainly a very small one and my concern is that this will divert attention from the much more significant issues surrounding C-section. Most women will not have any trouble getting pregnant again after having this operation, but there are other big risks they need to consider.”
Few possibilities that link c-section with infertility; Physiological blocks:
Blocks due to the experience of stress or pain may occur due to the formation of scar tissue additions between the anterior and posterior walls of the uterus causing difficulty for the embryo to get implanted. This scar becomes a fluid-filled pouch leading to the accumulation of blood. When the old menstrual cycle gets trapped in the same, it gets an inflammatory response and impairs the implantation of the embryo.
Infection:
It has been common in the past few days and is really rare now. Patients may go through infection with fever and discharge if not treated on time. If not managed effectively in time may lead to infertility in future. The infection spread to reproductive organ tubes and may block the tubes. Pelvic infections can cause infertility if it has occurred due to obstructed labour, chorioamnionitis or manual removal of the placenta and other conditions.
Other Factors:
Increasing age also can reduce ovarian reserve decreasing the quality of eggs which could be also associated with infertility. Studies have shown that in 50% of cases of infertility, it has to do with a woman not ovulating or with her fallopian tube block. And in 35% of cases, it has to do with the male reproductive system like sperm count or abnormal count.
In a study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, it was revealed that 43% of women who have undergone a c-section for their first labour do not have any further children. Of these, 20% have chosen not to have more babies. Because these women are more prone to have post-traumatic stress disorder after surgical delivery.
Do you need a Fertility Specialist?
Certain symptoms one might experience if a C-section scar is not healing properly include painful periods, irregular bleeding, pelvic pain or vaginal discharge. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it is important to check with a doctor regarding the healing of the scar. These complications may cause infertility in future but on the whole, C-section does not affect fertility. Even though, if you are having complications related to pregnancy, you must get consulted before it happens to be critical. It’s essential to choose the Best IVF Centre in Kerala that understands your difficulty in conceiving, especially after a C-section. They keep professional experts who can address all questions and concerns regarding your fertility and recommend a fertility treatment program like pelvic surgery, IVF, IUI, and more.
