Caesareans: How soon can I get pregnant again?

Women who previously had a cesarean section often worry that the scar will not be strong enough to support subsequent pregnancies.

The wound in your uterus takes time – often more than three months – to fully heal, which is why women are told to wait a while before attempting to drive or to lift heavy objects which put strain on the uterine scar. Evidence shows that the uterine scar gets stronger and stronger over time, and that the risk of the scar separating remains small even with a small interval between pregnancies (gaps of less then six months have higher risk). Doctors still recommend that women leaving getting pregnant for a year after having a cesarean, so your body has time to heal and you’re emotionally ready for another baby.

There are other issues to consider, such as your age, how easily you conceived the first time and how ready you feel to go through it all again. Plenty of women go on to have perfectly normal pregnancies and deliveries even when the gap between pregnancies is short, but bear in mind that pregnancy and birth take their toll on your body and in order to give it the maximum healing time and support, it’s probably best to leave it for at least six months before trying again. See sibling age gaps or our Another Baby area for more help on planning another child.

Will I have to have another cesarean?

In the past if you’d had a cesarean you were advised to have them for any future babies because it was thought there might be a risk of uterine rupture from the strain of labor contractions on your cesarean scar. But this view is changing all the time. Some doctors feel it’s actually safer for women to attempt a VBAC (vaginal delivery after caesarean) because of the strain on the scar tissue that any repeat cesareans may have. Around 60-80 percent of women who attempt labor after a cesarean go on to have successful VBACs. The general rule is that if the same reasons you had the first cesarean exist with your second pregnancy – for instance your baby is breech, you’re carrying twins or multiples, you have a very large baby or you fall into a high-risk category – you’ll probably be advised to have a cesarean again. If you have a straightforward pregnancy there is no reason why you shouldn’t attempt a VBAC.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.