Lamaze.org > Online Community > Ask an Expert

 

home | contact us | site map | Login
Ask Henci

Henci GoerFind out what other moms-to-be are asking.  Join in the discussion with Henci Goer, an expert in obstetric research. If you would like to contact Henci outside of the Ask Henci forum, send an email to Goersitemail@aol.com.

If you would like your own username and password for the Ask Henci forum, click here to submit your request.


Did c-section cause stillbirth in subsequent pregnancy?
Last Post 22 Jul 2008 05:13 AM by Henci Goer, BA. 1 Replies.
AddThis - Bookmarking and Sharing Button Printer Friendly
Sort:
PrevPrev NextNext
Author Messages
sgurl2008 (guest)
Posts:993
Avatar


--
19 Jul 2008 12:35 AM QuoteQuote ReplyReply
I've had research showing that having had a prior c-section increases risk in subsequent pregnancies after going pass 39 weeks, I suffered a still born a couple months ago full term 40 weeks. I still wonder if this was the cause, and if so is it safe to have another vbac in future pregnancies?
Henci Goer, BAUser is Offline
Ask Henci
Ask Henci
Posts:705
Avatar


--
22 Jul 2008 05:13 AM QuoteQuote ReplyReply

First, let me offer my deepest sympathy for your loss. While some women may suffer this tragedy who have no prior cesareans or any discernable reason why this should have happened, it is true that several studies have found that late fetal death is more common in the subsequent pregnancy after a cesarean. As for your plans in any future pregnancies, women who have had a VBAC are more likely to go on having uneventful VBACs than women who have not. By contrast, accumulating cesarean scars increases the risk of incurring placenta previa (the placenta overlays the cervix), placenta accreta (the placenta invades the uterine muscle sometimes growing through it into other organs), and the combination of the two. All three conditions pose grave risks to baby and mother, but especially placenta accreta. Increasing numbers of cesarean surgeries also increases the risk of dense adhesions (internal scarring). This scarring increases the risk of operative injury, can result in chronic pain after delivery, and in rare cases can lead to a twisted bowel. In short, while I cannot tell you absolutely that it is safe to have a VBAC because there are no guarantees, I can tell you that planning VBAC is safer than planned repeat surgery when there is no compelling new indication for it.

-- Henci



Active Forums 4.1
Read the Forum Terms & Conditions

Copyright · All Rights Reserved · 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800 · Washington, D.C. 20036-3309
800/368-4404 · 202/367-1128 · 202/367-2128 (fax)

Connect with Us

Privacy Statement · Terms of Use