Could a prior c-section cause a miscarriage??

Kibbie · 05-07-2004, 07:54 PM

Something just dawned on me, I've read about uterine scarring interfering with implantation...but could a uterine scar from a previous c-section surgery interfere with a pregnancy once it's established, or cause "poor" implantation? Does anyone know? If it can contribute to miscarriage, I'm worried about any future pregnancies I may have....

hilfgirl33 · 05-07-2004, 10:37 PM

Kibbie, I do believe that it can. My second loss was thought to be due to something like that a poor implantation site and the baby had intrauterine growth retardation

But I did carry DS after that with no spotting no problems whatsoever but was told during Csection with DS that I had tons of scar tissue and adhesions. They told me I would be high risk after that.

That doesn't mean that's the case for you. I was always looking for answers, but I never really got a true cause for that loss.

casey1 · 05-07-2004, 10:40 PM

I think that would be very, very rare. I've never heard of anything like that although I never worked in L&D. Sadly there was most likely a genetic problem. My OB explained to me that an overwhelming majority of m/c were caused by genetics problems incompatible with life. He was quick to add that it doesn't lessen them pain but as soon as we see that BFP our child and our hopes and dreams for that child are perfect. I still plan to have regular bldwork to follow beta and progesterone if I'm lucky enough to get pregnant again. Bring up your question with your ob the next time you are in but I think he'll reassure you that it wouldn't be that. Hugs

shawnapooh · 05-10-2004, 12:17 PM

I imagine it's possible but very unlikely. I had a c section with Elijah and went on to carry Alissa. I hope you get answers soon about your m/c. I never *truly* found out why I had mine..I just assumed it was due to low progesterone and bag eggs. More hugs for you Lisa.

R&J · 05-10-2004, 01:15 PM

Hi Kibbie. I am so sorry for everything. I had my miscarriage at close to 10 weeks. We found out the baby died around 8 weeks. My body never actually miscarried I found out by ultrasound and had a D&C. My wonderful Dr. sent the baby and the placenta for labs and it turns out the baby did have a chromosomal abnormality. She was a girl and she had Turners syndrome. It is not caused by PCOS or by having bad eggs or sperm it is just a freak thing that happens and it's very common. Over 60% of all first trimester micarriages are caused by a chromosomal abnormality and that is a quote from the geneticist. I beat myself up for weeks after my miscarriage and racked my brain as to what caused me to lose our baby. I know where you are at right now. My miscarriage happened about 2 months ago and I still look up info on Turners syndrome to make sure I didn't do something wrong to cause it. I really don't think a c-cection would cause a problem like this. There are so many women who have c-cections and go on to carry normal pregnancies. Keep researching until you feel like you are at peace but don't blame yourself ever. I read your other post and I just want you to know that I know how you feel about not even thinking of ttc again. I thought I never would want to because I wanted the baby I lost not another baby BUT here I am 2 months later and we are trying again. I clung to my DH and fortunately he took a week off because he was just as grief stricken as me and could barely function . It has brought us even closer. I am sorry I am rambling. I just know where you are at right now and it the worst place to be but it does get easier and I don't think you ever truly just get over it but you will have some kind of relief soon and someday peace. My prayers are with you.

naturaljoy · 05-10-2004, 02:28 PM

Hi Kibbie. Hope you are doing okay today. I think that the scar tissue can indeed cause a problem if the embryo tries to latch on to that spot in your uterus. But thankfully, there are MANY other places for future embryos to latch onto in your uterus, so while it may be a cause for your current loss, it doesn't necessarily mean that it'll cause future ones. The very very very sad reality is that 1 in 10 pgs end in miscarriage. I spent so many weeks after my loss trying to figure out why, what happened. It's that feeling of being betrayed by your body. I thought it was the herbs I took, the beers I had before I knew, etc. These are all normal emotions. It always seems to help to know why, but sometimes those answers just aren't there

.

Anyway, I had a friend that had a placenta that didn't detach properly after the birth of her 2nd child and she had to have major surgery to get it out, a massive D&C basically. There was a lot of scar tissue in her uterus from that and she miscarried twice subsequently. They told her that was likely the cause. The embryos were just implanting into all that scar tissue and not getting the nourishment they needed. But the third time, little George latched onto a better spot and she carried him to term. So like I said, scar tissue can play a role, but so can SO many other things. And thankfully the scar tissue from a csection is very minor, just that thin short line.

About the only thing us cysters can do to prevent losses is take our prenats and get our progesterone levels checked. If they tend to be low, you might even consider starting supplements right after you ovulate each cycle, just in case you do conceive. My RE with the twins did that, you started progesterione 3 days after trigger. Then you'd continue if pg, stop if you weren't. He didn't want to take any chances with low progesterone causing losses when it could so easily be prevented.

Super big hugs. Thinking of you.

Joy