I have a question about being pregnant following a C/S and I'm not sure where to post it (if there is a better place let me know). I'm not even pregnant but will be TTC this month and I will do everything I can to VBAC but I thought this forum might be able to answer the questions I have.

A midwife was telling me that some sensations I can expect in my next pregnancy may be of the collagen fibres in scar tissue stretching. This is not just in the uterus but in all the layers that were cut. How have you found the pregnancy following a C/S? Did you notice any stretching of the scar tissue? How does the external scar change? If you can feel your muscles under the skin, do they smooth out (mine are raised even though the skin healed flat)? Do the fat layers join back up? (these aren't repaired in surgery). If you have adhesions, what happens to them as everything stretches? My uterus has also healed with a raised scar (TMI but I have felt it), how will this impact implantation?

I had 2 MCs (unexplained) following my C/S but my Ob was unwilling to 'blame' the c/s for them - he thought it was more likely a chromosonal problem with the babies or somehting else.

This pregnancy has closely followed my first with everything earlier - the stretching pains I had very badly with DS (they would make me collapse if I was walking) and they were similar this time. I'm not sure about my fat - there's still plenty of it but my tummy is definitely smaller this time around (ie people are still not sure I'm pregnant and I'm 24 weeks) so maybe these extra stretching pains are yet to come?

My scar is down very low and hasn't changed at all yet during pregnancy. This scar is not raised, nor has it ever been.

It might depend on your scar (what kind of incision it was) and how soon after you fall pregnant - but of myself and my friends who have had c/s none have reported any extra pain or changes during the pregnancy and my Ob certainly didn't warn me of anything to look out for or expect differently.

I don't know the answers to all of your questions but the feelings the midwife mentioned I personally have not experienced until THIS pregnancy (after having 4 csects) and now I feel a burning pain in my scar, pulling and sometimes it feels like its ripping. Apparently this is 'normal' and despite the discomfort theres nothing tht can be done about it. As I said though I have never experienced this after first, second or third csects only now after my 4th. You mentioned adhesions I believe that is actually the pain I was talking about (ripping pain as the adhesions can be trying to hold parts in place that need to move to make way for baby) My bladdder has actually adhered to my uterus, it had last pregnancy but caused no pain or discomfort during the pregnancy at all.

Externally my first scar was raised, they cut that out and did a much nicer, smooth scar the second time and each time after that too so I still only have one, smooth scar despite having 4 csects so far. No idea internally though its never been mentioned except this time I was told at 16w my uterus was only 3mm when it should have been 11mm. Thats the only mention ever though.

I had a c-section 9 and a bit months ago, and am currently nearly 22 weeks pg. I've noticed a couple of niggly pains in/around my scar but I don't really think it has stretched at this point. Mine is flat.

I had 3 years between my c/s and second pregnancy (which ended in a VBAC). TBH, I had a much better pregnancy all-round the second time and didn't have any negative sensations around my c/s scar. I too was determined to get my VBAC so I think I deliberately tried to put things in their most positive light to help me get to that place.

Best of luck to you!

I have had 3 c/s and my last was a twin pregnancy. I never has any problems:-)

This is my third pregnancy and all previous births have been c/s. I have noticed absolutely nothing in my scar - no pulling, stretching or changes in appearance. I dont think I have any adhesions.

I had a c/section with my first then Just had my second 14 months after (vbac) and had no pain or any issues with my scar.