More often in recent years, women experience problems with conception, gestation and delivery. There are many reasons for this: inflammatory diseases, age, poor he alth, and so on. In most cases, modern medicine still helps the fairer sex to overcome her illness. However, later some treatments appear on the uterus scars. How they arise and what they threaten - you will learn from the article. It is worth mentioning separately what a scar on the uterus during pregnancy can be dangerous for.
What is a scar?
A scar is tissue damage that has subsequently been repaired. More often, a surgical method of suturing is used for this. Less often, dissected places are glued together with the help of special plasters and the so-called glue. In simple cases, with minor injuries, the gap grows together on its own, forming a scar.
Such education can be anywhere: on the human body or organs. Among womenof particular importance is the scar on the uterus. A photo of this formation will be presented to you in the article. Damage can be diagnosed using ultrasound, palpation, and tomography of various types. However, each method has its own advantages. So, during an ultrasound scan, the doctor can assess the position of the scar, its size and thickness. Tomography helps to determine the reliefs of education.
Reasons for appearance
Why do some women get uterine scars? Such injuries are the result of medical interventions. This is usually a caesarean section. In this case, the type of operation plays an important role. It can be planned and emergency. With a planned delivery, the uterus is dissected in the lower segment of the abdominal cavity. After the fetus is removed, its layer-by-layer suturing is performed. Such a scar is called transverse. In an emergency caesarean section, a longitudinal incision is often made. In this case, the scar has the same name.
Accessed lesions may result from perforation of the uterine wall during gynecological procedures: curettage, hysteroscopy, insertion of an IUD. Also, scars always remain after surgical removal of fibroids. In these cases, the position of the scar does not depend on specialists. It is formed where the operation was performed.
Pregnancy and scar
If you have scars on your uterus, then the possibility of having a baby depends on their condition. Before planning, be sure to consult a gynecologist. The specialist will necessarily conduct an ultrasound examination, determinecondition and position of the scar. You will also need to take some tests. Before starting planning, it is imperative to cure infections. Subsequently, they can cause problems with gestation.
If the scar is in the lower segment and has a transverse position, then there are usually no problems. The representative of the weaker sex is examined and released to plan a pregnancy. In the case when the scar turns out to be insolvent, thinned and consisting mainly of connective tissue, pregnancy may be contraindicated. However, in some cases, the hands of surgeons work wonders. And a woman can still give birth.
Management of pregnancy and childbirth with a scar on the uterus
If you have a scar on the reproductive organ, then you need to inform the specialist who will manage your pregnancy. At the same time, you need to tell about the existing fact immediately, at the first visit, and not just before the birth. Pregnancy management in women with a history of uterine damage is somewhat different. They get more attention. Also, this category of expectant mothers regularly have to visit the ultrasound diagnostic room. Such visits are especially frequent in the third trimester. Before childbirth, an ultrasound of the scar on the uterus is performed almost every two weeks. It is worth noting that other diagnostic methods during childbearing are unacceptable. X-ray and tomography are contraindicated. The only exceptions are special difficult situations when it comes not only to he alth, but also to the life of a woman.
Delivery can be carried out by two methods: natural and operational. Most often, women themselves choose the second option. However, with the consistency of the scar and the normal state of he alth of the expectant mother, natural childbirth is quite acceptable. To make the right choice, you need to consult with an experienced specialist. Also, during labor activity and the increase in contractions, it is worthwhile to conduct periodic ultrasound monitoring of the condition of the scar and uterus. Doctors also monitor the fetal heartbeat.
Cervical injury
As practice shows, some women who gave birth on their own have a scar on the cervix. It occurs due to tissue rupture. During childbirth, a woman feels painful contractions. Behind them, attempts begin. If the cervix is not fully dilated at the moment, they can lead to its rupture. For the child, this does not threaten anything. However, the woman subsequently has a scar on her cervix. Of course, after delivery, all tissues are sutured. But in the future, this may become a problem in the next birth.
Such a scar at the mouth of the cervical canal may also appear after other gynecological procedures: cauterization of erosion, removal of a polyp, and so on. In all cases, the resulting scar is represented by connective tissue. With a subsequent delivery, it simply does not stretch, leaving the cervical region undisclosed. Otherwise, the damage does not pose any danger to the woman in labor and her unborn child. Let's try to figure out whatscars located on the reproductive organ can be dangerous.
Attachment of the ovum and its growth
If there are scars on the uterus, then after fertilization, a set of cells can be fixed on them. So, this happens about two times out of ten. At the same time, the forecasts turn out to be very deplorable. On the surface of the scar there is a mass of damaged vessels and capillaries. It is on them that the nutrition of the fetal egg occurs. Most often, such a pregnancy is interrupted on its own during the first trimester. The consequences can be called not only unpleasant, but also dangerous. After all, a woman needs emergency medical help. Decaying fetal tissue can lead to sepsis.
Incorrect attachment of the placenta
A scar on the uterus after a caesarean section is dangerous because it can cause improper attachment of the child's place during the next pregnancy. Often women are faced with the fact that the placenta is fixed close to the birth canal. At the same time, with the course of pregnancy, it migrates higher. The scar may prevent this movement.
The presence of a scar after damage to the reproductive organ often leads to placenta ingrowth. At the same time, the children's place is located precisely on the area of the scar. Doctors distinguish basal, muscular and complete placenta ingrowth. In the first case, the forecasts can be good. However, natural childbirth is no longer possible. Complete placenta accreta may require hysterectomy.
Fetal condition
A scar on the uterus can lead to impaired circulation in the reproductive organ. At the same time, the unborn child receives less oxygen and all the substances he needs. With the timely detection of such a pathology, treatment and support with appropriate drugs can be performed. Otherwise, hypoxia occurs, which is fraught with intrauterine growth retardation. In especially difficult situations, the child may remain disabled or even die.
Uterine Growth
In a normal non-pregnant state, the thickness of the walls of the reproductive organ is about 3 centimeters. By the end of pregnancy, they stretch up to 2 millimeters. At the same time, the scar also becomes thinner. As you know, the fused damage is replaced by connective tissue. However, normally a large area of the scar is represented by the muscle layer. In this case, the scar is recognized as we althy. If the damage thins to 1 millimeter, this is not a very good sign. In most cases, experts prescribe bed rest and supportive drugs for the expectant mother. Depending on the gestational age and the thickness of the scar on the uterus, a decision can be made about premature delivery. This condition has dangerous consequences for the baby.
After childbirth…
Uterine scars after childbirth can also be dangerous. Despite the fact that the baby has already been born, the consequences may arise for his mother. Scars are damage to the mucous membrane. As you know, after childbirth, every woman has bleeding. There is a process of separation of mucus and remnants of the membranes. Thesedischarge is called lochia. In some situations, mucus may linger on the scar area. This leads to an inflammatory process. A woman needs curettage, her body temperature rises, her he alth worsens. In the absence of timely treatment, blood poisoning begins.
Aesthetic side
Often the presence of a scar on the uterus is a reason for a caesarean section. Many women are concerned about their subsequent appearance. An ugly scar remains on the stomach. However, much depends on the technique of the surgeon. Also, the possibilities of cosmetology do not stand still. If desired, you can make plastic and hide an ugly seam.
Summarize
You have learned about what a scar on the uterus is, in what situations it appears and why it is dangerous. Note that if you properly prepare for pregnancy and listen to the advice of an experienced doctor when managing it, then in most cases the outcome is good. A newly-made mother with a baby is discharged from the maternity ward in about a week. Do not be very upset if you have a scar on the uterus. Before starting planning, be sure to contact your doctor, go through a planned study, pass all the tests. After that, you can get pregnant.
Experts do not advise planning pregnancy earlier than two years after receiving such an injury. Also, don't overdo it. Doctors say that after 4-5 years it will be almost impossible to stretch the scar. Then they can startproblems during pregnancy and childbirth. All the best to you!
