C-section - series
Procedure, part 3
Next, the surgeon opens the uterus with either a horizontal or vertical incision, regardless the direction of the skin/abdominal incision. A vertical incision on the uterus causes less bleeding and better access to the fetus, but renders the mother unable to attempt a vaginal delivery (must have another repeat C-section) in the future.
If you end up with a horizontal incision, you will have the option of either going through a trial of labor (TOL) or electing a repeat c-section.
The reason for the differences between the two is that patients with vertical uterine incisions have a much higher chance of rupturing the uterus (8-10%) in the future pregnancies, compared to only 1% in those with horizontal incisions.
Update Date: 9/12/2011
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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