How early to have a second child by cesarean section

It is recommended to have a cesarean section for the second child within 1 week earlier than the expected delivery date, i.e. around 39 weeks of gestation. If the first child was delivered by cesarean section, a scarred uterus will be present after the surgery and the pregnancy will need to be terminated by direct cesarean section after the second pregnancy. Usually, a pregnancy is considered full-term between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation. If a cesarean section is performed at 37 weeks, the fetus may not adapt to the outside world or may have poor adaptability and may suffer from neonatal asphyxia and respiratory distress. If a cesarean section is performed at more than 40 weeks, there may be risks of premature rupture of the fetal membranes, umbilical cord prolapse and uterine rupture. Therefore, cesarean section is usually performed at around 39 weeks, one week earlier than the expected delivery date, when all the organs of the fetus are well developed, which can facilitate the growth and development of the fetus after birth and avoid risks such as uterine damage to the pregnant woman. Of course, if the uterus of a second-born pregnant woman has symptoms such as thinning of the lower uterine segment and rupture of the pre-eclamptic uterus in late pregnancy due to poor healing of the last myometrium, the time of termination of pregnancy should be advanced as appropriate. After second trimester cesarean section, patients need to pay attention to 2 weeks before taking a shower, should avoid getting cold, strengthen self-care, and should not have intercourse too early.