What is the risk of the scar on my uterus rupturing if I go into labour naturally?
The risk of your uterus rupturing during labour when you have had a previous caesarean depends on the type of incision on your uterus. The most common incision is known as a low transverse incision. This type of incision is the safest and research indicates that the risk of rupture is less than 0.5%. Occasionally another incision known as a classical incision is used. Typically this type of incision is only used for specific medical indications. A classical incision is more likely to rupture than a low transverse incision. A labour induced by drugs, such as Syntocinon or Prostaglandins, increases the chance of scar rupture. A recent finding by research indicates that if a woman goes into labour within 18 months of having a caesarean that the risk of the scar rupturing also increases. The term rupture is a little misleading however. Most times when the scar ruptures (or comes apart) – it does so only to a minor degree and causes no obvious problems for mother or baby. It’s important to
