IVF worked once before—but now, despite doing everything right, the embryo just won’t stick. If your previous pregnancy resulted in a cesarean delivery, research shows that scarring can cause implantation problems after a C-section.
The good news? Options like surrogacy can offer a clear, successful path to parenthood, allowing you to have a biological child without facing repeated implantation setbacks.
If you have embryos from IVF, you can be matched with a surrogate quickly. Contact us today to take your first steps toward parenthood.
In this article, we’ll break down how scarring from a C-section can interfere with conception and what you can do when IVF after C-section doesn’t work.
Does Uterine Scarring From a C-Section Affect Implantation?
Yes, uterine scarring from a C-section can disrupt the normal implantation process.
When the uterus heals after surgery, scar tissue that forms where the incision was made can result in difficulties with the transfer or implantation problems after a C-section. Here’s how:
- The shape of the uterus can change after a cesarean, especially if scar tissue forms at or near the cervix. This, also known as a retroflexed uterus can make it harder to place the embryo in the optimal location.
- Scar tissue can make it difficult for the embryo to implant in the uterine wall
- Difficulties with catheter placement due to resistance from scar tissue can complicate the transfer.
- Reduced blood flow in the scarred area may further lower the chances of implantation, even when everything else looks ideal.
These subtle barriers often go unnoticed until IVF has failed more than once. Even when implantation does occur, uterine scarring increases the risk of miscarriage or abnormal implantation.
How Doctors Diagnose Implantation Problems After a C-Section
If you’ve had a C-section and are struggling to conceive, your doctor may recommend diagnostic testing to better understand what’s going on inside your uterus.
One of the most common culprits of post-C-section infertility is a condition called an isthmocele—a pouch-like defect in the uterine wall where the cesarean incision didn’t fully heal.
To determine if a scar defect is present, your fertility specialist may suggest several imaging tools:
- Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS) for a clearer view of the uterine cavity
- Hysteroscopy to examine the uterine lining directly
- MRI to evaluate scar depth and uterine wall thickness
These tests can help determine if uterine scarring is impacting your ability to conceive—and inform your next steps.
What the Research Tells Us About Post-C-Section Fertility
You’re not alone if you feel like no one warned you that a C-section could affect your fertility down the line. But research is catching up—and the findings are important.
In a retrospective study of 310 women, the pregnancy rate for women with a cesarean-induced uterine niche (isthmocele) was significantly lower compared to women who had a previous vaginal delivery.
These defects can also cause abnormal bleeding, pain, or fluid buildup in the uterus—all factors that may reduce IVF success.
There’s also a rare but serious complication known as a scar ectopic pregnancy.
What happens if there is an ectopic pregnancy in a C-section scar?
A condition known as scar ectopic pregnancy can occur when a fertilized egg implants directly into the C-section scar.
This is one of the most dangerous forms of ectopic pregnancy. The embryo may begin to grow within the scar tissue, which can’t support a healthy pregnancy.
As a result, the pregnancy is nonviable and may lead to severe complications like uterine rupture or hemorrhaging.
While this occurs in less than 1% of ectopic cases, the risk is rising as more births are delivered via C-section.
IVF After a C-Section Isn’t Working: When Letting Go Leads to Moving Forward
When IVF doesn’t work after all the emotional, physical and financial investment, it’s easy to feel like you’ve failed.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy to remove the scar tissue.
While this can improve outcomes, it’s not always effective—and it may not fully restore the uterus’s ability to support a pregnancy. But there may still be a way forward.
Surrogacy is often the best path forward for those dealing with severe uterine damage or repeated IVF failure due to implantation problems after a C-section.
Learn more about when surrogacy may be recommended.
How Surrogacy Can Help After C-Section Complications
Letting go of the idea of carrying your baby can feel like a loss. It’s okay to grieve that. But it can also be the moment you reclaim your power.
Gestational surrogacy gives you the chance to have a child who is biologically yours even if you can’t carry the pregnancy yourself. With surrogacy, your embryo is transferred into a gestational carrier, who carries the baby to term.
Our team at American Surrogacy has helped many families navigate this process, and we’ll support you every step of the way.
Here’s how:
- We carefully screen surrogates to reduce potential setbacks and increase the likelihood of a successful journey.
- We offer financial protection to safeguard your investment.
- We work closely with you to ensure your legal contract reflects your values and preferences.
Surrogacy allows you to continue your family-building journey with hope, clarity, and the support of a team that understands what you’ve been through.
Moving Forward: You’re Not Alone
If you’ve faced the heartbreak of infertility after a C-section, surrogacy offers a clearer path than the one you’re on.
Whether you’re just starting to ask questions or ready to take the next step, you deserve support and answers. We can help you explore your options and guide you toward the path that’s right for you.
Get in touch with a surrogacy specialist today to learn how we can help.