#484: Isthmocoele, Infertility & Other Lesser Known Cesarean Risks

Cesarean sections can be lifesaving. But are women actually being told about the potential long-term consequences before they consent to one?

This week, Blyss and Stu dig into some of the lesser-discussed risks of cesarean birth, particularly the risks that may not show up until months or even years later.

Stu walks through research examining isthmocoeles and the broader long-term outcomes associated with cesarean delivery, including future fertility, placenta previa and accreta, uterine rupture, miscarriage, stillbirth, and potential childhood outcomes.

But this isn't an episode about frightening women away from cesareans. It's about informed decision-making. As Blyss points out, being informed shouldn't mean you're expected to consent. Women deserve to understand both the benefits and the risks, including the downstream risks that may affect their bodies, their babies, and pregnancies they haven't even had yet.

References:

Kristine’s instagram post

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdB70-Ohaek/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

FriYAY! Instagram.com/birthinginstincts

Allowed to Birth Ashland Screening

https://rova.live/event/allowed-to-birth-film-screening-presented-by-woven-moon-2026-10-27-1800

Classical Midwifery Conference - Tbilisi Georgia, 2027

gentlebirths.net/classicalmidwiferyconference

Birth Untethered Podcast: S2E31 - In Conversation with Dr Stu-What Doctors Get Wrong About Safety, Consent, and Birth Outcomes

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2e31-in-conversation-with-dr-stu-what-doctors-get/id1836371735?i=1000788208319

Return to Wisdom Podcast: “Free Birth is a Rational Response” — with Dr Stu Fischbein

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/free-birth-is-a-rational-response-with-dr-stu-fischbein/id1829401357?i=1000788354017

Ancient Health Podcast: Your Gut Is Recirculating Your Own Bad Estrogen

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7okFAoLL6xeBkpxwhnqWpi?si=vTRhY-wLToeW6d7rm_gYLA&nd=1&dlsi=ed1bb63852ff4f5b

Long-term risks and benefits associated with cesarean delivery for mother, baby, and subsequent pregnancies: Systematic review and meta-analysis

https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002494

Investigating the risk factors for isthmocele development after cesarean delivery

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11078695/pdf/main.pdf

Book: Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones: The Critical Connection Your Doctor Is Missing… And Why You Still Feel Terrible Despite “Normal” Labs

https://a.co/d/03dsXMQL

Discussed in This Episode

• What an isthmocele/cesarean scar defect actually is

• Why some cesarean complications may not appear until years later

• Secondary infertility following cesarean birth

• Abnormal bleeding and other symptoms associated with uterine scar defects

• How repeat cesareans may affect scar healing

• Placenta previa, accreta, uterine rupture, miscarriage, and stillbirth

• What research suggests about long-term childhood outcomes

• The difference between signing a consent form and actually being informed

Podcast Produced by: Raquel Hernandez, Pride and Joy Doula Care

This show is supported by

• LMNT | Got to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with any order
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com and use the code BI50 for 50% off the first three months of your monthly subscription.
• Restorative Roots | Go to restorativeroots.com and use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS to get $20 off
• Girls Who Know | Go to girlswhoknow.com and use  code INSTINCTS for 15% off

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