Could I have a hysterectomy when I deliver my baby?

Written by Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC, Board Certified OB/GYN

A hysterectomy is when the uterus is surgically removed. This is rare, but certain conditions may make this procedure necessary. They include:

• Placenta accreta (when the placenta attaches abnormally to the wall of the uterus and can’t detach normally)
• Postpartum hemorrhage, when other treatments have failed and the only option is to remove the uterus that is bleeding
• Cases of severe uterine infection when other treatments have failed and the woman’s life is threatened.
• Certain cases of cancer, such as cervical cancer, diagnosed during pregnancy. In this case, the baby would be delivered by C-section and a hysterectomy would be done right afterwards to remove the uterus, cervix, and ovaries to treat a woman’s cancer.

Reviewed by Dr. Jen Lincoln, December 2018