Optimising future fertility and pregnancy outcomes after caesarean section at the Mercy Hospital Women – Can a uterine niche be avoided?

C-section is the most common major operation at Mercy Health and in the world. A growing body of evidence suggests that the impact of the caesarean scar or “uterine niche” – a defect in the myometrium, may cause infertility, increase the risk of uterine rupture risk and the risk of life threatening placental adhesive disorders. I will investigate whether an alternative surgical technique can minimise the rates and degree of niche’s formed after c-section at Mercy Health, with the aim of improving reproductive outcomes in women who deliver by caesarean.

I am excited to undertake the MacHSR Future Leader Fellowship to benefit from the support and mentorship it offers. When navigating through the sometimes-difficult terrain of health research, it is easy to take a wrong turn, and as a result a project with great potential can suffer. Expert guidance for early career researchers is essential. I hope to further my research experience under the structure of MACH and the MacHSR Future Leaders Fellowship so that my project is more likely to flourish. This will benefit women, the health service, and in future other ECRs to whom I can pass on this knowledge and support.