Repeat c-sections

[juno]

Due to various (unrelated) issues with both my births I have had 2 c sections. We are starting to think about the possibility of having another baby, but I am worried about a) the likelihood baby 3 would have to be a c section, and b) what the risks are with having yet another surgery. I know vbac are possible, but does the risk of rupture increase proportional to number of previous sections? Has anyone had 3 c sections?

Thanks in advance...any advice, anecdotal or otherwise would be appreciated.

Juno

[gwod]

Ive had 4! 2 emergency and then two planned. The planned c sections were calm and lovely, not comprable at all to the other two where circumstances were very stressful and upsetting. Recovery was pretty straight forward with all of them, bonding, breastfeeding etc etc not effected at all.

After the second C section I did have a meeting with my doctor about pregnancies going forward and they were happy with the 3rd, and the 4th but recommended no more after that. I think it would have neen differnt if I had had difficulty recovering on the first two, or any extra bleeding or if I had been obese. Very happy to be PMd if you have specific queries.

[bluesuperted]

That's really interesting gwod. I've only had one child and one EMCS but it was due to going very very overdue (long failed induction) and that runs in my family; I'll try for a vbac next time but I expect I'll end up with an ELCS at 42 weeks to be honest. I definitely dream of 3 or 4 babies so it's nice to hear your experiences.

[ClareC]

I've had 2, one emergency and one planned. Was advised any further pregnancies would have to be c section. Although vbac is possible it's not recommended by NHS due to increased risk of rupture.

Was also told fine to have another C section but they don't recommend csection for people who want v large families. 3 fine.

All info was given last year by a consultant obstetrician at Kings.

[ClaireClaire]

I think the point is that it gets progressively more risky with each successive operation.

It is basically a choice you have to make yourself, about how you think your body will cope and how far you want to push it!

Personally I decided to stop after 2, even though I am perfectly healthy and I know lots of people who've had 3 safely.

[juno]

Thanks for all the comments - gwod - 4!!

I haven't spoken to a doctor about my particular circumstances so maybe the advice varies. With my second birth the nhs seemed very up for a (closely monitored) vbac so it's interesting that they do not recommend this after 2 c sections. I wonder whether the risk of rupture after 2 sections is higher than the risk of a third surgery?

Hmm - food for thought - off to go and do some research! I will report back.

[Vanessa3]

Hi Juno, I'm 32 weeks pregnant with baby No. 3, which will be a planned c-section at around 39 weeks. Baby 1 was an unplanned c-section, Baby 2 was an attempted v-bac which also ended in a c-section. I met with the consultant several weeks ago & was recommended the safest advice is a planned c-section for baby 3. Of course every pregnancy is different, and you need to consider the reasons you ended up in surgery both times. In my case, Baby 2 was a repeat of the same issue with Baby 1, so liklihood of the same thing happening with the 3rd pregnany is rather high. Consultant gave me the stats - 1 in 400 chance of uterus rupturing during V-bac, that risk rises significantly after 2 c-sections to 1 in 100. Childbirth is a very emotional experience, and I totally understand a womans desire to have another go at delivering a child naturally after two c-sections.... but for me, my choice will be the safest option. The ends justify the means, and if another c-section delivers baby & me safely through the birth process, I'm all for it.

[Smiler]

Have had 2 unplanned C-sections, second was attempted V-Bac and scar was v stretched / opening up (not rupturing), some complications due to scar tissue from first section (womb was mess and attached to bladder, nice!). A registrar who started the second op advised me - in passing! - not to have any more children, I wanted to follow this up so my GP wrote after the 6-week check.

Had an appointment about 6 months later with the consultant who did my second delivery to discuss risks of a third baby, he said the risks were rupture (can happen during pregnancy, not just birth, but v rare); also placenta problems (eg placenta accreta, blood clots). But odds low. He was positive in general - he wrote a follow-up letter explaining things and also sought a second opinion from a colleague who had seen my notes.

Am glad I followed up, although not planning a third!

[catgirl]

hi Juno

I've had 3 sections. First was an emcs. Was hoping for vbac with the 2nd but ended up with an elcs when I got to 42 weeks and still showing no signs of going into labour anytime soon. 3rd was then automatically scheduled for an elcs at 39 weeks because of 2 previous sections.

As Vanessa says, risk of scar rupture during labour is significantly increased when you've had 2 previous sections so the medical advice is to have an elcs (rather than after 1 previous section when advice is usually to try for vbac).

My 3rd pregnancy and section recovery were completely fine. I found recovery from both the electives was a breeze in comparison to my emergency section the first time round.

During my post birth contraception discussion with my midwife, she talked about a 4th child. I said I thought this would not be advised as I'd already had 3 sections and she said 'ah you'd be fine if you want one'. Am not planning on testing out this advice but thought it was interesting!

Good luck whatever you decide.