over 3 c-sections?

katie052409

Hey ladies

I saw a post about your 1st vs 2nd c-sections earlier and I noticed that a lot of you are now on your 3rd or 4th surgery... When I had my DD by c-section my dr told me that they limit you to 3 c-sections... has anyone else heard this?  Obviously he cant control if we got preggers with #4 so he is really just suggesting to only have 3 but Im guessing it depends on each individual and how they heal from each surgery as to if their body can handle another... just curious as to if you were warned this when you had your c-sections.

coachswife3

I have a friend who has had 5, and no problems with any of them. I don't think her doctor gave her a limit. This will be my 3rd and final just bc we will be complete with 3. My doctor hasn't had any concern with it.

MrsOlson

I asked my dr. and she said there is no concern.

Lambie.

The more times your uterus has been cut and restitched, the more likely it is to rupture. Yeah, you might not have any problems but I don't think it is a arisk I would take.

kgninja

Common medical practice states that a woman can safetly have up to three c-sections. After the third c-section a woman is at great risk for the following:

• Weakened uterine wall. Each uterine incision leaves a weak spot in the uterine wall. This may interfere with future attempts at vaginal birth.
• Problems with the placenta. The more C-sections you've had, the greater the risk of developing problems with the placenta ? such as when the placenta implants too deeply and firmly to the uterine wall (placenta accreta) or when the placenta partially or completely covers the opening of the cervix (placenta previa).
• Heavy bleeding. The risk of needing a hysterectomy ? removal of the uterus ? to stop excessive bleeding after delivery increases with the number of repeat C-sections.

After three c-sections the surgical risks must be weight carefully with the desire for subsequent pregnancies.

https://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6177288/risks_to_reproductive_health_after.html

 

Geekchick921

Lambie.:

The more times your uterus has been cut and restitched, the more likely it is to rupture. Yeah, you might not have any problems but I don't think it is a arisk I would take.

And in addition to that, the more C-sections you have, the more likely you are to develop placenta accreta/increta/percreta.  That scares me more than a rupture, truthfully. 

AggieGrl

Lambie.:

The more times your uterus has been cut and restitched, the more likely it is to rupture. Yeah, you might not have any problems but I don't think it is a arisk I would take.

Not only rupture, but placenta accreta/increta/percreta.  Basically, this is where the placenta invades/imbeds itself in uterine or other tissues.

I know of 4 women with 3+ c-sections who had this happen to them.  Three had the less serious accreta, with one needing a complete hysterectomy to stop the bleeding.  

One had percreta, which is where the placenta goes through the uterine wall and attaches itself to other organs.  In her case, it was her bladder.  The birth of her son required a 6+ hour surgery with 4 different surgeons, a hysterectomy, and reconstructive bladder surgery.  She was on her 5th c-section.

I'm only having 2 c-sections, but I only want 2 children.  If I wanted a third, I would attempt a VBAC this time around.

Brownie_222

3 would be my personal limit. I am hoping for a VBAC this time though... I'd rather never have a cesarean again. PP have given good info about the risks.

Geekchick921

Brownie_222:

3 would be my personal limit. I am hoping for a VBAC this time though... I'd rather never have a cesarean again. PP have given good info about the risks.

My husband and I have always talked about 4 kids, which is one of the many reasons I am hoping to VBAC this baby.  I do not want 4 C-sections. Hell to the no.

AggieGrl

Geekchick921:

Brownie_222:

3 would be my personal limit. I am hoping for a VBAC this time though... I'd rather never have a cesarean again. PP have given good info about the risks.

My husband and I have always talked about 4 kids, which is one of the many reasons I am hoping to VBAC this baby.  I do not want 4 C-sections. Hell to the no.

I hope both of your VBACs are successful.  I'm rooting for you gals!

AggieGrl

lisajay09:

This is all very scary!  Thankfully, DH and I are all set after 2 kids/csections.  After that, we close up shop.  We aren't 100% sure how we'll go about closing the shop.  That's still up for debate.  DH is like "hells no" to the Vasectomy and my hospital doesn't do Tubal Ligations (Catholic hospital), so we'll see.  I want like super permanent, super effective, like never to have any more children in my lifetime again, birth control. 

Those would be fighting words to me.   I expect DH to get a vasectomy if a tubal is not an option during this c-section. I've done my part with two major abdominal surgeries, it's his turn.  A vasectomy is a freaking outpatient procedure.

Geekchick921

If I'm not already going under the knife for another c-section, and we wanted a virtually permanent form of birth control, DH would be getting snipped.  We've already agreed on that, but if I'm already having a 4th C/S, I think I'd ask them to tie my tubes. 

That said, have you looked into Essure?  It's similar to a tubal, IIRC, but does not involve surgery.  https://www.essure.com/Default.aspx?tabid=55  They place these inserts (up through your vagina) in your fallopian tubes and over the course of a few months your body kind of grows into them and blocks the opening of your tubes.   

Jason'swife

MrsOlson:

I asked my dr. and she said there is no concern.

I would have serious questions about a Dr. who gave me advice like that.

katie052409

Geekchick921:

Brownie_222:

3 would be my personal limit. I am hoping for a VBAC this time though... I'd rather never have a cesarean again. PP have given good info about the risks.

My husband and I have always talked about 4 kids, which is one of the many reasons I am hoping to VBAC this baby.  I do not want 4 C-sections. Hell to the no.

 

This is exactly my position which is why I was asking... I didnt mind my c-section and I like the thought of scheduling at 39 weeks (instead of waiting 41, dilating to 10 and then being told I still have to have a c-section like my DD) but I do want 4 kids.... maybe Ill have twins and so I can stick with 3 sections haha!  Thanks everyone for your responses!

Pierce3252

Sorry I'm so late to respond but I am going to be having my 3rd c-section with this baby and like you my husband and I would like 4 children so I just talked to my doctor about the risk of having 4 c-sections at my first appointment this week.

While she discussed the complications like the placenta issues (which she said was the most common issue), she also said that it has a lot to do with your age/health/previous recovery and the amount of scarring that you had with your previous c-sections.  One person could have serious complications from only 1 c-section, whereas some people have had 6 or 7 without complication.  6 or 7 was in no way advised by the way.  She told me that I didn't have a lot of scarring from my previous c-section.  So I guess it varies a lot.  I was hoping for a VBAC last time, but was unable to have one since I never went into labor on my own.  I guess with the more c-sections too you have a higher risk of uterine rupture if you try for a VBAC. 

Anyways just thought I'd pass that along since I just had the discussion. 

Soon2BMrsN

I've heard (here on the Bump) of OBs discouraging any more than 2 or 3.  I haven't asked my own doctor about it, but it's not really an issue for me since we only plan to have 2 children.