limit to c-sections?

jesusita2002

I, like so many others, had an unexpected c-section after 4 hrs of pushing and our little guy not progressing past the pelvic bone due to his head positioning. After closing me up, the Dr. informed me that she would not recommend attempting a VBAC in the future due to my pelvic structure and the size of our son (8lbs 10oz) since "they only get bigger". She even wrote her recommendations in my chart which my Dr brought up in my 6wk PP check up saying that "she usually doesn't write things like that unless she really means it".

It wasn't until speaking with another pregnant friend that she told me that she was scared that she would have to end up with a c-section because I guess you can only have 3 and she and her husband would like to have more than that.

I had never heard of this nor did my doctor say anything during my pp visit. Does anyone know if there is truth to this statement? I know it's not the end of the world but my husband and I are "planning" on 4 and since I "can't" have a VBAC I'm wondering if it's true.

MrsVictoriaB

I had a successful VBAC with a larger baby (9lbs 5 ounces) but to answer your question, my OB is comfortable with doing 4, but no more. He says he CAN in some circumstances do more but it all depends on the scar tissue he sees when he cuts you open the time prior

Mama Jan

There isn't a real 'limit' - it just depends on how things look when they go inside each time (scar tissue, etc).  When I was pg with my first and discussed wanting 4 kids, my ob didn't even flinch.

And remember.... Ethel Kennedy had something like 11 c-sections 

Disneygeek77

I asked two OBs at my Drs office and both said they would probably tell me to stop after 5.  I know someone at church who had 4 and I just had my third 5 months ago. I talked to my Dr about having another one and he said it  shouldn't be a problem. 

I am not sure about this but I think I heard that Drs used to tell people to stop after 3 when they used to  do vertical incisions. 

KatiKM

I think it is a doctors decision on how many they will do. I have a friend who has had 4 and her doctor said he wouldn't do anymore. She wanted a VBAC but had breech babies 2x's and then the 4th time they said not to even attempt to have a VBAC.

 

So I would say ask your doctor how many CS he feels comfortable with, and find out if that is just his personal opinion or is it based on you. Also, just because he wouldn't "reccomend" a VBAC doesn't mean you can't still try to have one. My doctor said it wasn't his first choice but he supported my decision to try if I wanted, but wanted me to be aware there was a significant chance I'd end up with a CS again anyway. (mine was because of pre-e with DD1 and a failed induction and a mulitude of other problems.) 

 

Just be your own advocate and ask questions!  

 

shouldbworkin

I know 2 people that have had more then 3 - one had 4 and the other had 6.  If your ute is in good shape, you can keep having them.

Rach21

I personally chose to stop at 1 and my DH got snipped a couple of months ago. We were on the fence about whether we wanted to have another to begin with, so it wasn't too hard to make that decision.

measrn

I just had my fourth c-section last month. DH and I are not planning on having anymore (I had my tubes tied), but my OB said I would be able to if we chose to.

Stamarley

I specifically asked my doctor this question and she said five with no issues. After that they would be concerned.

krissybegs

I have a friend who has had seven c-sections and is planning on having one more baby. Her OB tells her that as long as her body keeps bouncing back the way that it does, more c-sections shouldn't be a problem.

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robynlynn83

I have had three and will have my fourth in November.  It is a case by case basis depending on scar tissue, condition of your uterus etc.  My Dr said that there is minimal scar tissue on me so I would be fine to have more after my last c-section.  She reevaluates after each one and so far she did not tell me how many she thought I could have.

beautifulstr13

I think its really situational. They used to recommend no more than three but its not a rule or anything. I heard from someone that they have changed from three to five now.

kcvasquez

The risk of complications increases in future pregnancies with each section as does the risk of complications during each c-section. I haven't been given a set amount I am allowed but with the risks that are associated with each one it's hard for me to think of having anymore than 4, I know there are other women who have plenty more than that and had no complications though. So just as like with any pregnancy and birth there are always risks some people just get lucky!

nosoup4u

The facts are that the more c-sections you have, the more your risk of complications increase. VBAC vs a second c-section are pretty much the same risk-wise. But more than three c-sections do have actual, serious risks.

Some of the risks of having a lot of c-sections come with subsequent pregnancies - the possibility of placenta areccta (which is when the placenta implants in the c-section scar) rises with each c-section and pregnancy.

These are some good links (warning, the first two talk about placenta accreta in detail!):

https://articles.philly.com/2010-05-31/news/25216929_1_cesarean-c-section-vaginal-births

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/caesarian-rates-placenta-accreta-contributing-rise-maternal-death/story?id=13399308

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-sections/AN02070

OP - if you and your DH want to have four kids, it may be worth your time to get a second opinion about whether you are a good candidate for VBAC or not. I personally wanted a VBAC, mainly bc I wasn't sure if I was done having kids, and I wasn't comfortable with the risks that come with having three or more c-sections (And FWIW, I pushed for 4+ hours with my first son bc of his position and had a c-section, but had a straightforward vaginal birth with my second). Good luck!

luvbeingmom

It's up to each individual person and doctor really.

I just had my 4th c/s and the doc told us that my uterus is in good enough shape that we can have another. He has actually performed up to 10 c/s's on one person.

There are definitely risks with more c/s's. My fear with the last two were that I would go into labor before my c/s date. If that happens, that can be rather scary. 

We will probably have one more, or we'd like to anyway. 

I think the 3 c/s's is kind of old school thinking and most people have heard that at some point. 

When I had my 3rd baby someone very rudely said to me "Well that's it then, you can't have anymore" and I snapped back at her "I'll have as many as my doctor tells me I can have".

2-Step

I had the same thing happen as you did, my DS was 8lb 14oz and my doctor  advised against VBAC because of incompatible anatomy. He would still let me try if I wanted to though. If I had failure to progress or something I would try it, but this type of birth experience tends to run in my family. We have big babies with really large heads and my mom and aunt both had very difficult births for the same reason. We only want a max of 3 kids so I am not too worried, but my OB assured me that in most cases 4 c-sections is fine if we decided to do that many. I didn't ask beyond that because I would never want more kids than that.

tinkerfly81

First- they (subsequent) babies are not always bigger.  I was my mom's first- 9 lber, my 3 younger sibs were all smaller than me.

My second was over a lb smaller than his older brother.

Next- like people have prev. posted it all depends on how well your uterus/body heals after each surgery.  I had always heard 4- but after talking to my OB (which I love by the way) I learned it could be 3- to greater than 5.

akl0506

The risks increase the more c/s's you have.  We want to have 4 kids (not sure we will...but, that is what we want!).  I had a c/s with DS#1 and I plan to have 3 more c/s's.  Unless, maybe, I'll get really brave and do a VBAC.  But, I am not sure.  That scares me to no end.  My mother had 3 c/s's and it was fine.  I have also heard that occasionally the OB will need to create another incision with 3rd, 4th or 5th c/s's.  I think every case is different.  But, it is certainly something to discuss with your OB.   

LaRue86

It can also depend on how closely you have them. If you do not fully heal before getting KU it can be more difficult on your body. I have a friend who will have her 6th c/s next month and it will be her last. She will have to have a hyst. The doctor was barely able to put her back together last time and said if she didnt wait at least 2 years before getting KU again that he wouldnt have a choice. Well, surprise surprise, she got KU while EBF and her LO was 3 mo old...

Jamminjulz

I just had my 3rd c-section, and my doctor told me they "frown" upon more than 3. 

RumbleLina

I was told not to go past 3 because your chance of placenta accreta increases drastically. 

You can do whatever you want but there are recommendations and they can vary from OB to OB.

jesusita2002

Thanks so much ladies! It's encouraging to know that it is possible. We will most likely be moving before #2 comes so I will definitely ask my new OB what their perspective is...and be sure to remember to ask them what they think number wise if I do end up with another c/s based on scar tissue. I would hate to be told "uh, nope, you're done!" after a 3rd or whatever without any warning. Thanks again!

steady531

My OB put something on the incision when she sewed me up that she said would help with the healing if I wanted to have a third one.  I never asked about more than three because three is our limit.  Not sure what she put on there but maybe that's something you can ask about.

novilise

It's common to hear that Ethel Kennedy had 11 c-sections, but actually, I think she only had 5. BUT, still impressive, because they must have all been with the classical vertical incision.

And I have heard of women having 8 or 9 without any and or many problems. 

I think it really does depend on your body and your experiences. Just like any birth, though, I guess. It is a higher likelihood to limit your children somewhat, but not necessarily. 

RumbleLina

This is a really short article from the Mayo but it gives an idea of complications after 3 c-sections. It is from April 17, 2010 so it is not overly outdated. I thought I would throw this out there for anyone who wants to do more research for themselves.

https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-sections/AN02070