How many c/s does your dr say is safe?

caymanbride

I just had my 3rd c/s, and my recovery was great and fairly easy, just like the first 2. But I do know now that my uterus is thin in places, and I need to talk to my OB about the safety (or lack of) a 4th pregnancy and a 4th c/s if we ever decide to have another baby.

Does your dr. have a recommended number of c/s that he/she feels comfortable performing, or do they make recs on a case-by-case basis?

nic5606

It should be based on a case by case basis. With each section, more scar tissue forms and thinning can occur. Every womens ute will handle this differently.

My doctor said case by case, but if I wanted a number, then no more than 3 sections was her rec.

HarrietNJMommy

My OB doesn't give a number really. It does vary based on your body, scar tissue, etc.

I'm having c-section #4 in less than 4 weeks. She told me that I am probably a good candidate for a 5th c-section, but she would see when we did this one.  

rosesandpeonies

HarrietNJMommy:

My OB doesn't give a number really. It does vary based on your body, scar tissue, etc.

I'm having c-section #4 in less than 4 weeks. She told me that I am probably a good candidate for a 5th c-section, but she would see when we did this one.  

this.  My mom had 4 and had no problems at all.  Each person is different and scars differently, etc.  

mlf625

I've heard 3 is widely accepted as the "safe" number, but that plenty of women are fine to have more than that.  A friend who had a 4th said her doctor said #4 is when they start taking some special precautions in the OR (unsure what those would be?)

pinkmoonlight

I had this same question when I had my DD two years ago, My then doctor told me she would only do 2. I quickly changed doctors, my current doctor told me he would evaluate me at each c-section. I had my second at the end of May and was told everything looked good. So when we are ready we will have a third and evaluate it again at the third c-section.

That being said we would like at least 4 kids, maybe more but if at any point my doctor says it is dangerous for me to do another c-section we will stop and adopt.

monica92603

I had my 3rd c-section almost 2 weeks ago.  My OB made a quick mention that things looked ok "where they needed to".  I'll get more info when I see her this week for my incision check.
When I met w/ a MFM 3 years ago, he told me that 3 c/sections was considered safe.  Actually said the words "you don't want the kids you have to grow up w/out a mother" in reference to having more than 3.  When I said something to my OB when I was pg w/ my daughter (since she went to med school w/ him and referred me to him) she said that wasn't necessarily true and it was more of a case by case basis. 
We are very much on the fence about having a third child (I've had 3 c/s but my first was a stillborn).  If my OB tells me I'm done, then I'm done.  My second isn't even 2 weeks old yet so I'm way way far away from even thinking of actually getting pg again. 

biggdaddy4605

I just asked my OB how my uterus looked during my last c-section just over a week ago and he said it looked great and that I could totally have a 4th no problem.  I'm all for it!!

Disneygeek77

My Dr also said it is a case by case situation, but generally his practice tells their patients they should stop at 5.

mrsmklynch

My doc says generally three but usually four max. Still, he said it depends on the woman and scar tissue, etc.

valkyriemama

My OB practice says 5 is the max for them.  I was concerned for my safety having a 4th section, but they weren't worried at all.  The only thing they said is different is the section can take longer because they're cutting through scar tissue and recovery can be tougher.

horseymum

As for repeat c-sections, I am currently 6 months pregnant and getting prepared for my fifth c-section. I had concerns about complications during surgery due to scar tissue and also the added risks of uterine rupture during this pregnancy. My OB has been in practice since I was a baby so I thoroughly trust his opinion. He told me the only thing that might happen is my c-section could take a little longer due to cutting through the old scar tissue and I could be at a slightly higher risk of extra bleeding. But he wasn't worried that I was having a fifth c-section and I feel much better with his reassurance that it will be fine. If you have questions, write them all down and ask your doctor at your next visit. Good luck to you all!