people who've have more than one CS, please come and talk to me

[SalBySea]

had an emergency CS 8 weeks ago so NOT planning the next one JUST yet but do want to try for another at some point so am facing the possibility of a second CS

sooo

what was your recovery like after the second one? how did it compare to the first? how does the second scar work - is it right beside the first one? any other issues with having more than one CS?

[MumGoneCrazy]

They cut across my old scar so it didnt really make a difference to look at after it recovered and my recovery was the same if not a bit quicker

There was a 5yr gap between my 1st and 2nd c-sections and 14months between my 2nd and 3rd and am now due my 4th in september

[tokentotty]

Honestly - recovery harder but mine were only 16 months apart. They go back in the same way for the second one so you just have the same scar.

[hellymelly]

easier the second time as you know what is going to happen-also I had an in-labour section the second time which I think was vastly better than the first (not in labour )one,all those great hormones! My scar is worse this time,tummy sticks out more over the scar,but the numbness is not any worse,in fact I think I was less numb with the second. I am half thinking about a third baby but the thought of a third section worries me,the build up of scar tissue etc,but maybe others have been through this,like the above poster.

[tokentotty]

Must admit that I still have the odd 'numb but strange sensation when touched' thing going on 5 months after. Its been recommended that I don't have more children after two sections so close together but that's not a DON'T if you know what I mean

[MumGoneCrazy]

Im about to have my 4th c-section only complaint i have about them is that ive been left with a bit of a jelly belly that overhangs like a bum bag lmao

Thats prob more down to me hating exercise and being on the bigger size anyway i was a size 10 when i had ds 9 years ago and have been a size 16 for past 8 years i cant seem to shift it but thats my fault not the c-section lol i just like something else to blame

[MumGoneCrazy]

Token thats strange because i only had a short gap between my 2nd and 3rd and when i was talking to my consultant 2 weeks ago i asked about being sterilised because i heard you couldnt have more than 4 c-sections and she sais they wouldnt do one because im only 25 and that more than 4 is allowed and that some women in spain have had as many as 16

[tokentotty]

Really ?? I think the standard advice is 3 with 4 at a push. The worry I believe is linked to fibroids, trouble with repeated openings of the same wound causing complications etc. Obviously the majority won't have a problem but the chances of health issues increase each time so you should weigh them up against your desire for a large family I guess.

[MumGoneCrazy]

Well complications or no complications this is definatly going to be my last baby

I dont think i could cope with more than 4 im already slowly pulling all my hair out with 3

[SympatheticConsultant]

The issue with the number of safe CS's relates to the degree of associated scarring and complications.
If there is minimal scar tissue formation inside (eg between the uterus and bladder etc) then the surgeon is more likely to be amenable to supporting another pregnancy. If however the uterine scar is very thin (making scar rupture a more likely possibility next time round) or there are severe adhesions making the surgical procedure more hazardous (eg Due to bleeding/damage to bowel or bladder) then most Consultants would advise against. Sometimes we come across a 4th and very rarely a 5th CS where there is relatively little scar tissue but in comparison we will have horrendous scar tissue at a 2nd CS!!
It all depends on how things heal inside after the previous CSection and that varies from person to person and as the Surgeon you typically only find out during the next CS operation!
Most good Dr's should give you an indication either at the CSection or at least before you go home as to how much scar tissue there was and what would be advisable wrt a future pregnancy.

[jabberwocky]

ds1 - emergency section with so-so looking scar afterwards

ds2 - planned/elective section so no labor. Much faster recovery, no problems with bfing, they did the incision right over the other one and even did a little "repair work" so that it looks and feels much better now.

I have now been converted to the idea that planned section is the best way to give birth

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[bacon]

Would you opt for another c-section if there was no reason. Most consultants are happy for a "trail labour" which I did but I had problems with enducement so baby got into distress and had to have a crash section which was horendous and so disappointing. Twice I missed out on a proper birth and both my husband and I holding our newborn together. I had GA which knocked me out for a week.

They actually cut above my last section and another fanastic scar I had beaded stitch. Second births carry afterpains which was worse than the scar healing.

Because I had a crash section and was distressed after and emotionally devastated I cant say who someone who has a planned section would feel. Overall my scar healed very well and was very mobile after 2 weeks, actually drove after 3 weeks (with permission from doc and insurance).

There is only a tiny percentage of getting scar rupture I have looked into this so much as I was desperate to get my VBAC. There is little evidence why you cant even try a VBAC2 because of scar rupture either.

[SalBySea]

Bacon, I have not yet decided whether I'll opt to try a VBAC or go for an elective CS next time

even if I do opt to try a VBAC, I know that that doesnt mean it wont end in another CS so I want to know as much about it as possible to be prepared

this time I have no numbness and was off the pain killers in a week (which by then I was taking more for back pain following epidural than scar pain). have a nice neat scar with no infection. Talking to others I have realised that my recovery has been maybe unusually easy so I might have an incorrect idea about what it would be like next time, and I'll have DS1 to look after too so worth thinking about

on the one hand, I think that surgery is best avoided unless absolutely necessary. I worry about numbness and probs associated with scar tissue and infection.

on the other hand, I think that an elective cs would be preferable to an emergency or even a crash one. had to have mine with an epidural as no time to change to spinal block, I didnt just feel pressure, I felt EVERYTHING - it was horrible even with g&a to help. I was determined to stay awake and see him though, which luckily I got to do for a few mins before they had to give me a general anaesthetic to intubate me as the raised epidural made me shake so badly that i wasnt able to maintain my airways and was going blue. I'm so glad i got to see him at the birth as I recognised him from that when they brought him to me to bf in recovery while i was still pretty out of it.

a friend who had a crash cs refused to believe that her baby was hers for hours afterwards. - I am scared of something like that happening. at least with an elective cs, DH can be in the room and I could have a spinal block and meet the baby when its born.

I would not feel cheated if I never have a vaginal birth, I dont think a CS birth is any less valid. I will want to choose whatever is safest for me and the baby and whichever will best facilitate bonding and recovery etc.

[SalBySea]

ps, sorry for poor spelling and grammar, am typing with one hand as poor mite had first jabs today and is eating me alive to comfort himself at the mo so I cant be bothered to go back and correct mistakes as it takes me long enough to type it once

[SalBySea]

ps, sorry for poor spelling and grammar, am typing with one hand as poor mite had first jabs today and is eating me alive to comfort himself at the mo so I cant be bothered to go back and correct mistakes as it takes me long enough to type it once

[wannabe10]

Have had three and have found it progressively easier as I have gone on. First two were crash sections mind you and the last elective which was bliss.
I often find after that its just a case of 'get up and get on with it'. I was shopping two days after my third but was kept in ten days with my first.

[Highlander]

2 elecs here - maternal choice, so bear in mind that I was probably of the mindset that it was going to be a breeze regardless!!

I was planning a 24 hour discharge after DS2 but DS1 (2.1) jumped on my stomach so I decided an extra night in hospital was safer!

DH had a month off work, but I was driving after 2 weeks.

I really didn't find lifting DS1 a problem. he could clamber into the car by himself and I just supported his bottom whilst he got into the car seat. At home, I bent down to hug him or suggested a cuddle on the sofa rather than a full lift.

It was busier with 2, but the 2nd S didn't hamper me at all. I think with No 2 you're less inclined to get out of the door and 'prove' yourslef. regardless of the mode of birth, I was quite happy to let DH do everything until he went back to work!

[Claire2009]

1st cs, Emerg, recovered quick.
2nd cs, Elective, recovered very quick.

Same scar used each time. I was up and walking about the day after the 2nd section, didn't get to room till 6-7pm and was wrecked tired, I'd had a bad reaction to the morphine used for the section/spinal block so was in recovery longer than 'normal', I discharged myself when Ds was 4 days old, this was in France & took a lot of persuading as there is a 7 day hospital stay with sections there

All in all, it went very well.

I was lifting Dd (14mo when ds arrived) 2 days after the section but as I said, everything is fine.