4th baby (and 4th c-section) at 40?

[Threnody]

OH and I are struggling to decide whether to try for baby #4. I've just turned 40, and have 2 boys and a girl already, 4.5, almost 3 and almost 1. Practically it's probably a bad idea, but we both would love another baby! Am I too old? Is 4 c-sections too many?How on earth do you go anywhere?

[dottydee3]

Wee are also thinking about ttc #4. Really I think if you'd love another one then the other stuff doesn't really matter. The cs thing, OH is from Ireland he says over there 5 or 6 sections isn't unusual. Might be worth discussing with a mw?

[IVEgottheDECAF]

I have 5, but no sections.

My friend had 4 sections and was encouraged to be sterilised during the last one by her consultant

[imip]

I had my 4th section at 40. I’m 48 now, things have gotten a lot easier - mine are similar ages to you, now 7-12.

I was sterilised during the section as 4 was my number and I didn’t want to have to worry about contraception anymore. The 4th section did ‘ruin’ my figure and I never got back to pre-baby like I did with all the others. But that could be age-related also?

[LuckyLou7]

Go for it. Get a people carrier. You want 4 children, have them. I have 4, 5 years between first and last, all adults now, healthy and happy and close to each other.

[Threnody]

Thanks.
How do you handle going for walks etc IVEgottheDECAF? My main worry is I'll never leave the house again, or struggle on the school run!

[IVEgottheDECAF]

Mine are currently 11, 10, 6, 2 and 12 days so my big ones are quite a bit older than yours. I dont drive so lots of walking, i do 90% of school runs.
My big two walk to school with friends. I take 6 year old with baby in pram, dc4 part walks and part stands on buggy board. Its working well for us so far.

[Crazymummyto3]

My friend had her 4th baby, 4th c section at 39 and found this last one to be the easiest section with the quickest recovery time. She has been advised not to have any more though. Speak to you midwife if you are worried, but I do think more people have having more c sections and at older ages. The biggest factor is going to be your health, if you are healthy and it's what you want then I'd say go for it! We've ummed and arrghed over number four so have decided to ttc and see what happens with the notion that we know we won't regret having another but might regret not trying when we get too old if that makes sense??

[DCIRozHuntley]

I found 3 under 5, like you have now, really easy and loved being a tribe. I think you should give it a few months to see how you find having a child at school - it's a bit of a different ball game in terms of pick ups, drop offs, crazy mornings and wraparound childcare. Could it be a bit of grief that that preschool phase is over? I guess she started school a fortnight ago?

I now have 4 - they are 7.5, 5.5, 3.5 and 6 months old. We left a slightly larger gap between 3 and 4 for the reasons I've explained (although I was in my 20s so less time constraints). I love having 4 but don't see how I'll return to work.

[Threnody]

I am worried it may be a mixture of getting older, my eldest starting school (yes, he's been there for a couple of weeks now), my youngest coming to the end of breastfeeding, and going back to work in two weeks. But we've been talking about it for a while now.

[Cantrip]

I’m due to have section number 4, all being well, in February, at which point I’ll be 41. My first child was born naturally, but numbers 2, 3 & 4 were sections for various reasons.
Our other kids are now a fair bit older though - my biggest issue is not being able to drive, as I need to be up and about ASAP to do school and activity runs as we live in quite a rural area.

[MercuryRising]

I had my 4th c section at 38 and apart from an infection in my scar it all went well. The surgeon told me despite the fact that each section carries an increasing level of risk I could have a 5th section if that was what I wanted. OH and I have decided 4dc is enough for us but I was happy that we were able to make that choice for ourselves. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Pamplem00se]

I'm due to have section number four in a little over a month. Consultant at number three said all looked good and just to leave it a year. Older children are 9 7 and 3. I can't wait :) I'm 36 x

[Mab14114]

Hi I’m new to the group. I’m frsKing our, I just found out I’m pregnant w baby #4 I’m 41 and have already had 3 c sections. The last dr who delivered my son said my uterus is very thin he hopes I don’t plan on having any more children. This was not planned. I see you had a similar experience any words of wisdom will help as I’m trying to decide what to do!

[Mab14114]

I know this post is from last year but I need some advice on 4th c section at 41!

[Emzee16151306]

Hi I know this is a late post to previous but @Mab14114 how did u get on with your 4 th pregnancy. Like you I'm 41 and ttc and was given the same advice after my 3rd as yourself..just wondering do I go ahead ttc?.
Baby dust to all x

[Momos123]

Hiya, how did you get on with your last pregnancy? I was given the same advice.. that the uterine lining was thin and that they'd have to take baby out at 38 weeks if I was to have another.. Wondering what other people's experiences are like with silimar situations.. Thanks xx

[Jaaxe]

Currently pregnant with number 4 and will be my 4th section after they recommended no more due to thin uterus and bladder stuck to uterus during my last csection….only 20 weeks but so far no issues relating to number of past csections. Consultant plans to do csection at 37/38 weeks though and I’m having more scans to check placenta and scar to see how thin it is later on. I have however been diagnosed with uterine artery notching and have to be monitored even more closely for this with 3 weekly scans due to higher risk of preeclampsia and IUGR….never had this with any of my other pregnancies, I’m 32 x

[Allthecatsandcosyblankets]

@Jaaxe

Currently pregnant with number 4 and will be my 4th section after they recommended no more due to thin uterus and bladder stuck to uterus during my last csection….only 20 weeks but so far no issues relating to number of past csections. Consultant plans to do csection at 37/38 weeks though and I’m having more scans to check placenta and scar to see how thin it is later on. I have however been diagnosed with uterine artery notching and have to be monitored even more closely for this with 3 weekly scans due to higher risk of preeclampsia and IUGR….never had this with any of my other pregnancies, I’m 32 x

How did you get on in the end? Xx

[Jaaxe]

@Allthecatsandcosyblankets

How did you get on in the end? Xx

Pretty good considering it was a 4th csection. Pregnancy was all ok, baby measured slightly small but nothing worrying, I also needed iron infusions. Planned csection at 37weeks….I had the steroid shots pre csection…baby did need some help breathing when she came out and couple of hours in nicu, good weight of just over 6 pounds and healthy now. I lost 1200mls of blood which is more than they’d hoped but she said my uterus was in better condition than my previous csection. Recovery no issues x

[Laureatus]

Do it! I was an accidental 4th child, my mum was 40 and I was her 2nd c section. That was back in 1986 so it was a bigger deal having a c section so having 2 operations then maybe equivalent to having 4 these days?! Go for it!x