Has anyone had two or more c-sections?

[Barefootcontessa84]

I have been told I'll likely need a c-section, and in order to explore all my options (and perhaps fight my corner a bit) I'm trying to understand the risks.

This is my first baby, but would hope to have perhaps one or two more. I have read that the risks of c-section rise with each additional one - I know there's the possibility of VBAC, but considering c-section is likely indicated now, I don't see this changing for subsequent births.

So I guess I'm asking if anyone has had two or more sections, and how that went? Do the risks really sharply increase each time, and did you have any complications during pregnancy as a result of a previous section?

Many thanks!

[Phillipa12]

I have had 4, 1 emergency and 3 elective. I have had no problems with any pregnancy due to previous setions and no problems with any of the deliveries, my dc weighed in at 9lb, 10.9lb, 9.14lb and 11.6lb.

[nephrofox]

I've had 2 (2 years apart) with no complications or issues

[Jackiebrambles]

I've had 2, 2 years apart as well.

No complications at all, very healthy second pregnancy. I did find it harder to recover fri the second but that's probably to do with having a toddler to look after as well as a baby!

[DearTeddyRobinson]

I've had 2 elective sections, no problems with either. In fact I lost less blood with the second! Both DCs fine. There was definitely more pain after the second but I was fine in about 4 days. Driving by 3 weeks and could have been earlier just couldn't be arsed to go anywhere

[Barefootcontessa84]

This is very reassuring - thank you.

[cookiefiend]

I have had two, two years apart and hope to have one more (maybe two, but probably not). I am selfishly following to see what people say. My SIL had her third recently and has been told it would be very dangerous to have another as her scar was thin and at risk of rupture, but I don't know how common that is after three.

[Alibobbob]

1st was an emergency due to big baby (11lb 10oz) 2nd was an elective due to first being big.

No problems recovering from either and the only problem due to the first cesarian was adhesions - but I have had adhesions due to every operation.

[TwirlyFoo]

I've had 5 . First was emergency next 4 elective. Just to give you an idea of time scale 1st 1999 2nd 2001 3rd 2003 4th 2007 and 5th 2014 .I had no problems with any of them. Hope this helps!

[TheABC]

I have had 2. Aimed for a vaginally birth each time and ended up with an EMCS due to fetal distress. No complications either way. Second time around I would not have been allowed to labour in a MLU and (for some hospitals), water births and remote monitoring are not allowed. There are also increased risks to induction, once you have a uterine scar.

On the plus side, if you have an elective, you do get to know the date, prep in advance for the 6 week recovery period and enjoy the benefits of an epidural.

[HiDBandSIL]

2 elective sections 2 years apart and planning a third. No problems except adhesions.

[Lollipopgirls]

3 CS here, 1 EMCS (emergency) and 2 ELCS (elective). All fine. The problem I think they are most concerned about is if you develop much internal scarring which can stick itself to your insides. Mine were all fine, minimal scarring (inside and out). I had a great experience with all 3 CS. Planned CS in particular are good I think, as it's routine, the staff are expecting you, everything is calm and it's usually performed during the daytime.

Of course some women don't have great CSs, but on the whole I think (personally, just my opinion) that they are safer for the baby and safer for the mother. All my babies had no trouble breathing, latching on for breastfeeding or crying. None needed any kind of special care. Breast milk came in as normal. Was up and about fairly quickly and didn't feel too hampered. The first couple of days it was harder to sit up and also laugh/sneeze! but your body starts to repair very quickly, if you are a reasonably healthy person. I've had no bad effects, the scar is very small and when they do the 2nd CS they cut around the original scar and take it off, so you're still only left with one CS scar mark, which in my case is minimal. Hope this helps!

[Lollipopgirls]

cookiefiend I think it depends on the individual and their skin, elasticity, how they heal etc. I am lucky as my skin does repair quickly and I didn't get any stretch marks with any of my pregnancies even though I was huge . Of course there will be women whose skin is more fragile around the scar. It's a good point to consider.

[Barefootcontessa84]

This is all really useful insight!

[sm40]

I had an emergency c-section. Opted for planned 2nd time. Had bad adhesions. 2nd c-section took 1.5 hours (with 2 hours of spinal block, so almost got put under). Bits of me were stuck to other bits so literally had to unpick me. Had gas and air and then still had to use forceps to get her out the small hole they made!!! However recovered really quickly better than emergency as didn't have the horrible labour!
If I had another baby would need to have csection, would assume under general but not told not to! I have decided not to, but more because happy with 2.

[Lovelongweekends]

I'm just recovering from number 3. Never had a problem due to previous sections although they did say my insides were a bit of a mess due to adhesions. I had the least bleeding of all with no.3.

[Laniakea]

I had four in ten years. The first was an emergency & I had a PPH afterwards, the other three were electives & uncomplicated. My uterus was in good condition (!) after the last one & my obstetrician was okay for me to have another pregnancy.

I did consider having a mirena coil fitted five years after the last section but my gynae recommended that it was fitted in theatre (with a hysteroscopy) because there was an increased risk of it perforating. That's really the only ongoing effect I've had (I decided not to get the coil in the end so can't say if it would've been a problem or not!).

[cookiefiend]

Hmm thanks lollipop and others. It's funny I think I would like three children, but somehow I feel I want that to be my decision (I know things always go as we want) and I feel like being told it isn't safe to have a fourth would take loads more getting my head around than just deciding we don't want more. I know that seems odd, but OP I guess you are wrestling with a similar thing- you don't want the method of delivery to limit your future plans.

Given that some of uou have had four and five it seems that having many Children is often still possible- good (and comforting) to know.

[SignoraStronza]

I've had an emcs, then a five year gap, an elcs and, after 27 months, another elcs. No issues after 1 and 2 - I healed quite well, in fact I possibly overdid it after the 2nd. Number 3 though, there were a lot of adhesions (possibly partly caused by my inability to rest after the 2nd). I spent a couple of hours in theatre and it took a while before they got dc3 out and then a while to unpick me and put me back together afterwards. I do remember some concerns about my bladder and rambling "don't bugger my bladder" at them.
All fine though. I lost about 2/2.5 litres blood and was in hd afterwards but don't think I realised that it was reasonably serious at the time. I remember remarking to dh that the journey home from hospital was a lot less painful over the bumpy bits after dc3!
I was sterilised during cs3. They were a bit arsey about doing it before I went down, even though it was on my notes from the initial booking in appointment. Afterwards it was conceded that I'd done the right as my uterus is probably too knackered to go through it again.

I know someone who had an emcs, vbac then elcs (having realised that a vaginal birth wasn't all it was cracked up to be) and another elcs.

[SpareASquare]

I had 3 in under 3 1/2 years then another a few years later. All good.

I was never told I couldn't or shouldn't and recovery was pretty easy.

[Barefootcontessa84]

Thank you all for your replies - it's helped me feel less concerned that a c-section for the first will reduce the possibility for more children (although I know circumstances can change). I'm still nervous at the thought of being awake while being cut open tho !

[Honeybee79]

I had an EMCS 6 years ago. Currently pg with my second - no issues at all. Booked in for an elective this time!

[Theknittinggorilla]

I had a semi elective with my first (lack of movement, feral distress, no labour), then a semi elective for dc2 (aborted vbac after failure to progress so ended up with the section that was already booked if I went a week overdue). Currently 14 weeks with dc3.

Nobody talked about not having a third after dc2. My consultant is very relaxed about a third section, though I will have a senior surgeon and it might take longer than the first two. Luckily my two sections seemed to go quite well and I recovered quickly. I'm not sure I want any more after this, but to be honest I don't fancy four sections so it will probably sway us to stick at three (which will be more than enough for us I think!).

Part of the reason for trying for vbac last time was to keep options open for if we wanted more (as well as to avoid surgery and recovery!). But having a section for your first doesn't automatically mean you can't have a big family.

[Theknittinggorilla]

Fetal not feral!

[Theknittinggorilla]

Oh and no complications in either pregnancy (so far) other than torturing myself over vbac vs section decision in pregnancy two - straight to elcs for me this time.

[ShanghaiDiva]

I have had 2 (one emergency under GA and one planned) - no complications during surgery and no complications in pregnancy number 2 after CS.
Don't worry too much about being awake and being cut open - easier said than done, I know! Your partner can be there and that will help in distracting you from what is happening. My head was tilted back during the surgery and you really have little awareness of what is going on - in a good way!
Both my recoveries were straightforward - it's a good idea to get up and about as soon as you can - even if this is for a short stroll down the corridor.