4 csections

[bananacustard01]

Not quite sure where to post this - pregnancy, childbirth, health or postnatal so thought I'd post here for most traffic.

AIBU to ask of people experiences of more than 3 csections.

I have had 2 children by csection (sadly my first DC passed away when she was born) and I am due my 3rd csection in the autumn.
My consultant has offered me the choice of sterilisation during the op but has told me to think about it. I have had no complications with my previous surgeries themselves but he said it is standard to offer it during a third section. I've read up the risks of 4 sections and know they increase slightly compared to a third. I'm not even sure I would even want another pregnancy in the future but equally I'm not sure I wouldn't or how I will feel in a few years and being sterilised is so final.

I'm really after any info people have about more than 3 sections and if their experiences were positive or if they found it much harder / riskier the 4th time.

(Obviously this all depends on how my surgery goes this time too and if during it consultant recommended I didn't have another I would agree to the procedure without a doubt)

I'm in the US and I had three sections. I had my tubes tied after the last one. I wasn't sure if I wanted another child or not, but I had four already (the first was an upper forceps birth) and a fourth section is risky. I didn't want my existing kids to possibly lose their mother by trying for another child.

I didn't regret doing it, especially as the kids got older. Pregnancy takes an enormous toll on your body and adding a csection to that makes it hard to bounce back. Your body is never the same.

Eventually, I had so much scar tissue that I had a tummy tuck. I couldn't wear pants without pain. That was one of the best decisions I ever made, LOL!

Op look on the Larger Families section of mumsnet for loads of threads about multiple sections.

I have had 6!

I was sterilised during my last section. I was very lucky, no complications with any of my deliveries and my last was as straight forward as my first. I think the recovery time actually improved with each one, I guess its because you know your limits and what to expect.

I asked my consultant's opinion on a 4th and she said I was good to go for a 4th. I knew a 5th and 6th was pushing it but decided it was a case of my body my risk. Everyone heals differently and there's really no way to know how things will go, but I would say if you have any doubts about a sterilisation do not have one, there is always contraception if you decide against another but as you say, a sterilisation is so final. I definitely wanted my sterilisation but still felt overwhelming sadness afterwards, and wouldn't recommend any woman to make such an important decision at such a vulnerable time.

Good luck with the baby x

My Aunt had four, she was warned against the fourth and said it was dangerous but she had him and they're both fine and she recovered okay as far as I know.

I've had 5 csections and to be honest they all went pretty ok for me. My consultant tried to pressure me quite alot before my 4th to have a sterilisation once I'd had the 4th but it wasn't what I wanted to do. I went on to have a 5th csection and everything was fine. Recovery afterwards was ok and I'm glad I didnt listen to the pressure.

You will need to speak to your consultant about it Our bodies are all different so you will need to find out what the risk would be for you.

I just think it's all about it being convenient rather than thinking about what you want. Pregnancy is a really emotional time and making decisions like that are hard at the best of times. I turned down sterilisation with my third section just in case. DH then got the snip when last baby was a year old and we both knew we were finished.

I had four over 9 and a half years. All okay. I will say, wound took longer to heal on the last.

I had 4 over 9 years, final two only 17 months apart. All went like clockwork. I'd been worried about scar tissue with number 4 but consultant said there was absolutely none there! I do have an unattractive lower belly pouch though, even when thinner, it's like there's a seam in me.

Good luck with your decision OP - would echo others, don’t decide on sterilization just because it can be done at the same time as CS, make sure you and your partner are certain your family is complete. Plenty of other options for contraception (more reliable too) - you could even consider having a mirena or copper IUD inserted at the time of your CS.
Also be aware it would be pretty unethical and therefore not possible to make the decision at the time of surgery - you have to consent prior to the op (as it’s not something any surgeon should be doing for you on the spur of the moment!). In contrast you can withdraw consent at the time of the op tho or surgeon can decide not to do it if there’s too much scar tissue and they think it’s too risky.

I had four over 15 years. Same reason as you for DD1 sadly (emergency). The main difference by no 4 was I had to go to a main hospital, I'd had DS2 in a cottage hospital and they said I couldn't have DD2 there.

at SIX!!

I've had 3 c sections and I'm done. Last baby was 9lbs and my belly is so stretched out now. Not bouncing back at all ! But just want to add to this,, i have read that a man having the snip is alot simpler than tubal litigation.

bailey999

I have had 6!

Yay another member of Club 6!

I’ve had 4 c sections...

Exactly 8 years between the 1st and 4th (gaps of between 2.5 & 3 years between each). My obstetrician didn’t have a problem with me having 4 but I had straightforward deliveries and recoveries with all of them. She mentioned having my tubes tied during my 4th but I decided not to as I didn’t want the finality (you never know what will happen) but I won’t be having anymore..

I was 41 when I had my 4th almost 3 years ago...