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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Oh Jeez, my sister has announced she is pregnant again. Anyone else had 5 CS?

12 replies

duchesse · 28/12/2011 18:21

She nearly died of septicaemia after two of the others. Not likely ever to have a natural birth due to suspected pelvic fracture after falling down a yacht hatch 20 years ago - she did not get treatment for it but has since not been able to labour of her own accord for any of her 4 babies. Was adamant she was never going to have any more after No 4 but here we go...apparently this one was an accident.

What are the complication/morbidity stats like for a 5th CS? From what I've read they don't get much worse from pregnancy to pregnancy but I'd really like some reassurance if anyone out there has had multiple CS.

We're all just holding our breath and crossing our fingers.

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Original poster

duchesse · 28/12/2011 23:17

Shameless bump.

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Gigondas · 29/12/2011 12:58

What is gap between them as I think that can make a difference as have more time to heal up. Also did she recover ok from previous sections?

Gigondas · 29/12/2011 18:33

Duchesse I found this - not terribly helpful but sounds like multiple c sections nit necessarily unknown link

Lulumama · 29/12/2011 18:34

hello duchesse, how are you?

erm, is she still living on a remote island with rubbish healthcare, or have i made that up/confused you/her?

Original poster

duchesse · 29/12/2011 19:01

Lulu, you have remembered correctly. They go to a major city for the actual births though. Age gaps are small- oldest child of the 4 is still only 7, youngest is nearly 2. We think baby is due in the summer but not sure yet- only know that it's "early days".

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Original poster

duchesse · 29/12/2011 19:05

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WhatSheSaid · 29/12/2011 19:07

Sorry I don't know the stats for 5th/multiple c sections but I do know someone who has had 5.

Her eldest two were 10 and 8 and her younger two 4 and 2 when her 5th dc was born. She had to go to a different hospital to have the section performed by the best surgeon as it was her 5th (presumably because there was more risk of complications so they wanted her at the hospital that deals with the most high risk cases) but it all went extremely well. She was pushing a double buggy to playgroup with the 4 year old trotting beside her about 6 weeks later!

FaverollesWithBoughsOfHolly · 29/12/2011 19:47

I've had 4 CS, and did a bit of research before I had dc4.
As far as I could find, the risk stays the same after 2 CS's.
For example, there is a higher risk of placenta accreta, but no more than after No. 2, but I suppose after that many, she is exposing herself to that risk again iyswim.
The surgeon who delivered dc4 told me that the pregnancy itself was the risky bit, due to scar tissue in the uterus, but this is still a small risk. He told me that the surgery would take longer, but there would be less risk of bleeding badly due to the scarring from previous sections.
I do know 2 people who have had 5, both were absolutely fine. 1 healed slower than her previous ones, but she had a very small age gap between dc4 & 5 (less than 14 m iirc)

Gigondas · 30/12/2011 15:34

Duchesse - just been on another unrelated thread where someone said they had 5. Have asked them to look for this thread

Vajazzler · 30/12/2011 15:44

That was me!!
I have 5 csections in 7 years.The first was an emergency due to 11lb baby getting stuck. The rest were planned. As far as im aware, the risks do not become higher with each section. There is of course going to be a bigger risk from scar tissue but the morbidity rates are not higher.

I was very worried about seeing a doctor about my 5th section but he didnt bat an eyelid. They had the 2 most senior surgeons available and it was a fabulous experience. It was also the easiest one to recover from. I was up and about within 8 hours and pain free in 48hrs.

Where abouts does your sister live?

Original poster

duchesse · 15/01/2012 21:04

Many thanks all, I'm sorry not to have been back since December. We went away for NY and I forgot I'd started it.

She lives on a small island off the coast of Thailand, Vajazzler, but they go to Bangkok to have their babies as medical facilities are dubious on their island. It is reassuring to hear that the risks do not increase. This one will be a planned section, as she tried VBAC for numbers 2 and and 3 and had an EMCS both times, then went for an elective for number 4. She's decided that electives are the way ahead for her.

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hyperotreti · 15/01/2012 23:36

I had four (one emergency the rest elective) - they were all pretty straight forward, I had a pph after the emergency but that was a result of the labour difficulties. Anyway, my fourth was the easiest surgically (or so my consultant told me!) & she was quite happy for me to go ahead with another pregnancy in the future.

Her main concern had been the possibility of placental problems - once she saw I had a posterior placenta she was not worried. Although I had the last section at 37 rather than 38 weeks - didn't cause any problems for me or ds.

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