a 4th csection.bad idea?remind me of risks.

[moljam]

im not pregnant but would love a 4th but would be 4th csection.gp not impressed,consultant fine,gp said wait 3 years.im trying to wait-ds will be 3 in dec this year.so plenty of time to keep changing our minds!i did have bladder damage with 3rd due to scar tissue but is all ok now.

No problem according to the obs who delivered DS4 a while ago.

I think it was more of a problem before bikini line incisions.

Had my 4th CS last year - all fine. The reasons I went ahead and had a 4th were:

-the consultant with DC2 said that nowadays they were happy doing up to 5

-I had asked the consultant when he finished delivering DC3 (while I was still on the table!) what he thought about doing another section and he said that although the lining of the womb was a bit thin, he thought it would be fine, and he would be happy to do it (not that they have much choice if you are pregnant mind you!)

-at the 6 week check after DC3 I asked and they suggested waiting at least 18 months, but had no other problems with it

-I had never had any problems with scar tissue or bladder/bowel adhesions

-I really really wanted a 4th!

Although we are content that our family is complete, they were a little more discouraging about having any more when I was pregnant with DC4 because obviously the risks do increase with each surgery. A friend has had 2 sections, 5 years apart, and is still having scar trouble. I decided to have my tubes tied after my CS this time because I decided that I had pushed my luck far enough. I haven't had any problems with my scar yet though. And DC4 is gorgeous!

Forgot to say my GP was a bit more hesitant but said the consultant was the expert. (I have other liver problems in pregnancy so that might explain some of his hesitation too).

LadyVictorianSqualor -tghanks for explaingi think they do tru to be cauticous so i suppose good sign.
WendyWeber -thanks.MY FIRST WERE EMCS BUT OTHER 2 I COICE TOO.DD WAS TOO BIG AND I HAD FAILED VONTOSE)SPELLING)sorry ds pressing caps!and im typing badly with one hand.and forceps so rushed for emcs,she was only 5-14 so decided elective with other 2.im short and small build and all mine were little-2 were 5 lb14 and one was 6lb.2 of mine were 3 weeks early-they wanted out!

Bubble99 -thats true.a friend of mine has 2 csection scars instead of 1 from 4 children all born by csection.how common is that?ones just above other?

procrastinatingparent -did you have tubes tied same toime as last section?so you knew even during your 3rd you really wanted 4th!sounds like you had it all sorted in head,was you aware of risks?

sorry my spelling etc is crap!ds on my lap and in pants for 2nd day so keep thinking hes weeing on me!

at ds moljam - I actually have like a large dimple in my stomach - looks like someone has poked me in the stomach. I had it after I had dd2 and thought nothing of it. Now I realise this was probably the scar tissue that consultant spoke about with ds.

Mind you, I also had a problem with a lump removed elsewhere and I think I might have a problem with producing a lot of scar tissue. So there goes my breast enlargement plans

moljam - we always said we wanted four but would take it one at a time. I asked the surgeon during CS3 just in case I thought I would be mad enough to do it again - and I was!

This last time they did give me the strong impression that I could be pushing my luck to come out with no problems, and it was that, combined with grim pregnancies, a mad DC3 and fear of what the neighbours would say that made us decide we were ready to call a permanent halt. (DH said "Four is unusual - but five is just bizarre!".)

So I had my tubes tied after they delivered DC4 - while they had the hood up, so to speak. I don't really regret it yet, and in a way I'm pleased I did it because otherwise I would still be having the conversation with myself that goes, "How hard can one more be? And wouldn't it be gorgeous to have a little tiny one again?". Now I know it's definitely over, my brain rather than my hormones is the boss. And I can give away all the tiny baby stuff. But it doesn't stop me feeling a little bit sad that that stage of my life is over. My BF was told by an 80-year-old that she still got clucky sometimes, so I guess I may feel like this for a while to come.

Yes, I was aware of some of the risks, but I've since found out more and was glad I didn't know!

I had my tubes tied at the same time as my 4th CS too, pp (also I was nearly 43 at the time so thought I'd pushed my luck far enough already )

I have had 3 sections and would definatly have one more.

I have never had any complications during any of my sections and for some reason, my recovery after each one got easier.

I definatly has it's risks and you have done the right thing asking your consultant, but if he's given you the go ahead, i'd say go for it.

FF - tried to ask for the tummy tuck, but they weren't having any of it. .

Seriously, though, I'm sorry you had such a bad time. Each time I got pregnant after the 1st time, I was thrilled until I remembered how much I hated the surgery and had a panic attack about having another one. I feel really blessed that they have all gone smoothly.

procrastinatingparent and wendy weber-did it mean your recovery took longer as you had tubes tied at same time?i think if i had fourth that would be it!

fiofio-so sorry about your sister.that must have been so scary for you!can i ask how much further up your scar is?did you know they were going to do that before op?my friends is apparently about 3cm above older one.

nutcracker -i found with the 3 ive had that i recovered quicker each time,even with bladder damage on 3rd.

btw thankyou your all being so helpful

No, I don't remember noticing any difference at all with the sterilisation, moljam (although it was a) nearly 5 years after the previous one and b) nearly 15 years ago - so my memory may not be reliable!)

I think surgery is surgery - one more tweak once you're opened up probably doesn't matter.

did they say why?because of scar tissue?did they tell you before op that theyd do this?sorry questions questions!

Sorry if i scare you but i have had 4. The last one i almost died with. Lots of bleeding and transfusions etc. Im also off to hospital tomorrow for a scan as im in agony with pain in my scar.

I love my dd3 but if id had known and understood the risks before i got pregnant i wouldnt have got pregnant.

I made them sterilise me too so no more pregnancies. I love the dc's i have too much to risk anoter baby.

I know lots of women have even more than 4 sections. A lot depends on past history and also your docs advise.

Good luck whichever you decide

sugarpear -dont worry about scaring me-i dont want everyone to say its ok when its not.that must have been scary!what happened?goodluck for scan.

last was dec 05.(i had one in april 00,next april 01)
this is why i want to try to find out risks now rather than if/when pregnant!how much do the risks increase with each one?

breathes sigh of relief.............

I had and epidural with dd3 so was awake. I was high as a kite but do remember dr's flying in and out like mad. They wanted to put me asleep but i was apparently all giggly and quite happy!

It was after they explained that as soon as i was opened they saw dd was drowning in blood why i dont know! But she had a handprint bruise on her head that lasted 3 weeks where she was literally yanked out quick.

From there all i know is they couldnt stop the bleeding. I had a 6 pint blood transfusion and a 4 pint plasma fusion.

I was high as a kite for about 4 weeks after. I had 2 canula's in each arm plus the epidural. And i hate needles!

It took longer to recovery poss cos of sterilisation too im not sure.

It is so hard to ignore that yearning for another baby though. DD3 was an elective as my 2 previous were c sections even though after 1st cs i had a vbac.

I still look and baby and want to have more but i cant.