Risky 3rd?

[GloriousBlue]

I've got 2 kids born by emcs.

I'm starting to think about a 3rd but scaring myself with stories of placenta accreta and uterine rupture.

Youngest is 1.5 and I'm 38, so time not necessarily on my side.

I'm also considering how it would stretch us financially and would take attention away from the first 2. Also the whole bigger car, more expensive holidays etc.

Ultimately, DH and I do want a 3rd though. We both come from big families.

If my first 2 were vaginal labours I wouldn't hesitate, but the thought of a 3rd C-Section just worries me, especially with 2 little ones at home to consider.

Has anyone been in the same position? What did you decide in the end?

I was in the same position and similar age perhaps a year or two older and definitely had the same thoughts you are having . I didn’t manage to get pregnant again - we had chosen not to use birth control but not actively plan . In retrospect I had definite peri symptoms though I wasn’t aware at the time .

Yep, that's defo a possibility for me too.

The last baby took 2 years to conceive and we needed some fertility treatment (though not IVF).

Stupid fertility clock:(

Bump

I’ve had 2 DC both born by EMC. First was category 2 I think failure to progress, baby positioning stuck.
Second I tried for a VBAC as I knew I might want 3 dc and wanted to give vaginal birth a good go. I really thought it would happen. Had a fast labour distressed baby and crash section under GA after being in labour only 2 hours.

Unplanned pregnancy DC3 I know this would be my last. I am going to opt for elective C section. Tbh I don’t think they would medically advise a VBAC. I’ve tried to ask at scans if I have any adhesions or in womb etc. Everyone has said seems fine. Have my consultant birth choices meeting next month so will find out more. No one seems that bothered about my third c section yet. Perhaps I will be told after this baby not to have any more for medical reasons - tbc!!!

Oh, really interesting, thank you for sharing.

I'd also love to know about adhesions / scar thickness etc, but it would seem my medical records are either lost or top secret as I've emailed to request them and just get ignored.

I'd absolutely love a VBAC but, as you say, probably won't be advised and I'd blame myself forever if anything went wrong.

I genuinely don’t know how you find out about scar thinness. I really want to know for long terms implications. I’m going to push for a general womb update from this pregnancy and birth. I need to know for later life etc etc.

i absolutely couldn’t go for a VBAC again medically or personally considering my second baby was minutes from dying. I know that sounds dramatic but it was so touch and go. I also went against guidance last time with a birth centre birth and declined constant monitoring or cannulation on arrival. All of which was needed in the end. So I’ve lost my air of confidence in going against guidance.

If you search 3rd c section mumsnet on google there’s loads of women who have done it with no issues btw

what were your reasons for c sections if you don’t mind me asking?

Not sure this will be helpful as it happened so long ago but this happened to my mother. Her first was breech so had a c-section. Her second she attempted a vbac and nearly died when her scar tore. With the third they told her not to risk it and it was a programmed c-section. She was advised not to have anymore after that.

I've just had my second emcs and the consultant told me I could have another, there are increased risks but VBAC would not be an option (it's also in my discharge notes).
I think if I wanted a third I would go for it and just book a planned section.

@Hiccupsandteacups

Wow, that must have been so scary.

That's the thing, if anything does go wrong, it would be even harder to cope if going against medical advice.

But a successful vbac would be amazing.

My 1st was failure to progress after getting to 6cm. No idea why, but he was back to back and he had a lot of decelerations, so they felt he wasn't coping and advised an emcs.

My 2nd was a botched induction. I had a little bleeding at 39+5 that they couldn't explain, so decided to induce. However, the 1st midwife that examined me said I was 3cm and effaced and broke my waters. The next midwife found that I actually wasn't dilated at all, and suggested they should have used a pessary or balloon to induce me, and that it wasn't a "fair try" of induction.
As I had the previous section, they used a really low pitocin dose to see if it would do anything. Labour never got into gear and they did another section.

I'm grateful that they were cautious with me twice and that I've got 2 healthy kids. Honestly, so grateful. I'd just love to have experienced vaginal delivery, and I'm so conflicted now about number 3 :/

Thanks @Babyenroute and @Maxorias these are helpful comments x

Hi @GloriousBlue is there any update? Did you make a decision? I’m in a similar boat too, although trying to do my research ahead of time to almost let myself down gently if the answer should be no to anymore. I had a very thin scar area when they did my second section and it was vaguely mentioned about a question mark over a third but next to no information. I’ve requested my birth notes to see if I get any further forward with them