Number of csections

[MumNeedsChocolate]

3 babies later and this is how they went

-baby number 1 sadly stillborn so I was induced

-baby number 2 elec section

-baby number 3 elec section

both sections went well (but healing was tough but I got through it)

we would like a 4th baby in a few years time but I’m worried about another section. What didn’t help was the consultant who performed section number 2 knelt by my side, as I was being stitched up, to say “if you want another baby you MUST have a section you CANNOT have a vaginal birth”. This scared the life out of me! Why say this to me as i’m still lying there getting stitched up. Since then, I’ve always wondered what had he seen? Is it really bad inside that he’s warning me of a VBAC?

basically, wondering how many sections people have had and how it’s been. Any VBACs after a number of sections?

really want to try for one more baby in a few years time, but I’m terrified.

thanks all.

Cousin of mine had 3 sections no problems so you could defo try for one more. VBAC after 2 sections is possible in some hospitals but most recommend another c section as the risks are higher.

@Chocolateaddict999firstly, great name. We clearly have our priorities in order haha.

thanks for this! Good to know someone’s had three sections and has been fine! 🙏

I had 4 csections, the first two emergency, the third and fourth were planned. They encouraged me to be sterilised after they delivered my fourth baby. Apparently scar tissue can rupture during subsequent pregnancies which is why they normally recommend only 3 csections.

Hi! C-sections are major surgery and I’ve no idea why more isn’t done to tell women how horrific it is for your body. You already have beautiful children my honest advice would be - be the best parent you can to them and not risk your health and life.
If you really want a 4th then take the doctor’s advice as there’s probably risk to the scar rupturing if you’re going for a VBAC after 3 sections. Good luck! x

I had three and during my third they told me that I'd be fine to have a fourth. Not that I did. They said I had barely any adhesions. Although ten years later I'm having investigations for adhesions now

I've had 2 c sections and the dr doing the second one told me the same thing, that a 3rd would need to be another section. This was because they don't recommend a VBAC after 2 c sections due to the risk of scar rupture. Apparently my insides were fine to try for another child and he had no concerns.

Thanks to everyone so far.

@purplecometthanks! That’s interesting. Maybe he said it that way to warn me away from VBAC. Hopefully he didn’t see anything sinister though. I’m definitely going to talk to a dr in future when we decide if we want to try again.

Hi! I've only had two sections, but after the first (emergency with quite a long incision), I was also told by the surgeon I must have a section next time. It doesn't necessarily mean that anything is messed up enough to be of huge danger - could just that they'd advise again labour with the scar you have. As it happened, second time around they found a pouch on the scar, so I think VBAC wouldn't have been a great idea, even if the surgeon hadn't advised me against it.

The obstetrician who did my 2nd c-section said the same to me at the same time, but much more kindly than it sounds you experienced. She explained that the scar on my uterus was thin and there was a risk of rupture if I had a natural birth and that was the reason why. Obviously don’t know if that’s the same for you but that’s what I was told. At the time I felt this vindicated my choice to have a 2nd c-section after months of pregnancy having to attend a VBAC appointment and refusal to confirm until week 36 that I could have the c-section I always knew I wanted (after a horrible induction experience with my first that I was scared to experience again).

We didn’t plan to have a 3rd child and haven’t but I’m glad I was told that at the time because there’s no guarantee that record would have been available if I’d had a 3rd pregnancy and this was at least I knew.

Good luck OP

While I was being stitched up I was advised to not have anymore children at all! The skin was paperthin apparently and i would have nothing to stitch next time.
I think they probably could have informed me of this at a later date!

My mum had 6 c sections after a stillbirth, and she’s been completely fine. Everyone says you shouldn’t but the reality is complications can happen if it’s your first or your 6th! if you want to try vbac, get a few medical opinions but otherwise do what is right for you

@Powerpuff2oh my! How many sections was this after?

@surprisebaby12wow 6! Your mum is superwoman! That’s crazy and so pleased after that many she was fine.

I know the wise thing to do is to speak to doctors when we decide to try again if we do. Hopefully they’ll have a full report somewhere on the system explaining how my last section went.

@MumNeedsChocolate Only 2, first was emergency and second planned. I decided against having anymore children. I was just grateful I had 2 healthy children and that I was ok after 2 previous miscarriages.
Definitely speak to your GP, I'm sure there will be a more detailed report with recommendations from the consultant.

I had three sections. 1 emergency, and 2 elective. One of the electives was under a general, the other was an epidural.

The consultant who operated on mine said that the most sections he had performed on one woman was nine.

@HurdyGurdy19hey! thanks for jumping on and sharing your experience. Sounds like I “could” be okay then. Fingers crossed.

9!!!!! Jeepers that’s insane. But kudos to her hopefully she’s okay!

I would ask for a birth debrief and ask someone to ask him why he said it

But if he is that honest he probably would have said 'don't have any more kids' if it wasn't safe too

I work in theatres, and the guidance has been for some time that after two C-sections you are heavily advised to only have C-sections for any subsequent children owing to the risk of scar rupture. It is entirely your decision though, but I would have a discussion with a consultant about it first.

As for maximum number of C-sections, the most I've seen was 8 (+ 2 VBs). However her 8th was absolutely her last as she also had placenta percreta and had a hysterectomy immediately after the delivery of her baby.

I had two a friend had three - no issues.

I've had 5 🤷🏻‍♀️ first was emergency and the rest were planned. Wasn't able to try vbac because my second needed to be born at 33 weeks and there was no option of induction after caeserean.

I’ve had 3 sections, the final one took 90 minutes due to scar tissue and DH booked his vasectomy within a week!

@Dyrathansk for this very helpful. So it sounds like it’s just procedure then. They tell you this information after section number 2. But yes I will definitely speak to my consultant in future. Thanks