4th CSection

[MURU]

I had an appointment today at the Early pregnancy unit due to a miscarriage that I had in May. Was early so no complications. Had normal period 25th May and no period since then. I had positives Pregnancy tests in and of since 15th June but have been negative since 24th June. Still no bleeding. So I called the unit back and had a scan today which showed that there is no obvious reason or issues and that all is well no molar /ectopic etc.

So MC in May was a surprise BUT made us realise how much we wanted a 4th (final) baby we have two big ones 8 & 7 and a 1yr old always spoke about it but we were all steaming ahead.

So the consultant who saw me today in no uncertain terms told me that I should not be having a fourth child. As I could damage bladder scar tissue and was just unbelievably blunt almost rude about it. Absolutely no bedside manner at all. Didn't ask or know about any of my pregnancy's or births (no complications at all)

I'm not normally easily offended or sensitive but even if she said was correct which I'm sure she is she could of said it with a bit more kindness.

Has anyone else been told absolutely do not try again if you have had 3 sections????

Yes. 3 c-sections is regarded as the safe upper limit I believe. More than this carries much higher risk of severe complications/death.

Death due to having a csection as it's an operation or directly because it's a Csection?

I've never heard this. When I was pregnant with my 3rd I was asked if I wanted my tubes tied, but when I said we might want another, my consultant didn't bat an eyelid. The lady opposite me in the postnatal ward had just had her 5th C-section. The only negative thing I had was after my miscarriage when a dr told me I could try again for a baby but 'since you've had 3 c-sections maybe you should think about it' - which was a terribly rude and judgmental way to speak to someone at such a time. I've researched online as much as I can and found no evidence of anything more than a slightly elevated risk of some kind of injury/health issue following multiple c-sections, but thats it. Eg placenta accreta risk goes from 0.5% to 2%.
I'm still planning to ttc #4 which will be an elcs. I expect your consultant is just being judgemental, can you find a different one?

I've had 3 cs' and out of curiosity asked the surgeon doing the final one of I could have another. He said I had a lot of scar tissue but it was fine to have another one, although he would recommend me waiting several years. He also said he personally performed cs #9 on a lady.

Ah thank you for your reply’s, yeah this is all very similar to my experience with my 3rd they offered me my tubes tied too I said no as wasn’t sure I was done and they never said anything.

The consultant who said the above to me was just the on duty consultant at the EPU its very unlikely I’ll ever see her again to be fair. Her comments have just stuck though. I have researched it too and like you found some risks increase but not massively and on reputable websites as in their information is validated.

I’ve had 6 sections and whilst I do not want any other children, my doctors were not pushy or rude about me not wanting sterilisation. It’s a real shame you’ve experienced this attitude.

Yeah it has 100% put me of having another one ☹️I have two older ones 8&7 and 1 would of like the younger one to have someone to grow up with but thinking not now based on this x

Oh no, that's awful @MURU you shouldn't let one consultant with a bad attitude dictate your life. I'd be complaining to the hospital about them, or they'll continue to inflict their judgemental opinions on other women. Doctors and consultants do not know everything, even though some of them think they do.

I had my 4th c section 2 weeks ago. It all went really well and the team commented on how well I’d healed from previous sections. When I spoke to the consultant about the possibility of having more children she didn’t say not to but told me to book an appointment with my gp and go through my previous c section records with them and then I’d be able to make an informed decision. As it happens they commented on me being ‘sticky’ during the operation so we’ve decided against having anymore children, at least naturally anyway. 😢

The lady in the bed opposite me had only had 1 previous c section and her 2nd baby was born via C section the same day as me but they had to call a specialist surgeon in as her bowel had fused to something (can’t remember what) and they couldn’t get the baby out. So things can go wrong even with 1 or 2 sections.
My 4th section was a calm and enjoyable experience, I’m healing well and am so glad we decided on having this baby. I did worry throughout but the risks are only increased by a small percent. The surgical team were all confident and made me feel like I was in safe hands too which was great. :)

@Itsgottobethisone thank you for sharing, that sounds like a great experience. I have found that the surgical teams, particularly the anaesthetists, have always been the most confidence-inspiring people around a birth, whether elcs or emcs.

Congratulations on your new baby!

@Threnody your right I should talk to my GP maybe. I have researched all the websites (Trusted ones) they all state the same about risks etc but they are small. None give a definite number. My c-sections were all straight fwd maybe I need to just take a minute see how I feel

I do feel like I may call the unit up and maybe make a complaint not official but just to who answers the phone as what she said wasn't necessarily the problem she was pre warning me of risks it was just the way and telling me rather than informing I don't know maybe I'm in the wrong and that's her job guidelines she has to go by.

@Itsgottobethisone congratulations on your. We bubba 🥰🥰🥰

Thank you all for sharing it really helped me. Xxx

@Threnody oh and absolutely agree the anaesthetists have always been the best when I have had my babies they were so soothing and just really kind.

@Threnody oh and absolutely agree the anaesthetists have always been the best when I have had my babies they were so soothing and just really kind.