How many Caesarean Sections are too many??

[scaryhairycat]

I only have 2 kids at the moment - ds 9 and dd 7 months, but lately me and my dh have talked a lot about wanting more - I would really love another 2. The problem is I have already had 2 emergency c/s, the last one my previous scar very nearly ruptured as I tried to labour. As a result, any subsequent babies I carry will have to be delivered by c/s 3 weeks early.

Is there any way of finding out how 'strong' my womb is before trying? Will I have to be closely monitored through pg? Has anyone had a similar experience?
We are not looking to have any more kids just yet (I like quite a gap - 4/5 years), but I have been worrying about this a lot, and there appears to be very little info on repeat c/s - let alone when there is a larger risk of rupture. TIA

[cikecaka]

There was 2 days off 2 years between DS1 and DD1 and 4 days off a yr between DD1 and DD2. When they cut me on DD2 they could see her, my womb had gone very thin. they actually recommended steriliation when she was 6 months, but I reckoned my head wasnt in the right place for that went on to have DD3

[Twiga]

Interesting thread - thanks! Am due to have my third section in Dec, will be my third in just over three years.

cikecaka - if you don't mind me asking why were they looking to bed you at 20 weeks if you'd gone for a fourth sooner? We've not discounted a fourth and would prob leave more of a gap (21 months between dd and ds and will be nearly 18 months this time) but who knows what may happen - very aware that a fourth could carry extra risk etc.

[ImnotMamaGbutsheLovesMe]

I had 2 years four months between the birth of Ds1 (section) and Dd (VABC) but it was the birth 22 months later that was the problem.

[scaryhairycat]

Glad all is fine now ImnotMamaGbutsheLovesMe, that must have been a very anxious time for you.
And cikecaka - leaving a biggish gap like you is a good idea, as it probably gives the body a chance to heal more thoroughly. We left 8 1/2 years between ds and dd and I also had a perfect pg with number 2; although that big age gap was more for financial reasons rather than health!

[SaintRiven]

I had 3 sections then a vbac. Any more babies will be sections. Doc hasn't blinked at all at this announcement.
My 3 sections were in all within 3 years.

[cikecaka]

I had 4 cs, but they warned me after no 3 that I would have to be bedded at 20 weeks if I went again. I had had 3 sections in 3 yrs so this was the cause of this. We left it 7 1/2 yrs before we went again and had a perfect pregnacy wth no complications and delivered at 39 weeks by cs

[FoghornLeghorn]

My SIL had her 4th C-section in April, she was told after her 3rd it was unsafe to have anymore as my nieces head was cut open as she was delivered due to the womb lining being so thin aparently !
Hoewevr there is a MN who had 8 sections.... zipper I think her name was

[ImnotMamaGbutsheLovesMe]

My emergency section was at 38 weeks and cautious or not, I am glad they intervened as we wouldn't have him now.

He was predicted to be 7lb something and was 6lb 12 and flat on delivery with other probs. All fine now.

[scaryhairycat]

Thanks all. I have been told by doctors on several occasions it would have to be done at 37 weeks - This does bother me but why would they say this unless it was necessary? Would it be wise to dispute this?
My nephew was born a few weeks ago by emergency c/s at 3 weeks early, (they tried to induce labour as the scan showed he wasn't growing fast enough he was 5lb 11oz when born - not too bad if you ask me!) and he caught an infection, he was too drowsy to feed so needed a tube into his stomach and he had jaundice!
So I'm well aware how it is better for the baby to be born later. I think the medical profession can cause more problems by being overly cautious sometimes.

[lulumama]

i think you can have ultrasound scanning to determine the thickness of the scar. it is labour itself that puts the most pressure on your scar, but obviously pregnancy itself does stretch the uterus. also, the nearer to term a c.s is carried out, the better it is for the baby in terms of breathing.

3 sections is not the limit, especially as most c.s now are LUCS rather than the classical vertical incision whihc does weaken the uterus more

you must speak with a consultant obs , preferably the one who looked after you last time.. they have more info re repeat c.section

there are some good c.s support websites, and www.aims.org.uk is an excellent resource for birth support of any kind.

[ImnotMamaGbutsheLovesMe]

I was very close to scar rupture with my 3 year old and never in a million years would I risk another pregnancy.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

£ is reccommended but as my HV said if you fall pregnant again they will still do one. Howvere elective sections are done now at 39 weeks.

[mummyclare]

Doctors recommend 3 c/sections as a limit because the risks (which increase with each one) are more significant after 3. However, if a women who has had three gets pregnant - then what are they going to do? C/s will still be safest for her. My anaesthetist at my last section had anaesthetised a woman for 7 sections!

The 3 weeks early advice is alarmist. You will need an elective section and they will be keen for you not to go into labour. Elective sections are usually at 38+weeks with the expectation that the woman would not have gone into labour.

Also there is rupture and rupture. Any uterus can rupture with or without a section but is more likely to after a section. However, the section wound can come apart slightly - wound dihesence. This is not rupture in that the scar tissue is not heavily vascularised so the dangerous bleeding that makes rupture so scary would not be a factor.

Overall - be reassured and go for it.