Is it possible to feel ok about body after 3 c-sections?

[cobaltblue27]

Hi, not sure if this is in the right place. I had an emergency section with DS1 and an elective with DS2. In time, I'd like to have a third (even a fourth maybe!) if my health and fertility allowed. However, what is the reality of three sections upon one's body? I have a small overhang now, bigger than my first overhang, but I can live with it. I have a softer tummy and more fat on the tops of my thighs than before pregnancies, but I think that's just the effect of life with small children in having less time for oneself. Is it possible to feel ok about one's body after three sections? I have always been relatively slim (had a history of eating disorders) and now probably into size 10, up from size 8. But I'm 34 now, and trying to be realistic that I won't always have the figure of a 25yo and people can look better with more flesh on them as they get older anyway.

Looking for reassurance and encouragement ideally.

I've no answers, rather bumping your question as I'm also very interested in the answer. I've only had one, which was an emcs, and would intend to have elcs in the future.
9months on I'm still reeling a bit from the battering my body has taken, yet I'd also like a couple of more so I'm interested in what the cumulative effect will be.

Anyone out there?! Am I the only one stupid enough to consider a third section?! What? Somebody say something!

I'm seven months post my fourth section but have five children.
Im thirty four and at five foot nine weigh ten stone 6 so I'm an 8/10 bottom and 12 on top up from a 6 bottom ten top pre kids.

I have a small ledge over my scar rather than an overhang but being honest my whole stomach area is very soft.

I'm just finishing breastfeeding and my boobs still stand to attention please stay this way

All in all I have a better figure than my friends who have never had a section.

Go for it if you want more children.
Decimation of your figure is not inevitable. Not even close, honestly.
Take heart 👍

The main problem with a third (or more) section is on the inside, rather than your external appearance .
Each time you have abdominal surgery, scar tissue forms which can stick your bladder, bowels, uterus and other pelvic bits together. This makes repeat surgery more prolonged and complex with a higher rate of complications (eg bladder or bowel complications) and slow recovery. Not everyone is affected, but quite a lot are and it's not predictable.
The other significant problem is rarer but more serious. Where there are scars on the inside of the uterus it can cause an abnormal development of the placenta where it grows into the actual muscle rather than attaching to the surface of the womb. It's called placenta accreta and can cause life threatening bleeding to both mother and baby. It's become more common as CS has become more common.

I know a lot of women do have multiple CS and come through and have no regrets but it is not without some specific risks.

You should speak with an obstetrician regarding any concerns, I'd advise against consulting only with a midwife.

Deep tissue massage is important post c section and once your incision is healed to prevent adhesions from forming, although hardly anybody mentions this for some reason.

Thanks everyone. I am very, very, aware of the increased risks of placenta accreta, increta and percreta. Sadly unavoidable for me. Does anyone know anyone who has survived this (with or without hysterectomy?)? I really wish I could have done it then normal way!

Does anyone know if it's possible to have some kind of scan to see how bad internal scar tissue and adhesions are, and if there is anyway of anticipating issues? Hard.

Interested in responses too.
I had a section with DS as induction didn't work - turns out he was breech and extremely big. I am pregnant with number 2 and I'm a section again however am worried about the chance of number 3 going smoothly (well this one I'm worrying about now but also thinking about future) if we ever wanted a third. We possibly wouldn't but feel nervous at the choice being taken away from me iyswim.

I've had a 3rd section (1 emcs, then elcs then elcs). Was quite hard going as lots of scarring from the 2nd that they had to deal with and cut away and I lost a lot of blood, but gynaecalogically speaking, I feel much better after the 3rd than the 2nd - don't think I took it easy enough after #2, which probably led to all the scarring.
I won't lie, there's no escaping that the shelf is worse (i suppose it would be an overhang if i were slimmer). I was also advised to not have any more children, but seeing as I was being sterilized during cs3 anyway, that point was moot!

As you are aware the more sections you have, the more risk of complications. The safest way would be to leave time (min 18 months) between pregnancies to heal internally. I have heard of women having several cs but it does make it risky. Definitely get medical advice, you want to be around for your other children so you need to weigh up the risks of subsequent pregnancies carefully.