Third C-Section

[AndSoFinally]

I've got a third CS booked for next week. I know I have a lot of adhesions from the others plus further abdominal surgery for a different condition.

If you have had a third CS, did it take much longer than the first 2? What happens about skin to skin? Can you do that while still on the operating table?

Did everything work out ok or did you need a general anaesthetic or a hysterectomy?

I also have gestational diabetes and the recommendation is to feed within 30mins maximum so that baby's blood sugars don't drop too low. If I'm still on the table, who is responsible for that and did it happen?

Thank you so much for any experiences you can share.

Wish you the best. I have had 2 sections and second was difficult with lots adhesions etc. It did take a lot longer but your team will be prepared. I’ve also been through GD. Would strongly recommend you to harvest some colostrum beforehand so that your baby can get some colostrum ASAP . Really gave me peace of mind

Skin to skin is no problem, they can deliver the baby straight to your chest.

I did have complications, so take things VERY gently.

Thanks both. I'm trying the colostrum harvesting but it's very slow going. Less than 1ml over 3-4 days 😩

Hi @AndSoFinally I’ve had 3 c sections and having my fourth in under 2 weeks.

My third section did take significantly longer due to the surgeons needing to take their time to carefully cut through the scar tissue build up so as not to damage my bladder etc.

But aside from the extra time, the procedure went perfectly.

I was handed my baby immediately for skin to skin whilst still in theatre. I held her the entire time until we were wheeled to recovery where I put her in a cot so I could dress her etc.

I didn’t need anything like a hysterectomy or anything.

I breastfed her for the first time while we were being wheeled from theatre into recovery!

This time I also have gestational diabetes and am having my section done slightly earlier at just over 37 weeks.

During my latest consultant appointment she discussed with me how they would have slightly more people on hand in theatre to assist as they would be anticipating a trickier surgery due to how long it took to get to baby last time. I will have 2 senior surgeons in theatre. She basically wanted me to be aware so I wouldn’t be alarmed on the day wondering why there were more people around.

I’ve opted to be sterilised this time too, which my consultant is very supportive of as she agrees anymore pregnancies and sections would be dangerous for me. I’m not having a hysterectomy, but simply having my tubes cut or removed.

I’ve still been told I can do the whole ‘my c section’ thing. So dimmed lights, music of my choice, surgical curtain lowered for the entire procedure or just for delivery if I want, delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin etc.

I have chosen to harvest colostrum that I’ve been collecting in sterile syringes and have frozen. I will be taking those with me in case baby struggles to feed immediately or needs to go to NICU/scbu etc.

Good luck!

Have attached the leaflets and info my consultant gave me about the type of c section she still says I can have. Even my third, trickier section I was able to have all of the things like lights, music, skin to skin, cord clamping etc.

Wow! That looks amazing! I didn't get anything like that

I've had four, I actually found three and four much easier to recover from as they were planned not EMCS. I had a washing thing done, so each layer was washed with something to prevent adhesions (adhesions was why labour two ended in c section) on section four I had same doctor who said the washing had worked wonders. Sorry can't remember the technical term.

Ooh, I might ask about that. Thanks!

Just wish I could remember the technical term, basically after a very rushed labour 1 everything was meshed together, the docs were shocked I managed to get pregnant but the adhesions stopped labour 2 progressing, section 2 took ages as so many extra layers to get through, I was told the washing was a new thing but it was amazing.

@AndSoFinally would you mind updating this thread after your surgery when you are up to it, if that's okay. I'd be very interested to know how it goes and your experience as I don't know anyone irl who has had two cs.

I've had two emcs and like @Waveifyouknowme my second labour ended in emcs because the baby couldn't move down due to adhesions. The surgery took a long time.
I'm not pregnant but do think about number 3 a lot. The delivery does concern me though, particularly for any negative effects on my bladder.

Baby number 2, I had lots of skin to skin despite it being a very tricky delivery and it was actually an okay experience. It was very clear in my birth plan that I wanted skin to skin as it didn't happen with baby 1.
Baby number 1, I had GD. I also harvested colostrum and repeated this for baby number 2. Baby actually got taken to neonatal so it was a few hours before I saw her but my husband went with her with strict instructions not to give her formula as I wanted her bf and to defrost the colostrum if needed. This was also very explicit in my birth plan. They honoured my wishes and her first feed was a bf with me about 2 hours after birth.

Best of luck

Hi, I've had 3 CS's. The 3rd was planned and by far the least scary! It did take longer to be stitched up afterwards but I think for most of that my DH was holding up my DS near me so I was distracted looking at him! I remember having a weird shaky thing afterwards, like delayed shock or something! My recovery was fine and I have had no issues since (over 10 years now).

Good luck OP! It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to have another CS so I know it's not an easy thing to go through.

So quick update.

The surgery really didn't take very long at all. It was only about 15-20 minutes to actually get him out and they gave him to me straight away for skin-skin. Was in a really crap position for feeding though so DH had to give him a pre-prepped bottle as I didn't want baby to wait too long due to my GD. The closure took longer though, maybe 30-45 minutes. Not sure why, possibly because I was also having a copper IUD fitted so maybe this takes a while.

Didn't need a combined spinal and epidural so the recovery was about the same amount of time as usual. Surgery was at 10am and was up and about, catheter removed by around 8pm. DH had to leave at 3pm when they took to me to the post delivery unit, so that was pretty tough.

Home about 36hours after delivery. However, the recovery pain-wise has been bloody horrific. Nearly 2 weeks later and still in quite a bit of pain at times, and nothing was touching it at all for the first week. Much much worse than I remember either of the first 2 being, but I guess this might be selective memory. Not sure if it's to do with the fact it's a third section, or the IUD causing excessive cramping on top of the expected amount, or what, but definitely wasn't prepared for this level of pain!

@AndSoFinally congratulations on your baby! Thank you for updating us.

I hope your recovery speeds up.

I've opted for a section today! Thank you for the update - it's been so helpful!

Hope you recover soon!