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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

3rd c-section - too big a risk?

18 replies

Anonmumm2 · 01/12/2023 20:32

I know there isn’t an easy answer to this one and that it is for each person to weigh up the risks but I’m really struggling with whether or not to have another baby.

I have 2 DS who are amazing and I love our family dynamic. My youngest will be starting school soon and DH would really love another baby. I would really love one too, save for the cost (which we could make work) and a slight fear it would upset the current dynamic. But the biggest reason holding me back is having another c-section, I am absolutely terrified! I’m so worried I wouldn’t make it through the surgery and that my two DS would be left on their own, the risk feels silly given we have 2 healthy DS. But take that out of the equation and I’d have another one in a heartbeat and I feel a bit lost as to how I make that call. I’m sure the risk of not making it is low but it’s still a risk.

Really keen to hear from anyone who is going through the same considerations or anyone who has had 3 c-sections and can provide anything about their experience. For some reason I didn’t feel the same about my second c-section, I think because there was no question in my mind I wanted 2 children. Sorry if this is a common thread.

OP posts:
cherrylemonapple · 01/12/2023 20:38

i’ve got a 2.5 year old and an 11 month old. currently 17 weeks pregnant and nobody has batted an eyelid about it being a third section. i asked my consultant if it was higher risk and he said it’s very common and nothing to worry about

heatdeath · 01/12/2023 20:48

Well I had four sections in ten years & no one was remotely concerned.

VillageFete · 01/12/2023 20:49

Due my 3rd C section on Wednesday. Nobody is concerned! Although they did ask me did I want tubal litigation which i’ve happily agreed to.

There’s obviously a chance of increased scar tissue but nothing major. If your placenta is low lying or you end up with placenta accreta then that complicate things a bit but they’ll know way in advance and be throughly prepared- and the risk of that happening to you isn’t massively high anyway.

I wouldn’t be letting it hold me back if I were you. At my last C section the women going down to theatre before me was having her 5th and mine (second) was longer and more complicated than hers!

Original poster
Anonmumm2 · 01/12/2023 21:20

Thanks for the comments, really appreciate it. I’m probably overthinking it after googling the risks as part of trying to make a decision!

OP posts:
MixedCouple · 01/12/2023 21:25

My BFF had 4 c sections and she stoped as the scar tissue was not good in the end. You would need to have it looked into usually with ultrasound how it has healed. Some people can have loads (one lady we know had 7 C Sections) and some don't heal up right so can only have 1 or 2. Your OBGYN should look into it and whether it is safe.

Rjahdhdvd · 01/12/2023 21:27

I was told that risks increase most significantly when you get onto a 4th one, when I had my second c section at least three of the other women booked in that day were having their third ones and I noticed that they were asked about having sterilisation as part of the c section

mondaytosunday · 01/12/2023 21:38

A relative had three sections, her second within 13 months of the first, then a five year gap. All well. She is a fit and healthy, I think that helps.

CandyLeBonBon · 01/12/2023 21:40

I had 3 sections. I did go into spontaneous labour with third and scar started to dehisce so just be aware that can happen.

Garman · 01/12/2023 22:32

Depending on your reasons for your csections you could try for a vba2c. I had three sections in 6 years (all for medical reasons none elective) with the last one being an emcs six weeks early and all was fine, no issues at all.

ThisIsGroundControl · 01/12/2023 22:38

I have had three, in three years.

I was told I had to be sterilised because of the risk, and then in recovery the midwife asked why I was sterilised and I said because of 3 sections and she scoffed and said she'd had five.

I was crushed and have sinced looked into it, and there are lots of women that have had 5, I became fb friends with someone who had 9.

Anyway back to my three. My scar is bigger than average and I do have scar issues (tight, goes red, itches) and youngest is 8.

But if I had my chance again we would have had the four we wanted.

anicecuppateaa · 01/12/2023 22:51

I’ve had 3, none by choice. I would love one more dc but my consultant suggested 4 c sections is too many. If I can convince DH, I might go back and see if that’s truly the case. They did comment after my last section that the scar tissue was bad. Can you discuss with your doctor?

Original poster
Anonmumm2 · 02/12/2023 08:57

Thanks, I tried talking to my GP but they basically just said the risks are higher and can’t help me with anything more - it seems there isn’t anyone you can really talk to unless you are actually pregnant (in my experience)

OP posts:
shsh6 · 02/12/2023 10:21

You can ask for a debrief op. They'll get your notes from the previous section and this will have notes about how the scar looked and build up of scar tissue. I had a terrible 1st ELCS (dr messed up) and when they opened me up for ELCS 2 the scar was so thin they could see my babies hair through it. The consultant I had that time was absolutely fantastic and conducted a repair. I went on to have a 3rd section and on my debrief they said the scar was looking fine and I had no scar build up anywhere.

CandyLeBonBon · 02/12/2023 10:27

Anonmumm2 · 02/12/2023 08:57

Thanks, I tried talking to my GP but they basically just said the risks are higher and can’t help me with anything more - it seems there isn’t anyone you can really talk to unless you are actually pregnant (in my experience)

My surgeon said that a 4th pregnancy would be very risky for me because my uterine walls were so thin she could see through them. The problem is everyone is different so they have to err on the side of caution and a ruptured uterus is a very real possibility with multiple sections some fare better than others but it's a bit of a lottery as to who is safe and who isn't because you don't know until you know!

nowtygaffer · 02/12/2023 10:35

I have had 3. The first 2 were EMCS the last planned. Even though I was older the recovery from the last one was the easiest. Good luck with whatever you decide!

anicecuppateaa · 02/12/2023 10:41

@shsh6 sorry to be thick, but how do you actually do this? Do I need to go via my GP? Or do you request a debrief through the hospital? The admin dept at the maternity/ antenatal ward at mine were so bad, I can’t imagine them even replying to an email about a debrief. Any tips would be great.

shsh6 · 02/12/2023 10:51

@anicecuppateaa through the hospital. If you Google birth debrief and the name of the hospital you gave birth a page should come up. With mine it had a short web form asking for name, date of the birth etc. They normally ask for 6 weeks to gather the information but one of the hospitals came back to me very quickly with a telephone appointment. If you do get nowhere with that though you could go through PALS at the hospital who can chase the department up if they fail to respond to you.

anicecuppateaa · 03/12/2023 11:23

Thanks so much @shsh6 !

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