Anyone have multiple C-Sections?

[njrohe]

My husband and I are hoping to have a large family (4-6 children); however, women in my family have a rep for hard births and c-sections.  They were told after their third child not to have any more children because additional c-sections are dangerous.  Have any of you had more than three c-sections?  What is your experience?

[gabesmom]

I have had 2, and no one has even mentioned anything about this.  The only thing I have been told is that I will not likely be allowed to try v-bac next time.

[stephd]

I had one c-section already and am having another one.  I know that only makes 2.....

BUT..........

My cousin had 3 kids, all c-sections.  The dr. told her that she couldnt have anymore kids because her scar tissue was hard as a rock and I guess this poses a threat for her.  So she tied her tubes.  So the dr basically shut her off!!  Everyone IS different so you never know, you could have more than that and be fine.  I think it depends on how long you wait in between births too!  She had 3 kids in a matter of 4 years I think.  She had the oldest one and then she was 18 months old when she had the 2nd one and I cant remember how old he was before the last one came.  I know it was close.  So this plays a part in it as well.  Good luck!!

[who_dis]

Ethel was not a Kennedy by birth, and thus escaped the Kennedy curse.  She probably could have had 20 C/sections.

[ange800]

Ive had 1 c section and have another c section next week and have been advised not to have any more. The risks get higher with each c section its very common for women to have 3 sections but they dont like doing any more than that if they can. There are people on this site who have had 4 c sections I have a friend who has had 4 and she said she should of only had 2 but shes fine. My specialist with my first pregnancy is from Russia said he did 9 sections on the same woman but said it is very dangerous. Good luck fingers crossed you dont have to have c sections so you can have a big family.

[who_dis]

There certainly are women who have had more than 3 c/sections, but it is correct that it raises the risk with each subsequent one.  Most doctors would want you to think long and hard about having more than 3.  

[wonderme]

Hi.  I had one c-section and then went VBAC with no trouble.  Have you had a c-section already?  

Talk to your doc and do as much research as possible.  

Good luck.

BTW -- Ethel Kennedy delivered her 11 children by c-section.  Obviously everyone is different and you need to protect your health so you can be there for the children.

[njrohe]

No.  I'm 19 weeks preggo with my first baby, but people are already telling me that a CS might be in the cards (small pelvis).  I am planning to try for a vaginal delivery, but we'll see.  I guess I just want assurance that if I can't deliver naturally I can still have the big family I've always dreamed of.

[luvbug02]

i have had 2 c-sections and plan to have more children, hubby wants 6 ( i think that will be with someone else though :)..lol..) iwould like three or four depends on how crazy i am after my kids now grow up a little more but i think that if everything goes ok in the c-section and no complcations your doc wont tell you no more.

[lib and jrs mom]

i have 3 children, 1st vaginal, 2nd 2 csections d/t small pelvis, larger babies, and gestational diabetes.  i opted to have my tubes tied with my last child because my dr said that 2 csections are safe enough, but with each subsequent csection the risks get much higher.  luckily she was able to go over the same spot for both csections (so only 1 scar) but she did see scar tissue, so i guess my decision was a good one for me.  it's definitely something worth talking over with your dr.  good luck

[tam2girls]

A friend of mine is having her 3rd c section and her doctor has already told her she has a lot of scar tissue from the first two. He advised her no more kids after this one. She told him she is going to have 4 either way so when he goes in for the next c section he will remove as much scar tissue as he can while he is there. She will have and epidural and it will take a little longer but he also told her not to get preggers until this one is 12months. So there are more options if you have to have a ceaser. I have had 1 with my first due to long labour and because my pelvis was already streached from my first pregnancy I had a successful VBAC with my second. So this may also be an option.

[anxiousmomof3]

I've had 3 C-sections and if I hadn't had my tubes tied I could have had more children. My doctor told me after every one that I should wait at least a year to let my body heal. There is 3 years between my 2 oldest and 8 years between my youngest and middle child. It is a much harder recovery and you will want to start doing sit-ups as soon as you're released to do them. It's hard to get your muscles back where they were before you have a C-section but it can be done.!!! Just talk to your doctor because everyone is different. If you want 4 children and plan right you should be able to do it. Also, my sister-in -law had her first 2 C-section and her last one vaginally so every pregnancy is different. Good Luck

[Ninnity39]

I had my 1st vaginal, 2nd emergeny C, and third a scheduled C.  My doctor said a 3rd Csection would be okay but he wouldn't advise any more.  He said I had a lot of scar tissue from my first C-section.  I might have one more but that is it after that I am too afraid of losing the baby.

[twinsmommy]

My friend had 3 and the dr didn't advise against another pregnancy, she did ask if she wanted her tubes tied, but just because it is easy to do during a c-section. I met a grandmother at my kids' playgroup who had had 5 in Canada!!!
It doesn't have to be a problem, but for all you who had a c-section and are pregnant again: If you have placenta previa or a low anterior placenta, be aware of the risks of placenta accreta!!! It happens more often then you think and can be dangerous!

[twinsmommy]

Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't realise I told you this already on a different thread.

[mis-a]

I have had three c-sections and am about to try to conceive  number four, my dr. has never mentioned anything except that you get more scare tissue each time and that each surgery will take a little longer than the first, my dr. actually removed some of my scar tissue each time (i guess to make it easier for the next time) she also told me to wait at least before i got pregnant again (to let everything heal) I think you will be ok!

[DDRay]

Hi, I don't know all of the facts concerning why you have had the first c-sections or if there have been complications, but I am on c-section #9. All have gone very well with no complications. My doctors have gone by how the uterus looks each time and if all looks good, it's not necessarily more dangerous than the time before.  I am ready to count my blessings and call it good now, but we consider ourselves very blessed to have a large family (I adopted 2 also) I would do it all again.  I have never been told that I shouldn't get pregnant again, I have been aware of the risks, but with all the research that I have done,it just seems like uncharted territory and most doctors just don't want to chance it. I am 40 years old and have exercized regularly swimming and lifting weights. I had g.diabetes last time, but with prayer and exercize was able to avoid it this time. I am due the first of Feb and expect things to go well.  Since you are already pregnant, I would suggest you do the same and save yourself some worry. It might benefit you to get a couple more opinions from other doctors. I truely hope and expect all to go well for you.  DDRay

[mom2sons]

My 1st baby was by c-section. When he was 23 months I delivered my 2nd baby by c-section. There was a lot of scar tissue to go through and they had a hard time getting him out. He came out all bruised up. It was hard to see. I guess it depends on the persons body. I know people who've had 3 and did just fine. Good luck.

[mom2sons]

[Terri3111]

P.S I had a VBAC for my third birth in case you were wondering why I'm having my 5th section but my 6th child lol

[Terri3111]

Well, I have had 4 c-sections so far, and will be having my 5th in Jan. I guess some Dr's just aren't comfortable with it. I was actually looking into trying for a VBAC for this birth, and in the process found several women who have had up to 7 c-sections (and this one had a VBAC for her 8th child!) I think that's nuts, but she was able to have 7 c-sections and successfully have a VBAC, so I guess it just depends on your particular uterus and scar tissue issues. I haven't had anyone tell me a thing about not being able to have more children...although I am choosing to have my tubes tied this time. 6 babies is enough for me lol :-)

[huntermbfamily4]

I have had 2 c- sections due to my bicorneliues uterus.  I am 8 weeks pregnant and have to have another c-section i have to travel 200 miles away for another section none of the doctors close want to to another on me because my last section there was 3 times the amount of scare tissue.  I am really affraid

[huntermbfamily4]

One more think all my babies are breech due to my uterus shape so no option of v-bac i think v-bac is the best after c-section wish i could

[mich7273]

having my 5th baby had first two naturally,third  one had to be c section as was 10 days late and couldnt get out,i was recommend to have my 4th by c section which i did,thought she was my smallest and could easily of been born naturally,im really unsure as which way to proceed this time and have been looking for answers,the c section is so painful to recover from,naturally was a breeze.mich

[TILLY44]

i have had 3 c sections and another op (removal of ovarian cyst) between 2nd and 3rd baby.The cyst was removed  by cutting open the previous scar and was VERY painful afterwards, more so than the c sections.I had my last baby at 40 and was terrified knowing how painful this would be but had excellent care and recovered much quicker than i expected. However 3 years after my last child the scar is still at times very sore and i wonder if this will always be the case.

[mumabun]

I have had 2 c sec's, the first emergency, no progress after 26 hours of labour! The 2nd scheduled. I got pregnant 1 year after my first. I can't seem to find anyone with my problem... and that is: when my doc was making the incision on my previous scar, she said my tissue was so thin she could see the baby. I asked her to take note of how i had healed to hopefully have more kids later on. When my baby was out and she was closing me up, she really had a hard time, saying that everytime she pulled the stitch closed it was tearing due to such thin scar tissue (thinner than paper she said) So she had to do it in a different way so it was more secure. However when your pregnant and your uterus is stretched out to the max, it's hard to beleive it wouldn't be thin! Or so i i've been told. SO, after a year and a half, excellent recovery and finally just stopped nursing i'd really like to try for number 3. Is there any tests or way to find out how my scar's have healed or anyone out there in a situation like me?

[spinis]

I've had 2 C sec's, same as you, first emergency and second scheduled.Nobody said anything about my tissue so i don't have any clue how it is or how much amount of scar it is.
I am thinking of the third too, and the doctor said she doesn't see why not to have it, as long as i wait 1 year between my las Cx and getting pregnant.

I am also interested in finding out a way to see the scar situation. I am wondering if an ultrasound could do this. At least check if it's a lot of scar. I had an ultrasound after my first Cx and the scar was visible.

[Lin029]

I have also had 2 c-sections.  The 1st one emergency and 2nd scheduled.  Both times, I recovered fine.  We are thinking about going for a 3rd and that would mean a 3rd c-section.  I've been reading about all of these women who have had 3 or more, but I'm still nervous.  

The doctor said I had some scar tissue with the 2nd.  She asked me if I wanted my tubes tied and I said "no" even though I didn't plan on having any more at that time 19 months ago.  When I said "no" she said I was too young to tie my tubes at that time anyway (I was 27).  Now that we want to have a 3rd, that's my reassurance that the doctor wasn't mortified with my internal situation and would be okay with me having another baby.  

[stephanie231]

My advice to try and avoid a csection is no pitocin and no epidural, seriously look it up they do increase your risk of csection. I have a friend who has had 7 csections and is fine, but i don't know.

[noni1]

My doctors have always been very straight forward about any concerns or risks. Yes, it did take a little longer but not much. We actually video taped the c-section and I thought it still went fairly fast. My doctor always trims away all the old scar tissue. My incision site is very clean. I did not have any problems with excess vaginal bleeding. They suck all the excess blood out and then cauterize. I had a hernia repair at my incision site that ended up getting infected but it had nothing to do with my c-section. My bladder actually had adhesions on it which attached itself to my uterus. The doc just cut it all away. I have a very laid back doctor. He always tries to make the birth fun and exciting. He was the one who suggested us video taping it. We asked about banking blood with #5 and the doc said we could if we wanted to. But really didn't suggest it. I hope I have helped. Mom of 6 and (c-sections).

[noni1]

I just read your script and I wanted to say that anytime a woman has over 4 kids, she is at risk of hemorrhage, even with a vaginal delivery. I know this because I am a L&D nurse. She is called a grand-multip at 5 or more births and we always prepare for a little more bleeding. I don't know why a 5th c-section is considered more risky than a 5th vaginal delivery, except that with a c you are going to lose a little more blood anyway. I really think a lot of OB's are just uncomfortable with it because they don't have much experience with it. My OB said she has done 6 on a woman with no complications.

I am just so relieved to have found all you women that I can relate to so much. I thought I was the only woman on this planet who thought about another baby and 5th c-section as much as I did!

[Lizzie0612]

I have had 5 c-sections in 7 years.  I did not want to have c-sections and never even contemplated it until about an hour before I was in OR having my first (emergency).  My second baby was born 11 months after my first and I was strongly advised by 3 doctors not to try a VBAC and unfortunately I backed down to the pressure.  My three youngest were also 'elective' c-sections - I was told I would not be admitted to hospital unless I agreed to have c-sections.  My only option would be a very risky homebirth. I have been bitterly disappointed that I have been unable to have a natural birth and feel I have missed out.  Also having to withstand the comments such as 'too posh to push' (including from my own mother) has not helped.

I would like to have more children but my husband and I are now too worried about something going wrong and I can't convince him to go again.

But I have 5 beautiful children and consider myself very lucky.  The disappointment I have felt at not having a natural bith is nothing compared to the anguish we would have experienced if we had tried for a vaginal birth and something had gone wrong.  I have recovered well after each c-section and have never stayed in hospital for more than 2 nights.

As my children get older there is less emphasis on how they were born as who they are and that they are here becomes the major focus.  I am still disappointed that I feel having c-sections has prevented me from having more children.  However never say never - I am reading everyone's comments with interest.

[yukonmom]

I've had 6  c-sectios my oldest is 11 yougest is 1 along with a few other abdominal surgery's  I can still have more and I do hope to but I need to wait I had to have my appendix removed at 20 weeks with my last one very scarey and I only have one fallopion tube from an ectopic that ruptured I do have a very suppotave DR. and I think if what you want is a big family by multiply c-sections you have to find a pretty brave DR good luck to all of you

[tam599]

hi im 33yr with 5 beautiful children 14, 11, 10, 8, and a 1 Yr  old  they are all delivered by c sect and im very lucky that i havent had much problems with the births im pregnant with my 6th child which will definitely be a      c sect and this child is due late july early august, i definitely didnt plan  number 6 and havent really had the chance to recover from the last one i can say now that it is not a good idea to have this many i can feel pain sometimes across my scar area im just seeing how i go and taking it easy this definitely will be my last i had been advised against having more children especially after number 5 and i would recommend to anyone to take that advice