Since I am an only child, I always wanted to have a big family. I was lonely growing up and always told myself that I would have a big family some day. Well, I am almost 35 years old with two wonderful boys and am wondering whether I should try for a third child before it is too late. I know it is important to see if we can financially afford a child, of course, but I was also wondering whether it would be safe to have 3 C-sections.
My first son was two weeks late, and I was induced for 16 hours without going into labor. When they gave me more pitocin, my son's heart rate plummeted, and I needed an emergency C-section to get him out. It turns out that his head was too big and never would have fit through the birth canal. Anyway, he was born fine and never had any complications, although it took quite a long time for me to heal.
With my second son, I really wanted a VBAC. Amazingly, I actually went into labor naturally when my water broke one day before he was due. When we got to the hospital, however, I was told that I tested positive for Strep B and would need 8 hours of antibiotics by IV before giving birth. Although I never went into full-blown labor, whenever I had even a tiny contraction, my son's heart rate would drop each time. The doctor suggested that it would probably be safer to have a C-section to get him out. I conceded and went through the surgery. Everything went as planned except that when my son came out, he was blue and not crying at all. When they brought him to the sink to clean him up, not one sound came out. My mother and husband were in the operating room and almost passed out. After the nurse rubbed him, he still did not make a sound, so she ended up giving him a puff of oxygen. After this, he let out a gurgled cry, and they got all of the mucus out of his lungs. He has been fine ever since, and I healed very quickly this time.
Because of this background, I was wondering whether it would be safe to have another C-section. My husband and mother think that after having two perfect children, it would be silly to want one more, but I still think that three children would complete my family.
Has anyone gone through something similar and if so, how did it go?
I had a friend who had 4 c-sections. Although her doctor said that it was a good thing that she was getting her tubes tied. I think mostly because she was having such large children - her last was over 10lbs. Anyway - her body healed just fine. I think what you may be worrying about is the scare tissue - how many times can your body keep repairing itself. I personally think if you are wanting another one - go for it. If you are healthy enough - why not. Good luck - I hope for the best.
I am 41 and have had 3 c sections. I had a daughter in 2003 by emergency c-section, another daughter in 2004 by c-section after a failed vbac attempt, and twin sons in 2006 by planned c-section. All my kids are healthy and fine, as am I. On the last section, my OBGYN said that there is some scar tissue from the previous sections, and that it probably wouldn't be a super great idea to do it again. I assured her I was DONE!
(Like you, I believed 3 kids would make a perfect size for a family, and my husband and I planned and believed that financially we could handle three kids. Then with the 3rd pregnancy fate decided that I actually needed FOUR kids and blessed me with TWINS in the last PG! Everything worked out fine, both financially and physically.)
Make your decision based on mutual agreement between you and your husband, and move forward from there. No one ever even suggested to me that it would not be safe to have more than 2 kids because of the whole c-section thing. Good luck!
Rebecca
I had three children by c-section. My first was late, they induced labor and 18-hours in, her heart rate would decrease when I had a contraction. They did an emergency c-section and discovered that her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck 4 times! My second was born 1 yr, 2 months later by c-section, which I chose because I was told that contractions could rupture the c-section scar. I had two miscarriages after that and had my third by c-section 4 years later. They are all healthy, I am healthy, but everyone is different. Always speak with your doctor first and take his advice. I am pleased with my third child, he makes our family complete. My older sister also has three children by c-section and another of my friends has 4 by c-section, do what feels right.
Are you sure that having 2 c-Sections makes you unable to have a VBAC? I don't think that's the case, although, you can never tell how labor's gonnna go...
Sonja- I had 3 c-sections - in '71, '76 and '82 -- Iwas perfectly safe--- however my last child has some issues that never qualified as special ed--- but have colored all our lives --- as a retired special ed' teacher I KNOW you understand that dynamic- being a special ed teacher, too.
I was 37 when she was born- and she seemed healthy - the issues have developed; at 27---- I know I will carry the burden of trying to make her life better and more functional all my life- and that as I die my last prayer will be to help her --- She is beautiful, but terribly burdened. My greatest concern for YOU is not your physical safety--- but the consequence of bringing a 3rd child ( life is really set up for two adults, two kids--- truly it is--- and it gets tricky once you''''break'''' that barrier.) into a home when husband/dad has said ''' 2 are just right''' --
I KNOW you'll make a good decision- whatever that is--
Sonia, no one knows your uterus better than your ob/gyn. Have this conversation with him/her. Many women have had multiple c-sections while others have been told that 2's the limit. My best friend growing up had 3 c-sections successfully, all 3 girls and her did extremely well. The more important question is wanting a 3rd child. This is a discussion you need to have with your husband. I know after we had our first two, a girl then a boy, I knew I wasn't done, I wanted more, I wanted a tie breaker. My husband wanted more kids as well. Yes, it's financial commitment, not just when they're young, but as our youngest has just graduated from high school, we have 3 in college now. This is were it really gets spendy, but we will do what we need to do to make it work. I've never regretted our decision. As far as wanting more after the 3rd, when I held him after an emergency c-section, I knew our family was complete. Not because of the "c", he just filled all 4 of us to the brim. It's hard to explain, but he did, he does. I wish you well with your decisions. Talk with your doc, your husband and listen to your head and your heart. Look at your kids. Then make your decision, whatever you decide to do as a family will be the right decision.
I too have had two c-sections. The first one was an emergency c-section and the second was planned. I wanted to do a VBAC, but I never went into labor so I just signed up for the c-section. My OB knew at the time that we were thinking of having three children and said that it would be fine. I do know that after two c-sections most doctors will not allow you to try for a VBAC. It gets too dangerous. I would suggest that you talk to your OB-GYN and get all the facts. They should be better able to explain the risks than any of us. Good luck!
Hi Sonja,
I have had 3 c-sections and have no problems. I am 41 now. I had my first as an emergency c-section because they tried to induce me and his heart rate didn't tolerate it, so emergency c-section at 3am. I was 37 at the time (2005) My next son was born 12 months 25 days after my first son via planned c-section at the age of 38. Again everything went good. My last son, born this past Jan via planned c-section and again everything went pretty good. I did have some complications with being numbed the whole way, but I think that is due to the doctor and not it being my 3rd c-section. I healed pretty quickly despite my age and 3rd c-section. I say if you want another child, don't let it being the 3rd c-section stop you.
I will be thinking and praying for you!
My sister-in-law (31) is pregnant with her 3rd right now, which will also be her 3rd C-section. Her doctor thought it was safe for her, but said this needs to be her last one. I think that since you healed quickly from the second one and if you feel healthy it would probably bo ok to have one more baby. I have no medical experience to back up my opinion - and I'm sure you will talk to your OB about it first - but thought I'd let you know other people out there are having 3 C-sections. Good luck!
Hey Sonja, I am about to have my second c-section and my doctor said it is completely safe to have up to 4 or 5 C-sections. If you wanted more than 5 kids, than it would be a bad idea. The only concern is that every time they do a c-section, you develop scar tissue and every woman is different so it also depends on how easily you recovered from each surgery. Hope that helps!
I had all three of my kids by C-section. The first one I couldn't go into labor naturally and I had pregnancy induced hypertension, the second one I had a scheduled C-section, and the third one I wanted to have a VBAC but my doctor told me that the reason for my first C-section (nonproductive labor) would most likely result in my having an emergency C-section if I attempted a VBAC. Plus I hemorrhaged with my first child after having him and it was a very real possibility that if I attempted a VBAC with number three the same thing would happen.
Needless to say, I have three very healthy babies (not so much babies anymore, they are all teenagers now) and had three successful C-sections. The one thing that I would caution about is that I ended up developing adenomyosis (sp) from all the scar tissue.
This is a condition where the uterine wall layers end up meshing together and causes heavy bleeding and severe cramping during my period. I ended up with a hysterectomy at the age of 31 because of it. I could have gone on birth control pills as a bandaid for a few years but I was a high risk category for strokes on them and plus I was done having kids. This isn't something that all women develop and the odds are slim. (I know a woman who had 5 C-sections and her uterus is just fine).
I don't see any reason that you shouldn't have another child, naturally or otherwise if you so choose.
Mother of 3 via 3 c-sections here. No one even questioned the safety of a third. (Although our third was a surprise :)) As a matter of fact my scenario sounds similar to yours: induced late first child,long labor, ending in c-section; vbac atempt with 2nd, ending in c-section; third scheduled c-section. And the recovery history sounds similar,too; it got easier.
My understanding is that they used to worry quite a bit about multiple c-sections. (Although my husband's aunt had 5! via c-section about 40 years ago.)
However, they will not allow you to even try a Vbac after 2 c-sections due to some pretty convincing research about the risks.
My advice is: barring any extenuating issues you did not mention here I see no reason not to go for it. Of course your OB/GYN should have the final advice.
In the end the 3 c-sections were easy compared with the raising of 3! (But it's a blast.)
I just had my third c-section. It was fine. I had some concerns because my last one was a c-section with twins and my uterus was so thin and beat up from it but when he did this one my doc said my uterus was in great shape. I am going for one more!
I have had three kids all via c-section. Everything went great all three times. After my third one my doctor did recommend not having anymore because of all of the scar tissue from the previous two. Each of my kids is two and a half years apart. We stopped after three (not because of what the doctor said, but because we were already going to be done with three before he even told me this). I say go for it! I did ask my OB how many c-sections had he done on any one individual and he said he had one patient that had 7 c-sections!!! So I think three would be no problem. I also have friends that have had four and had zero problems. I think it all just depends on your body and health. If you are healthy and your uterus is in good shape, then you shouldn't have any problems. :)
I have no personal expereince with this as I had a vaginal birth, however, my mother had 3 children via C-section (she never had a vaginal birth) and ther only long term issue she has had is that the scar tissue has made a lump on her abdomenal muscles and it took her a little long3er than normal to regain muscle tone because of this. She still has the lump (her youngest is 22 years old) but it is not visible nor does it bother her. She was very happy with her ex[ereince and considered having a 4th child (they decided not to because they couldn't afford to raise 4, not because of medical reasons). So that is her experience, for what it is worth.
My best friend just had her 4th c-section in May, a very healthy baby girl. She is sore but doing well. Based upon what happened with your sons, I would definately schedule the c-section. Good luck !
I think it's definately something to talk about with your ob/gyn. I haven't had a c-section so my experience has been different. It seems like the question is less about the safety of the kids since yours are both healthy and more about the health of your uterus! :)
Another option to consider is if having another genetic child would complete your family, or if an adopted child would complete your family the way you desire. There are lots of options and kinds of adoptions that you might want to consider.