I had 3 c-section all with in a 4 year period. i have had no lasting sideeffects accept that part of my belly is still numb right above the scare tissue. I had minor complications between my second and third c-section due to scare tissue attaching my uterus to my abdominal wall. but they just monitered me through my last pregnancy and all was fine.
It is fine to have more than 2 c-sections. The issues are scar tissue (which makes it harder for the surgeon and longer to do the section) and sometimes there is a "window" that forms from the previous section. Either may or may not cause a problem and there is really no way to know. You could ask your doctor (if it is the one who did the previous surgery) how much scar tissue was there. Some people form a lot and others don't. It's pretty individual. Also, even women who have never had a section can have thinning or a "window" - it is scary when we see that because we always think what could have happened but it is fairly rare for it to rupture. That is the reason that VBACS are highly discouraged now-a-days (I think you'd be hard pressed to find a provider that would consent to one around Seattle anyhow). So, if you go into labor prior to your sceduled section date, they would most likely just take you to surgery to avoid too many contractions in a uterus that may be compromised.
I myself have had 4 sections - and actally each one was easier to heal from from the previous one. Maybe I was just too busy with my kids to notice though.
Cheryl
It really depends on your personal health. My sister had 4 c-sections, all healthy babies. She had more complications though, the last two times.
You will probably be considered higher risk and an increasing number of previous c-sections does increase the risk for you and your baby for both complications during pregnancy (miscarriage and still birth rates) and birth (repeat C/S).
Talk to your doctor...
I'm surprised that only one person has mentioned VBAC as an option. I have heard many stories of successful VBACs after 2 or more C-sections. It sounds like both of your C-sections and the problems they caused were quite possibly the result of unnecessary interventions, and that you might have fared better without these interventions. I would suggest contacting as many midwives as you can and asking them about the possibility of VBAC.
Sonja,
I have three children 1 girl and 2 boys and all three of them were c-sections. My daughter was first and I was in labor for 3 days when they found out my tail bone never moved and when it came time to push her shoulder was stuck on my tail bone. So I had a emergency c-section with her. She is a happy little 8 yr. old now. When I went back and had my first son my dr. told me it would be best to have c-section and not take the chance of it happening again. My healing was a little better. With my final child I was up and walking and back to work and he was only 2 1/2 weeks. I think you will be just fine having the third child with a c-section. Good luck in making your family bigger.
Hi Sonja-
I've had three c-sections, due to complications with my first delivery, and as far as the operations and healing after wards, everything went fine. My babies did fine, too. My OB-GYN said three c-sections would be fine, and the risks start to go up with the fourth, but I'd talk to your doctor about it if you have any concerns. My main advice would be not to chance a VBAC having two c-sections already in your history. Each time you undergo surgery it weakens your uterus, and labor puts a lot of strain on your body, so I wouldn't chance that if I were you.
As far as your last c-section, it sounds like your doctor made the right move getting your son out quickly. During my first delivery my daughter's heart rate was dropping like that, and I feel that if it wasn't for modern medicine I would've lost her for sure! Thank goodness that so much more is known about our bodies then in the past when so many babies and mommies didn't make it through delivery!
Anyway, adding a third is something to think about. We added our third in November and it's been awesome! -Jennifer
Hi Sonja, Have you asked your doctor for his advice? I would think it would depend on the condition of your uterus. My daughter has had 4 c-sections, but with the 4th one she had to have a hysterectomy because the uterus was just worn out and kind of like tissue paper. The babies were all safe however and my daughter recovered quickly!
We had 2 children, both by C-section (emergency and planned). First one was horrible healing, very lengthy with a lot of exhaustion. Second one was easy. THEN baby #3 showed up! Also a C-section. I cried and cried about this. I wanted him, but I didn't want the C-section, I wanted to experience a normal delivery. I was very hormonal the morning of surgery and sobbing in the hospital room. Then they wheeled me into the OR, the crying stopped, I was fine. It was amazingly easy recovery too! I was happy, healthy, and healed so fast.
I know that my doc was concerned about me possibly having a 4th child due to thin uterus, adhesions, etc. They tried to talk me into getting my tubes tied, but I couldn't do that. I also found out she is a bit "c-section happy" and while I love her, I was upset in retrospect that I was whipped in for all those Cs. She doesn't like to do them past 3 children for safety reasons, possible rupture of the uterus, etc. She did tell me she had a patient who had undergone 8 c-sections, though...so you can never say never!
I wouldn't worry about a 3rd c-section being dangerous. Every pregnancy carries some degree of risk, and every delivery too...but the 3rd one is going to be fine for you!
As an aside - I also wanted #3 because I did not feel like my family was complete. My husband was ok with or without a third one. I do now feel that my family is complete, but if #4 showed up, we would also be delighted! Never say never :)
Hello Sonja!
I started to respond because I have had 2 C-sections (one for twins and then a single) and also a prior surgery which was essentially the same thing (to remove fibroids). Any abdominal surgery has some risk involved. In my experience, they contributed to a weakened abdominal muscular wall and some nerve damage (not a big deal really but my stomach no longer appears the way it used to). In terms of your experience, it almost sounds like the c-section came just at the right time for your second child. Did your doctor give you any indication about why your son was having problems? It sounds like going into labor was the problem for both and that if you do plan to have any more kids, you might want to just plan on another c-section going into it. Hope this was a bit helpful!
Hi Sonja!
I actually just had this conversation with my provider this week. I am faced with the decision of another section as well or a VBAC. She had explained that if I was only thinking of having one more child... then a section wouldn't be a problem. If you are planning of have more then just one more, she says the pregnancies gets tougher because of the weakened stomach muscles from surgery. It sounds to me like you are planning to have just one more & be done, so I honestly feel you will do great during your 3rd pregnancy & section & yes, a 3rd section is safe. :) Hope that helped!
Hi and how are you well I hope that u find this helpful I had an emergency c-section in 2000 then a vbac in 2001 and then an elective c-section in 2005 and all the births went well I just recently gave birth again via c-section on 4/15/2011 and this time I was told that I had many adhesions and lots of scar tissue an needless to say an adhesin was wrapped around my bladder and it was accidently cut during my surgery, I was on percocets and went home with a catheter that was attached to a small leg bag so that I can still go places and it not be noticed i wore it 7days then returned to the drs and got my staples removed along with getting my bladder filled with water via cather and it was removed for mr to urine on my own and I couldnt so i was re-catheterized for 7 more days and the same thing but this time I was able to go urine on my own, thats the down side but as for as my recovery me and baby are doing well he turned 1 month old today although I was told that I could have 1 more c-section and thats it. I really hope this was a great help to you and by the way I got the c-section at Shands Jacksonville,Florida they did all of them.