Having a third C-Section?

Question

I have had 2 c-sections. I want to have a third baby in the next year or two, but am worried about having a third c-section. Just wanted to hear from other women that may have been in my position and how it all went.

Answer 1

This information can help as you think about having a trial of labour and vaginal delivery after having had a caesarean delivery. Consider the following when making your decision:

Even if you are a good candidate for VBAC(vaginal birth after cesarean) and you have a trial of labour, it is still possible that you will need a caesarean. About 60% to 80% of women deliver vaginally after a VBAC trial of labour.

If the problem that led to a previous caesarean (such as breech position) doesn't repeat itself in this pregnancy, you are about as likely to have a successful vaginal delivery as women who have not had a previous caesarean.

During VBAC, there is a remote risk of a caesarean scar on the uterus tearing open. This is called uterine rupture. This risk increases with each additional scar and with the use of medicine to start (induce) labour.

If you are planning to have more pregnancies, consider that with each additional scar on the uterus, there are more risks in the next pregnancy. Placenta problems are more likely to happen. It's best to try a trial of labour and avoid more scarring if you can.

So it really depends on the reason behind your c sections..can your body not deliver naturally or were the babies breech? It's a decision you and your doctor will have to make..I don't have any experience I just wanted to give you some info of the topic..

Answer 2

I have had 2 c-sections, but due to medical risks I had my tubes tied, so I don't know for sure about the 3rd c-section, but I do know that it is riskier due to scarring on your uterus. For women who have had two or more Caesarean deliveries, it is possible for a significant amount of scar tissue to develop in and around the uterus. Scar tissue development increases the risk of the mother developing chronic pelvic pain. In addition, it makes each successive C-section increasingly more complicated. For example, the risk of placenta previa (where the placenta covers the cervix), placenta accreta (the placenta grows too deeply into the uterus and adheres too tightly) and placenta abruptio increases with the number of Caesareans a woman has.

Answer 3

Each c-section increases your chance of risks.  Your risk of placenta accreta increases - for a second c-section your risk is .31 while for a fourth c-section the risk increases to 2.13, and increases to 6.74 for a sixth c-section.

I would talk to your dr about the increased risks, and research vbac as a potential option.

Answer 4

Well my mother had three c sections....I don't think there will be a problem.  Just have someone on hand to help the first week or so.

Answer 5

I had my 3rd and last c-section 2 weeks ago today, also had a tubal done at the same time as my family is complete.

Everything went great, I was booked in for the friday but my lil man decided he couldn't wait that long, my waters broke at 1am on the wednesday. Headed to hospital as the weather was foul and roads were flooding. It took til nearly 3pm for the theater to clear enough for my turn, but apart from the long wait while I was starving and getting grumpy, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The whole op took around 30 mins.

Recovery was really easy thanks to a fantastic anesthetist, the spinal started wearing off about 20 mins after the op and 3 hrs later I was fit enough to get up and have a shower. By the time my family came in to visit I was sitting in a chair showered and changed.

If I could change anything it would be to get the d**n catheter out quicker, they insisted on me having it in for almost 24 hrs and I kept forgetting about it and crashing the bag/stand every time I got up. I had it draped over my arm like a hand bag when it was coffee time (not very flattering). As soon as it was out and I gave a urine sample to the ward sister I got released to go home, yay! So 24 hrs after the op I got to take my gorgeous lil bundle home with me.

I have gradually been doing a little more each day, and started driving again (short journeys) yesterday. The swelling has almost gone, although I do still have a fairly big tummy because of all the pregnancy weight I put on this time (4/5 stone).

It is worth noting I have a fairly big gap between my children,  eldest is nearly 12 and my youngest daughter is almost 4, they have been a great help in looking after their little brother....plus he is a little angel who just sleeps all the time. Not sure I would have coped so well with a toddler plus a new baby.

Answer 6

my wife will have number 4 in november and everything is alright they will tell you if they think should have anymore or not.The first 3 were all 3 years apart except this one is 1 and half for the last one..But everything went fine.

Answer 7

Well I have not had any c sections.

BUT my mom had 3 c-sections.

And after me ( I was an emergency c section)

She elected to have the other two. She says she prefers them because she knows what to expect.

She is fine lol and everything went smoothly, she said by the third one she had it down and was out driving the same day..just holding a pillow to her tummy.