4 or more sections close together.

[Gemx4]

Hiya I'm new here and wanted some advice/stories from other mums who have had sections close together. I have had 4 in 7 years near enough. My oldest is 7 this month then I have a just turned 5 year old and a 2 and 9 month old whos birthdays are in March. I would love to have more and soon as don't want a big age gap between them all especially the eldest and youngest. Has anyone else had this many sections and so close together? Should I have more or am I putting myself at risk and being selfish to my little ones? Any advice and support would be appreciated!

 

[nicola ttc]

I have had 4 sections, all emergency in the last 5 years. I am 18 weeks pregnant now and classed as high risk because of my history. Because of the risk of rupture with c/s so close together (it will be 1 year between sections) they will schedule a c/s for around 37 weeks to try to prevent contractions starting. I was told i was higher risk than most but that risk of rupture is still really low iykwim?
Hope that helps and good luck.

 

[Gemx4]

Thank you that is a great help. I was put in high risk the last couple of times anyway so I imagine I will be this time!! Do you think you'll have anymore after this one? I hate that it feels like we have a limit on us after having sections, I've always wanted a big family and love having babies so much. Might be a bit of an addiction actually!!

 

[nicola ttc]

i love every part of it! The peeing on sticks (opk and hpt), the being pregnant - even the 'bad' bits like ms lol, the giving birth, the having children....all of it
I already have 2 girls (natural births) from my previous marriage, then had 4 c/s with my oh. The last 2 haven't haven't worked out so well - we lost Edward from sudden infant death then Emily was born at 25 weeks and we lost her at 2 days so really just want 1 more baby we get to keep. (none of it because of previous sections in case you were worried) We'll stop after this one though. Haven't got room for any more! Maybe if we move though.....
I love big families too. Some people just don't get it, do they? None of my friends have more than 1 or 2. Nice to know it's not just me! My oldest is 14 though so bit of a gap between her and this one!

 

[ITS2012]

i love every part of it! The peeing on sticks (opk and hpt), the being pregnant - even the 'bad' bits like ms lol, the giving birth, the having children....all of it
I already have 2 girls (natural births) from my previous marriage, then had 4 c/s with my oh. The last 2 haven't haven't worked out so well - we lost Edward from sudden infant death then Emily was born at 25 weeks and we lost her at 2 days so really just want 1 more baby we get to keep. (none of it because of previous sections in case you were worried) We'll stop after this one though. Haven't got room for any more! Maybe if we move though.....
I love big families too. Some people just don't get it, do they? None of my friends have more than 1 or 2. Nice to know it's not just me! My oldest is 14 though so bit of a gap between her and this one!

Hi there, I am due baby six in May, will also be my sixth section. Oldest is 16, youngest is almost 28 months. I read your stories, so heartbreaking. You are a very brave lady. I have no idea how you can handle being pregnant when things turned out how they did for you. I can't imagine or don't want to imagine how you feel, it is so tragic. May your little angels RIP.

Also just curious to how long they suggested you wait before trying again as you said your womb had started to rupture? Surely that was a factor in the early deliveries? Sorry, I am not being ignorant, just curious and obviously I am high risk having had so many sections, and rupture is something I find myself worrying about. I like you have no friends with more than 1 or 2 children and when I tell people I am expecting baby number six, they have to lift their chin off the florr. The look on their faces is hilirous to say the least, then they are so shocked that they can't even say anything. Did have an asian lady as me WHY? I mean for god sake, why, I replied, why not? We both work our butts off to provide for our children, so if we want a large family, why not? I don't rely on anyone for help, we do it all ourselves. Anyway, consultant asked me to think about when my family will be complete and asked if I would like my tubes done this time. I was thinking I would for sure but the failure rate of 1 in 200 is now putting me off. It increases your risk of ectopic pregnancy too so now not so sure.

Hope your pregnancy has a much happier ending this time round. Thinking of you and your litttle angels. xx

 

[nicola ttc]

I was told by the consultant we went back to see that it was better to wait a full year but that he'd have no problem with me ttc from 3 months as i'm 35 and he knew i felt like i needed to. The surgeon who did the surgery said there was a 'window' where the uterus is thinning but this would be most of an issue with strong contractions. I was contracting at 25 weeks last time because of the placenta accreta/previa bleeding irritating the uterus. They will schedule a section for 37 weeks this time and if i start contracting before, will be admitted, given constant monitoring and an emcs if neccesary. I am not to lift anything heavy (tricky with a clingy 3yr old) as it puts pressure on the muscles supporting the uterus.
The risk for me rupturing is higher than anyone on eg their first delivery but the risk is still only around 0.5% as a 'high risk' so 1 in 200. It's a worry but i dont think concerning enough to not try once more.
I don't want my tubes tied. I don't want to have any more babies but don't like the idea of knowing i can't iykwim?!
Hope all goes well for you. When will your section be?

Edit: the early deliveries were because of different reasons
Elliot- partial placental abruption at 35 weeks
Alex- prem rupture of membranes and fetal distress at 34 weeks
Edward - contracting at 32 weeks (with 2 previous c/s and scar pain)
Emily-placenta previa/accreta bleeding and contractions at 25 weeks
None of the problems were the same which is why consultant said he couldn't 'predict' if/what problems i would have this time til they happened so just got everything crossed it's all ok!!

 

[ITS2012]

I know how you feel with a clingy 3 year old. My youngest is nearly 28 months and he won't leave me alone. Drives me mad sometimes as I only have to literally move from his side before he starts moaning. It also doesn't help that he is still breastfed but trying to wean him off, need a little break before I have to start again.

My section will be scheduled for 39 weeks again so around the 14th of May. I can feel that the muscles surrounding the womb are weak as already starting to feel those niggling feeling you get when trying to lift anything. My consultant is not someone I get on with. I feel like he thinks I am stupid for even being in the situation again so I usually ask to see someone else but they need advise from him so usually get his opinion even if not directly.

I was like you with my 5th section, I was not getting my tubes tied no matter what, I was 32 at the time, no where near ready to have the option taken away from me. Now 35 also I thought and still do think this will be the last baby we will have I don't think I want anymore as with age also comes complications and higher risks of abnormalities. But I don't want to risk an eptopic either as having your tubes done doesn't rule out the risk of pregnancy. Think I was withdraw my consent as I wouldn't want to be in that situation. Knowing how easily I fall pregnant I would be that 1 in 200.

I understand the risk of rupture is low, I was told the front wall of my womb is thin, never mentioned any windows though. I only ever experienced labour once so unless I go early I doubt my womb will be under too much pressure. So one less thing to try not to worry about. They did say I was higher risk of low placenta and risk of accreta is higher about 70% with 4 or more section. Had 20 week scan Monday, placenta anterior and high which I am pleased about. My bladder was damaged during 5th section, it is attached to my womb so there is a risk it could be damaged again. All of these factors are out of my control. But hopefully all will be well.

How far pregnant are you? I think you are very brave, much braver than I. I hope everything works out for you. xx

 

[nicola ttc]

I don't feel brave, but thanks. Just feel like i have to do it.
I'm due 4th June but they will schedule a section for 37/38 weeks so between May 14th/21st!!
Have my scan on 22nd Jan - at 12 weeks they said placenta was nowhere near the scar tissue this time and not low so looking good!
Hope everything goes well for you too. Where in the uk are you?

 

[ITS2012]

Thanks Nicola. Sorry, I feel awful for saying brave but I mean it in the nicest way. I can understand you feel the need to do it. It is hard to get acros what I am trying to say but I hope you understand what I mean. And hopefully you will have a much more positive ending this time. It must be difficult for your other children too bless them. I am in Harrow, not too far from Wembley.

I am due 21st May, section will be planned for 39 weeks so around the 14th. So we should be having our little ones in the same week

At my 20 week scan baby was head down, scan difficult to perform. They tried to get baby to move but he/she just curled up even more. Already showing signs of being stubborn.

We like to find out at birth if it is a boy or girl, one of the very few surprises left in life these days. We have 4 boys and 1 girl. My daughter is my 2nd and will be 10 just before baby is born. I would love for her to have a sister. Though she is not that bothered now as she is so used to having the boys around her. I remember we waited until they came to visit me after baby 5 was born before saying if it was a boy or girl ao I told them to open the nappy and check for themselves.....she responded with - oh no, not another boy! She loves him to pieces. He is always hugging and kissing her. Think she is now his favorite sibling. Not sure how long it will last as she can be very moody at times.

Hope your scan goes well and your little one manages to hold on until term this time.

Take care xx

 

[Gemx4]

It's good to hear from other mums that have had more sections! I always think I would like an even number (iykwim, sounds horrible when writing it!!) so if I did have another I would probably want a sixth so great to hear from someone on a sixth pregnancy ending in a section birth!
I have 3 sons and 1 daughter and she would love a sister, her face absolutely fell at my scan with my fourth when they said it was another boy but she was only 3 bless her and got over it quick. Now they are each others favourite people in the world, she is a little mother hen!
I read your stories as well and had a cry. Just can't imagine going through that and completely agree you are a very brave and strong lady x

 

[Gemx4]

So a bit of news we have decided to start trying in March! I am so excited right now

 

[nicola ttc]

Ahh thats great news! Will be looking out for your post saying you're pregnant from April onwards then!!
Good luck and lots of baby dust to you.

 

[Gemx4]

Thank you!!

 

[ITS2012]

It's good to hear from other mums that have had more sections! I always think I would like an even number (iykwim, sounds horrible when writing it!!) so if I did have another I would probably want a sixth so great to hear from someone on a sixth pregnancy ending in a section birth!
I have 3 sons and 1 daughter and she would love a sister, her face absolutely fell at my scan with my fourth when they said it was another boy but she was only 3 bless her and got over it quick. Now they are each others favourite people in the world, she is a little mother hen!
I read your stories as well and had a cry. Just can't imagine going through that and completely agree you are a very brave and strong lady x

My daughter was the same with my 4th, she was 5 and a half. She was like, you couldn't even get a girl. With my fifth she wasn't as bad. I think she liked the idea of having this little person to help with. A properly little mother hen. She was the only one who wanted to know the baby' sex at my scan last week, but we didn't find out. She will be 10 when baby is born and is already starting to get really excited about it. And I know she will be a great help. I think I am having a girl this time. I have been right with my guess for my other five so hopefully she will get the sister she wanted. She is old even to understand that it doesn't really matter as long as baby is alive and well.

Good luck trying to conceive, if you are anything like me it will happen in no time whatsoever. Take care xx