Told I can only have one more child (3rd section)

[ClaireJ23]

I have had two emergency sections in Feb 13 and March 14 due to failure to progress in both cases.

I was advised I should wait a year before TTC go for an elective section and expect that to be my last child.

We were planning on a third with a gap of at least a year anyway. However, is it true that I shouldn't try for a fourth. We weren't planning to but it upset me to be told that I wouldn't be able to.

 

[mummy2o]

Is there any reason why they would only let you have one more? The lady on bed opposite me had 5 children and 4 were sections. So maybe ask why as it use to be you could only have 3 sections and I know some won't allow you to have a VBAC after 2 sections so that might be why, but people still have more :/

 

[tristansmum]

Well obviously if you were to go for baby number 4 or 5 they can't actually stop you. You would get an elective c section. However I believe each c section is more complex and risky than the previous. They go in through the old scar and cutting through old scar tissue is more difficult. That's an area of weakness so in each pregnancy there is a small risk of rupture during pregnancy itself.
Also the placenta can adhere to the old scar and this risk increases with multiple sections. It's rare but can lead to haemorrhage and hysterectomy.
So I think doctors will not advise you to have more babies because of these risks. However it's like anything in life you weigh up the risks and if you want another you won't be the first woman to have a 4th c sectiom. X

 

[ClaireJ23]

Thank you. That explains a lot. I would have to weigh up the risks and consequences if we were to consider having a fourth then.

 

[tristansmum]

Thank you. That explains a lot. I would have to weigh up the risks and consequences if we were to consider having a fourth then.

At the end of the Day every pregnancy has its risks. We know that having had emcs first time round! I had vbac second time and had to weigh up the risks of each opinion. No different if you did want a fourth baby at some point. Good luck with this baby x

 

[3Minions]

DH and I have always wanted a large family. After my second c-section I started to get worried and my OB told me that he had one patient who was going to have her 9th!!! c-section and there was no reason we couldn't have a lot of kids. #3 was a vba2c for me, but I like telling people what my doctor said. Unless there's something physically wrong with you, I don't know why you couldn't have more kids.... Before my vba2c my doctor sent me for an ultrasound to measure the thickness of the scar on my uterus because that's a big indicator of whether or not you're at high risk for uterine rupture. There's a bunch of studies online about that if you're interested, but an ultrasound of that sort should be an option for you....

 

[ClaireJ23]

Thank you. So they measure the thickness of the scar at the end of your pregnancy?

 

[sheldonsmommy]

My surgeon told me he's done 8 sections on one lady!

If you decide to have another, weight the risk and decide if it's right for you. In the end it is your decision

 

[moomin_troll]

I know a woman, my doula who had 3 sections, told she shouldn't have a 4th and she wouldn't be able to have a natural birth. She had a natural birth with her 4th
I have heard that more than 3 c sections is very risky, but plenty of people have had 4, famously victory beckham.

I would probably make an appointment with another doctor or mw to try and get some extra info as to why you have been told this and go from there. Like you say, way up the pros and cons

 

[3Minions]

I think my u/s was at about 36w since the thickness will vary based on how stretched out your uterus is. The research says your chances of rupture for anything over 3.5mm is greatly reduced. Mine was 7.5mm or 8mm or something.

 

[LittleMinx]

I'm having my 4th (and final) c-section in July. I was concerned about it but both my MW and consultant are totally unphased by it. They have said 4 is more common now and its nothing to worry about.

A friend of mine was told not to have anymore after her 3rd c-section! I think her scar plus other factors meant she would be very high risk if she got pregnant again x

 

[ClaireJ23]

Thank you, I was told this also during the operation so I imagine the scar tissue is bad, they didn't say for sure though. They didn't say don't have another, just wait a year at least and just as well we didn't want more than three.

 

[JessPape]

Keep in mind each doctor, has a different opinion....

But general each csection does get harder due to scar tissue, and may weaken ur uterus thrus being more likely for a uterus rupture. But at the end of the day its your choice, don't feel pressured to get tubes tide or anything

 

[JessPape]

I think my u/s was at about 36w since the thickness will vary based on how stretched out your uterus is. The research says your chances of rupture for anything over 3.5mm is greatly reduced. Mine was 7.5mm or 8mm or something.

This research isn't even back by good studies and cant really even been used by doctors (though many do), the reason for it is because when your in labor ur uterus actually thins even more.

And lots of people rupture with thick uterus and thinner.. The studies aren't "good" because most women don't get scans for this, because ultrasounds cant even give an accurate number.

 

[3Minions]

This research isn't even back by good studies and cant really even been used by doctors (though many do), the reason for it is because when your in labor ur uterus actually thins even more.
.

There are numerous GOOD studies on the subject. A number of them are cited at the bottom of this article. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/uog.10077/full I agree that people who have never had c-sections have uterine ruptures. People who have had c-sections have ruptures.... Measuring scar thickness isn't an exact science, but it can certainly be a good indicator of whether you're a good candidate for a vbac or not.

 

[BabyMaybe917]

Also take into consideration if you had a classical or transverse incision.

I had a classical incision and won't be allowed to go past 36 weeks and I have to have a csection because of the risk of uterine rupture if I contract.