https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:38:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1695337 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 11:15:25 +0000 LuLu Mom 1695337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a C-section for the first and will have repeats with my next child(ren.) I won't have more than 3, and even 3 scare me enough o have 2 children. However, my mom did have 3 successful with no issues. </p> <p>VBACs scare me, we had a close friend have a horrible experience putting both her and her baby at a 50/50 chance of survival for several days after the attempt (and ended up in a true emergency C-section (her completely knocked out no time for epidural) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1695265 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:45:53 +0000 Madison43 1695265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: not to thread jack, but I'd love a doctor to chime in on this. I am sure litigation and malpractice insurance play a part - my GYN doesn't deliver bc the insurance is too crazy - but I also wonder if standard of care (sadly) just varies depending on your location. I'm in a major metro area and my doctor and hospital push VBACs over repeat sections and I'm sure they have malpractice insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1695193 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:24:10 +0000 shortcake 1695193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The main reason some small hospitals won't do VBAC's are because they don't have an anesthesiologist on staff 24/7. If you need an emergency c-section, they won't be able to do it. I am sure risk of litigation is a factor in all medical policy, but I don't agree that it is a main reason for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694723 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:49:39 +0000 honeybear 1694723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I'm so sorry you're in this position. </p> <p>If you can find a chapter somewhat nearby, I'd encourage you to try the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). Most local groups have an online presence and they usually hold meetings. Some chapters are more active than others, but hopefully you can get plugged in to a group that will offer some constructive advice. The women in them often have knowledge of which doctors and midwives will do TOLAC/VBACs. Also, ICAN has a list of hospitals that have VBAC bans on their national website, but I'm not sure how recently it was updated. That might be a starting place to narrow your search (start with the hospital, then go to your insurance company's website and filter by specialty and privileges at the VBAC hospital). If there isn't a local ICAN chapter, I'd find local doulas to get a sense of your options regarding doctors and midwives. I think it's best to try to pin down a provider you're comfortable with before you get pregnant. </p> <p>ACOG (the professional association many OBs are members of) released evidence-based and fairly conservative VBAC guidelines in 2010. These are worth reading. They're short, they're not full of jargon, they point to the actual studies that were reviewed in developing the recommendations, and they can help you decipher whether a provider is really VBAC-friendly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694721 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:47:03 +0000 Dandelion 1694721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wonder if your doctor said it would be fine cause she didn't take your desire for a large family seriously. Maybe she figured you'd actually stop after 3 or something.</p> <p>I think you need a second opinion. I think 2 c sections is the most I'd do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694719 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:41:48 +0000 skipper2010 1694719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do have a friend of the family who has had 5 c-sections. That was over 20 years ago. Pregnancy sucks because there are so many risks no matter what you do. The important thing is to listen to your heart/body, and find a physician who you can trust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694705 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:17:49 +0000 Pumuckl 1694705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The most I have ever heard of is a colleague who has had 4 c-sections. She was strongly adviced to not have any more children after her last. </p> <p>Do you have family near a hospital that allows VBAC? Maybe your hospital would allow sub-sequent VBAC after a first successful one? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694696 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 06:01:17 +0000 blackbird 1694696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend of a friend (who wants 6 kids) was told that VBACs were best if she was a candidate for it, because her first was a c-section, and 6 c-sections were unsafe. </p> <p>But, i was told this at a bbq. Her second LO and my first aren't far apart in age. She's the only one I knew who'd ever had a VBAC and she said her desire for a large family was the reason her doctor was so for it. </p> <p>A second opinion NEVER hurts, especially when there is so much contradicting information out there. I would at least speak with a doctor more well versed in this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694627 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:24:35 +0000 Arden 1694627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I am so sorry you are in this situation. :( Honestly I'd go stay in the other town near your due date to get a VBAC. If you were just having one or two more children then repeat c-sections might be viable options, but if you want four or five? I would do anything to get a VBAC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694626 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:23:54 +0000 MamaBehr 1694626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I've had three c-sections and haven't been told I can't get pregnant again. I found this last csection to be the easiest to recover from. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694624 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:18:48 +0000 Arden 1694624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: It boggles my mind. I have NEVER heard an OB say "Oh yeah, five c-sections is fine."</p> <p>However, I will tell you why they don't allow VBACs, at least one major reason. Because of fear of litigation. If something were to go wrong, a doctor who performed a c-section can say that they did everything they could but the mother chose to have a fifth child and there was nothing they could do. If something were to go wrong during a VBAC, the question would be "but why didn't you do a c-section?!" The world of malpractice insurance sucks - often doctors can't even GET insurance if they perform VBACS, because of this legal issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694621 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:13:42 +0000 Skadi 1694621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Then whyyyyy does the hospital here not allow it, and why did my OB act like it was no big deal?! :shocked: (I don't expect anyone to be able to answer that. It's just frustrating.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694620 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:11:56 +0000 Arden 1694620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: Both are around the same risk (close enough anyway) for a woman who has had ONE c-section. Meaning, the risks of a VBAC vs a second c-section. </p> <p>But the risk of a fourth or fifth c-section? Very, very high. Way higher than a VBAC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694619 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:10:11 +0000 Arden 1694619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: Uterine rupture during labor, for a woman like you who has had one c-section, happens in less than 2 per 1000 women (slightly higher if labor was induced. If you include ALL vbacs no matter what drugs were used or how many previous c-sections the mother has had, the odds are 4.2 in every 1,000). The odds are quite low. </p> <p>The risks of several repeat c-sections are astronomically higher than those of a VBAC (you can read the actual numbers in the studies I linked). Unfortunately both options come with risks, but the risk in VBAC is quite a lot lower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694617 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:06:09 +0000 Skadi 1694617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden Thanks for digging up all those links--it's late but I will read them tomorrow!</p> <p>It sounds like if you have a VBAC, they're concerned about uterine rupture during labor...and with repeated CS, the placenta growing into the uterine wall. From the little bit I've read online in the past few minutes, both are around the same risk, percentage wise? Correct me if I'm wrong. It seems like you're taking risks either way. </p> <p>The hospital doesn't do VBACs because of the uterine rupture risk, and the closest one that does is about 1.5 hours away. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694556 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:17:50 +0000 shellio 1694556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: Wow - there are a lot of risks associated with having that many c sections. I know several people who have had 3 and said the recovery gets easier every time. I have now had 2 and the second recovery was harder. I am a physician and did tons of research before having an elective section for my second. I'm hoping to try a VBAC for my 3rd. </p> <p>Uterine rupture is certainly a concern but the risk is highest during labor and if you have elective c sections prior to going into labor that isn't really the biggest risk. </p> <p>A major risk with having multiple incisions into your uterus is that the placenta could grow into your uterine wall and beyond - this risk increases with each c section and is very high after 3-4. It can grow into your bladder, intestines or blood vessels. </p> <p>I know you said that delivering at an alternate hospital isn't really an option - but I would encourage you to give it another thought. While it isn't the most convenient thing in the world, if you could deliver further from home for your next baby and give your body a chance to deliver vaginally, that would allow you to attempt VBACs for each subsequent pregnancy closer to home - a safer option for you if you're planning on 5-6 little ones. </p> <p>There are lots of people who have strong opinions about VBAC vs elective repeat c section. I don't - but I feel like you haven't been given appropriate information from your OB and hope you consider a second opinion. I hope you can safely have the big family you're dreaming of, whatever you decide! I love big families :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694553 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:13:13 +0000 Arden 1694553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely get a second opinion from another OB, and maybe consider looking into other options for a VBAC if you have your heart set on that many children. </p> <p>I really hope you (safely) get the many children of your dreams! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694548 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:10:22 +0000 Arden 1694548@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just from a quick read through a few studies, I've found that women who have MRCS (multiple repeat cesarean sections) are five times more likely to have preterm delivery.</p> <p> In the first study I listed below, 18% had either placenta praevia or accreta. Within this sub-group there was a further increase in maternal complications including major obstetric and postpartum haemorrhage, which resulted in 50% of the women requiring a hysterectomy and two thirds needing critical care after delivery.</p> <p>It appears to be really risky. :(</p> <p>Here are some studies and articles you might find helpful.</p> <p><a href="http://www.bjog.org/details/news/2865141/BJOG_release_Higher_risk_of_maternal_complications_and_preterm_deliveries_for_wo.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bjog.org/details/news/2865141/BJOG_release_Higher_risk_of_maternal_complications_and_preterm_deliveries_for_wo.html</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/11/caesarean.section.risks/index.html?iref=mpstoryview" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/11/caesarean.section.risks/index.html?iref=mpstoryview</a></p> <p><a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/11/01/multiple-c-sections-linked-to-raised-complication-risks-study" rel="nofollow">http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/11/01/multiple-c-sections-linked-to-raised-complication-risks-study</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20060607/more-c-sections-more-complications" rel="nofollow">http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20060607/more-c-sections-more-complications</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.obgmanagement.com/home/article/repeat-cesarean-again-and-again-and-again/79e78ef6b2c736556e2343c317b0a9a2.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.obgmanagement.com/home/article/repeat-cesarean-again-and-again-and-again/79e78ef6b2c736556e2343c317b0a9a2.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694546 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:10:09 +0000 rrachael 1694546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: my midwife also said wait 18 months but seemed to be very optimistic about vbacs.<br /> Everything I've read warns against more than three csections... Though I know it can be done. Celebrity wise - Victoria beckham had four just fine while tori spelling had her uterus rupture during her fourth pregnancy. Not that that helps at all other than they both documented their pregnancies publicly so it's thorough anecdotes of both ways it could go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694542 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:04:43 +0000 Madison43 1694542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe get a second opinion? I had an emergency c with my LO and have already told my OB I do not want to try for a VBAC with my next LO. While he would prefer I try a VBAC and I am sure will try to persuade me when the time comes, he's willing to do an elective c section without much fuss so long as I'm not planning on having more than 2 children. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694541 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:04:22 +0000 Arden 1694541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The risk goes up with each c-section. 5 or 6 c-sections has a VERY high risk factor. :( I'm really shocked that your doctor would tell you that, pretty much every single study I've seen suggests the opposite. </p> <p>This is from the Mayo clinic:<br /> "...most women can safely have up to three cesarean deliveries. Each repeat C-section is generally more complicated than the last...<br /> Repeat C-sections appeal to many women. Beyond three C-sections, however, the surgical risks must be weighed carefully against the desire for subsequent pregnancies..."</p> <p>I'll go get some more info for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694540 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:03:36 +0000 autumnlove 1694540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB hasn't given me a number but I only want one more. My friend had 3 uncomplicated c sections! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694539 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:02:43 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1694539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: my OB gave me similar information. I'll probably have an RCS, but they did advise me I won't be a VBAC candidate if we ever had a third. They wanted me to wait 18 months between pregnancies, but did give me the okay to TTC at 14 months. We waited longer, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694535 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:00:12 +0000 Grace 1694535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow. That is almost opposite of what my OB told me. She said that if we wanted more than 1 or maybe 2 more kids (total of three), that I should try for VBAC. That risk of uterine rupture, scar tissue forming and other complications increases with each surgery. She also said that she wanted there to be at least 2 years between births. If you are concerned, then you should get a second opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/repeat-c-sections#post-1694494 Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:34:50 +0000 Skadi 1694494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our DD's heart rate had "low variability," so at 40 weeks, they induced me. I had the maximum dose of pitocin, then cervadil, then they broke my water, then pitocin again...but after two exhausting days of labor, I never dilated past 5 cm and they had to do an emergency c-section.</p> <p>Our tri-county hospital system doesn't allow VBACs if you've had a section without previously having ever given birth vaginally. We live in a remote area, so driving to the nearest hospital that allows VBACs just isn't feasible. Assuming that policy doesn't change, that means I'll have to have c-sections with subsequent pregnancies. I've talked to my OB about it, and she says that I shouldn't worry too much about it. Although the risk of uterine rupture does increase with each pregnancy, the overall risk is still small and I would be monitored for any problems.</p> <p>We always wanted a large family--five or six kids--and my OB says she feels comfortable with me having five or six c-sections, so long as I wait at least a year between pregnancies. I've never even heard of anyone having that many, though. Have any of you had 3+ c-sections? Or have you known anyone who did? Did the recovery get worse each time? Any complications?</p> <p>I really hope we can still have a large family like we've always dreamed. </p>