Ideally, your doctor will cut through the same scar so that you don't have multiple scars on your abdomen and uterus. Sometimes scar tissue can be difficult to cut through but your doctor should be able to cut through it.
The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line. A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it's usually only done if it's the safest option for you and your baby.
Possible Risks and Complications for Subsequent C-Sections
Uterine rupture. Heavy bleeding that leads to blood transfusion. Injury to the bladder or bowel. Hysterectomy at the time of delivery (The risk rises to more than 1% chance after a person's third C-section, and it soars to nearly 9% after the sixth surgery)
It's important to know that a C-section isn't just one incision or cut, but rather two. The surgeon will make an abdominal incision, and then a uterine incision to remove the baby. Both incisions are about 4 to 6 inches—just big enough for your baby's head and body to fit through.
Each repeat C-section is generally more complicated than the last. However, research hasn't established the exact number of repeat C-sections considered safe. Women who have multiple repeat cesarean deliveries are at increased risk of: Problems with the placenta.
"Waiting until 39 weeks increases maternal risk," said Laura Hart, MD, a fellow in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. "The optimal time of delivery is 38 weeks for women with 2 previous cesarean deliveries and 37 weeks for those with 3 or more."
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of complications becomes. If you've had a caesarean in the past, it's still possible to give birth to your baby vaginally.
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.
A vertical incision on the uterus causes less bleeding and better access to the fetus, but renders the mother unable to attempt a vaginal delivery (must have another repeat C-section) in the future.
What is a 'gentle C-section'? A “gentle C-section” brings elements of a vaginal delivery into the operating room – such as letting the mother watch the birth and hold her newborn right away. A C-section is major surgery. We can't forget that. But we may be able to take a more patient-centered approach.
Slow recovery ability: Due to having had 2 previous births by cesarean section, in this 3rd time, the mother's body is much weaker, the ability to recover is slow, and her ability to endure a lot of pain is also worse.
The average hospital stay after a C-section is 2 to 4 days, and keep in mind recovery often takes longer than it would from a vaginal birth. Walking after the C-section is important to speed recovery and pain medication may be supplied too as recovery takes place.
In rare cases, your C-section incision might open (or reopen). In medical terms, this is called C-section dehiscence.
Background: Trial of vaginal birth after Caesarean (VBAC) is considered acceptable after one caesarean section (CS), however, women wishing to have trial after two CS are generally not allowed or counselled appropriately of efficacy and complications.
General anesthesia is most often used when a C-section is urgent and there isn't time for an epidural or a spinal block. We place a breathing tube through your mouth, down your throat, and into your lungs to help you breathe during the procedure. You'll be asleep during the C-section.
The seven layers are the skin, fat, rectus sheath (medical term for the coating outside the abs), the rectus (abs, which are split along the grain somewhat more than cut), the parietal peritoneum (first layer surrounding the organs), the loose peritoneum and then the uterus, which is a very thick muscular layer.
What happens if I go into labour first? About 1 in 10 women whose planned caesareans are scheduled for 39 weeks will go into labour first. That means their waters break or their contractions start. If this happens, you will have an emergency rather than a planned caesarean.
Uterine incisions used during C-sections
A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. After the abdominal incision, the health care provider will make an incision in the uterus. Low transverse incisions are the most common (top left). A C-section can be done in various ways.
When performing a C-section, the obstetric surgeon must cut the skin above the bladder. The surgeon must also remember that the anatomy may be somewhat distorted, particularly if a patient is fully dilated. If the obstetrician does not make their incision high enough, the cut will go through the bladder.
Based on the findings, the authors recommend an optimal range for cesarean incision length to be between 12 and 17 centimeters (about 4.5 - 6.5 inches), and advise that neither shorter nor longer incisions be performed when possible.
Best Postpartum Belly Band for C-section Recovery
(Just remember not to wear it until at least 2 weeks after your C-section, and with your doctor's sign off.)
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take and the higher your risk of serious complications becomes. You will have scar tissue where your wounds have healed after each operation.
Conclusion: Women with three or more prior caesareans who attempt VBAC have similar rates of success and risk for maternal morbidity as those with one prior caesarean, and as those delivered by elective repeat caesarean.
Kristina House (USA) has given birth to 11 children (six girls and five boys) all by Caesarean section between 15 May 1979 and 20 November 1998.