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.
However, from the current medical evidence, most medical authorities do state that if multiple C-sections are planned, the expert recommendation is to adhere to the maximum number of three.”
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.
The more C-sections you've had, the greater is your risk of developing problems with the placenta — such as the placenta implanting too deeply into the uterine wall (placenta accreta) or the placenta partially or completely covering the opening of the cervix (placenta previa).
Results: Five or more caesarean sections were associated with a longer operating time as well as an increased rate of severe adhesions. Blood transfusion rate was similar in the two groups but a drop of pre-operative to post-operative haemoglobin was significantly higher in the study group compared with the controls.
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.
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.
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.
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a vaginal birth after cesarean, also known as VBAC, can be a safe and appropriate option. VBAC can work for many women who've had one, or even two, previous cesarean deliveries.
Although death is a risk associated with any surgical procedure, a 2017 study found no remarkable difference in very serious complications associated with repeat C-sections (more than three) when compared to C-sections in general.
In general, you should wait at least 6 months before getting pregnant again after a C-section. That's the bare minimum needed; some experts suggest it's better to wait 12 to 15 months, while others say 18 to 24 months. How long you, specifically, should wait should be a conversation with your doctor.
You will need to wait at least 6 months but your doctor or midwife may advise you to wait for 12–18 months. The longer you leave your scar to heal, the stronger it will be.
Compared with primary cesarean delivery, repeat cesarean delivery could be associated with additional risks. Uterine rupture is one of the most catastrophic complications of pregnancy and can also present as an asymptomatic scar dehiscence.
In some situations, a C-section is not only preferable but mandatory—situations involving conditions like placenta previa, in which going into labor would precipitate life-threatening hemorrhaging, or cord prolapse, which can cause the death of a baby if a C-section is not performed in a manner of minutes.
That's because the risk of uterine rupture—a tearing in a past C-section scar or uterine muscles that can be life-threatening to the parent or baby—rises with each surgery.
Answering the question of whether the second cesarean section is more painful, the answer is: Usually no more pain depending on the condition of the old incision with little or no adhesion, and the surgical technique, and pain relief of the doctors.
In rare cases, your C-section incision might open (or reopen). In medical terms, this is called C-section dehiscence.
Such high rates are due mainly to an increase of elective C-sections, says Salimah Walani, the vice president of global programs at March of Dimes, a U.S. maternal and child health organization. "The procedure is done when it is not really necessary or indicated," she says.
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.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section. “We realize many of our patients also face the challenge of caring for the baby while they're recovering,” said Dr. Son.
A new study shows that a C-section can lead to complications should you find yourself back on the operation table later in life. Surgical complications cover a range of things that can go wrong during an operation. For example, damage to organs, infection, the need to re-operate, or bleeding during the operation.
Many health care providers won't offer VBAC if you've had more than two prior C-sections. When did you last give birth? The risk of uterine rupture is higher if you attempt VBAC less than 18 months after your previous delivery.
There is a very high risk that your scar could rupture (burst open or tear) when you try to have a vaginal birth, which could cause great harm to you and your baby. You'll need to have a C-section again.
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.