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.
Health risks increase with each subsequent Cesarean, yet some people get six or more without complication.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of complications becomes (Biler et al 2017, RCOG 2016).
“So, every patient is different and every case is unique. 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 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.
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.
'Spice Girl' turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham has four children and delivered them all via c-sections. Brooklyn (1999), Romeo (2002), Cruz (2005) and Harper (2011) were all born by elective caesareans.
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.
Giving birth to your baby vaginally after several caesareans (VBAC) is possible. Most women who have had up to four caesarean births are able to have a successful VBAC without any complications (NHS 2019, NICE 2021, RCOG 2015).
Conclusion: The higher order (5-9) repeat caesarean sections carry no specific additional risk for the mother or the baby when compared with the lower order (3 or 4) repeat caesarean sections.
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.
In the United States in 2021, the rate of primary cesarean deliveries was 22.3 per 100 live births to women who have not had a previous cesarean delivery, or of all live births.
Women can reproduce for about half of their lifetime and can only give birth about once every year or so. So it makes sense that women can only have a fraction as many children as men. One study estimated a woman can have around 15 pregnancies in a lifetime.
Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching. Four of the five remaining layers are stitched with a single layer of stitching, but one layer is not restitched as it heals better – with no buckling and reduced chance of scar tissue developing, without restitiching.
If you've already had a cesarean birth (also called c-section), you may be able to have your next baby vaginally. This is called a vaginal birth after cesarean (also called VBAC). Cesarean birth is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your health care provider makes in your belly and uterus.
Getting pregnant after a c-section
It's important to give your body time to recover before you start trying to get pregnant again. 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.
Angelina Jolie
“I had a C-section and I found it fascinating," she told Vanity Fair in May 2008. "I didn't find it a sacrifice and I didn't find it a painful experience.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's long-awaited twins were welcomed via C-section. About the experience, J Lo said: "I had a C-section, but my sister gave birth six months later — we got pregnant around the same time — and she asked me to be in the delivery room with her, and I was, like, 'Wow!'
Angelina Jolie has three biological children (as well as her three adopted children) and she gave birth to each of them via c-section. Shiloh Nouvel was breech, and as a result was born by caesarean in a hospital in Namibia in 2006.
About 30% of all babies in the U.S. are born via C-section, so they're fairly common. C-sections are safe for mothers and babies. But it is major surgery, so you shouldn't take it lightly.
Worldwide caesarean section rates have risen from around 7% in 1990 to 21% today, and are projected to continue increasing over this current decade.
That said, about 60 per cent of twins, and nearly all triplets, are born by caesarean. The caesarean rate for twins increases the further on your pregnancy goes. Less than 30 per cent of babies born at 28 weeks arrive by c-section.