Fourth C-section

I might seek another opinion too. I had two c-sections close together and the concern was later in the pregnancy. They'll just watch you more closely... and all will be fine : )

I have a 6 month old and now and have already started asking the doctor about #3, she said they recommend 8 months between getting pregnant between C-Sections. I also asked about having 4 kids and she said that it all depends on an individual basis how bad your scaring is, so I think it will really be a case by case basis. I am sure your OB would let you know if he/she was concerned.

Good luck and congrads

I would demand a appt regardless...call it a consultation of some kind and not wait. I am sure your not the only one that has had this dilema...you certainly need some encouragement from a doctor to tell you it will be OK.

I had #4 c-section last January and will have the 5th c-section in a couple weeks- 13 months apart! This one was a surprise and I was really concerned because I get HUGE at about 7 months and wasn't sure if my recent c-section scar could handle it. I talked to my doctor about it and he wasn't concerned at all. I have been fine- although uncomfortable(because I am huge!) the whole pregnancy. I healed really quick with the last c-section and am hoping to do the same with this one! One thing I did ask my doctor about though- I asked him if he could stitch my stomach muscles back together this time because they separate them for the c-section and mine never did have a chance to recover last time! He said it wouldn't be a problem. Just something to keep in mind.
~C.

I have only had 3 c-sections, but when I had to schedule my first, one of our questions was how many is too many and will this limit how many kids we can have. My dr. said 5-6 would be the most he'd probably suggest having. Move forward after 1st baby was born and found at when she was 1 we were prego with #2 (unexpected), he had no concerns about having a second c-section just 20 months after the first.

I realize your doctor may have a different opinion, and that he doesn't see patients until 10 weeks, but I think if you are a patient and you have a question, it is reasonable to be able to either make a consultation appt. with him or to have him return your phone call in order to ease your anxiety over this. Don't just take a face value that you are barred from seeing him until 10 weeks.

I really don't understand WHY on earth, your OB/GYN does not see patients until 10 weeks????
Geez.
My Doc, wants to see pregnant patients AS soon as possible.
If I were 5 weeks preggers, my Doc would have seen me already. That is what happened with all of my pregnancies. And I had c-sections. 2.

I would really call your Doctor and make an appointment. TELL them.

As for 4 c-sections, I don't know.
But I know scarring occurs, and that is not known how the body internally has scarred, until the Doctor goes in and sees it.
But I 'think' they cut along the same incision.... for each c-section. ?

all the best,
Susan

I don't pray... but I will send tons of good wishes your way. A FOURTH cesarean!! Seriously - having 3 is VERY chancy - but a 4th is just plain scary. Almost every woman I know who's had 3 cesareans - their OB asked to tie their tubes, or pleaded with them to be careful not to have another one because the uterus would be less likely to take the baby to term without major issues.

SENDING LOTS of safe and well wishes to you and your family

LPN and aspiring Midwife/ARNP

I have had 2 c-sections and plan on having MORE kids! (Hoping God blesses us with another 3 or more!) And my pelvis isn't shaped right so they will all have to be c-sections!

I have a cousin who has had 6 c-sections and several of them have been realatively close (less than 1 year) apart. I should mention that this is of course not recommended and actually discouraged but, she has 3 children she would not have by following the guidelines. You will need to pay more attention to your body and follow your doctor's orders closely and possibly make sure that your doctor deals with high risk pregnancies. Congratulations on your surprise baby.

I just wanted to wish you good luck and I hope everything goes well. If I became pregnant again, it would be my fourth c-section.

I think your doctor will just watch things very closely; probably more because of the sporadic High BP. With my third I ended up on modified bedrest because of the same thing. I also took a baby aspirin each day and a nurse called twice a day to have me read my blood pressure and read my protein test strip.

By the way, my uterus is attached to my bladder and I had to have a surgery between the 2nd and 3rd child to separate my uterus from the wall of my abdomin. I went on to have that third child and have a non emergency c-section at age 40.

Wishing you the best.

My SIL had four. Literally back to back, had one, became pregnant 6 weeks after she gave birth! Then the next was pregnant 6 weeks later, then last, she became pregnant, you guessed it, 6 weeks later! They were all c-secitons.

The books also say to wait 18 months to even start TTC between babies and thousands (or millions maybe?) don't do that either and it works out just fine for most. I wouldn't worry too much, you might have to go on bedrest towards the end but that would be the worst case but ask your dr. when you go in. If you don't want to wait that long just tell them you have to come in now as you're high risk or something to get them to see you sooner!! Good luck!!

I had 3 c-sections with my last being in 1990 with my third child. The first c-section was because I am small and short and the baby was big. Labored for 12+ hours and then emergency c-section. My second baby 2.5 years later was a scheduled c-section. Two years after that pregnant a third time and scheduled c-section. Recovery time 1-2 weeks as long as I walked and stood up straight. Healed remarkably quick. After third c-section my husband was layed off from a job and we moved back to Texas in record speed starting at my 2-3 week after delivery. No problems at all and I don't remember my Dr. ever saying that multiple c-sections would have unknown side effects. Today, 23 years after 3rd c-section back down to size 6 with no complications from any c-sections at all. Wouldn't have had it any other way!

My OB suggests waiting a year between ANY pregnancies -- not just between c-sections -- to give the body a chance to return to normal. I think it is a standard catch-all guideline. Of course my first two pregnancies were only 7 mos apart. There is just a higher chance of the scar tissue separating and they would likely do the scheduled c-section on the early side (like 39 weeks) so you don't risk going into labor.

ha , i go to the clinic and they do not see you till 16 weeks. Anyways I have many friends who had 4 c-sections all under 2 years apart, and they r all fine. I have a friend who had 2 , 4 years apart and it was really bad. It all depends on how bad your scarring is, since you were fine with your previous ones you should be ok. I had 3 c-sections and asked my doctor about the 4th one(we would like one more child, Lord willing), he said he knew some people who had 8.....yes 8 c-sections and had no issues.
Congrats on your surprise baby!!! Our 3rd one is 3 1/2 months and I am so ready to get preg again(we r going to wait though:)) Our 2 boys are 4 and 6 and r very close, so I really feel like our little lady will need a "buddy":)

My friend from work had 4 c-sections. Her 2nd and 3rd were only 15 months apart and everything was fine. She just said her 4th was a little harder to recover from.

I'm having my 3rd c-section this April. When I was pregnant with my 2nd, I asked my OB about having 3 or 4 kids. He said he was perfectly fine doing 3 c-sections, and he was OK with doing 4, but every c-section gets more tricky for the surgeon due to old scar tissue.

If your doc won't see you, then maybe talk to the nurse about your concerns. I'm sure they've seen and heard it all! Good Luck!

I didnt have 4 c sections, but had 2 and they were only almost to the day 14 months apart.
The only problem there was when the Dr cut open to get the baby out he sliced open by bladder bc it folded into my previous incision-Was not a big deal and just had to have a catheter for a wk. Good Luck! L. :)