I have thought long and hard about writing this post. Tossing it back and forth because I know there will be much criticism. I decided to write it because I have had quite a few moms ask me questions regarding my last C-section. Women surprised that I just had a 5th C-section. Many of them wanting more children and having C-sections themselves and were told no more by their OB. I will start off by saying I am not a doctor, what I am sharing is my personal experiences.
When I was pregnant with my 1st son (8 years ago) I was totally against C-sections. Being a C-section baby myself, I wanted to experience giving birth to my son the "natural" way. That was until I was in labor with my son for many many hours and his head being so large that he would not transcend. With no other alternative at 3:30 AM my son was born via C-section. I was OK with that after my experience and all the pain. I know many after having a C-section would insist on their children to follow be born natural but not me. My experience with my 1st son was really difficult for me and I consider myself to have a strong pain tolerance but I didn't push the issue, happy to have my 2nd, 3rd and 4th via C-section.
My husband and I had decided after having baby 4 we were done having children. After a year of prayer asking God for a baby girl my prayers were answered. Knowing there maybe risks involved but I know God was ultimately in control. He blessed us with baby five 2 1/2 weeks ago.
Now closer to 40 years old and having had 4 previous C-sections during my pregnancy for baby five my OB took extra precautions. I had quite a few ultrasounds making sure the scar tissue from my previous C-sections was not an issue adhering to the placenta. During the actual C-section she found only a little scar tissue but informed me that my uterus where the incisions had been made is only 2 layers thick. I decided that baby 5 was it for us after hearing that, not wanting to risk loosing my uterus or a baby if I were to get pregnant.
I was speaking with another mom (who is pregnant with her 6th) yesterday and she had asked me if my husband and I were going to have anymore children and I explained to her that I wanted more children but we were done because of the thinning or my uterus. Her response was that I should pray about it, if God wants us to have more children HE can make my uterus strong, I had never thought of that! Even though my sweet baby is only 2 1/2 weeks old I have started praying for God's will about more children.
So the questions I have been asked by several of my readers is how was I able to have 5 C-sections? First I lean on my Savior, second having an awesome and supportive OB helps. Never did my OB scold me for getting pregnant, yes she was shocked when I can in the office for an appointment to see her but through it all she was supportive. Never pushing me to get my tubes tied (which I didn't) unlike some of the other doctors in the practice did. Many of you say that your OB will not perform a C-section on you because you have had 2 or 3. I know every pregnancy is different, everybody has had different healing from previous scar tissue, etc. I am proof that it can be done. I would recommend praying about it and discussing it with your OB. My particular doctor has performed 7 C-sections on one woman. Many of you were saddened at the thought of being told no by your OB not to have anymore children but I think I would go for a second opinion (with your medical records in hand). Or find out why your OB says no, did you have bad scar tissue, etc.?
I will tell you that with C-section 4 I refused pain meds and I healed quickly, with this last C-section I am taking longer to heal, some days I feel fine while other days I have needed a pain med even after 2 weeks of delivering. My OB says everything looks great so I am just trying not to overdue it and allowing my friends to help which is a huge blessing!
So if it's on your heart to have more children and you feel like the door has been closed because your OB said no one C-sections I think I would do more research. I do not have any medical answers to give and I write this post not to give anyone false hope. I am proof of that and there are many other women out there that have had more C-sections than me!
Thank you for this post. I have had 3 C-sections. First was due to having listeria and the OB at the time thought it was safer to do a C-section (wrong but it is what he knew). My second was 13 months after my first and they said another C-section. With baby #3 who was 19 months after baby #2 I had planned a v bac. That did not go as planned. I had placenta rupture at 8 months due to a full bowel obstruction. I am glad to hear I am not the only mother that has been told no more and it makes me so sad. I am trying to find a dr with knowledge of an abrutions but it has been really hard. I am just so tired of people telling me I should be happy with the three babies I have been blessed with. I just do not know how to feel okay with being told no more when I worked so hard to get the three I have. I pray about it every day and night. So as hard as this was for you to type this I want to thank you for doing so. Congrats on your new little one.
ReplyDeleteNicole, I love that you so openly share your faith with others. May God continue to bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI had to have an unplanned c-section with #1, as well. We had already decided we wanted two children, and at least one by adoption when #1 came along. My pregnancy with him was so horrendous, topped by the unplanned c-section, that we scheduled Hubs for a vasectomy. He had his surgery the day our son turned 6 weeks old. We would have liked for it to be done sooner, but since I had two pregnancy losses before carrying our son, the urologist wouldn't hear of it. After my pregnancy with my son, my cycles became horrific, too. So, I had an endometrial ablation. #2, a precious daughter, was born 14 months after our son and is adopted. WE planned to stop at two, but have always kept it in our prayers that if it was the Lord's will that we adopt again, we would. When all is said and done, we only desire to be obedient. #3, another precious daughter, was born almost 4 weeks ago and is also adopted. The Lord is SO good.
ReplyDeleteI've had two c-sections and my last c-section(twins) was pretty tough. Thank you so much for sharing your story and reminding me how good God is as we continue to try for baby #4.
ReplyDeleteI loved your article and everything about it. I am a mother who after 2 c-sections decided to not have any more of my own children. Both of my biological children have autism, but were spared another disease that both had a 50% chance of getting from me. One has severe food and environmental allergies, some life threatening. And well, because of my own health issues, it was recommended that I not get pregnant again. Sure enough, I had to have surgery this past year to make things permanent because of significant concerns. However we felt strongly that there was another girl meant for our family and so we looked into adoption. We've adopted two beautiful little girls through foster care. One, being significant special needs, and are now waiting to find a baby boy to join our family. I love that you talked about prayer and what was right for your family. These decisions are between a husband and wife and God. What might be right for one person, may not be right for another, however we are the only ones that can decide that. I congratulate you on your most recent baby and wish you the best of luck in the future with any more you decide to have.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Nicole, I loved reading it. And I love the comment you were given, 'if God wants you to have more children, HE can make your uterus strong' - I wouldn't have thought of that. I love it. That made me tear up.
ReplyDeleteI want to say that I am grateful that your situation worked out so smoothly. It's interesting that you would post this as I have recently seen a news article with almost the same circumstances where the woman was not so lucky. I believe wholeheartedly in trusting in the Lord and praying to know God's will--but I would encourage any woman to weigh the risks of additional children after multiple C-sections, especially when a doctor has advised against it (not only the risks for the baby, but the rest of the family if the mother does pass). Here is the recent news article: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=25091500&nid=148&title=mother-dies-unexpectedly-after-giving-birth-to-sixth-child
ReplyDeleteYou have beautiful children! I have two close friends who have had 7 c-sections each! I have 8 kids, but all were natural births.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, that is the CUTEST baby! Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteI have also had five c-sections. My last was two years ago when I was 38. I am in a similar place as you. I do not want c-sections to be the reason I do not have more children. I don't know what God's plan is for me. I tried to have a VBAC birth with my last one, but my support person decided in labor that she did not want to go through with it (midwife). I have a hard time knowing this could be our last and not knowing if I am trusting God.
ReplyDeleteI so loved hearing your story! I have had three c-sections. My first was transverse with the cord wrapped. I went on to have two vbacs, then I got pregnant with twins. I wanted to attempt TVBAC, but on the last ultrasound it was determined my uterus was paper thin. Another c-section. My doctor strongly recommended no more vbacs. Then I moved to Idaho which doesn't allow vbacs at all so the choice was taken from me. I got pregnant again with #6 and had another c-section and my uterus was strong and thick when they delivered. (there was a nine year healing). I have heard of a woman who had 10. I think multiple sections are ok, if you have the year or two to heal between.
ReplyDeleteI have had 3 c-sections, but because it took my OB over 2 hours to close me, and that was 3 hours that I didn't get to see my baby girl, we/I have decided that I didn't want to go through that again. I don't want to lose a baby, or my own life, or my uterus. So we are done. I might foster kids somewhere down the line, since we have issues with fostering dogs. Dogs and puppies make way more noise then children, lol. In our house anyways, and we don't have a fenced in yard, yet.
ReplyDeleteI would stop at 5 c-sections, but that's ultimately your decision. I want to be around for the 3 children that I have, and I wouldn't want to bleed out as the result of a 4th c-section. I see a little boy in my future, but, he will be fostered, or adopted. Heaven knows, maybe my son will meet a little boy someday who is his best friend, and that little boy will need someone to mother him and take care of him because his parents both have to work. I can hardly wait to see what happens!
I wouldn't worry about what others say but more important what God says!!!! Let the Holy Spirit direct you:)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you went with what was best for you.
ReplyDeleteMy mom had c-sections with all 3 of her kids, the first being me! She had pre-eclampsia and she was almost 42 weeks along when she had me. Thanks for sharing your experience!
ReplyDeleteI never had a c-section but my baby #3 is my against the odds /it won't/can't happen baby. It took me 10 years to get him but definitely a blessing in every single way!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! Seriously! my SIL is one of those that was told NO by her doctor to not have more kids because each one had to be done by c section. I love your approach that you need to know WHY they say no. If it's just because of the number issue, that's not a reason to be making the decision. You need more found reasons behind it. And true, if the Lord has it planned for you to have more, he can make it happen.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story you share. Thank you! I am so happy you had such a supportive OB! That makes a big difference!
I am glad it worked out for you. She is very cute!
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude about God being in control.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely amazing post!
ReplyDeleteMy gf has had 4 C sections and the dr. recently told her that she CAN absolutely have one more safely.
Good for you!
I was supposed to have a c-section due to some medical issues with my first pregnancy, but a week before delivery things changed and I could have a vaginal birth. Both my births were "natural" births, but I believe however babies are brought into the world is a blessing. Congrats on baby number 5!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story! Both my children were born via C-section (primarily due to pre-eclampsia, but there were contributing factors that eliminated the vaginal births I had hoped for!) and when I discussed my options with my OB for future baby #3, she was more comfortable with another C-section (but didn't say I couldn't attempt a VBA2C! So we'll see). In any case, I've never found many people who've discussed having multiple C-sections who weren't also VEHEMENTLY anti-C-section, so I appreciated hearing from someone who has actually been through it! Congrats on the beautiful baby!
ReplyDelete