All the moms and moms to be fear the occurrence of multiple c-sections. C-section deliveries have increased dramatically over the years. It is often said that having multiple c-sections cause long and short term risks for the mother and the baby. Complications like uterine rupture, erratic placentation, hysterectomy, bleeding and visceral injury are possible in multiple cesarean sections.
Although, C-section has been safer for years now yet the chances of complications are more in repeat sections. It’s important to know the possible risks and precautions associated with multiple C-sections.
What is C-Section?
A C-section also knows as the caesarean section is a surgical method of delivering a baby. In C-section, incisions made on mother’s abdomen and her uterus. There is a great increase in caesarean or C-section deliveries these days.
C-section deliveries are prevented before 39 weeks of pregnancy because there will be a proper time for the baby to develop in the womb. However, if there are any complications, then the baby is delivered before 39 weeks of pregnancy.
How to Prepare Yourself for C-Section?
If your doctor has suggested you to go for C-section delivery for your baby, they may give you complete instructions to prevent any risk or complications and successfully deliver the baby. There will be regular checkups, blood tests and urine tests which will determine you and your baby’s overall health. Even if you don’t want to have a C-section delivery, you should prepare for one to prevent any risks.
During your appointments with the doctor, you may ask them the possible factors to avoid caesarean delivery. You may need a helping hand at your house as caesarean delivery may leave you with a lot of aches and tiredness.
You must be thinking is it safe to have multiple C-section? Let’s continue to find out.
How Many C-Sections A Woman can have?
It becomes more complicated as the C-sections are repeated. There is not any specific number of how many C-sections you can have. Every women’s is different and whether they will have a C-section or not, it depends on their body, health and diet. C-sections involve a lot of risks and complications even after the baby is delivered. Today, one in three babies are born by C-sections.
You may want to avoid C-section and your doctor might suggest you have a C-section. The possible reasons for doctors suggesting C-sections are because the baby is large and the pelvis of the mother is too small to give birth naturally or the baby is not in an anterior position (the head-down position) which is ideal for a labor birth.
The risks and complication increase after every C-section. Every woman is different and their possibility of having a C-section depends on their health and care they get. Your future deliveries also depend on the number of C-sections you have. Natural birth is often not recommended if a woman has three or more C-section deliveries.
C-Section DeliveryDeciding on how you will deliver your baby after having a C-section previously is tough. Only your doctor can give you any advice on what are the risks, complications, prevention of your repeated C-section delivery.
What are the Risks Involved in C-Section Delivery?
C-sections are serious surgeries and doctors never want to take them lightly. If you had C-section deliveries in the past, you might be aware of the hard recovery. During a C-section delivery, there are several possible risks and complications involved and it is even more complicated if it is your repeat C-section.
Fetal Risks
If a woman has had C-section previously, there is an increased risk of preterm birth. Mothers having multiple caesarean sections history are more likely to give birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy which in turn increase the chances of other complications and risks especially respiratory complications which can sometimes be life-threatening.
Placental Problems
As the number of your C-section deliveries increase, the more risk is added to having placental problems. For example, placenta seeding too deeply into the uterine wall which is called Placenta Accreta or the placenta partly or completely covering the opening of the cervix which is known as Placenta Previa increase your risk of premature birth, blood loss, and the necessity of blood transfusion or hysterectomy.
Haemorrhage
C-section has a high risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Haemorrhage in C-section occurs for a lot of reasons like tissue trauma, bladder injury, bleeding from adhesions, coagulation defects and problems with the placenta. Haemorrhage is a lot likely to happen if you have had connection deliveries previously. The risks are increased because of the multiple caesarean sections.
Bladder Injury
Bladder injury is not very common but possible if you are having a repeated C-section. Bladder injury is common with those who attempt to have a vaginal birth after having a caesarean section. Consequently, you have a greater risk of a bladder injury if you have had a C-section before and you want to have a vaginal delivery in the future. Your doctor will warn you about all the consequences once you talk to them.
Can you have a Vaginal delivery after C-sections?
Your doctor is going to give you instructions on several risks and possibilities of having a vaginal delivery after you have had C-sections. The more C-sections you have the more likely you are going to face the complications as we have mentioned above.
If you already had a C-section or caesarean birth before, you may be able to give birth vaginally, this is called VBAC (Vaginal birth after C-section). The chances of having a successful VBAC are better if you and your baby are in good health and if your labor starts on its own before the due date.
Caesarean delivery is one of the common surgical methods in the world. There are several risks involved if you are having and they may be uncommon but they can be life-threatening if they occur.
Most complications occur at the time of surgery. If you had multiple C-sections and having a repeated C-section again may cause a lot of problems even after the delivery. It’s better to make your body ready and powerful to manage the consequences even if the risks are not predictable.
Also Read: Vaginal Birth Vs C-Section: Guide For Expectant Mothers
