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. The number of C-sections you've had can also affect your future delivery options.
A trial of labor isn't recommended after three or more prior C-sections. Deciding how you will deliver your next baby after a previous C-section can be a complex decision.
Talk to your health care provider. He or she can help you weigh the risks of a repeat C-section against your desire for future pregnancies. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. If you fall under that statistic, you might be wondering how safe it is to have more than one C-section. And of course, there are some circumstances where having multiple C-sections is medically necessary.
You might be wondering why the location of your incision matters. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG , the type of uterine incision you had in a previous C-section can determine future births because some uterine scars are more likely to cause a rupture during a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery VBAC.
A low vertical and high vertical incision both carry a higher risk of rupture compared to a low transverse incision of the uterus. The answer, he says, depends on why the first C-section was performed. And that possibility is what leads to the question of how many C-sections are considered safe. There are also risks to the placenta that increase with multiple C-sections. These include placenta accreta , placenta previa , and placental abruption. Although death is a risk associated with any surgical procedure, a study found no remarkable difference in very serious complications associated with repeat C-sections more than three when compared to C-sections in general.
The most common complication — which was significantly more prominent in those with multiple C-sections — was adhesions. The length of time you should wait to get pregnant again after a C-section will depend on several factors. That said, the U. Department of Health and Human Services recommends waiting at least 12 months for any type of delivery, and this is the minimum. Any sooner than 1 year and you increase the chance that your new baby will be born too soon.
You may need an even longer period between delivery and the next pregnancy. To give your body adequate time to recover, your doctor may say 18 months is the minimum.
But there is no hard number or consensus among doctors. And a study found people of all ages have an increased risk for poor pregnancy outcomes with shorter time periods between pregnancies. And check with your hospital ahead of time to make sure they'll allow it. If they don't and you have your heart set on a vaginal birth, you may need to change hospitals. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.
The reason for your first C-section, the type of incision made on your uterus, and other things in your medical history will determine whether you can have a VBAC: A transverse incision also known as a horizontal incision cuts across the lower, thinner part of the uterus. A vertical incision cuts up and down through the uterine muscles that strongly contract during labor, and is riskier for a VBAC because it might cause uterine rupture a tear in the uterine muscle.
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