can you have a natural birth after 2 c-sections?

Question

My first c-section was emergency as baby was in distress. Second time the consultant pushed me to have one and now i regret allowing him to do so. He said that because i was worried after two miscarages it would be too stressful and would be easier after first c-section.

Answer 1

I had a c section with my oldest son, and was advised to have further sections due to the stress on the scar, that maybe it would rupture.....

But by the time i got to hospital with my other son, i was 8cm dilated...had him vaginally, no probs.

If i was you i would look up all the risks and stats involved in a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarian)...and by the way, the longer you leave it between, the lower the risk coz the scar has time to heel.
I dont think there is any real risk involved, i just think they are ultra sensitive these days about being sued, so dont like to take any risks themselves!
Good luck.

Answer 2

It is possible to have a natural birth after 2 c-sections but very unrealistic. It is so hard to find a doctor that would do a vaginal birth after a c-section, and after 2 makes it even worse. The reason that doctors don't want to do vaginal birth after a cesarean is because they do not know exactly where the previous doctor cut and it could cause problems during child birth. Now I am only 15 years old, but i am very experienced with this subject. I have taken parenting classes, health career classes, and much more. Take my advice on this, and just forget about having a vaginal birth. But I hope the child birth goes well :)

Answer 3

Not sure about 2 but I know someone who gave birth naturally after 1 c section. The worry, as has been said a few time and as I am sure you know is the possibility of tearing old wounds, but speak to the doctor, or get in touch with one at the hospital where you will be going and explain to him. He will be better placed to advise you than your GP. It used to be you were only allowed a max of 3 sections but I know someone having a 4th (and the reasons are medical before anyone says anything!) so opinions on everything are changing all the time.
Make your case and feelings well known and good luck when the birth comes.

Answer 4

it really depends on the reason you had to have one in the first place. i had one after 72 hours of labor and three hours of pushing. my son's head was hitting my pelvic bone so i had to have an emergency c-section. then with my second son they made me have one. this time around my doctor has said that its my choice if i want to try again i can. however the moment things get tough or look bad they will force me to have one. some doctors do not allow this. some doctors will not allow you to have a natural birth after a c-section let alone two. ask your doctor first. and then ask around to other doctors and see if they will do it for you. good luck .

Answer 5

I guess it just depends on why you had your first two c-sections. I think that if there was no major problems and the doc. thinks that you can have it go ahead. But if it is going to put your life or your babies life at risk, then I don't think it would be safe. But good luck if you try. I have never had a section, I had both of mine and it is a wonderful experience[painful] But wonderful!!!

Answer 6

I think it depends on where you live (what laws are in place). I live in Arkansas and was informed by my doctor that a VBAC
or vaginal birth after deliver is no longer acceptable. So after having a C-section with my daughter in 2004 I had to do a repeat C-section with my son in 2006.

Answer 7

You can try, but it doesnt always work out. They say it is harder and more dangerous to have a vaginal birth after a cesarean, but I'm pretty sure it depends on the complications you had in your previous deliveries You can tell your doctor you would like to try it natural and have a cesarean as a last resort. Good Luck.

Answer 8

My midwife helped a woman who had 4 previous Cesareans to deliver her 5th baby vaginally!!!

You HAVE to get these books that I am going to tell you about - or at least the first one!

I have had two UNNECESSARY c-sections. The first was for "Failure to Progress." This is one of the most common reasons that doctors perform c-sections. Do you know what causes failure to progress? When labor is induced, the pain is often so terrible that the mother begs for pain medication. The meds knock out the mother, as well as the baby. Did you know that your baby has an active part in the birthing process? It is something inside the baby that triggers labor in the first place. Then, as the baby is being delivered, he is navigating himself down the birth canal-maneuvering his head and shoulders so that he can get out. When he is sedated by drugs, he can not do this. So everything locks up and progression stops. Then here comes the doctor, wanting to perform the Cesarean. (If progression somehow stops during a home birth, as long as the baby's fetal heart tones are fine, the midwife just goes back to bed and checks on you later. That's all that needs to be done. But that usually doesn't happen at home, because most midwives will not use drugs. Just some interesting information.)

After I realized that if I had waited until labor began naturally I probably would never have had the first Cesarean, I was more determined to have my second baby Vaginally. I went to a midwife to prepare for a home birth and she let me borrow these books. They are PACKED with information. One of the most helpful things for me was reading about the UNNECESSARY reasons that C-sections are done and the UNNECESSARY invasive producedures that are performed in hospitals.

You will read about the SMALL PERCENTAGE OF RISK involved in a VBAC. There are instances, and I am sure that your doctor has informed you, where the incision site can rupture and cause harm or death to you and/or your baby. I am not trying to scare you. This does happen on RARE occasions. But it is BY FAR a small percentage compared to successful VBACs. In the books that I read, some such situations happened because the medical staff were not monitoring the mother and baby close enough to realize when a problem had occurred. Other occur because the woman did not strengthen her uterus for the pressure of labor. One women heard the "thump" when the rupture apparently took place. She told the nurse, but the nurse just blew it off. The mother continued to question the nurse, but nothing was done. Situations like this do occur, but the more you are educated the more able you will be to assess the situation and get help.

I was laboring at home with the second baby in preparation for a home birth. A comlication arose that later proved to be nothing, but I went to an area hospital that refuses to do VBACs. I had not planned ahead and I ended up with a second c-section. We just found out that we are expecting again and I will attempt another VBAC home birth.

VBACS are safe, as long as you educate yourself and plan ahead for success. There are herbs that you can take to help increase your success. I took Evening Primrose Oil capsules starting at 26 weeks. This strengthens and "seals" the internal incision (like glue) and helps it to stand up to the pressure of the baby growing and the contractions. I think this is a necessary step to the success of anyone's VBAC. Your abdomen has got to be ready for the pressure. Red Raspberry (in tea form is good) strengthens and tones the uterus. It is good for overall women's health. My midwife suggests starting this after the 12th week. One cup daily during the first trimester, two cups during the second, and three cups daily during the third trimester. (By the way, Alfalfa tablets if your iron gets low. I have increased my iron and my grandmother's iron with Alfalfa.) Doctors/ Obstetricians do not know enough about herbs and natural rememedies to suggest them to their patients. But they are far safer than man-made products and THEY WORK! There even herbs that can induce labor IF it is time (Blue Cohosh).

I know this is a lot of information. But if you do nothing else, please read SILENT KNIFE. It will educate you and help you be more informed on your choices. It will also empower you to take control of your own body and not let the doctor tell you what you are going to do.

And on a personal note, I would not go back to the doctor that "urged" you to have the second Cesarean. He is not concerned about your health, nor is he interested in you deciding what to do with your own body.

Answer 9

Hi, a friend of mine had two C's and was determined to give birth naturally with her third baby. She did it! Mother and baby were fine.

It can be done, but you would still need to get your doctors advise on this as you don't say why you needed c-sections.

Answer 10

I have heard that if you had a c-section before then you will have to have another one. Especially if you have already had two then yes......I am sure that your doctor will want to do another c-section to steer clear of any risks you may incurr in a natural birth........Good Luck!