Is it dangerous to have another baby after a c-section?

Question

It took me 6 months to recover from my first emergency c-section (20 months ago) and I'm scared to go through surgery again.
My doctor says VBAC would be an option but he doesn't recommend it.


Please give me some personal information. Thanks.

Her cord was prolapsed. Other than that I don't know why my recovery was so hard. Maybe the doctor didn't have enough time to make a "nice" cut.

Answer 1

Many women have c-sections and go on to have more children. Yes, most doctors prefer to do repeat c-sections if you've had one, but trying for a VBAC is also an option that more doctors are becoming more supportive of.

With every c-section you have there are increased risks for the next pregnancy, the main being that the scar could be weak and you'd be at risk for uterine rupture during hard labor. This is VERY rare, practically unheard of. But it is a possibility. The longer you go between pregnancies, the stronger your scar will become. Most docs who will try for VBAC prefer if there was at least 1-2 years between births.

Surgery is scary to think about, especially when your first experience was an emergency section. A scheduled c-section is much less intimidating. And just because you took so long to recover before (why, was there a reason?) it doesn't automatically mean it will take that long the next time. Every birth (including c-sections) is different from the last, so try not to let previous experiences freak you out to the point you don't let yourself have another child if you really want one.

Good luck.

Answer 2

The medical profession considers VBACs to be a high risk. Some doctors won't even do them, My hosptital, won't allow VBACs unless one of the doctors from your practice is on the premisis 24 hrs. a day. That usually means that the doctor must have his practice on the hospital premisis.
With any labor there are things that can go wrong, even if its a normal labor, which you've already found out. Mine dropped on his umbilical cord, and I needed a c-section.

If you have multiple c-sections there is a risk that your uterus will not contract as it is supposed to afterwards, which can cause uncontrolable bleeding. If this happened, they would most likely preform an emergency hysterectomy,(they remove your uterus).Then you would not be able to have any more kids afterwards. This risk tends to be low, unless you have had many c-sections. I've heard stories of women having 8 or more without any complications.

With VBACs there is a higher risk. The risk would most likely be for your uterus to rupture. I would think the risk would be higher also if your last c-section was less than a couple years ago, because even if you felt like you had recovered after 6 months, it takes 1 to 2 years for you to fully recover internally. If your going to have a VBAC you need to be in the hospital as soon as you start feeling any contractions, because if your uterus does rupture, you can have very little time before you bleed to death without medical attention. If you don't live close to the hospital this might not be a good thing.

I would just make sure that whatever choice you make you discuss it in depth with your doctor, and know what all the risks are and how often they occur. If in doubt, the best thing is to listen to your doctors oppinion.

Answer 3

It is not dangerous to have babies after a c-section. A lot of doctors won't recommend or perform VBAC because of possible complications, but you can have the same complications with any birth. If you feel strongly about having a VBAC you can try to find another doctor that will be more supportive. My friend had a c-section due to an incompetent doctor and has give birth vaginally twice since her c-section. It is completely safe to have a VBAC unless there is some other medical reason for your first c-section. (Birth canal to narrow, etc) Good luck with you pregnancy and your VBAC.

Answer 4

Hi! I also had an emergency c-section with my first baby. I got pregnant with my second daughter 1.5 years later and had a second c-section. The doctor said I could try a VBAC, but I didn't want to because I was in terrible labor with my first for 28 hours. Recovery from my second c-section was easier than my first - maybe because with a two year old and a baby- I didn't have time to think about the pain. Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

I had two c-section babies. My first I was sent tothe hospital to take her out, Cord around her neck. Because of that my second pregancy about 2 yrs later I had to have another c-section. There was very few drs I could find that would do a VBAC. The 2nd c-section recovery went alot smoother than the first.

Answer 6

Why doesn't he recommend it? Unless you had some problems after your first C section and you healed well, there should not be any problem with VBAC. I know many women that have done that with no problems. I know vaginal birth is not recommended after two C sections as there is a high risk of rupture, but since you only had one... .I would get second opinion, see another doctor and then make your mind.

Answer 7

hi I had an emerg c section 22 months ago Im due to give birth in 3 weeks I am hoping for a vbac but I remember labour from last time and it was not good but I feel you can always try a vbac and in worst case a c section is not that bad to gain a beautiful healthy baby

Answer 8

I have heard of women having up to 4 c-section births. I think it depends on what your doctor says and how you feel. You could have to get another c-section, but you could also sucessfully deliver vaginally. I wouldn't let this keep you from having another child. I'm sure its scary, but don't let your fears dictate your choices in life.

Answer 9

VBAC is possible with the way they cut these days for c-section. years ago, they used to cut vertically down your stomach and VBAC would not have been possible. there can be complications, you would be more at risk for uterine rupture... most doctors probably wouldn't recommend it

Answer 10

Of course you can keep having babies. You can have as many as you want. You keep putting them in there, and they keep taking them back out.

VBAC is dangerous and you run the risk of tearing, losing your uterus, or bleeding to death, generally you just end up back in another emergency section.

You're fine to keep having babies.