My mom had 8 c-sections - 7 with no issues at all, and the last with major complications, a 28 week delivery, and a hysterectomy. She always wished they would have let her try for a VBAC though. (just "wasn't done" in the 80's.)
If you have no other complicating factors, personally, I'd recommend you try a vaginal delivery *without* an induction - let nature take it's course as much as possible. Generally, things go much better that way. All the best with your decision!
We are going for CS No 5...I have a 24, 19, 17 and 4 year old, so the gap is quite great!
We have been told that I will go earlier (prob 36-37 weeks) due to the increased risk of No 5 and uterine rupture ( I think the odds must go up substantially)
The only thing I am noticing with this one is the amount of discomfort around the scar and pulling sensation...I have to admit I do get worried about a rupture, but Im also 42 and have diabetes, so not in the prime of health!!!
The most I have seen as a midwife is 7 and there were complications. Due to the amount of scar tissue the ladies bladder was damaged with both her 6th and 7th c/s. She had to have a catheter. After no6 she had it for 6weeks and after number 7 I don't know as she went home with it but they expected it would be a while.
The risk with multiple c/s is as they take the scar tissue out each time the uterus gets smaller each c/s. So the likelyhood of the placenta developing on the old c/s site, prem labour (because of the uterus getting smaller), very thin uterus and uterine rupture (very rare) gets abit higher each c/s. As for 3-4 even 5 c/s they are generally uncomplicated its when your looking at much higher numbers. If your planning on a very large family I would probably rather a vaginal birth so the risk isn't as great for future pregnancies but if you want 5 or less then I wouldn't be concerned about the amount of c/s you have.
The dr's where I work strongly recommend tubal ligation with the 4th c/s (done at the same time as the c/s) but its a personal decision as to weather you are then happy to stop at 4 which I know is what most dr's recommend. In saying all this I know a woman who recently had her 3rd c/s and they said her uterus was too thin to have any more children. Apparently it was like glad wrap and transparent they could see the baby through it. There are products out there to help strengthen the uterus though so if you are wanting or needing a repeat c/s you can take them prior to pregnancy to help restore the uterus for future pregnancies. If you have another C/S perhaps you can ask the surgeon doing the procedure what your uterus is like. Ie is there any damage, the thickness of it etc.
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