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How many caesareans can I safely have?

Tefo Mokate

Obstetrician and gynaecologist.

There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more caesareans you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of serious complications becomes.

You will have scar tissue where your wounds have healed after each operation. All caesareans carry a risk of developing adhesions as you heal. Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that may cause connecting organs in your abdomen to stick to each other, or to the inside of your stomach wall.

You're more likely to have adhesions, and the problems that they cause, if you have had more than one caesarean. After one caesarean, about 46 per cent of women have adhesions, rising to 83 per cent after three caesareans.

Adhesions can be painful, as they limit the movement of your internal organs. They may also cause an obstruction in your bowels. Occasionally, adhesions lead to fertility problems, as they can put pressure on, or block, your fallopian tubes.

If you have a lot of scar tissue, it can be trickier for your obstetrician to make the opening in your uterus (womb), if you need another caesarean. This may mean that the operation takes longer. It also increases the risk of your obstetrician making an accidental cut in your bladder or bowel.

You're more likely to need a blood transfusion if you've had two or more previous caesareans than if you'd had one caesarean. This could also be because each caesarean you have increases the risk of problems with the placenta in future pregnancies. These can include:
Trying to remove the placenta after the birth is difficult in these cases, and can result in serious bleeding. In the worst case, it may mean you'll need an operation to remove your womb (hysterectomy). The risk of this happening is low, but increases with each subsequent pregnancy that you have. So if you're planning to have more babies, it's worth taking into account.

Vaginal birth after a previous caesarean (VBAC) is a common and safe way to have a baby for many women. A caesarean should only be done for a good reason because, like any surgery, it isn't without risk.

If you have had a caesarean birth, you should talk to your consultant about the best way for you to have your next baby. Your weight, age, medical history, fertility history, and reasons for any previous caesareans are all factors. Also, how long you leave between having your babies (waiting at least two years is best), as well as personal choice, need to be taken into consideration.

Find out more about a planned repeat caesarean.

Last reviewed: February 2014

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While its extremely dangerous but possible a 5th cesarean just that the doctor needs to know your health history and that your not allergic to no medications and your age the older you get more higher the risk.
Had a caerseran section six weeks ago.want to know, how to start trimming my tummy.
I had my c section 3 weeks ago due to having an 11lbs baby Deffo recommend it
Hi I have already had 4 c-sections and I have wanted to be a Surrogate for 8 years now and wanted to wait till my family was complete to accomplish my dream of doing this so after my third child I tried to begin my Dream but during that time I found myself pregnant due to the mix up with my birth control and meds I was taking. I still want to do this but am afraid 5 C-sections will be too dangerous if anyone has any advise or doctors I can go to that will clear me I would appreciate it very much
Hi I am about 25 weeks pregnant and have had 3 ceasers bt nw this forth pregnancy is giving me problem. I am constantly in pain since I was about 14 weeks and go in and out of the hospital due to this pain and the doctor says that its due to the previous ceasers. I am now on strict bedrest and no longer working and when I try to walk I jus have such a pain especialily in the vaginal area. I don't even pass 2 weeks now without having contractions. Please advise. My body temp rises I hav headaches n they say the baby is already head down and very low. But the gynae insists we wait till 34 to 36 weeks. Please help. Add a comment

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