Whether you have a caesarian section by choice or it becomes a medical necessity and is either planned in advance or an emergency during labour, it can often leave you with questions about what might happen if you have another baby.
It is possible to have a baby without a caesarian after having one (this is called a VBAC - vaginal birth after caesarian), but some women may feel daunted by that, and there are occasions when obstetricians advise against it. In which case, you may have another caesarian.
Is there a limit on how many babies I can have by caesarian?
It used to be thought that after a caesarian a subsequent birth should always be by caesarian, and women were usually recommended to have no more than two caesarian births. This was due largely to the reasons for which c-sections were most often performed and the higher risks of subsequent uterine rupture with repeated use of the classical vertical incision previously used.
These days the majority of c-sections are carried out with a horizontal bikini cut which is far safer as it generally heals better and is in the lower part of the womb which comes under less strain during labour. The risk of uterine rupture does, however, rise with the more caesarians you have, as scar tissue can accumulate and weaken the womb.
Some doctors will recommend that you have no more than three sections but you'll need to discuss your own particular circumstances with your doctor in order to decide what is safe for you in terms of future pregnancies.
If you have not had a caesarian before/yet but want to know more about them, check out When a Caesarian Section is the Best Option.
