What potential risks and complications could there be with a third caesarean section, you might be wondering? Do not worry, we offer everything you need to know about this topic in the following article.
Can a pregnant woman perform the third caesarean section without any complications or risks? Find out what this article's most crucial details are:
Third caesarean section
It is challenging to provide a general answer about how many C-sections can be safely performed because every pregnancy is unique, and having multiple C-sections is medically necessary because there are some situations in which a C-section is required.
You should be aware that the risk of some risks and complications increases with each procedure, which may make it challenging to perform a caesarean section for a third or fourth time.
Risks and complications of the third caesarean section
The following are some of the most notable dangers and issues that some women may encounter following a third caesarean section:
1. Problems with the placenta
The risk of placenta issues, such as placenta accreta or placenta praevia, which both increase the risk of premature birth, rises with the number of caesarean sections performed.
2. Excessive bleeding
After each birth, the likelihood that the uterine muscle won't contract may rise, which causes excessive bleeding; as a result, the bleeding must be stopped to avoid any harmful and dangerous effects.
3. Separation of the uterine muscle
As the pregnancy progresses, the uterine muscle begins to separate because each time an incision is made in the uterine wall, a scar tissue that forms in the muscle may be weaker than the surrounding muscle and also creates multiple incisions in the scar tissue.
4. Hysterectomy
Some women have to undergo a hysterectomy at the time of childbirth, as the risk may increase, especially after the woman's third caesarean section.
5. Other problems
Additionally, there are risks and issues that rise with repeated caesarean deliveries, such as adhesions—which are another possible caesarean section complication—hernias, as well as numbness and pain at the incision site.
As with any surgery, there is a chance that during a caesarean section the doctor will unintentionally cut the surrounding tissues and organs, putting the baby at risk for bowel and bladder injuries.
Advice about the third caesarean section
Here are the most important tips:
- It is advisable to consult a doctor to make a decision on how to deliver the baby, especially after several cesarean sections, to balance the risks of repeating the cesarean section against the desire to get pregnant again in the future, as every woman is different from the other, so the doctor needs to analyze each woman’s health, history and concerns before making a decision. choosing the appropriate course.
- Most doctors advise waiting between 18 and 24 months to give the body enough time to recover after the third C-section, but using contraceptives in between pregnancies can help reduce these risks. Pregnancies that happen less than 6 months after the last C-section are more likely to have negative outcomes, such as uterine rupture.
- After the third caesarean section, some doctors advise patients not to go through labour (TOLAC, or the Trial of Labor after Cesarean Delivery), a method of vaginal delivery that can reveal the type of uterine incision used during a prior caesarean section. future.