Third Cesarean Section: Risks, Recovery, and Hemorrhage Concerns

Question
I have had 2 failed natural births due to an extra lip on my cervix both were induced and both were extreme labors. My question really comes down to if I go in for a 3rd c-section without labor what is the difference for my body? My first delivery I hemmoraged enough to need iron for months after, but my second c-section was increadable. I labored for 12 hours with pitocin but stopped dialating at 7 recommended by my nurse/friend I recieved an epidural finally dialated to 10 pushed for 2 hours but once again I had an extra lip as they called it and the baby would not pass. I was then moved in and preped for a c-section but I hemmoraged at a radical rate while they were cutting through my fattty tissue, it took them 2 hours just to get to my daughter and another hour to stop the bleeding and to suture me up.  The anestiesologist knocked me out as things were getting bad, the doctor had to call people back in to the OR after the baby was removed and in the end I lost 2 liters of blood and didn't recieve a blood transfusion until 3 days later. I was quite heavy at the point of delivery but mostly water weight, my BP was normal the baby was fine except for a case of jaundice afterwards I do have Hep C but never have had any treatment for it. What would your opinion be about the safety of another c-section?  

Answer
Hi Lucia,

I think you should always try for a natural birth when possible, but given that you've already had 2 c-sections, it might take some looking to find a doctor or midwife who will do a "trial of labor" and attempt a VBAC.

In the case of an anterior cervical lip hindering the descent of the baby, a good and experienced doctor or midwife should have some techniques at their disposal to try and push the baby back a bit so the cervix can relax, and baby can adjust his presenting position somewhat. Sometimes the solution may be as simple as the mother changing her position. Although an epidural can make working through this a bit trickier (it somewhat hampers mom's movements), it can also help with pain and relaxation as well.

You can read more about this situation here:
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0602.asp

Regards,
Anne Marie