Experiences of multiple section mommies pls

[trials]

Hi,
I’m practicing NFP after my 3rd baby and 3rd section, and I’m looking for experiences of other mommies who have had multiple sections please - specifically as regards the spacing between children, if you don’t mind. For me it’s 3 sections in 5 years, plus 3 miscarriages that I’ve had, but my closest children in age were 19 months apart.

What has put me wondering is the fact that my doctors (not Catholic) have all disagreed on the gap I should leave between pregnancies, ranging from 6 months to 2 years. I’m now 36 years old and would love more children, if God allows me to, but noted a very anti-life policy in the hospital where I had my kids, as in “well you’re having your 3rd section now, are you sure you don’t want your tubes tied during the operation?” No thanks.

So I guess I’m just looking for your similar experiences, and I know they will all be individual - how far apart were your children that were born via section for example, how many sections have you had, etc.

Thanks

 

[BcuzISaidSo]

Well, I just had my 5th c section. My kids are all about two years apart, except for # 3 and 4. They are 31/2 years apart but we had a loss in between.

My doctor has cautioned me against having any more, just because of my age and the scarring, but I have been with her a long time. She knew better than to ask about sterilization or abc.

 

[MrsFlapjack]

I have not had a C-Section, but one of my best friends from high school has had 5. And she had them very close together. Her oldest son was only 7 when her sixth child was born; she did have twins once. She is not Catholic, but is from a family that are similar to the Quiverfull Movement in what they believe. She did have her tube tide after her last child, because her uterus burst with her last one, and all the Dr.'s told her it would be extremely dangerous to have another. It really broke her heart to have her tubes tide, but her husband and she decided that it would probably be best.

 

[trials]

I have not had a C-Section, but one of my best friends from high school has had 5. And she had them very close together. Her oldest son was only 7 when her sixth child was born; she did have twins once. She is not Catholic, but is from a family that are similar to the Quiverfull Movement in what they believe. She did have her tube tide after her last child, because her uterus burst with her last one, and all the Dr.'s told her it would be extremely dangerous to have another. It really broke her heart to have her tubes tide, but her husband and she decided that it would probably be best.

Ouch. Oh well I did ask for experiences to be shared I suppose. On a more positive note, a friend of mine fell pregnant with her third just under 3 months after her 2nd section - all healthy at the end thank God. I suppose my desire to have more is so great but at the same time, despite me having no major health issues, the doctors in my local hospital are very against anyone, not just myself, having more than 3 or 4 sections. I don’t want to put my health at risk for the sake of my 3 kiddies that I want to be around for, but at the same time, I have a huge desire to have more.

 

[PaulGH]

My wife has had four c-sections with our four children, with spacings of two to three years between each child and the next (that’s the gap from one birth to the next birth, not the gap from one birth to the start of the next pregnancy). Her doctor has strongly advised against another pregnancy, due to scarring and due to medical risks associated with a fifth c-section. My wife also has developed a hernia around her incision area which complicates matters even more. We would like to have more children, but we are using NFP to postpone indefinitely at this point, because of the serious health concerns.

 

[trials]

My wife has had four c-sections with our four children, with spacings of two to three years between each child and the next (that’s the gap from one birth to the next birth, not the gap from one birth to the start of the next pregnancy). Her doctor has strongly advised against another pregnancy, due to scarring and due to medical risks associated with a fifth c-section. My wife also has developed a hernia around her incision area which complicates matters even more. We would like to have more children, but we are using NFP to postpone indefinitely at this point, because of the serious health concerns.

Thank you for sharing. It’s difficult isn’t it? I’d love more kids, but because of the sections all these associated health risks come along and it’s very very tough. My heart says yes, trust in God, have more kids, but the head says to delay the next child, as advised by the doctors (assuming I follow my NFP correctly), and then I also wonder if I’m being selfish in wanting more babies despite the risks of multiple sections.

May God protect us all.

 

[Rita77]

I had one c section with #3. #3 and #4 are 2 years apart. nfp can be trusted especially if you have normal cycles (postpartum is always crazy cycle). if you have a method question please ask many of us here on CAF can learn from eachother. the spacing between c sections depends on the mother’s health more then anything else. kimberly Hahn (Catholic book writer and speaker) had many c-sections I think 5 and her kids are all like 2 years apart. the pp talking about sterilization should talk to a priest (I’ve talked to two) its not a moral option for faithful Catholics. I know there are some really tuff situations but only a priest should advice on such a serious moral issue.

 

[cviolette]

I have had 4 c-sections. 19 months between 1st and 2nd. 16 months between 2nd and 3rd. 2 years 4 months between 3rd and 4th.

The 4th one was the hardest to recover from. I was not following my religion at the time and followed my doctors advice to have my tubes tied during 4th c-section. Both husband and doctor felt it was too dangerous to have a fifth child.

 

[PaulGH]

Thank you for sharing. It’s difficult isn’t it? I’d love more kids, but because of the sections all these associated health risks come along and it’s very very tough. My heart says yes, trust in God, have more kids, but the head says to delay the next child, as advised by the doctors (assuming I follow my NFP correctly), and then I also wonder if I’m being selfish in wanting more babies despite the risks of multiple sections.

May God protect us all.

I completely understand the conflicting feelings. We have decided that we most likely will need to try to avoid pregnancy for the remainder of my wife’s fertile years, but it is tough to think of never having another baby. I hold out hope that something will change somehow to make another pregnancy less risky.

I also try to remember that we are very blessed with the four children we already have, and that many couples have fertility problems, and would be thrilled to be able to have even one or two children. So I shouldn’t complain.

Also, I’m sorry that I neglected to offer condolences for the three miscarriages you mentioned. That is something we have not experienced, so it is hard for me to know exactly what a couple must go through when that happens, but I am sure it is a terrible feeling.

 

[AngelEyes4Jesus]

I have had 5 c sections.

2005, 2007,2008, 2010, and 2011. the first set were 14 months apart. 2-3 was 19 months apart 3-4 was 24 months apart 4-5 was 13 months apart. after number 2 I began hearing you should tie ur tubes from freinds, family, and DRs. This last time, the DR said my uterus had virtually no scar tissue and that if she didnt knwo any better would ahve assumed i was on c section number 1 or 2! she guessed I could safely have another 2 pregancies before any real scarring was an issue. With that being said…I did have other complications…pin hole leak in my water at 22 weeks (this last time ) which resulted in a 1 month preemie baby who btw is fantastically healthy and had no complications and came home w me at day 4. I also had pre term labor with baby 4 to point of being hospitalized 2x. I also had an acreta with baby 4 ( look it up, hard to explain ) lol but didnt have it with baby number 5. and most of my recoveries have been fairly simple. we are hoping for baby number 6 in a year or 2. GL!