Nope. If it's risky for my health and/or the baby's it's a no-go. My sister's doctor advised her not to have a 4th child cause the walls of her uterus are too thin... she wants to do it anyway which worries me.

man this is a tough one. I think for us if it was the case I would do adoption. i respect moms who choose to make decisions but I also think you should understand all that can happen and try to be prepared for it as much as you can (if that is even possible).

i know several women who have done VBAC and I am amazed at the risk they take. I dont think I could do it but I dont hold it against them for the decisions they make.

Probably not.

My mom has a friend who had six via c-section. It took her much longer to recover from #4, #5 kept her down for months, and #6 almost killed her. To me, it just isn't worth it - especially when there are previous children to consider and stick around for.

I'd find a new doctor if he/she had a limit of three without looking at individuals and their situations. If *I* had a medical reason for a limit of three, I'd try to avoid pregnancy but I wouldn't terminate one if it happened.

There's no reason to set a limit of three c-sections. Doctors should do it on a case by case basis. Some women shouldn't risk a second pregnancy after a c-section if scar tissue built up, some can have numerous c-sections. I've had three and have no medical reasons to not get pregnant again, my scar tissue is just as minimal as it was after one. My best friend had five vertical c-sections and has minimal scar tissue as well, so has no reason to not have a sixth.

Depends on the situation and for victoria, Brooklyn her first child was breeched so she had no choice but to have a C-section. Its circumstantial and as Greggie said if the scar tissue is minimal and the situation isnt life threatening i dont see why a 4th c-section would be an issue.

I really don't believe that most women are opting for c-sections voluntarily - the Christina Aguilera's of the world are few and far between.
Mine weren't voluntary. With the third one I was very aware there might be risks due to scar tissue, etc., and it was one factor of many in deciding to get my tubes tied.

It's also my understanding that they never know what type of scar tissue they will encounter until they are in there.

My follow-ups have always included palpatating the incision site to see what scar tissue has built up. I've also had follow-up vaginal ultrasounds to look at the uterine walls to see if there's any thinning.

I've rarely heard the "3 c-section" rule anymore, to be honest. Doctors today seem to be much more attentive to individuals rather than an arbitrary limit.

I had no idea that there was a limit. I never even looked into c-sections as it wasn't something that was in my cards. Looking back on it now I probably should have been more prepared and a bit more knowledgeable on the subject. I do however agree that if your doctor has a generic rule then you need to get a doctor that will look at you specifically. What else would your doctor be possibly missing if they treat everyone by the same rules?

Damn, she's even phobic about stretching "down there!" Horrors!

I've heard that if you give birth in a hospital your chances of having a c-section are highing--doctors overuse them sometimes.

Course, did V NEED to have c's with her other 2 boys?

I think first of all its important to have a doctor you respect and trust. My doc is great and she said it really depends on the woman and how well she heals. I'm scheduled for my 2nd c-section next month with our third child. If my doc said it would be unsafe for me OR for the baby to try again after this one we would be done.

"What else would your doctor be possibly missing if they treat everyone by the same rules?"

Exactly. And robinesque, Posh's first c-section was medically necessary. From there, it's probably that she simply chose against VBAC for her own reasons, much like a lot of us regular folk.

Doctors do overuse c-sections in some areas, underuse them in others. C-sections are higher with hospital births mostly because there's more medical intervention, like Pitocin and medical induction, that carry a greater risk of requiring a c-section in the end.

"Course, did V NEED to have c's with her other 2 boys?"

She needed one with her first because he was breach, and some doctors recommend continuing with C-sections after you've already had one. This happened to my mother, my oldest brother was breach so she had to have a C-section and from there on my 2 other brothers and I were also C-section because the first was. The again things change.

I thought the limit was 4 C-sections, but I guess it's different for everyone. My mom had three C-sections, I am the oldest and she had to have one because (1.) I was 10 days late (2.) she wouldn't dilate (3.) I was too big (10 pounds 4oz!) to go through the birth canal. Then she ended up doing 2 more C-sections with my younger sisters, because I think her doctor recommended that she not do VBAC.

Some doctors do insist on repeat c-sections, others insist on VBAC. It was a huge thing for me in finding a new doctor after my first, I wanted one who was open to both options and would work with me on finding the best for us.

As it turns out, there's little chance I could ever give birth vaginally because my vagina is so severely tilted. Wish we'd known that going into my first so I wouldn't have had to do hard labor for 24 hours and push for 5 before finally going to the OR. It wasn't until I had a doctor finally believe me that PAPs, exams, and vaginal ultrasounds were extremely painful that it was finally really looked at and diagnosed.

I've had four c-sections -- none were my preference, but my doctor did not pressure me, either. All of them were completely necessary for my circumstances.

After a few absolutely medically necessary c-sections (all for different reasons), I was presented with new evidence that strongly suggested that (in my particular case) I have only the scarcest chance of ever being able to deliver a child vaginally. (Statistically, it was only seven percent; not enough to warrant such a risk.)

At that point, the chance of complications due to an attempted VBAC outweighed the risks of another c-section.

My doctor has not told me that I need to stop, but he has been frank about the condition of my insides. They're a bit of a mess, due to excessive scar tissue. He said that if I were to have a fifth, he would need to schedule a few hours for the surgery, due to the difficulty. Yet, I have not been advised that I must stop.

All said, Mr. Mouse and I are still hoping to have a fifth. I know my risks, but this decision is one for me and my family to determine.

It really be a case by case decision!

No way. I don't want more kids. One is enough!

Mouse -- WOW, #5? I'm one of five myself. While it was kinda cool as a kid but I would never have five myself! That's a big job, not to mention what you your body goes thru! Ouch!

Is five really such a huge number? I think it's a great number, I just don't have enough time left reproductively to have two more.

my mom had me and my 2 brothers and her doc. Made it clear more babys are for sure a big no no ! She could adopt ..

i have had 4 c section's and doing well all babies were heathy and im heathy the only problem i have is the saggy belly but hey thats mother hood i have been advised not to have more but can at own risks