Natural birth, otherwise known as vaginal birth, is found to be the more ideal method of delivering a child. Studies show that children are exposed to a rich and diverse array of good and bad bacteria when they pass through their mother’s birth canal.1 This helps them kickstart the development of their immunity and gut health. However, not all moms are able to give birth naturally. There may be circumstances where they would need to deliver via c-section, like an emergency c-section that is necessary to save the lives of the mom and the child.
Though, have you ever wondered if a mom who previously had a C-section can still have a C-section in the next pregnancy? And will future C-sections be dangerous for the mother? Continue reading as we discover the answers together.
KNOW MORE ABOUT C-SECTIONS!
Generally, doctors do not recommend having a cesarean section because it increases the risk for both the mom and the child, unless it is needed to save the mom, the child, or both. The child’s immunity may be compromised because it does not receive natural microorganisms from the mom’s vagina or birth canal. The mom is also at risk of infection from the surgery and will need a longer recovery time after giving birth than usual.
If the mom wants multiple children, they should consult with a doctor before each pregnancy so they can be aware of the history of previous births and to see if the body is ready for another pregnancy. There is no real figure on how many times a mom can safely have a c-section2,3 it is still best to consult your doctor if you’re planning to conceive again.
After the first c-section, doctors might recommend that you stop having more children for at least 2 years or more to give the mother time to fully recover. Getting pregnant again 1-2 years after a cesarean section is considered too soon and will also increase the risk of complications. 3,4,5
Having a c-section is not necessary for succeeding pregnancies of moms who had a c-section for their first. They may be able to proceed with a natural birth if the uterus is in good condition and there are no other risk factors or serious complications coming from the previous c-section. Therefore, it is necessary to have a physical assessment from a doctor to determine which type of delivery is suited for the mom’s physical condition.3,4,5
THERE ARE RISKS TO HAVING C-SECTIONS, MAMA!
One thing that moms and moms-to-be must learn and understand beforehand is that while c-section delivery is a surgical procedure that, when undertaken for medical reasons, can save the life of a woman and her child, it may come with negative effects such as:
- Risks for future pregnancies2,4,5: After your first cesarean section, you may experience problems related to the placenta, which will put you at risk for abnormal pregnancy in your following pregnancies, such as placenta accreta and placenta previa. Both can put you at risk for premature birth, excessive bleeding during delivery, or the need to have a hysterectomy.
- Risks of successive cesarean sections4,5: If your body is unable to give birth naturally during the next delivery, there is a risk of injury to the surrounding tissues and organs. Furthermore, there is a risk that the tissues around the incision site may not adhere together easily or may adhere too tightly, making subsequent cesarean sections more difficult.
- Risks after a cesarean section4: Not all mothers recover quickly after a c-section. Many mothers take longer than usual to recover. There is also the risk of wound infection, which if severe, may result in death.
LIMITATIONS FOR C-SECTION MOMS WHO WANT MULTIPLE CHILDREN
Because having a cesarean section may result in many complications, it may cause future pregnancies to be unsuccessful or pose serious risks that may be harmful to the mother and the baby. Complications from a c-section include: 4,5
- A risk of uterine rupture
- Complications of the bladder
- Abnormal adhesions of the intestines, which are at risk of rupture.
- Abnormal adhesions of the surgical wound tissue.
- Vascular complications
- Excessive bleeding during delivery.
- A blood transfusion may be required during delivery.
- The doctor may need to consider removing the uterus.
If a mom who has had a c-section goes to see a doctor for a physical examination in preparation for the next pregnancy and has the risky symptoms mentioned above, it may decrease the chances of safely delivering the child and can also pose a risk on the mom’s life. This is the reason why the next pregnancy after a cesarean section may be difficult for some moms.
It is important for both parents to see a doctor together to learn about the possible risks and make a joint decision in case there is a risk in the next pregnancy and whether the parents still want to get pregnant again.
HOW CAN WE HELP C-SECTION KIDS DEVELOP WELL?
We learned that having a C-Section means getting a surgical procedure where the child is delivered through the mom’s abdomen, meaning that the child misses out on the beneficial bacteria that is present in the birth canal. This may lead to the CS-born kid having a less diverse gut microbiome , leading to possible weakened immunity and gut health.
Good thing, there is now milk that is specially designed for CS-born kids aged 3+! Introducing NEW Enfagrow A+ CS-Biome 3+: Specially formulated with the C-Biome blend with MFGM and highest levels of DHA (among staged milks), an exclusive immune blend with 2x Higher 2’-FL HMO (vs Enfagrow A+ Nurapro 3+), and prebiotics to help give them get stronger protection and optimal brain, immunity, and gut development for their A+ Future, with proper nutrition and stimulation.
References:
1. Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Seeding. available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22096-vaginal-seeding accessed on 25 November 2024.
2. Mayo Clinic. Repeat C-sections: Is there a limit? https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/c-section/expert-answers/c-… accessed on 25 November 2024
3. Baby Center. How many caesareans can I safely have?. available at https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x546895/how-many-caesareans-can-i-safely-h… . accessed on 25 November 2024
4. Healthline. Here's What You Need to Know About Having Multiple C-Sections. available at https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/how-many-c-sections-can-you… . accessed on 25 November 2024
5. University of Utah. MULTIPLE C-SECTIONS. available at https://healthcare.utah.edu/womens-health/pregnancy-birth/multiple-c-se…. accessed on 25 November 2024
