This is a post from Jennifer Leibert of The Adventures with the Leiberts
I know, I know. You must think I am crazy. Like most people do when they find out that all 5 of my babies were born via C-Section.
I want to give you hope that even if you have had a C-section, this doesn’t mean you can not have the large family you dreamed of.
On the table
I want to first answer the questions I get from others.
Why?
Isn’t that dangerous?
I thought you could only have 2 C-Sections?
The answer to all of these questions is a one word answer “Faith”!
But I will give you more then that.
Why did I have so many C-Sections?
Well I didn’t want to have C-sections, it just kind of happened. When our first child, now 16, decided to come, she was breech. My husband and I were young and uneducated about birth, so we just did what the doctor said. If I knew then what I know now, I would have said no and tried to have a breech natural birth.
So I had my first C-section and was handed a beautiful baby girl. Then after many days of recovery, along with an allergic reaction to the epidural (that was fun), I was all better. I decided that if we were able to have more children I would have a VBAC. I had 3 miscarriages and thought we were never going to have this big family.
I fell pregnant again and this time we made it to full term, Praise the Lord! My doctor and I talked about a VBAC and we agreed to go for it. I went into labor and all things were going okay until I had a weird pain that I had a bad feeling about. I called my doctor and told him there was something wrong. He trusted my judgment when the nurses all thought I was crazy. But I knew God was telling me something was wrong. I am so glad He did because when they took me into the OR for the C-section my doctor opened me up and right then my uterus ruptured. If we would not have listened to my feeling (promptings), my son and I could both be gone. That was my 2nd C-section.
After my 2nd C-section we knew we would have all of our babies this way. My doctor did say that I wouldn’t be able to have a large family – maybe just 1 more baby. Well I proved him wrong. I started seeing a different doctor and she was amazing and has never told me I couldn’t have more children. During each C-section, everyone there has been amazed at how well I have healed. I ask during each surgery, “can I have more?” and they always say “YES!”
My youngest right after being born
Isn’t it dangerous?
When someone asks me this I usually say “I trust God with my life no matter what”. Some people just don’t like this answer, but it gives me a chance to share Jesus *smile*.
I really do trust God with my life. I also know that there is a place for medical professionals. All of the doctors that have done one of my C-sections can not believe how well I have healed. During my surgeries when they say something along the lines of “Wow, I can’t believe you have had ?# of C-sections,” I know it is because of the power of God’s healing hands.
Now to answer the question, Is it dangerous? I will say yes and no. All surgery comes with risks, and for us that risk is minimal compared to the beautiful blessings that God has given us. I do have the backing of doctors that say “keep going.” *smile*
me and my 2 youngest blessings
I thought you could only have 2 C-sections?
Oh if I could only tell you have many times I have been asked this.
My own mother even said this to me.
The reasons why nowadays we can have more C-section is because of the way they do the incision. They used to do them up and down (my mother had one this way) and now side to side. I am not sure the technical terms of why this made the difference but it did.
My oldest (15) and youngest
My whole reason for writing on this is to give you ladies hope that you can still have that large family if you so desire. I know at first after my first child I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to have the large family we wanted. Through prayers and faith, we have 5 beautiful blessings. I do hope that we will be blessed with more children. That is in God’s hands.
Oldest son and youngest son
next to oldest son and youngest
UPDATE – Sense writing this post, Jennifer has given birth once again, via her 6th C-section.
*The information in this post is not meant to replace medical or professional advice. Please consult your doctor with any healthcare or medical decisions.
I had one natural drug free, then another natural drug free emergency labor. Then a c section, that was equally traumatic. Then I VBACed four months ago with a beautiful healthy pregnancy and an intense labor. I had to find a doctor that would allow me to VBAC. And they gave me a lot of percentages, a lot of scare tactics. I have some other health problems too so I knew we were up against a lot of “ifs” YET we knew that if it was God’s will it would happen, if not I’d just have another c-section and that was it.
I think you’re brave and strong to be able to go through just the recovery from a c section over and over.
Thank you
Thanks for sharing your story. I will be having my 8th c section this fall. 🙂
Wow! Congrats!! Prayers you way.
Omg really how was it im about have sixth and im scared
How did it go? Did you ever had pain in your previus c sections during your pregnancy?
Are you High risk ?im on my six one and im nervous
Can I ask what age gap there is between 7rs please
Having my 7th u should make a blog on 6 or more csection and you’re experience up until delivery day you’re symptoms with 8th csection how u felt all the way until that day because I am going through it right now with the scar tissue the pain Iam going thru don’t know if its normal or not iam in constant pain since the beginning its driving me crazy I have been to the Er so manytimes eek just now trying to tell myself its going to be okay and leaving it in God’s hands. would love to hear you’re story or even on YouTube not enough info on 5 or more csection blogs of women giving there story.(
I’m so glad you listened to your body with your 2nd. What a miracle!
I am also. I am so happy my doctor believed me also.
My last baby was born via c-section due to shoulder dystocia. Prior to this, I’d never had so much as an IV during birth. Interestingly enough, I knew– from the moment I found out I was pregnant– that this was God’s plan. I had total peace the whole time. Such a gift to this Momma’s heart!
God Is so Good!!
That’s wonderful to hear that God has allowed you a big family even with all your C-sections! We’ve been blessed with five kids too and I’d love more if God wills it.
He is SO GOOD!!
I’ve had 3 c-sections and plan to have more. My OBs say that it is a complete myth that you can only have two, and from the very beginning of this c-section journey (which began with a breech baby, like yours), my doctors have assured me that they are completely fine with doing many more c-sections.
Your story about uterine rupture is amazing–God was surely protecting you and your sweet baby boy!
I am so happy for you!
God I so amazing how He really spoke and I can not even imagine what would of happened if I didn’t listen..
That is awesome you healed so well! Wish I had! haha. I’ve had 3 lifesaving c-sections for which I am sooo thankful for (and 4 children), but unfortunately scar tissue has been a big issue. While I do trust God, I also trust my OB/GYN (who is also a Christian and loves big families) as well… we might have 1 more baby down the road, but that will be it. My husband said maybe next year… that will have given me 3 years to have healed up more (I had my 3 c-sections within 3 years of each other… 4 babies in 4 years and my body said “stop!!!”). haha.
You are a smart lady to wait and heal. I did heal for around 3 years each time but that was because we just couldn’t seem to get pregnant or we would miss carry. But I do believe that it was God letting my body heal.
Praying for a complete healing for you.
Can I just tell you how grateful I am for this post?!? I only have one little boy so far but we had to do an emergency c-section and I have been slightly worried about this ever since. I would love to have a big family and because of certain things, if my babies aren’t 6 or 7 lbs (my little guy was 9) I will probably have to have c-sections with each one. Congrats on your beautiful family and thanks again!
C-sections are not fun at all as you know. I pray you will be able to have natural births with your next babies. I am so happy that this post could encourage you in your journey to having a large family. I was in your shoes too after our first baby. But God has really blessed us.
I really feel like God led me to your site- I’ve had 4 c-sections (my first two were 10 lbs 10 oz) and we’re trying to decide if having more is a wise decision. Like you I would have tried to have my first 1 naturally if I could go back, but his SHOULDERS! Probably would have ended up with a c-section anyway.
And praise God you listened to your body and spoke up!
i am so happy God lead you here to our blog. Wow 10 pound babies! My biggest was 7’15 and I thought that i was about to pop.
I needed to hear this. I am pregnant with my 4th- also 4th c-section. I tried vaginal with my first 2 and it didn’t happen. I feel this is how God wants it for me, too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Prying for you in your up coming C-section.
Ive had 5 csections also and would have had a 6th last year if we hadn’t lost the babies. Like you I have always asked during surgery and afterwards how do things look for more. Dealing with the emotions of having had csections was difficult for me, but on the flip side I am so glad we have this medical knowledge for those of us who would not otherwise survived childbirth.
Thank you SO much for posting about this topic!
I have had 3 C-sections, now. I didn’t know I wanted a fourth child until I was pregnant with my third, and they asked me if I wanted to get my tubes tied. Something very strong and defensive rose up inside me, and I understood. Children are a blessing from the Lord; straight arrows in the hands of the righteous, and blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
At the office the first, younger surgeon insisted I could only have /maybe/ one more baby and pushed for sterilizing me. I finally asked for a second opinion, because of how much she disrespected my wishes. (Not just the sterilization. It was an overall bad match for an OBG.)
The second surgeon was the boss. She put extra tissue replacements inside me, so I was safe from any risk of rupture with a fourth pregnancy. (We’ve been blessed with all live births, but I feel especially compassionate to those of you who have babies in Heaven.)
Anyway, when my youngest weaned, I began to feel the “baby fever” kicking in, so I started researching to find out what the tissue replacements entailed and how many children I could actually have, according to modern medical science.
All I found were horror stories and frighteningly stern warnings. Soon, the depression of weaning was giving way to panic, until I heard a distinct and familiar voice in my spirit.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“Trying to find out if I can have more children,” I answer aloud.
“Since when is that your business?”
And just like that, peace washed over me like I hadn’t known in a long time. In fact, the baby fever even passed. I’m just waiting on God for the right time. Whenever the panic tries to rise back up in my mind, I just verbally remind it, and myself, that God creates life, and He has already chosen my children and the times and places in which they will live.
God said it and that covers it–but thank you for the supportive blog. We still need to hear from girlfriends, sometimes, that God’s got this. 😀
-Bear
YEA!! I have had 6 c-sections. I have a bone disorder that necessitates it and certainly didn’t want to stop at two kiddos. We took each c-section at a time and discussed any concerns that were particular to that c-section. I even wrote a book, Make the Most of Your C-Section: Prepare for a More Natural & Personalized Birth so that women could be empowered, equipped, and encouraged in their c-sections. And that they don’t have to stop at two.
🙂
Good for you! I have three children and all of them were C-sections. Just like you they weren’t planned, but I believe no baby was going to fit through my small hips – learned that with my first one….oh well, life goes on and at least everyone is happy and healthy, which is all that matters! If you feel led to have more than I say go for it. Living life is faith in and of itself.
Bless you. We have 9 children — the first 3 were relatively easy vaginals, then #4 was breech and like you, my OB urged C-section. Actually, she refused to attempt a vaginal breech. I hoped for VBAC but after he was born, our local hospitals all decided against allowing VBAC’s. So I have had 6 sections. At this point, there is a lot of scar tissue and I really hope we are done, but I’m still struggling with whether I should just trust God with future pregnancies (especially as I’m 45 so it seems like another baby would very much be a “God thing”.) I’ve known many moms with many sections and the 2 limit just isn’t true! Praise God you KNEW for your 2nd baby you needed a section!
I know this post is older but I’m so glad I read it! You’ve given me the Faith boost I needed! We just found out we are pregnant with #5 and this will be my 4th csection.
I have 4 kids and all were cesarean. I had lots of scar tissue with my forth and my dr told me no more or if I want more to not wait too long. I’m wondering if anyone had this issue.
I have 5 kids total 4 via c sections, 4th one had more scar tissue so my surgery took a little longer like 2 hours , and also my uterus would not contract and so I hemorrhaged, That was in 2016, My surgeon advice not to have anymore but said if I was going to do it to wait 3 years for my uterus to heal. I want one more and feel like I took long because I was scared but now I believe I’m ready, Praying I get full peace because sometimes I overthink the scenario.
I had the exact same thing told to me after my fourth. I got a second opinion and was told the risks based on my past surgeries and pregnancies, and was told most likely I’d be ok. The doctor who gave me the second opinion told me she doesn’t like telling mothers not to have any more children. I’m expecting my 5th now. I would send your operative report to other doctors to look at and maybe go to a specialist who has done multiple c-sections…and pray! 😉
I have 5 c section and want 6 but i hv addehsions in lower uterine wall does it affects my fertality
I’m on my fifth child , 5th Csection & totally scares 😢
How did it go? Praying everything went well.
Loved the posts. Attempting a 5th as a surrogate- to help me friend. All 4 (2 are surrogate babes) surgeries have gone perfectly. The 5th has me nervous by stories. Reading your post and the comments have been. Very reassuring. Thank you!!
Don’t be scared pray!
I had five c sections and had no idea how bad my scar tissue was. I ended up pregnant that implanted in my c section scar and was ectopic. I almost died and had three life saving surgeries to make sure I’m here for my kids. I wish I would have gotten an mri on my uterus that would have told me before I tried.
How did you find out how bad your scar tissue was? I’ve also had 5 csections.
I’m not sure if anyone checks this anymore, but I’ve had 5 csections and all went very well with no complications. However, I’ve now experienced 3 back to back losses all around 13 weeks. The theory is it’s because the placenta is too close to my csection scarring. I really want one more child but want to do everything I can to keep this from happening again. Has anyone had a similar experience and then success?
Keep trying and trust God he never fails I have had 4 c-sections and pregnant again I have to have a 5th I will keep u in prayer
This will be my 5th csection as well im scares but after reading all these positive stories i feel a bit of peace
I’m so happy I found this blog. I just had my 2nd c-section after trying for a VBAC. I have been feeling discouraged that I may not be able to give my husband the large family he desires, but this has renewed my faith! Blessings to all of the large families.
I am so happy i found this website. God bless you. I have had fourvc sections and our God have been good. My husband really want me to try our last one but am truly scared. We checked with our OB/ G and he says all is ok. I have no scar tissue. Thanks for the encouragement. Am going to pray trust God and ask about the last baby.
This will be my 5th c/section 7 yrs later I’m so nervous what advice do you have..and what do you this is the most scariest part
I have had 6 c sections with no issues. I have 5 beautiful and healthy children. That range from 1-12. I am expecting number 7. Praying all goes well. Great read. Love my big family
I am on my 7th c-section I am 28 years old and they are back to back