Outcome after a high number (4-10) of repeated caesarean sections

BJOG. 2004 Jun;111(6):561-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00154.x.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate outcomes in caesarean sections repeated several times.

Population: Sixty-four women had had four or more (up to 10) caesarean sections.

Methods: The outcomes of these operations N= 149, study group) were compared with other caesarean sections.

Results: A quarter of the women in the study group complained of low abdominal pains during the late pregnancy. A thin or fenestrated isthmic myometrial layer was observed in 55% of their operations. Abnormal placentation with an increased risk of major operative complications occurred more often in the study group. No differences in post-operative complications or perinatal outcome emerged between the groups.

Conclusion: Thus, no definitive upper limit for the number of caesarean sections per individual woman can be given.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology
  • Pregnancy Complications / surgery*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Reoperation