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Molly Smith
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Hi all, I know I've sort of dropped out of sight a bit here--but I keep lurking and praying for you all!
I'm wondering if any of you know anyone who has had more than six c-sections. I have had six (first three medically necessary, next three no-choice), and for the first time in twelve years I am paralyzed with fear over a pregnancy. It is causing pain in my marriage and is preoccupying my every thought. I'm not so much afraid of the addition of a baby--just the real possibility of complications.
I am reasonably healthy, not overweight (although I am about ten pounds up from my normal pre-pregnancy weight) and haven't had significant complications (in hindsight, anyway) with prior pregnancies or surgeries. But that in itself is not enough to calm my fears.
So now I'd really like to hear from people who have had more than six c-sections, or who know someone first hand who has. I want to know what you/they did to prepare for the pregnancy, delivery and recovery--herbs, exercises. I've spent many hours the web, but there is not a lot out there outside of Ethel Kennedy  , not surprisingly. I realize I might hear some unpleasant stories, but I know I can learn from those as well.
Thanks so much!
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Molly Smith in VA
Mom to seven beautiful children, ages 1-14
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MarilynW
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Molly - no advice but lots of prayers. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing.
Hugs
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Marilyn
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Fuzzy
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Praying for you, Molly! I wish I had some advice for you, but I do know a lady at my church that had 6 c-sections. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Kimberly Hahn have all c-sections? 7? or 8?
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 Fuzzy
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Bridget
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Molly, I haven't had any, but in a discussion once, my OB said he is comfortable with up to 7. But he said he has patients who have successfully had more. (His practice has a higher than average percentage of grand multips.)
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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JennGM
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Molly, I'm praying for you. I'm on my 2nd section and I have a lot of fear. There was another thread trying to weigh the fear/reality of possible death.
When I get so afraid like that it's paralyzing. I have to just keep saying "Jesus I place my trust in Thee" and meditate on the Agony in the Garden, and other prayers until I can gain peace and confidence.
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Tami
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Molly, I have a friend who had 8! It can be done!
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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kristina
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Molly,
I am so sorry you are suffering from such anxiety right now. 
I haven't had c-sections, but I did have surgery on Thursday. I had so much anxiety that I would not wake up from the anesthesia. My genetic mother died from a stroke at the very age I am now and that would not leave the back of my mind.
One thing that did give me a bit of help was being prayed over by our priest.
Try to focus on the Sweet Treasure you will be welcoming! God has a special plan for you.
I will pray for you!
Blessings,
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kristina
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teamgriswold
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Molly,
I'll have my 4th soon and understand your fear. I'll be praying for you! I have a friend who is about to have her ninth c-section in January. She's had no complications, her doctors are a bit concerned this time just because it's the ninth. I have a pro-life, NFP only OB and she keeps telling me as long as my uterus is thick and strong all is well. So when she goes in to deliver she lets me know. I do have other issues as I am diabetic but since my blood sugars are in good control she's not too worried about that. She has also thinks there should be two years between pregnancies for multiple c-sections.
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X-Hail
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Wendy
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Molly,
No help for you in the c-section department, but I can relate to the fear. Only one of my pregnancies has been anywhere near "normal", and with Maggie -- severe pre-eclampsia and emergency c-section at 26 weeks -- every doctor who saw me said "no more". 
I am *terrified* of becoming pregnant.  But now that Maggie is two and the NICU memories are less vivid... It's so hard.
I'll be praying for you.
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God bless,
Wendy
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8kids4me
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I have had 8 C Sections. I didn't do anything outside of normal pregnancy care. I did have insulin shots with the last two babies, and actually gained less wt. than the others.
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Donna
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Molly,
I've had 7 c-sections, my last being the easiest. My OB always lets me know the condition of my uterus and we go from there.
I take red rasberry leaf capsules...and use lots of holy water to make a sign of the cross over my abdomen when I enter and exit a church  .
"BE NOT AFRAID"
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Philothea
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Donna wrote:
...and use lots of holy water to make a sign of the cross over my abdomen when I enter and exit a church .
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I thought I was the only one who did that!
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Molly Smith
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Wow--I can't believe how many responses I have! I knew there'd be some of you who could relate to either the numbers or the fear. You are all so encouraging, and it really helps. I would love to hear still more from anyone who has first or secondhand experience with so many c-sections. Thank you all so much!!
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Molly Smith in VA
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mrsgranola
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Keep the info. coming, ladies... I'm due to have my 6th c-section 5 weeks from Monday (Dec.17th) so this topic ways heavily on my mind, too. I've been trying to take flax seed oil capsules and whatever else I can remember to take to help me be healthier. 
My OB said last time that my uterus was in great shape and looked no different than if it had only been my 1st or 2nd so I made sure to have him put that in my records in case I had to ever change practices for some reason. He did... I read the notes the other day while waiting to check out at the office. 
I'm not really fearful of the c-section (yet) but all the bad news that goes around with delivery complications (natural births, too) on the internet do pile up. I know I need to guard myself a bit with positive thoughts and prayers for the remaining weeks.
I don't know how many c-sections is the most my doc has seen... I'll ask him next time. Last time he did say that the day before he'd had a patient with 16 kids so that made me feel better. He knows that I'm starting to catch heck from folks these days...
Hang in there, Molly... we're right there with ya!
JoAnna
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SusanJ
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I only had one followed by a successful VBAC, but I do know of a family whose mom had ten c-sections. I'll keep you in my prayers!
Susan
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Ouiz
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If I can be an encouragement to anyone...
I just had my 7th c-section 4 weeks ago... my 7th one in 10 years. I am 40 yrs old. The doctor said that the risk was no greater for this one than any of my other ones, so there's really no need to worry!
Surprisingly, this was the EASIEST c-section I've ever had in terms of recovery time, pain (or lack of it), etc. In fact, I told my husband in the operating room that I would be willing to go for #8! <grin>
Hope this helps!
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Ouiz
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Molly Smith
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JoAnna, what does flax seed oil do? That's a great idea to have your doc mark your file with the positives. I will do that if I have the opportunity. I'll be praying for you as your due date draws near--are you going to be scheduled early, or do you wait for labor?
Thank you for responding, Ouiz. When was #7 born--I mean, when during the pregnancy. Two of my six were born on their scheduled date, which was their due date, but with the other four (#s 1-3 and 6) I went into labor on my own 10-21 days early. Did your doc let you go to your due date? Mine said he'd definitely schedule me two weeks early "next time" (he just assumes now that there will be a next time ). He doesn't want me to labor and rupture. So that's a big fear for me--rupturing. As I said before, though, I'm fairly healthy and have healed well each time. Maybe by fears are unfounded.
Also, Ouiz, how does your extended family usually take the news of a pregnancy? My dad is worried for my health and when I was expecting #6 he said he hoped it would be my last. Not from a grandchild point of view, but sincere concern for my health. We have such wonderful friends, lots of big families, who would be thrilled with such an announcement, but it's the family thing that's so hard. So that's a whole 'nother aspect of my fears.
I'm sure it sounds so silly for me to be panicking over a situation I'm not even in yet! However, I usually become pregnant about 3 months after the baby weans, and my "baby" weaned herself about 1 1/2 months ago.
Please keep it coming, moms. Talking it over here is really helping.
Oh, I will just add that I, too, crossed my pregnant belly with holy water many times a day. So much, in fact, that sometimes I even find myself doing it now--and my baby is 14 months old!
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Molly Smith in VA
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hopalenik
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Thank you for posting this. I got the info that I needed. We are looking to try to get pregnant again and this would be my 4th Csection. But my C's have been both ways, so I have a cross on my uterus and I was starting to get worried.
Thanks for the hope.
Holly
Tara 8, Josh and Nadia 6, Tegan 3, Keara 1
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: know anyone with >6 c-sections?
