Learning to Love My Body After 5 C-Sections, Pregnant With #6 – Hopeful VBAC (Stacy)

With my first daughter, conceived at 17, I was not fuller aware of the changes that would take place. I was young, ignorant to nutrition and was raised with horrible eating and activity habits. I gained almost 80 pounds and ended my long labor in a csection. My first daughter is an absolute joy, and in many ways saved my life for sure destruction. I met my husband when she was 3. We conceived about 9 months later. We have created 5 more children together (on in my belly currently), in the past 6 years. My body has undergone quite the toll. Almost continual pregnancies and breastfeeding. I am in awe of what my body is able to handle… I am sure that this most soon come to an end, mostly because I have had 5 csections. I am attempting a VBAC with this pregnancy, and if it goes well, as I have much faith and hope it will, then maybe I will be up for more children, but otherwise I think my body ready to move on to the next stage (whatever that is :) These are some pictures I took. I am currently about 18 weeks pregnant with my 6th and learning a little more each day,each pregnancy, to love and accept my body just the way it is.



Updated here, here and here.

65 thoughts on “Learning to Love My Body After 5 C-Sections, Pregnant With #6 – Hopeful VBAC (Stacy)

  • Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12:12 pm
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    Wow! you look beautiful! Why did you have to have 5 c-sections previously? I think that is great that you are trying for a vbac for your 6th. Congrats!

  • Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 9:58 pm
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    You look great!

  • Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 12:48 am
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    You are so blessed with so many children. You have a amazing bum! I really admire you, I have one 9 month old baby and really don’t have the courage to have another baby, just because of the toll it took the first time around. I really, really admire you!

  • Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 11:40 am
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    My first was a failed induction. I tried to VBAC with my second, and got fully dilated and pushed, but was so exhausted by the end of tons of back labor, and with an epi (she was 10# and posterior) wasn’t coming out. The rest are RCS. Thanks for your encouragement ladies.

  • Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 11:41 am
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    And all of these pictures of me are current, which I am 18 weeks-20 weeks pregnant when they were taken. I am 24 weeks now. Peace.

  • Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 12:41 pm
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    Another comment by me to add that these last two pictures added are of the kids and my husband, and the last one are of my 5 yr old and my 3 yr old daughters. Aren’t they sweet and worths some stretchy stretch? ;)

  • Friday, November 28, 2008 at 2:19 am
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    You and your family are truly beautiful!!!

  • Friday, November 28, 2008 at 8:03 am
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    Wow, I just fell in love with your beautiful family! :) The pictures look like out of a catalogue for kids wear or holidays in denmark or sth LOL. Awe.some!

  • Friday, November 28, 2008 at 9:44 pm
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    You are extremely beautiful and you have a gorgeous family! Congratulations on your new baby! I hope you get that VBAC! :D

  • Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 8:25 am
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    You have such a gorgeous family!! It’s nice to see how well all your children seem to get along!!

  • Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 3:24 am
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    I love seeing big families! I stress about my body now- I gained 70 pounds when I was pregnant with my son! Sometimes I feel like bending over backwards to change it, but then I remember that my husband and I want many more babies after this:why worry when Its going to change all over again soon?

  • Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 5:23 pm
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    just really want to wish you good luck with your VBAC. It is really hard nowadays to find a provider that is understanding and supportive. I am sure that you know about ICAN.com, but ust in case…

    Good luck and congratulations!!!

  • Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:38 pm
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    i am pregnant with my fourth and the first three were c-sections – i really want a vbac also i am having a hard time finding a supportive doctor – Have u found a Dr that will help you with a vbac

  • Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 8:18 am
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    Hi im Trina 32 years old I have had 4 c-sections and would like to have another child. I would love to go for vbac but was told that the risks of rupture were high? R U under the care of a physician that will do the vbac or are u having to go through a midwife? R U nervous about trying for the vbac? Ok one more question how much did your babies weigh?? I have big babies so I dont know if they would fit! I attempted a Vbac when I was younger to no avail and had to have a c- section and the baby weighed 9lb 13 os 3 oz from 10 pds and a week early– they induced me. With this last baby she was 8lb 14 oz 3 weeks early- they didnt even want me to have trial labor for fear of rupture hmmmm anyhow would appreciate your response if you have the time with all those babies- I know you are buisy!!!

  • Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 6:43 pm
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    wow.. you look fab with all your children.. And you still look sexy and slim.. congrats..

  • Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 8:23 pm
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    I think you look great after having 5 kids, let alone 5 c-sections!!! I had two sections and am damned jealous of your bod!!! God Bless!

  • Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 2:09 am
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    I had my UBA5C! I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited :) I have found a new love for myself, my body and what I and my body can do :) This website is awesome :)

  • Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 8:00 pm
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    Your body looks better after five than I did after my first when I was 19. You and your family are absolutely beautiful, and congratulations on your newest arrival!

  • Monday, July 27, 2009 at 12:37 pm
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    You look great and you have a beautiful family! My husband and I had our first just after I turned 19 (he had only turned 20 5 months earlier). And we proceeded to have our 2nd 14 months later, and our 3rd 18 months after that! I love my three little miracles and have had sections with all of them. I would like another, but hubby is unsure and our family is concerned about me having another section. It is always encouraging to me to hear of women who have had multiple sections and also of those trying or who have VBACed. So great! So jealous of your body! Hope you got your VBAC

  • Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 10:21 pm
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    Hope everything went well. do you know if women can have 5 c-sections? my sister is pregnant with her 5th child (4 previous c-sections) and I’m worried about her.

  • Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 6:44 am
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    hi my name is kim and i just wanted to comment and let you know that i am so happy to here from someone just like you i myself have had 5 c-sections and i want to try for another baby but i am scared i mean how do i know if my body is ok to have another c-section

  • Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 7:36 pm
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    omg girl i give it to you & may god bless you & ur fam. I am going thru the same i had 4c-sections & pregnate for the 5th time. I am soo scared but, when i read ur story i feel a little better now. my dr. isnt to happy he said, i should abort the pregnacy but, if “keeping it” is what i want then he’s with me all the way, he is just afraid of the placenta growing into the uterus cause then things become more serious then just a c-section & baby.

  • Friday, November 13, 2009 at 10:17 am
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    Wow, hon, your doctor has NO right to tell you to get or not to get an abortion. How dare he? (((hugs)))

  • Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 4:45 pm
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    No you should do what you want to do? whats one more? why not try some sort of birth control if no longer want children at this time? if you can handle it then i say go for it. People freak because i only want my one child. its my life. I decide. BUT YOUR BODY IS BEAUTIFUL AFTER IT ALL? My sis has four beautiful girls not an once of fat or a stretch mark. luckliy for her no c-sectrions/idk i cant relate to having all those children but i dont believe its ever a bad thing and some women are absolutely fabulous at being a mother/career women/. I am already 30yrs. old expecting aug. 2 2010 after that no more/but I honestly dont appreciate women having babies left and right that cant afford them or have all the dead beat dads walk out on them. yeah yeah i said it. WRAP IT UP JUST WRAP IT UP

  • Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 6:44 pm
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    Hello I have had 4 csections in 4 1/2 years…I have all boys 5, 4, 3 and 18 months …I really want one more nervous about having 5 th csection… How was ur 5th? My stomach has been so bloated above belly button not sure if it is from csection…thanks for all ur info

  • Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 7:38 am
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    Hi I am new here and I’ve had 5 c-sections, have 6 children total, (1st one was vaginal) I am trying to conceive my 7th but want to have vbac this time! I am so scared, but I am a little hopeful since my body has done it before, but nevertheless, I am scared to death about uterine rupture. I am so glad to read all the other comments about other moms wanting the same thing I do!

  • Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 10:30 pm
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    Omg… U look great!! My question to you is how can you hAve a vaginal birth after 5 c sections? I have had 5 myself and 10 weeks with my 6 th I’m so scared!!! Please tell me how you had a vbac!!!!

  • Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 2:50 pm
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    hi guys. :) im pregnant with my 5th child. ive had 4 c sections and worried whever or not having another c section is going to be ok. im due to see a consulatant at the end of the month so hopefull ill be able to go ahead with the pregnancy im 8wks now. would be nice to read any comments on people that have had 5 or more c sections. thanks :) rachelle

  • Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 6:15 pm
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    Hey, Congrats that is awesome news.
    I’m 11weeks pregnant with #6 (due june 4th 2011)and have 5 previous c-sections…didn’t labour with the first 4 at all, only by miracle of God did I labour with Liam #5 (now 6mths old) but after 11hrs labour and no dilation or dropping from him i had another c/s. It was just as well because I had a hole in my uterus. i would still dearly love to have a vaginal birth but I will be booked in at 38 wks for a c/s with this one. I’ve been told by the OB that my uterus is very thin and I have a greater chance of rupture.

    For Rachelle – here in New Zealand there have been ladies that have had up to 9 c-sections so it’s not impossible. All the best.

  • Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:25 pm
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    well i curious how did the 6th birth go?

  • Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 8:46 pm
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    After reading your comments you gave me hope that I too can have a vbac after 5 c-sections. I had my first child natural and then I ended up having 5 c-sections in the following 20 years. Now I find myself carrying twins and wanting to try to have a vaginal delievery but I can’t find a doctor willing to allow it. I think I will continue to look for someone who will take a chance with me.

  • Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 7:34 pm
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    WOW…I am thrilled to find this, here I am pregnant with #6 5 previous C-sections. The last two were shedualed but first 3 presented different challenges. I am shocked to meet doctors who say “I didn’t know you could have more than 3!”, to which I retort “Unless youa re going through my nose…….”. Does anyone have any suggestions for finding a decent doc that has experience with this many sections?

  • Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 9:36 am
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    I think women have bodies that can withstand many more csections than I did, as I never had any problems with them.

    I also think women can have a vaginal birth under circumstances that they think are limitations.

    I think the female body was made in perfection and is meant to create life. I am not afraid of that role. And I certainly find pleasure in other things, like pursuing my graduate degree or snowboarding.

    If a woman never has a vaginal birth or is barren, she is still woman.

    Woman is woman because she is made woman.

  • Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7:04 pm
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    Me and my partner have always wanted a big family, I’m really blessed to have found an amazing man like that. But after the Drs comments (my 3rd baby/2nd c section) about not having any more made me think thats true. I had convinced myself I should not have any more and have been feeling very low the past few years. Now reading all these awesome stories I’ve been able to opened my eyes again and have found new hope that I too can have my big family. I have no hassles carrying my babies its the “getting them out” that I have trouble with. So happy to have found this site. Maybe baby #4 is in the works.

  • Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 3:54 pm
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    Trina:

    I think you should made decisions for yourself that are based on research, faith, support of your partner and family. Doctors are not gods. They are men who have studied and researched under certain criteria and limitations. Please first find renewed confidence in your body as a vessel for life and creativity of all kinds. “Once the receiver is open, the gift will manifest” –anonymous

  • Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 1:14 pm
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    hi, i have had 5 cesareans and am going for #6 and i badly want a VBAC, its been 7 years, but I am still deathly afraid of uterine rupture, how did it go for you?

  • Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 4:54 pm
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    I had 5 csections in 1998, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and then my UBA5C in 2009. It had been 17 months since my last csection when I had my UBAC. I am not sure about your particular circumstances, but I am sure you know within yourself what is right. Listen to the reassuring, constant voice of hope. It will guide you. Not the troubled, anxious voice based in fear.

  • Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 6:14 am
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    I am so happy to find this thread! I have 7 children and have had 5 sections. I was so worried as i just couldn’t find any sites online that offered adviceand am desperate for another!!!!!

  • Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 8:03 pm
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    Wow! This is great! I have had 4 C-sections in 4 years. I want a girl but keep having boys. I want 2 go for a 5th but I am also scared of the consequences. My friend told me that her cousin had 8 C-sections (Whoa). Your post was very informative. Thanks!

  • Monday, July 4, 2011 at 11:22 am
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    I have had 5 c-sections and trying for my 6th!!!!!!!! no complications yet. Can anyone tell me if you know of anyone having a vbac after so many c-sections?

  • Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 11:28 am
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    I have had 7 children first 2 vaginal last 5 csections. my last one was 11mos ago and was exactly 12 mos after number 6. It was a disaster that almost killed me and the baby! luckily we are both fine and he is the BEST baby ever! i do still sometimes think about another one but i’m pretty sure my Dr. would flip out.I wonder if bc it’s been almost a yr since the last one is my uterus healed by now? does anyone know???

  • Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 1:01 pm
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    To: 7 blessings I would be really happy you have had 7 babies! It sound like you ssid the last pregnacy almost hurt you and your baby, that to me is a red flag to stop! Just thank GOD for all your little miracles!And began your life raising just them :)

  • Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 1:06 pm
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    I am wanting to get prego for the 5th time which would also be c-section #5 My doctor recommended to really think this out because he said I have a 15% chance of uterine rupter and 5% chance of scar tissue damage, does any one know if that is a chance I should take or are those percentages high or low considering?

  • Monday, March 26, 2012 at 3:00 pm
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    i have had 5 vbacks and 5 ce sections currently pregnant 32 weeks was told i cant have a vback but want to advice

  • Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 8:17 pm
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    Wow ,how amazing….God is an Awsome God!!!! I too have had 5 C-sections!!!! She wish you mothers the best!

  • Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 8:25 pm
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    Also want to share that I had preclamsia with all of my pregnancies,I’m 41yrs. and want another,,,am I crazzii for wanting another child???? My oldest 25yrs.,23yrs.,15yrs.,10,yrs.,then my babi Eli-Joaquin 4 yrs! Need don’t help here!!! Anyone?

  • Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 8:28 pm
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    Correction needed,,,,, I meant need some help,,,ADVICE, anyone????

  • Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 4:24 pm
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    thx all you lovelies for putting up your stories.
    I have had 5 C sections in 9 years; with each I tried VBAC. I am now with my 6th pregnacy and would LOVE to go VBAC. The cause for C SECTIONS was slow dilation of cervix never any complications. NEED a doctor who will follow me considered `HIGH RISK`.
    open to advice.

  • Friday, October 12, 2012 at 10:51 pm
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    In my opinion this is something between and your creator. Doctors, for the most part, are only going to get in the way.

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