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

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.