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Multiples
Anyone attempting (or had) a natural birth?
Please note, this is no criticism of anyone opting to so with drugs or c/s - just a question based on my feelings as to what's right for me. Don't want anyone to feel like I'm judging, I'm not. 
I would absolutely have a natural birth if I were only having 1 baby, so I'm bummed about the liklihood of drugs or a c/s. This is not b/c I think I'm some hard-core super woman or earth mama or anything; I merely prefer bad pain and a better recovery with fewer complications to no pain/less pain and a potentially tougher recovery. I also don't dig the idea of a catheder or needle in my spine. Re: the c/s, which I *think* I'd prefer to the drugs, I hate the idea of being sewn up instead of holding my babies right after the birth. Not to mention the fact that it's major abdomenal surgery.
Both of my babies are vertex (head down) now, and if they stay that way I'd really like to do the natural thing. But my doctor is insisting that I should have an epi in case the 2nd twin turns during labor. That, in turn, will necessitate Pitocin, which I also really don't want.
Help. I feel like I have no options here - I love this hospital and my doctor aside from this (rather important) issue. The NICU is fabulous and so is his experience. Do I give my body over to science and let them do what they may? I just don't know how hard to fight, I'm confused.
Thanks
I would absolutely have a natural birth if I were only having 1 baby, so I'm bummed about the liklihood of drugs or a c/s. This is not b/c I think I'm some hard-core super woman or earth mama or anything; I merely prefer bad pain and a better recovery with fewer complications to no pain/less pain and a potentially tougher recovery. I also don't dig the idea of a catheder or needle in my spine. Re: the c/s, which I *think* I'd prefer to the drugs, I hate the idea of being sewn up instead of holding my babies right after the birth. Not to mention the fact that it's major abdomenal surgery.
Both of my babies are vertex (head down) now, and if they stay that way I'd really like to do the natural thing. But my doctor is insisting that I should have an epi in case the 2nd twin turns during labor. That, in turn, will necessitate Pitocin, which I also really don't want.
Help. I feel like I have no options here - I love this hospital and my doctor aside from this (rather important) issue. The NICU is fabulous and so is his experience. Do I give my body over to science and let them do what they may? I just don't know how hard to fight, I'm confused.
Thanks
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Anyone attempting (or had) a natural birth?
Honestly, if I was having 1 baby, I'd probably have thought about a natural birth. However, once I found out it was twins, I just threw any of my preconceived notions out the window. And the most important thing to me was not my birth experience, but that my DDs arrived in this world in the safest way possible for them. That being said, I did have c-section that was scheduled the day before. Not necessarily the way I would have planned it, but it turned out perfectly and I have no regrets. My recovery wasn't bad and considering my DDs were in the NICU for a couple days, I wouldn't have been doing much cuddling right after delivery anyway.
I had a friend due about the same time who wanted a natural birth. She went med-free and it turned out she needed an emergency c-section. Because she didn't have an epidural, she had to have general anesthesia which then meant that her DH wasn't allowed in the OR for the birth. I think about how different her experience was than mine and I'm liking my scheduled c-section with a spinal and DH by my side. :-) Good luck with whatever you decide!
***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***
I understand. I actually deliver babies for a living, yet I wanted an epi free delivery. Having twins I would never do it epi free. And trust me - I'd rather not have that injection, catheter...it's not me!
With that being said, I've personally had to perform a c-section on twin #2 on more than one occasion for differing reasons. It's a scary mess. Absolutely chaotic. You do not want this possibility without an epidural. You will have general anesthesia...blah blah blah. There is an absolute reason why your doc is suggesting this. It's not for pain from pitocin if needed - it's for an emergent cesarean. And I might add that you will get pitocin after the babies deliver which is absolutely important to contract your uterus. MoMs have a much much higher risk of post partum hemorrhage than a singleton. When you deviate from the norm (2 babies instead of 1) unfortunately a completely low risk and medication free delivery is not always the safe option.
As far as turning your body over to science...um well.... Most of us got into this business because we love delivering babies and helping people. We unfortunately see the worst of the worst and do our best to prepare for all possibilities. I had never treated a patient like a science experiment nor have any of the other hundreds of physicians I have worked with.
Trust in your physician to make the best decisions. We go through years and years of grueling training to make these plans and decisions. I promise that if you just concede with the epidural the vaginal delivery of your twins will still be worth it and still the birth you want. It's the birth of your babies after all.
The epi really should be your choice. As long as you're comfortable with the possibility of general anesthesia if Baby B does turn (that only happens to 5% of twin moms), you should be able to decline an epi.
I did actually switch OBs at 31w because I wanted someone who wasn't SO high-intervention as my previous docs; they were trying to get me to schedule a C-section for 37w because Baby B was breech at 31w. Well, he flipped five more times after that! :P I did end up needing a breech extraction after all because he flipped sometime during labor, so I was glad I had switched to an OB who was comfortable and experienced with delivering a breech Baby B.
I did originally want a natural labor but ended up having a scheduled induction, so I did end up getting an epidural b/c the Pitocin was fine but amniotomy put me over the edge.
For me it worked out well b/c the breech extraction would have been pretty awful without one.
Before ever getting pg I thought I would want to try to go natural. Even with my first pg when I was pregnant with 1 baby, I was thinking about trying it natural. I lost that baby and then with my next pg came the twins. My thoughts changed with that b/c of the risks involved with having twins.
Why would you need pitocin if the 2nd twin turns in labor? I guess I'm not educated about that. They basically just told me if baby B turned I would have to have a c/s for that baby and it would be best to have an epi already in place b/c if I didn't have one I would have to be put under. I did NOT want general anestesia b/c it makes me so sick. Honestly, I was in such severe pain in labor that I just prayed I was going to be able to get an epi.
I have blood clotting disorders and was on heparin at the time, so they weren't sure if I could get an epi. But I did, and it was amazing! I had absolutely no pain or problems from the epi at all, and would gladly do another one if I ever have another baby.
So basically my biggest fear was that if I didn't do an epi and baby B turned I'd have to go under general, and I didn't want that. Some people have mentioned before about having the epidural catheter put it but nto having drugs administered, then if you needed them for the c/s they could put them in. My doc never told me that, but I have seen others on here post about htat.
Just be very honest with your doc and tell them what your desires are, and hoepfully they will work with you to make your birth experience the best it can be.
Thank you all for the thoughtful responses. I only recently became aware of the possibility of having to go under general in the event of an emergency-C if I don't have an epi. That would be the worst case scenario. It's all very frustrating on one hand but I know things will work out...
Someone asked why you'd need pitocin if baby b turned - I may have misspoken or been misunderstood - my doctor told me the vast majority of women who have an epidural have pitocin b/c the epi slows the labor process.
Anyway, thanks again for the info everyone, and I'll keep reading for more responses.
I wanted a natural birth before I knew it was twins. I was hoping for one but once I found out it was twins, I gave up on that idea.
I am going to get an epi just in case. My OB recommends it and I trust her so I am following her advice. I am trying to avoid a c/s though. I really dont want one.
This. I'd love to try and go "natural" with our third, but I'll see when that time comes
You should absolutely talk with your doctors to understand your options and make an informed decision, but that being said, unfortunately a lot of it is out of your control. I talked to my doctor months before delivery and we had decided that I wanted a vaginal delivery if possible, she was comfortable with a breech extraction if baby B's heart rate etc was strong and healthy after delivering A, and I wanted to wait as long as possible to recieve the epidural, but I would because we knew Baby B was IUGR and I wanted to be awake if she went into distress and needed to have a e-csection. Having this conversation and understanding all of the options helped me in the process. I would have loved to go med-free, but after understanding all of the potential circumstances I decided I would recieve an epidural. Even though it wasn't my first choice, it made me feel like I was a part of that decision making process.
My induction started at 3AM and I waited to get an epidural until 4PM when I was 7CM. I was moving fast and they thought that would be last opportunity to recieve one. By 5PM I was 10CM and ready to push and the girls were born at 5:30 and 5:31.
I had a natural birth with pregnancy #1 and I had a natural birth with my twins as well even having a pitocin induction. It's possible. Get a good doula. My bradley classes really came in handy this time around. I was in a much more natural friendly hospital which made a world of difference. I was perfectly calm until just about the end when the babies were born rather unexpectedly. I never made it into the c/s room where twins are required to be born. Baby A just popped out on the bed.
I had been nervous about the baby B turning situation but I honestly think it's a scare technique on part of the OBs. My midwife was perfectly willing to try to deliver baby B if he was breech. My Baby B was the bigger baby which they normally don't like but since I had previously delivered (quickly) a 9 lb baby, she wasn't concerned in the least.
After baby A popped out, the overseeing OB and a nurse both jumped up on me (literally) to hold Baby B in place and keep him from turning. They hadn't warned me that they were going to do this but they did and Baby B stayed right where he was supposed to and came out 9 minutes after his brother.
You can go natural, barring any major problem. Believe in yourself. Definitely give it a try. I can't imagine being all stitched up after a c/s. I up was up and walking around right after my delivery, which came in handy when my husband had low blood sugar from his diabetes shortly after. I was running down the hall in search of juice for him.