SIL vs OB with DH in the mix

jcthomas1281

Here is some fun stuff! My SIL is awesome. As far as I am concerned, she is the only "normal" kid that came from my husband's family.  She will be moving here in a like a month to start her job at the hospital. She is a pediatric cardiologist.  I am so excited to have her close by so if I have questions about the boys I don't have to wait for my family doctor on base to get back to me.

Anyways, she found out that they are inducing me on June 1st, which is right between 38-39 weeks.  She is really concerned about having such big babies induced so late. Basically, she wants to know why not induce now? I am not concerned because the peri and the OB both say the boys are looking great and I know that every day they are in there is another day for them to grow and be healthy. But SIL is really concerned. She called DH and I think freaked him out a little. She told him about the risk of delivering one vaginally and one turning and needing a c-sect and how that was awful! So he tells me I should just get the c-sect. Even though we took classes on the subject, I knew he wasn't listening so I got to explain to him AGAIN the risks and benefits of the different possibilities. 

Both the boys are head down and have been that way for months. They are pretty close in size and yeah, they are big but not the biggest babies in the world (and to be honest..I have VERY wide hips lol). So I am very aware of the risks of having to get the double whammy and my OB has told me that it always a possibility, but she seems confident about trying for both vaginally (which is good considering she originally encouraged me to sign up for a c-sect when I first saw her). My friend had her twins that way and was so grateful she did. 

I know its a risk, but I am all for giving it a try. I am pretty flexible with my "birth plan" beyond the fact that I totally want the epi...I am not concerned HOW they get out as long as they get out safely.

Anyways, thanks for the vent!  I am off to eat a fresh pineapple or something lol.

anna2006

The chance of the Double Whammy is about 5% - it happens, but not on a routine basis.  I think wanting to avoid the double whammy is not a strong reason to get the C/S.

Induction around 38-39 weeks is about right.  For singletons, ACOG recommends induction only at 39 weeks or above.  For twins, many OBs deliver at 38 weeks because there is a risk of the placentas failing towards your due date.  

Even though SIL is pediatrician (trained in peds before cardiology), you should be getting your information from your OB.  I am also a pediatric subspecialist and I am the first to admit that the OBs and MFMs have more experience in this area than I do.  Once your kids are here and they have a pediatric medical issue, then you can ask your SIL for advice! 

Dec31stBride

I feel your pain, in terms of fear of the unknown / making the best choice. I am starting to get very nervous for Monday.

Regarding the induction after 38 weeks - I recently found out that JHACO - a hospital accreditation organization - does not allow for scheduled c-sections or inductions prior to 39 weeks (for singles - not sure about twins) unless there is a real medical reason (pre-e, labor, etc...). Twins might be 38, because mine is right at 38 wks.

As long as your dr. is willing to do a breech birth if baby B turns, you probably are at low risk of the double whammy. Even without, the fact that they are both vertex is awesome.

Even though you obviously love and respect SIL, try not to let her preferences cloud your judgement.

Unless you're having 2 9-lb babies, I doubt they'll bee too big!

 Enjoy your pineapple! 

  

robinsokj

My peri won't let anyone with multiples go past 38 weeks b/c of the risk of placenta deterioration, nothing to do with size.  I was induced at 36w5d b/c of complications and other than size they are perfectly healthy.  But, thats not to say that others induced early won't have complications.  There was a 37 weeker singleton in the NICU with breathing issues.  Its kind of luck of the draw at the point you're at. 

jalaiaa

anna2006:

The chance of the Double Whammy is about 5% - it happens, but not on a routine basis.  I think wanting to avoid the double whammy is not a strong reason to get the C/S.

Induction around 38-39 weeks is about right.  For singletons, ACOG recommends induction only at 39 weeks or above.  For twins, many OBs deliver at 38 weeks because there is a risk of the placentas failing towards your due date.  

Even though SIL is pediatrician (trained in peds before cardiology), you should be getting your information from your OB.  I am also a pediatric subspecialist and I am the first to admit that the OBs and MFMs have more experience in this area than I do.  Once your kids are here and they have a pediatric medical issue, then you can ask your SIL for advice! 

This- except that I'm not a pediatric subspecialist 

kelliwill

robinsokj:

My peri won't let anyone with multiples go past 38 weeks b/c of the risk of placenta deterioration, nothing to do with size.  I was induced at 36w5d b/c of complications and other than size they are perfectly healthy.  But, thats not to say that others induced early won't have complications.  There was a 37 weeker singleton in the NICU with breathing issues.  Its kind of luck of the draw at the point you're at. 

This is true with my peri as well: not about size, but the placenta.  With identicals he won't let you go past 37 weeks and 38 weeks for non-identicals (two placentas).  We had some placenta issues with sharing so I went til 36 weeks 

KMB7

I had a double whammy and would do it all over again. Being able to experience a Vaginal delivery was very special. I was disappointed that I didn't get to hear my son's first cry because I had to be knocked out for the C-section. I wouldn't change a thing about my birth/delivery.

I had the same attitude with my "birth plan". I had preferences, but was pretty open.

Like others have said, double whammy deliveries are very unusual. Praying for a safe delivery.