Lets talk about NB with multiples

7river7wed7

Is it still an option? How about a home birth? Is it likely to find a MW who would be willing to attend a multiples HBAC or are the risks too high? Anyone have a good resource for this?

macchiatto

I did a lot of research on this, and I think it really depends on your area, what's available. I really think a home birth and especially an HBAC with multiples is ill advised, but there are a fair number of OBs who would be willing to do a relatively low-intervention delivery with twins. With triplets, from what I understand, you have far fewer options because of the risks involved.

bandwife

Check out yourbestbirth.com. They had a link to a YouTube video a while back that was all twin and triplet non-cesarean births. Some were even home births.

I know where I live multiples mean you have to see an OB (MWs are only allowed for singleton and low-risk pregnancies) and deliver in a hospital.

jteneback

In NJ, homebirthing twins is illegal. You may still find an OB to deliver them vaginally, but you do have to pay attention to how they are positioned and if it really is a good idea. My DH has a friend who is a triplet, his mom didn't know until she delivered - this was in 1970. Can you imagine?

7river7wed7

jteneback:

In NJ, homebirthing twins is illegal. You may still find an OB to deliver them vaginally, but you do have to pay attention to how they are positioned and if it really is a good idea. My DH has a friend who is a triplet, his mom didn't know until she delivered - this was in 1970. Can you imagine?

Wow. That's terrifying!

Thanks for the feedback ladies.

 Oh and I did see that video - it was beautiful!

MrsTiara

One of my midwives is currently pg w/twins.  So no information now, but I can't wait to hear what she ends up doing (it's illegal in our state for a homebirth w/multiples).

macchiatto

Btw, in the US, about 50% of twins are delivered vaginally. In about 5% of twin deliveries, the first is delivered vaginally and the second by C-section. (I am VERY thankful I switched to an OB who was comfortable and experienced with breech extractions so I was able to avoid this even though my second twin flipped to breech during delivery!)

sschwege

I don't have much information for you.  But the woman I used to nanny for had her twins vaginally and without an epidural, so it's possible.

KMB7

A vaginal birth isn't uncommon with twins. Like pp said it is about 50/50. I was able to have my midwife there, but an OB had to be there too. Delivery had to be in the OR in case of complications with Baby B.  I was able to have a vaginal delivery no problem with DD. My dr was actually laughing because when he watched me push in the room, he said we needed to head to OR. He was surprised that they were my first children and after one good push, I almost had her out. 

After we got to OR I had 3 pushes and dd was out. They placed a monitor on ds's head and my dr told me to give my hardest push I had. I did, and at that moment my dr told me we were switching to a C-section for ds. I never questioned his decision. Next thing I knew I was moved to the OR table (was on a regular delivery bed in the OR before, because they said it would be much more comfortable). The next memory I had was the nurse asking me if I wanted to nurse and them placing both babies to my breast and helping me with their latch.

I didn't know it at the time, but we almost lost ds. His heart rate was plummeting and he almost didn't make it. They had some issues with me as well. It was very possible that ds and I could have died.

I know my experience is very extreme, but never once do I regret my dr's decision. He felt awful for having to do a C, he was very supportive of my vaginal birth plan, but he saved our lives. Every time I see him (going for gyn) I thank him.