C-section, Di/Di

bellewife1028

This will be my first C-section and I am nervous for several reasons. I delievered my daughter vaginally and one of my biggest fears was hemorrhaging. I know this is rare these days, but it is still one of my fears, especially with a c-section. If you had di/di babies, were the placentas delievered after each baby or at the end? Sorry this might be a dumb question but I am just curious. Also, did you need a blood transfusion? Ob says I will most likely need one based on my current status.

nichellemybelle

I had my di/di girls via c-section. I have no idea when the placentas were delivered but I would assume after each baby. There was never any mention to me about ever needing blood or possibly even having this complication.

LucyRicardo3

nichellemybelle:

I had my di/di girls via c-section. I have no idea when the placentas were delivered but I would assume after each baby. There was never any mention to me about ever needing blood or possibly even having this complication.

same thing here. I do recall someone in the OR saying my blood loss was 1 liter, but I didn't need anything for it. 

stuzyq14

I have no clue when my placentas came - but I know I did start to hemorrhage some during the surgery. (I heard my OB say something, but they got it controlled pretty quick).  My hemoglobin bottomed out in the days following surgery - I had to stay in the hospital 5 days for monitoring, but honestly I enjoyed the extra hospital time.  

My OB fought hard against a transfusion (I am so thankful he did) and the iron pills made me sooooo constipated (make sure you start colace if you start taking iron!), but I didn't have to have a transfusion and my hemoglobin started going back up my last day in the hospital.  I do think I had a more difficult recovery because of my weakened state, but it all worked out and I'm as prepared as possible to do it all again in another 7 weeks ;op 

reillyroowho

You are early enough in your pregnancy to prevent a transfusion if you lack iron or your hemoglobin levels are low. Fight for prevention!!!

ardilla

I have no idea when the placentas were delivered. I had to sign paperwork consenting to a transfusion if it became necessary, but it wasn't even brought up during or after my surgery.

Kristen61607

I had my di/di girls via c-section. I have no idea about the placentas. I was "aware" but out of it at the same time if that makes sense. I don't know if I "hemorrhaged" per se, but I know right before they wheeled me into the recovery room, two nurses were pushing on my belly to get all the bleeding/clotting out or something? Then when I got to recovery they got me on pitocin. I didn't need a transfusion or anything!  Overall it was a great experience. I have nothing to compare it to as these are my first babies, but I had no problems with the surgery itself or recovery!

RAF56

I am not sure when the placentas were delivered, they didn't mention it. They did give me some sort of shot I believe for bleeding. After the surgery the doctor told me it was just precautionary.  I was awake and alert during the surgery but once they got my girls out, I was only focused on them I didn't really pay attention to what the doctor was doing. 

nursemama2be

As a Hem/Onc RN I think its odd how quickly some OB's move to transfuse. Your body has the ability to lose a lot of blood and generate more. Explain your wishes to your OB and trust your body to do it's job.

tootlebug

anyone have experience with 2 anterior placentas?  same procedure?  i both mine are anterior.

Rangergal9

I am assuming they removed the placentas after since my girls were born just a minute apart.  As for blood loss, I did lose a lot of blood, but not enough to require a transfusion.  They gave me iron supplements while I was in the hospital and they just watched me.  My OB did say that blood loss and requiring a transfusion was a complication that can occur with twins, so I was really nervous about that, but everything turned out fine!

MagPie08

I delivered di/di vaginally. I did have two blood transfusions, but I also had other issues that contributed to the hemmoraging. I was never fearful though- I was under great care and knew my doc/nurses were watching me. I remember I told my doc I felt like Popeye eating a can of spinach when they finally gave me blood. I took iron for a few weeks afterwards and all was fine.

E&RMommy

nursemama2be:

As a Hem/Onc RN I think its odd how quickly some OB's move to transfuse. Your body has the ability to lose a lot of blood and generate more. Explain your wishes to your OB and trust your body to do it's job.

Totally disagree on a professional level - may just be the OBs you work around.  Most OBs are more willing to let a woman walk around at a hemoglobin of 6 because we know their blood volume is increased in pregnancy.  For most of us, we rarely transfuse unless the patient is symptomatic (which post partum they are often not).

OP - Blood loss for twins is one liter on average.  There is nothing you can do to prevent hemorrhage.  Hemorrhage during a c-section is actually easier to control than during a vaginal delivery.  It's normal to be worried, but really it's just chance. 

 

E&RMommy

tootlebug:

anyone have experience with 2 anterior placentas?  same procedure?  i both mine are anterior.

No different than any other twin c-section.  They'll deliver the babies first and then the placentas.

kthappy76

Don't know about my placentas, but I didn't need a transfusion. These are pretty routine and complications are rare, though I was warned that with twins WCS I could lose my ute. I would focus on things you can control and talk to your Dr. about why your status would increase the need.

bellewife1028

Thanks for all the responses everyone. My hemoglobin went from 10.6 to 8.5 in one week and I was very symptomatic (seeing spots, extremely dizzy, fast pulse). This is when my OB mentioned transfusing after delivery. She sent me to a hemotologist, who has me on increased iron and it has gone back up to 9.4. I will have a recheck in 9 days to discuss possible IV iron, and I will ask the hemo about the transfusions as well. MFM thinks I will not need it if I continue on my oral iron or possibly IV iron.

My MIL worked in ICU for many years and she told me they transfused anyone with a hemoglobin under 9, so she was concerned about my level.

E&RMommy

bellewife1028:

Thanks for all the responses everyone. My hemoglobin went from 10.6 to 8.5 in one week and I was very symptomatic (seeing spots, extremely dizzy, fast pulse). This is when my OB mentioned transfusing after delivery. She sent me to a hemotologist, who has me on increased iron and it has gone back up to 9.4. I will have a recheck in 9 days to discuss possible IV iron, and I will ask the hemo about the transfusions as well. MFM thinks I will not need it if I continue on my oral iron or possibly IV iron.

My MIL worked in ICU for many years and she told me they transfused anyone with a hemoglobin under 9, so she was concerned about my level.

ICU patients are very sick, and need to have a higher level to heal.  It's understandable you're worried.  Most post partum patients can tolerate that or lower.

Keep us posted.

ColleenS629

I had a c/s for my di/di boys. I don't know when the placentas were delivered but I would guess it was after both boys were delivered because their placentas had fused. I'm not sure she could have delivered them separately.

ETA: I did not need a transfusion.  

everam01

I had a c-section with di/di and did not have to have a transfusion, though I do know I lost a lot of blood. Like pp said, my blood pressure dropped very low a few times and they had to give me a lot of extra meds to get my uterus to contract down quickly.