If you could choose method of delivery

Breezy8407

For those that have done this before, if you could choose attempting a vaginal delivery vs. a c-section, which would you choose?

I met with my Dr. this morning and she told me it was more or less my choice of delivery within reason. Both babies are still head down, but baby A is measuring smaller than baby B. My Dr. does not do breech extraction (if b would flip during delivery)  and she said most in the practice also will not. 

Of course my ultimate goal is to have healthy babies arrive safely. I have wanted a vaginal birth all along, but definitely don't want both types if I can help it.  

Thoughts? 

LadyGolfer523

I would have a c-section again in a heartbeat.  Everything about my delivery was so relaxed and so quick.  Just the other night I asked MrT if he was glad he didn't have to watch me go through labor and he said he'd take our 30 minute procedure over what he's seen on TV any day.

My recovery was really, really easy for which I feel somewhat guilty (my sister had a terrible c-section recovery). 

That being said, I still wish I would have gotten that "oh crap my water broke" moment. 

mars724

my ultrasound tech had twins and she said her baby B was bigger, she delivered naturally, and it was very hard that way. it's something to consider, she delivered B 5 hours after A =(

 

smit3807

mars724:

my ultrasound tech had twins and she said her baby B was bigger, she delivered naturally, and it was very hard that way. it's something to consider, she delivered B 5 hours after A =(

 

I actually had a similar situation (baby B was 1 lb bigger, and there were 4.5 hours between my girls), although I didn't think my delivery was hard at all.  I think this is one of those questions that nobody can answer for you.  I was also given the choice, and I elected to try for a vaginal birth, but having a c-section for baby B was an acceptable risk for me.  If it's your worst case scenario, electing a c-section might be a better option for you.  Good luck with your decision!

trish3905

My vaginal delivery went smoothly - I was induced at 39 weeks.  My doctors' group was split 50/50 as to who would do a breech extraction and the doctor who ended up doing my delivery did not do breech extractions.  They both stayed head down, so it was not an issue.  My girls arrived 10 minutes apart.  I was pleased with the recovery... I literally only had a few ibuprofen afterwards and bounced back really quickly.

The statistics for women who deliver A vaginally and B by c-section is pretty small - I'm sure someone will chime in with it.  I felt it was worth a shot to try a vaginal delivery. 

ninjabridemom

Considering they're both head down, I'd try for a vag birth, honestly -- but I haven't had a c-section, either.

 

How much bigger is B than A?  My OBs said if it's 1/2lb or less it isn't an issue.

Temp6313048411121614

I had a vaginal delivery with my singleton and a c/s with my twins.  Both were pretty easy overall.  I can't say how easy a vaginal delivery would've been with my twins, but personally I think a vaginal delivery should be attempted if possible.  Baby A was frank breech and my OB will only do a vaginal delivery when both are head down and B is smaller than A (he wants to insure that if the placent starts to detach after A that he can get B out quickly).  I don't know why you would want a c/s unless there's a specific reason for one.  I'm in no way judging those that prefer a c/s for various reasons, I just don't understand why and I personally feel that a vaginal is safer and less invasive (but also I was terrified before my c/s and don't remember much of it because I tried to block everything about it out until I heard the first baby cry, I thought for some reason that I'd be able to feel what they were doing).

Breezy8407

ninjabridemom:

Considering they're both head down, I'd try for a vag birth, honestly -- but I haven't had a c-section, either.

 

How much bigger is B than A?  My OBs said if it's 1/2lb or less it isn't an issue.

Last week B was 5lb 15oz and A was 4lb 9oz...of course those are estimates, but B has been bigger all along. I have another growth scan on Monday with the perinatologist. 

My intuition is to try vaginal still. I know things could still change and it may be out of my hands! 

  

schoolsoutbride

I've had both.  Vaginal with 2.5 hours of pushing and a 2nd degree tear, and a c-section (baby A was frank breech).  I'd choose vaginal, without a doubt.  The c-section recovery was easier than I expected, but not as easy as the vaginal.  BFing was WAY easier with the vaginal, as was taking care of a newborn.

sammyslick

My doctor is giving me the option of vaginal delivery vs. c-section. Im opting witha C-Section. My reasons are the scenario's she spelled out for me that make a c-section with twins, in her opinion, safer. For example, starting a vaginal delivery, having baby A, and Baby B turns, heart rate drops, or doesnt move down in an amount of time that they would desire, we will have a C-Section anyway. I really dont want to have to recover from both a vaginal delivery and a C-Section. So I am opting with C-Section.

MrsCali_Bride

I had a vaginal birth with my singleton and a c-section with the twins (breech Baby A). I would choose a vaginal birth again in a heartbeat. My recovery was so, so much easier and I felt like myself again within a few days. With the c-section I was in pain and swollen for 2.5 weeks and it took a bit longer to feel closer to normal and not like my insides were going to fall out. If we choose to have any more kids I would have to have a c-section since my OB and hospital don't do VBACs because of the risks associated with them. That's something to consider if you plan to have more kids.

ougrad1

Hands down a section.   Anything can happen with a multiples pregnancy.

 

jalaiaa

If I had had the choice I would have delivered vaginally but my boys were transverse so it was out of my hands. I had a VBAC with DS3 and had a much better experience. C-section recovery wasn't bad, but vaginal was much easier. Also, I know it is only a brief period of time but I hated that I only got to glance at the boys right after birth before they were whisked away while I was sewn up. With DS3 he was placed on my chest and stayed there and nursed and didn't leave my arms for an hour or so. Overall a much better post-birth experience with the vaginal.

 

JenLC99

I haven't had my twins yet (obviously), but both of my older children were born vaginally and it was wonderful, especially the second delivery: 5 hours of labor from start to finish (only 1.5 hours at the hospital), 11 minutes of pushing, 100% med-free. My recoveries were a dream; I was only at the hospital for six hours after having my second before I went home (I was seeing a midwife and was technically a birth center patient and their policy is early discharge, but the birth center was closed for repairs after a small fire which is why I delivered at the hospital). I am not sure if I will get to attempt a vaginal birth this time because Baby A has been consistently halfway breech-halfway transverse ever since the anatomy scan. I have another growth scan tomorrow at 30w1d and if she is still not vertex by 34 weeks we will schedule a c-section. I know that the recovery will be longer and more difficult than my vaginal deliveries, and I know that it can impact breastfeeding in the hours and few days immediately following, so I sincerely hope to avoid it; but if it's necessary, of course it's what we will do. Fortunately all of the doctors in my practice are skilled in an after coming breech extraction (second baby), so as long as Baby A gets the show on the road, we will be good to go!  

Fancy3Face

I have only had a c-section, but I would choose that again.  Both my babies were head down at the point of delivery.  

 

HazelEyes730

I had a c section with DD and I did not even hesitate to schedule a repeat section this time. My recovery was really easy. Incision healed well and I was moving around the morning after. If you have a section, do some light walking and moving as soon as you can. Makes recovery easier and quicker. I've had quit a few surgeries over the years. Don't try to be a super hero, but don't just sit there. Also take the pain meds when needed. Everyone is different but I had an easier recovery than some of my friends who delivered vaginally.

jxd215

I would have liked to try a vaginal delivery but DD was breech so I had no choice. I had a pretty easy recovery from my section and have no complaints or regrets, but I still like the idea of trying the minimally invasive route.

By the way, my water did break and it was so anticlimactic. More like "is that my water breaking or am I just accidentally peeing again?" Not something that will rank as one of the highlights of my life!

nikinikinine

I had a vaginal delivery and would do it again in a heartbeat. My doctors were comfortable doing a breech extraction should the need to do so arise. But it did not, it was the easiest birth ever. Baby A took 56 minutes of pushing, Baby B went straight into the birth canal following his lead and was out 13 minutes later. 

I don't know if I would've been as confident if my doctors weren't comfortable with the breech extraction. But I, personally, would never choose surgery over having a baby naturally. I realize sometimes people don't have the option, I'm talking directly about making a choice. 

E&RMommy

Vaginal vaginal vaginal

One million times over vaginal.

I still am sad I had a c-section, but it was out of my hands.

FWIW - My baby b was supposed to be almost 1 lb bigger.  He was a whopping 5 grams bigger.  Yes, the difference of 5 paper clips.    

gringa78

I've had both, and I would have a c-section again, hands down.  I had a 4th degree tear and subsequent rectovaginal fistula with my singeton.  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.  The twin c-section delivery and recovery was a breeze compared to that.

07may07

If I knew how it would turn out, I would have opted for the c/s to begin with. 

For me, both babies were head down and baby A was measuring smaller than Baby B.  I labored for 29 hours and pushed for 3 before the doctor decided that I was having "failure to progress" past 9.5 cm.  I was exhausted.

All that being said, the actual c/s was no walk in the park.  I had a very difficult surgery.  However, I've been recovering well!

So, if I knew how it was going to turn out, I would have asked for the c/s to begin with.  But, of course, everyone has a different experience!

Good luck to you!!

KDR1979

I'm really hoping for a vaginal birth. Both are head down. Baby B is also a pound bigger, but even if I made it to 38 wks, I think he'd be 7.5lbs at most.

macchiatto

I chose vaginal and have no regrets. I'd only go with major surgery if there was a medical reason; barring complications, vaginal deliveries have benefits for both the mom and the babies. (Plus a local friend of mine had a singleton a month before my boys were born, and he ended up in the NICU for 3 weeks in part because of lung problems due to the C-section; one benefit of a vaginal delivery is that it helps squeeze the fluid out of their lungs. So her experience was fresh in my mind when I was discussing my birth plan!)

My Baby B did flip during labor (both were head down when my induction started) but b/c he kept flipping back and forth the last two months, I had switched to an OB who was comfortable with doing a breech extraction if necessary. I'm really glad I did b/c if I'd stayed with my original practice I would've ended up with a double whammy with the way he flipped at the last minute.

ETA: Only 5% of twin moms have Baby A vaginally and Baby B by C-section. So it's definitely a possibility, but the odds are small enough that I was willing to take that risk. I felt like even if only one baby was able to get the benefits of vaginal delivery, I'd do that for him if I could. It's such a personal decision though; once you've weighed all the pros and cons, go with what you're comfortable with. I hope it goes well for you, whatever you choose!

angelynn8411

I had a 40 hour unmedicated labor with DD#1, followed by 3 hours of pushing and a tear that req'd stitches.

DD#2 was born at 32 weeks via emergency c-section. I never had a contraction, my water never broke, "easy" as can be according to what people would say.

I would choose my first labor ANY DAY over my 2nd. A c-section is major surgery. My recovery was much much harder, took forever, and I had a lot of restrictions. WIth a vaginal birth, I was up and walking around minutes after delivery.

MrsLnt

I only have had a c-section but I have no regrets about mine. I didn't have much choice because both babies were breech and my MFM was not comfortable with breech extractions. So, even prior to them both turning breech, I was leaning toward a c-section because it was a more controlled situation than a vaginal delivery.

Regarding weights, my Baby B (girl) measured bigger than her brother at every single ultrasound except for the very first one at 6w 3d when we discovered it was twins. Every.single.one. At 35w 5d they were estimated at 5lbs 9oz (boy) and 5lbs 9oz (girl). They were born at 37w 1d and my boy was over 6lbs and my girl was 4lbs 15oz! So when they say that those u/s measurements can be off by a pound, they mean it! And this was with high-level equipment in the MFM offices. So I wouldn't put a ton of stock into which baby is bigger. 

politelypink

I had a csection because both mine were breech. Besides a slight hemorrhage, I was really happy with how my csection went. Honestly, pushing out two babies didn't have much appeal to me anyhow.

Breezy8407

Thank you all for sharing your experiences! 

Kristi1971

I had a vaginal delivery with my singleton at age 19.  The delivery and recovery was so easy and quick.  At age 40, I had to have an emergency c-section with my twins.  Baby A's water broke @ 31 weeks. I spent a week in the hospital having contractions every 10 minutes.  The very next Saturday, Baby A's cord started to come out of me, and she was pressing on the cord with her head.  The c-section was done right away.  The recovery has been much more difficult.  I would vote for a vaginal delivery after my prior experiences...of course I was 19 at the time.  So who knows. 

UsedToBeGoldie

i have had both - and i would choose a c/s in a heartbeat!!

my vag delivery = 4th degree tear... 8+ weeks of horrible pain, and issues that require me to have surgery (5 years later).... it was so hard to recover from that.

my c/s = cake compared to the vag delivery in terms of recovery.  I was also totally awake and aware during their birth- unlike my older son's vag delivery where i was passing out between pushes from exhaustion.

13pickle

know what you pick is right for you and your babies, there is no judgement and you will do what is right.

I hate that there can be so much guilt around this descion (i'm at the same point as you) trust your self, get support from your SO, doctor and mom (or friend) and know you don't have to tell anyone about this choice.

 visualize all the outcomes and options to be prepared, great job on making it this far and have the power to make this choice!

GOOD LUCK 

Kristen61607

if both were head down, I'd have opted for vaginal. I think I could have rocked it too, haha. After my water broke at midnight and I got to the hospital, i was 7 cms dilated and the contractions weren't that bad! BUT my baby B was transverse so I just opted for a c/s. My biggest fear was having to recover from a c/s and vaginal birth.

gumiberg

i had a vaginal delivery and never considered a c-section.

i would personally avoid surgery.  i think ANY birth/recovery can be hard - i think there is always an element of luck.

my birth was so easy.  water broke, i got my first contraction, 4 hours and 4 pushes later, both my kids were born.  my dr said it was because i was in such good shape - my body did all the work so i barely had to push.  i was running again (albeit very slowly) 2 weeks later. 

atlantic

nikinikinine:

I had a vaginal delivery and would do it again in a heartbeat. My doctors were comfortable doing a breech extraction should the need to do so arise. But it did not, it was the easiest birth ever. Baby A took 56 minutes of pushing, Baby B went straight into the birth canal following his lead and was out 13 minutes later. 

I don't know if I would've been as confident if my doctors weren't comfortable with the breech extraction. But I, personally, would never choose surgery over having a baby naturally. I realize sometimes people don't have the option, I'm talking directly about making a choice. 

Pretty much this, although I think I only pushed about ten times. My boys were both six lbs. They were also my second babies though, which helped. Withbmy daughter I pushed for 2.5 hours. My doctors saw no reason to schedule a c-section when the potential for a successful vaginal delivery was so good.