STM's...advice on double whammy...

laureneliza13

At my last appointment we found out Baby A is head down, ready to come out! Baby B is still breech. My doctor said she feels 100% comfortable doing a vaginal delivery even if she needs to deliver Baby B breech and we would of course deliver in the OR in case I need a c/s to get Baby B out quick. I really want to have the experience of giving birth so I am leaning towards the vaginal birth but afraid of the dreaded "double whammy" recovery. I've had multiple surgeries so actually having the c/s and the potential of being put under doesn't bother me. I'm just worried about recovery. What's your advice/experience?

gault530

I've never had twins or a baby by c-section, so I can't speak to that, but I delivered DD vaginally and would prefer to do that again.  By the time we got home (two days later) I felt pretty good.  Of course I bled for about 4 weeks after (totally normal), but I wasn't in pain.  I didn't need any narcotics at all and took ibuprofen off and on for about five days after.  Honestly, I thought it was no big deal, I was expecting it to be way worse. 

I am really hoping to have a vaginal delivery again because it went so well.  That would be my vote if you have an option.

Mrs.Greg

My Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech. My dr said we could attempt a vaginal delivery and try to flip Baby B after Baby A was born and if she didn't flip, he'd do a breech extraction. He did say there was the risk of needing a csection if Baby B was in distress, small chance but a chance nonetheless, but I was willing to take that risk. My delivery went perfectly, Baby B didn't flip and came out feet first. Good luck!!

rn8

So I just posted about my experience in the post below.  I have really conflicted feelings about this still, and my twins are almost 6 months old.  Here are some things to think about.  My A baby was handed to the NICU drs. right away.  They were 35w5d, and the Drs warned me that after A was delivered they would be working quickly to deliver B.    I didn't get to hold, or really see her before the Drs were trying to get my B into position for delivery.  Before I knew it, the drs. were telling me I needed an emergency Csection for B.  I was knocked out and my husband was kicked out of the room.  We both missed our son's birth, and I didn't get a good look at our daughter.  I woke up in the recovery room to my husband telling me that our son was fine, thank goodness, but our parents got to meet our babies first.  I never had surgery before and the anesthesia hit me hard. I was in a huge fog the next day (feeling dizzy and throwing up). Physically, I was sore for a while, and I was weak from the blood loss of the stat Csection.  If I had to do it again, I would make sure that my abdomen was as numb as my pelvis to avoid the general anesthesia.  While I was so happy to have 2 healthy babies, I was a little sad that their birth wasn't the joyous moment I had imagined it was going to be.

laraashleyt

I had the same positioning with my twins as you do. I too wanted to try the vaginal delivery. Unfortunately my experience didn't work out, but I understand you wanting to try. I pushed for 3 1/2 hours and just couldn't push my daughter out because she was stuck and would not budge anymore. I ended up having a c section to deliver both. Although I didn't "push" Baby A out, I had most of the after effects of a vaginal delivery (still bleeding..hoping that stops at 6 weeks, swelling, pain, etc). I just pushed so hard and long that it felt like I delivered to me!!!!!  Good Luck though. I really hope you get to deliver vaginally if that's what you choose  

macchiatto

I did have a vaginal delivery with breech extraction of Baby B so I can't speak to the double whammy but I can say the breech delivery was NBD, thanks I'm sure to my epidural. Good luck to you!

erhansen

My babies are in the exact same position and I'm going to try for a vaginal delivery. With twins there's always the risk of the double whammy, so I figure I might as well try for the delivery I want, but it certainly helps that my doctors are all completely comfortable with breech extractions. Good luck!

adoubleu12

Both of my babies were head down for the majority of my pregnancy.  I really had no  big reason to not go for the vaginal delivery.  Baby A came out in 13 minutes, and it was like a dream. Then Baby B wouldn't engage, which led to the cord coming out 1st when they broke my water, which led to an emergency c-section.  
Although it was a little bit of a traumatic experience, I would do it all again and not change a thing.  Especially after I learned I will not be able to try for a VBAC next time.  Getting to experience the vaginal birth was amazing, and I would never take it back.  

leviandlandensmom

I had a double whammy and the c/s recovery was pretty painful. If I had to do it over again, I'd still opt to try for a vaginal delivery. It is healthier for the babies and for mom.