Mercy or Magee for a natural twin birth?

TobieRose

Hi bumpies! 

So far this pregnancy I have had one appointment at the Midwife Center and I LOVE them. I have really been looking forward to having a natural birth under their care at UPMC Mercy.

 However, we just found out yesterday that we are having twins (!!). Since I was already planning on having a hospital birth, it doesn't necessarily change my plans; but I've since heard that at Mercy mothers of multiples have to labor in the OR. I'm assuming this means no access to some of the things I was most looking forward too--the birthing tubs, balls, etc ...? I have only heard good things about Mercy, but none of the stories I've found about twin births there have been natural births. I have also heard that the Midwives at Magee are very willing to work with moms of multiples who want natural births, so I'm wondering if that would be a better place to go. 

I plan on having a very frank conversation with the midwives at the Center about my concerns and asking tons of questions, but my appointment isn't for another two weeks, which feels so far away! Have any of you had (or have friends/acquaintances that had) twin deliveries at either of these hospitals? Good experiences, bad experiences?  

Mrs.AshAsh

Due with twins as well! Congrats first off. Second, this will be my second delivery at Mercy and I LOVED my first experience there. My very first delivery was at Magee and my experience wasnt great. Others though have had a great experience.
As for laboring in the OR, I believe thats typical no matter where you deliver just because of the fact that there are multiples and more of a risk that something could happen and they want to be prepared. Also, from my understanding, and again, this is my first pregnancy with multiples so Im not 100 on this, you should certainly speak with your midwives, but from what Ive heard from other MoMs, you will at least have to have the epidural line placed in your back incase of an emergency. However, I feel like if you express what your birth plan is, they would probably agree to no meds as long as things progress without complications...but they will want to take the procautions like being in the OR and having the line in just to be safe. Again, im not an OB and this is my 3rd pregnancy, first with multiples...so Im not speaking from experience. I see my OB tomorrow so I can ask him what the protocal is if you would like? When are you due?? Congrats to you and good luck!

TobieRose

Congrats to you too!! I am due November 29th, when are you due? 

I've heard the same thing about having the epidural line in just in case, and I'm okay with that. Can I ask what OB you're using? Just out of curiosity. I'm not 100% certain I'll be able to go with just the midwives or if they'll recommend I also have a doctor. (So many questions ... my next appointment can't get here soon enough!) 

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences at both hospitals! I have heard about people having both good and bad experiences at Magee but I've only heard good things about Mercy, so I think I'm really leaning in that direction.  

Ellakella 10

I just delivered twins at the end of march at Magee. It was a great experience and all the doctors and nurses were tuned in to my wants and wishes. I delivered both of my twins vaginally with B frank breech. My doctor was very enthusiastic about the fact that I didn't want a c section and wanted to deliver vaginally. There was a minor complication when trying to deliver B but my OB was not quick to csection and did what she had to to make sure all was okay. Overall really enjoyed my birth experience there.

KellyD01

I can't speak for Mercy or the Birth Center. I can tell you that the midwives at Magee were VERY supportive of my desire for a natural birth with my twins. So was Dr. Kaminski who is one of the three that oversee the midwives. In my situation My darling Emmalin had other things in mind and stubbornly stayed breech so we did have a scheduled C/S at 39 weeks 3 days.

Were I to have had a natural birth with my twins I would have had all the same benefits I had w/ my singleton. Laboring happens in an LDR, showers, tub, walking wireless monitoring all was allowed. I would have had to have an epidural at some point. The reasoning does make sense. If B had stayed Breech afte A was born and Dr. Kaminiski would have had to internally turn her that wasn't a feeling I wanted to experience. If they weren't able to turn her and needed to do an emergency section I would have wanted to be conscious. Also I would have been able to begin pushing in the LDR as long as everything was going well. however when the girls were getting close they would have moved us to an OR. I was ok with these.

TobieRose

Thank you both for sharing your experiences!! I actually just got a call from the Midwife Center saying that they can't deliver twins, so I am considering switching to a practice at Magee (maybe the midwives there). My only concern now is that my husband starts a new job next month and our insurance will be Highmark ... which I've been told Magee doesn't accept anymore.  

Mrs.AshAsh

Im not sure if Magee accepts Highmark or not but that is who my insurance is through. I will be delivering at Mercy but both are part of the UPMC system. I live in the South Hills area and go to Greater Pittsburgh OBGYN. What area are you from? Oh and to answer, Im offically due Oct 2 but my OB wont let me go past 38 weeks so around Sept 18 or so if I make it that far. Happy to share a twin pregnancy with another local bumpie.

Stash2Sisco

Congrats! I am in the Burgh and expecting twins as well : if you are able to go to Magee, I'm seeing Dr. Updike, who is in the same office space as the midwives, and my experience so far has been great!

TobieRose

Mrs.AshAsh:

Im not sure if Magee accepts Highmark or not but that is who my insurance is through. I will be delivering at Mercy but both are part of the UPMC system. I live in the South Hills area and go to Greater Pittsburgh OBGYN. What area are you from? Oh and to answer, Im offically due Oct 2 but my OB wont let me go past 38 weeks so around Sept 18 or so if I make it that far. Happy to share a twin pregnancy with another local bumpie.

 Greater Pittsburgh OBGYN is the other practice on my radar! They were highly recommended to me by the midwife center. Right now we live near Squirrel Hill but we'll be moving north of the city in a month or two--not sure exactly where yet. I think the only reservation I had about Greater Pgh OBGYN was that they didn't seem to have any locations readily accessible to where we'll be living (all about 30 minutes away). I drove a lot for appointments last pregnancy and was hoping to avoid it with this one. :-/ Do you really like them?  

whtny

I just delivered at Magee and I have highmark.  It was accepted if that helps.