Vaginal delivery vs C section (weigh in please)

Danse · April 2009

So, at first I wanted to attempt a vaginal delivery, which my Dr. agreed with, as long as the babies are both head down.

However, I've since read about the cervix closing after the first baby or other complications that result in delivering one vaginally and the other via c-section. Honestly, that sounds like the worst of both worlds. Has this happened to anyone?

Can anyone share their experiences or what you're plan is?

CMW · April 2009

I think what is more common is for baby B flipping after baby A is delivered. Sometimes they can reach up and turn them, others they have to do a C-sec.

Both mine were breech so we were forced to do a C (which ended up being super easy for me).

Melin086 · April 2009

I did a vaginal delivery for the twins and had absolutely no problem...I wasn't even told about the cervix closing as being a complication...I think that having a vaginal delivery and then a c-section isn't that common. There are always risks either way, but I felt the recovery from a vaginal delivery would be easier than a c-section and really wanted to try and avoid a c-section.

lajolla09.30.06 · April 2009

I know there is someone on here that ended up with both (can't remember who) but there are WAY MORE of us who did a successful vaginal delivery of both. I know doctors (at least mine) can try to scare you into a c-section but vaginal deliveries of twins are totally possible and not even that bad Wink

I was way more terrified of having surgery and I am so glad I didn't end up with a c-section!

carissasmom · April 2009

My biggest fear is having one vaginally and one w/ a section. The only way for this not to happen is to have a section. Of course I would much prefer to have them vaginally as I know what to expect. I go to an OB practice and about 1/2 the doctors will do a breech extraction and 1/2 won't. Since I won't know who will be on call when I go in to deliver unless they are both head down I think I'll have to do a section. I'm hoping for 2 head down babies and regardless what my doctors say I'm going to go for it. I would take the small risks over a huge surgery any day of the week!

copwife08 · April 2009

having done both, I delivered DS vaginally and the twins via C/S I would much rather push a baby out than have one cut out. THe recovery after my c/s was horrible compared to my vaginally delivery. I hope things work out for you to have the delivery you want.

pea-kay · April 2009

man, recovering from a c-section SUCKED - and i didn't have any complications, really. if i'd had a doctor who would have let me attempt a vaginal delivery of triplets, i would have done it. all the babies were head-down when they were born anyway!

Sweets2005 · April 2009

CMW:

I think what is more common is for baby B flipping after baby A is delivered.

This is what happened when my sister and I were born. She came out first, head down, and then in the process I flipped and was born breech (feet first).

I'm worried about what will happen when I have the babies, too. My OB said only baby A has to be head down. She is very pro-vag delivery which makes me feel good.

FaeryStarGazer · April 2009

My section was scheduled- baby B (Lilly) was head up the entire pregnancy. At 36w5d a Thursday, I had my last US and she was head down. They asked if I wanted to wait for labor and I said, "ohhellno." My section was scheduled for that Monday! I had no problems with my section, recovery was what it was. I was able to get up and walk 24hrs after the section- hurt like hell but the more I did it, the better it felt. I did need help with the babies- H stayed home for five weeks but 3wPP, I was fine to go on a 10 hr road trip to NH. The section is painful, but I don't regret it. Sometimes I wonder if I could have pushed out two babies- then my brain (and my vagina) scream "NOOO!! We couldn't have done it!" So.... Stick out tongue

raisingarizona2008 · April 2009

I did some research online about this when I was deciding whether to have the c-section or not. The chance of have a vag delivery and then c-section is 3-4%, I am willing to risk that small amount to be able to recover faster. Unless for some reason they flip, I am having my induction in 2wks 6 days!

HTH

Melissa ?

Jessarella · April 2009

pea-kay:
man, recovering from a c-section SUCKED - and i didn't have any complications, really. !

Ditto! I wish I could have been one of the ones with an easy recovery. I had NICU babies so had to park in the parking garage and walk forever, then up the elevator, then down the long hall to the nicu everyday. It was so much walking that I used a wheelchair once I got to the hospital for about 12 days post c/s. Recovery sucked! Do a vag if you can.

Cassie42 · April 2009

My c-section was scheduled because I had one breech and one transverse so I had no other option! Before I knew that I talked with my OB about wanting a vaginal delivery, he advised if both were in position he had no issue with it, but he also explained there is always a chance of having one vaginal and the second needed a c-section and then facing the recovery of both. I never had a choice, but if I did I would have wanted to try for the vaginal. On the other hand I had no issues at all with recovering from my c-section and other than the day of never took any other pain meds other than tylenol ( I had the meds, but never felt that I needed them.)

Heather.D · April 2009

I was afraid of having both also. Baby A was head down, but B was not. I was still going to try for a vag delivery, but I had a time limit on me due to my peri having to leave at 4 PM. Sucks. So we elected for the c-section.

Full birth story here:

https://3underthree.blogspot.com/2008/10/birth-story.html

Danse · April 2009

Thank you so much everyone for your responses. I really appreciate hearing everyone's experiences.

Heather D, I'm going to read your story now - but I just wanted to say 10/22 is my due date ;o)

seattlestef · April 2009

My Baby A is head down and Baby B has been flipping between breech and transverse for the last few months and it doesn't look like she's going to go head down. My doctor is very supportive of me having a vaginal delivery and said she's never once had to do a vaginal and then a c-section. She said unless there was a specific reason or a mother was adament for a c-section that she would almost always recommend a vaginal delivery in this case.

goldenmama · April 2009

vaginal delivery all the way if you can! i was up and able to move around a few hours after the delivery. it was a great experience so much so that i am terrified that when we have our next child my delivery will not be as easy!!!

april062604 · April 2009

baby b was breech and they were 26 weekers, so a c/s was the safest route. the recovery wasn't so bad...pumping hurt worse.?

UrAnIdiot · April 2009

I had both of mine vaginally and without meds, and honestly the worst part for me was the transitional contracting! By the time we were ready to push, I was ready to "get the show on the road", so to speak. The dr did a little manipulating after my baby A was out to make sure baby B didn't flip, and it felt very strange, but didn't hurt as much as I expected it to. The whole push process for me was far less painful than I had expected, actually. My babies came 6 minutes apart also, no need for forceps or vacuum extraction. I ended up with one very small 1st degree tear that required 2 or 3 stitches. Overall the experience was very smooth and complication-free! I was also afraid of attempting a vaginal and then having one vaginally and the other via emergency c-section, but we were able to avoid that!

Rose.9.6.03 · April 2009

I was leaning toward elective c-section due to the fear of having one vaginally and one by c-section - but my peri convinced me to try vaginal delivery and I'm so glad he did. He said in his 15 years of delivering twins, he'd only had 3 deliveries that ended up with both vaginal and c-section. My peri was also very willing to deliver vaginally as long as A was head down.

I'm thankful he convinced me to do a vaginal delivery because my recovery was so dang easy. I didn't have the easiest of deliveries (I pushed for 4 hours and needed a vaccuum extraction for baby A) - but I felt absolutely awesome as soon as the epidural wore off.

Heather.D · April 2009

Danse:
Thank you so much everyone for your responses. I really appreciate hearing everyone's experiences.
Heather D, I'm going to read your story now - but I just wanted to say 10/22 is my due date ;o)

Oh wow! Great time of year to have twins!

Alycia04 · April 2009

I vaginally delivered both twins which was the plan. Baby A was head down from the get go. Baby B was breech then transverse, then a combo of both, then head down then back to breech :P My Doc said it's easier for them to deliver baby B as breech anyways, so they wouldn't worry about that baby's positioning until the actual birth. While I was aware of a vag/c-section birth I really did not want to recover from a c-section so I told her I will push like hell to get them both out!

Baby B was a real big stinker-her foot came out right after her brother was born, then she gave a queens wave, and then she decided it was time to have a swimming party inside mommy. My Doctor was like "honey I gotta go fetch your baby, we're worried about cord wrapping from all this movement. So close your eyes and push HARD" Which I did. London was born 4 minutes after her brother. She was transverse so my Doctor grabbed her, put her breech then pulled her out while I pushed like a mad woman!

Both my room mates in recovery were c-sections and I always felt very blessed to not be in such a state, like these 2 women. But I have friends and a SIL who had no problems with their c-section recovery too.

kblindgren · April 2009

I delivered both vaginally in the OR, just in case I needed a c-section, but my dr. told me that all he needed to be able to do is "grab a leg or something". Not kidding! At that point, he could've done anything to get those guys out! I was prepared to do whatever I needed to - it was my first pregnancy, so I had no idea what to expect, and just wanted to do what they reccomended was best. Actually the dr. on call during the night wanted to do a c-section, and the dr. that came on call at 8am though we should try a vaginal delivery. I was happy with that because I just wanted to get out of the hospital!! Honestly, it wasn't that bad (after drugs ), after I had the first one, they kind of pushed on my stomach to move baby b down further and he went headfirst right where he was supposed to! 2 pushes later, I had the other baby. GL!

Brongemonger · April 2009

Hello! As I can see already, you've already been told a whole range of differing opinions, but I'll throw mine in the mix!

My C-section with my boys was wonderful. Plus, it was an emergency c-section. It was quick and the pain after was just not so bad! Within a couple days, I was driving myself to visit the boys at the hospital and was just using Advil to handle the pain. And the bleeding for the next few weeks wasn't bad either!

For the record, I would have attempted to deliver both vaginally if it hadn't been an emergency situation.

KMB7 · April 2009

I'm one of the 3-4% that delivers both ways. I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN!!! I wanted to experience a v birth more than anything.(with an epi I delivered Bekah at 5:17pm and only pushed a few times. We delivered in the OR just to be safe. They reached up and put a monitor on Billy to make sure everything was ok with him. I pushed a few times, we made great progress and his heart rate started dropping very low.?

My dr looked at me and the team and said C section. I was calmer than most of the staff. The changed me from my bed to OR table knocked me out and delivered my son at 5:38pm. I wouldn't change any of it for any reason.

I tore from my V birth, but it wasn't too painful because the C section drugs helped out on that. Also I pushed myself to get up and walk as soon as possible and that helped a bunch.

If you would like a v birth, go for it. I'm so happy that I at least got to have the experience of giving birth to my daughter. I did miss my son's first cry, but it was worth it with his life on the line. ?

MelZull · April 2009

Both my girls were head down at the time of my c/s. However, my girls were doing flips still until the last week. My dr gave me the choice of having a c/s or a vag delivery, but she did tell me if baby b flipped she would not deliver a breech baby on a first time mom, so we would also have to do a c/s. I debated for a long time on what I wanted to do and finally I decided just to go ahead with a c/s. Luckily everything went great for me and I had a speedy recovery without any problems.?

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