Multiples

Vaginal vs C-section

So I'm just trying to prepare for when the big day comes with my twins. Baby A is head down, wedged in position and my doctors say is very unlikely to move now. Baby B however is more transverse across the top of my belly. I talked to my doctor about vaginal and c-section. I'd really like to try vaginal if nothing changes. My dr is willing to do that but she said it's still a possibility that after A is delivered, if B is too big or becomes breach, she'll have to do a c-section. She said we can plan for a c-section off the bat or try vaginal if all goes well. What did you all do in this situation or what do you recommend? TIA
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Re: Vaginal vs C-section

  • There is no right answer here, only what works for you.

    Personally we attempted a vaginal since both boys were head down... but I wound up with a c/s anyway. 

     

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  • My Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech and up HIGH.  I was very lucky, my doctor was willing to attempt a vaginal birth and he was going to try to flip Baby B after Baby A was born.  And if she didn't flip, he was going to do a breech extraction.  Well, she didn't flip and ended up coming out feet first.  Baby A was 6lb 15oz and Baby B was 6lb even.  I really didn't want a c-section.  I have a 2-year-old and I was so worried about the recovery.  My doctor was willing to schedule a c-section if that was what I wanted.  I'm so happy with my delivery.  I was up and walking around less than 2 hours after I gave birth and felt great!!  I know lots of women here have had great success with their recovery from c-sections but I can't imagine caring for twin babies and a toddler.  Good luck!
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  • imageOrangeSmoke:

    There is no right answer here, only what works for you. 

    Both of my kids were head down from 15 weeks on, so I went vaginal. I had an epi line placed during labor so that if baby b flipped breech once I delivered baby a, my OB could do a breech extraction.

    Is your OB comfortable doing an breech extraction or an external version if your baby B rotates during delivery?

    For me personally, it was very important to have a vag delivery if possible. I was terrified of recovering from a c/s and taking care of twins by myself.  

  • Completely a personal choice.  Both of my babies were head down most of the 3rd tri.  I went with c-section and didn't attempt labor.  It was the right choice for me and if I had it to do again, I'd make the same decision.  If I had a singleton I would have gone vaginal.  The risk of a double whammy terrified me.  MANY women have complication-free vaginal births though.
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  • My DDs were in similar positions. B actually went vertex the day before I was induced so I wanted to try for a vaginal delivery. I didn't want the c/s if I didn't have to. Well, I had to convert to a c/s anyway (B repositioned herself and MFM said at that point it was safest to do a section, not to mention avoid a "double whammy"--i.e. deliver A vag, go into a c/s with B).

    A vaginal attempt was important to me. I was glad I gave it a shot but wasn't bummed when they decided to convert to a c/s. You have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself and what your expectations are for your LOs delivery style. Personally, we knew we'd be wanting a big family and so I wanted to do vaginal as RCS become riskier with each one. I am trying to VBAC for this baby. My c/s recovery was a nightmare and I cannot imagine taking care of twin toddlers plus a NB after a RCS. 

    GL in whatever you decide!

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  • I had no desire for a vaginal delivery. Mine were both breech, so it worked out well.  My c/s and recovery were extremely easy.  I'm very happy with how it all worked out.
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  • fraternal twin boys born january 2009
  • For me personally, it was very important to have a vag delivery if possible. I was terrified of recovering from a c/s and taking care of twins by myself. 

    Sometimes a vaginal delivery can be just as bad to recover from. I for one did not have to have my taint torn and stiched.

    However, my c-section recovery was not bad at all. I was walking the next day.I swear those abdominal binders are magical ! I was sore, but it was tolerable. AND-it was nice having a few days in the hospital to get the extra help with breast feeding 24/7. Those few days with help in the hospital made me less fearful of taking care of the twins alone. (My husband did not get time off work)

    Either way, your babies are going to come out....and when they do, it wont matter how they got here.

     

  • My twins were vertex/transverse or vertex/breech depending on the day. I delivered baby A headfirst vaginally, and baby B was a breech extraction who came out 5 minutes later. I had a second degree tear and no other complications. I was terrified of having a C-section and really glad I was able to avoid it.

     

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  • As of right now we are attempting a VBAC, but... babies both have to be head down. The hopsital where I will deliver gives you whatever OB/CNM is on call to deliver so they ALL have to basically agree and have a SOP. They said that both have to be vertex (and for the last couple weeks they have both been transverse).

    I'm sure if I go into labor on my own, I can talk with the OB on call and see what he/she is comfortable doing and go from there.

    My section with DD wasn't "bad" in any way, but it did limit my movements and ability to carry things and lay certain ways, where I'm sure a vaginal delivery has different 'issues' that come along with it.

    Even if I do end up with a vag+section, I'm still going to try vaginal.

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  • I had a vaginal birth with DS1 and it wasn't too bad.  I had a c/s with the twins because A was breech (my OB will only allow a vaginal delivery if both babies are head down and B is smaller).  I was terrified of the c/s but it really wasn't bad either.  I want to say if I was in your shoes I'd try for the vaginal, but I'd be terrified that B would go breech and you end up with the double whammy. 
  • "too big" for vaginal is rare... 9lb babies are delivered all the time vaginally... but there certainly are many reasons that baby B could need to be a c/s... but too big? eh... esp twins.

    my experience- my vaginal birth with DS1 was hell to recover from... he was only 7lb 4oz - and i had a 4th degree tear - and it still causes me issues i need to have surgery to fix, 4yrs later.

    the twins were a c/s and it was CAKE to recover from  - i LOVED my c/s.

    I used to be Goldie_locks_5 but the new nest is so screwed up that I was forced to start over.
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  • I had all my babies vaginally and am happy that I did... even though my first 2 were difficult deliveries with 3rd and 4th degree tearing and long recoveries.  My twins were born face up (more difficult), but were actually a much easier delivery because they were smaller babies.  Super easy recovery.

    In your situation, I would try for vaginal.

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  • Both my babies were head down, but I didn't want to have one vaginally and the other a c-section, so I opted for a 'scheduled c-section' - They came 9 days early.  I'm so glad that I chose c-section, because Baby B did NOT want to come out.  He flipped around, and even with the c-section, they had a hard time getting him out.  Doctor told me that if I'd tried a vaginal birth, I would have had one of each.
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  • There is no right or wrong in this situation...It is whatever is best for your situation...Baby A was head down and in position and Baby B was breech and up high...I was able to deliver both vaginally and felt great after delivery...All the best to you!
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  • I didn't read all of the responses, so sorry if I'm redundant.  I was so scared of a C-Section but after laboring most of the night, things weren't going well, so we changed course.  It was a breeze.  Recovery was just almost unimaginably easy for me.  I will do it again (and hopefully again!)!  

     

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