C-Section vs. Vaginal Delivery...Time to Decide

FML8608 · November 2012

I had my 34wk check up with one of the nine OBs at my OB clinic. He told me that DH and I need to sit down and really think about whether or not we want to attempt vaginal or c-section. Right now both babies are head-down.

The OB told me we're prime candidates for a vaginal delivery but ultimately it's up to us and I've become incredibly indecisive about this. We are leaning c-section for mulitiple (not VBAC) reasons but he suggested making a pro/con list for each and prioritizing the pros/cons. He said either way he'd support our decision but that he is a proponent of vaginal deliveries. His words: Vaginal is the safest type of delivery for any baby including twins when both are vertex, followed by scheduled c-section, followed by emergency c-section. (this was in response to my concerns that vaginally B might flip after A delivers and I don't want her going into distress from a breech delivery).

I am asking for your honest insights. I hope everyone will respect each other's input because I'm pretty sure there is not "right" answer but your experiences and insights may help us see things from a perspective which we may have not considered. Thank you, in advance.

Mrs.Greg · November 2012

Vaginal birth, hands done. Especially since both of your babies are head down. I would never have elected to have a c-section. I would have done whatever needed to be done to get my babies out safely but I would choose vaginal birth over c-section.

FML8608 · November 2012

Thank you for the quick response. Next question is why? Why not c-section - what made you so sure vaginally was the way to go? And I'm honestly trying to see things from different perspectives, I'm not being sassy Wink

Obviously, your vaginal delivery went well? Cute babes!

ppants · November 2012

I had my twins vaginally and I was so thankful I could. An uncomplicated vaginal birth is better for babies' lungs because it gets the fluid out.. I did tear some, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck either way!

FML8608 · November 2012

I agree it sure sounds a lot better - plus I want to be able to hold them/BF ASAP.

Were either of you worried that B would flip? Or did B and you delivered breech?

ppants · November 2012

B did not flip and they checked using u/s after breaking her water. Two of the drs in the practice would have done a breech extraction. I wasn't too worried about it, but again I got lucky it wasn't an issue

Mrs.Greg · November 2012

I'll copy and paste my response to someone else just below about breech extraction:

My Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech. I delivered DD1 vaginally and I was scared to death of a c-section. 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. Baby A was delivered quickly, she was 6lb 15oz. Baby B, while she was delivered quickly as well (she was 6lb even), it seemed like an eternity. They were only 7 minutes apart and a couple of those minutes my dr tried to flip her. She was doing fine, not in distress or anything and they were watching her through u/s, but she wouldn't stay head down. My dr gave up trying to flip her and just reached up and grabbed her by her feet and guided her out. Even though she was nearly a full pound smaller than Baby A, and had a much smaller head, her head got stuck. I can't lie, there was a lot of tension in the OR. Everyone was urging me to push and I was so exhausted, I just couldn't. I finally (of course "finally" was only a minute or two, if that) pushed once and she came right out. She had to get some air and when I saw that, I felt so terrible that I couldn't muster up that last push sooner. My heart beats faster every time I talk or even think about their delivery, even now nearly 16 months later and she's absolutely fine. I'm happy and feel so lucky that my dr was willing to do a breech extraction and even though it was so tense for a moment, I still feel their delivery went very well.

As far as why, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to care for 2 newborn babies plus a toddler. DD1 had just turned 2 when the babies were born. But even if I didn't have a toddler, I still would have been worried about my ability to care for 2 newborn babies if I had a c-section.

HayGirl5 · November 2012

Well I really had no choice but to have a c-section because baby A was breech and baby B was transverse and a pound heavier than baby A. That said, I was very relieved to be having a c-section and if given the choice, I probably would have chosen it. I just feel that there are too many unknowns with having a vaginal delivery with twins. I know that many feel it is safer for the babies, but I have also heard of many stories when baby B flips after baby A comes out, putting baby B in danger. I feel that a planned c-section is the best choice for getting both babies here safely. My babies arrived that way and both were very healthy and had no lung or breathing issues. I am also a worrier and like to have things well planned out and a vaginal birth just leaves too much to the unknown for me. I'm sure whatever you choose will be the right choice for you and your babies. Good luck!

FML8608 · November 2012

THank you for pasting. I did read your post before and remember thinking that that moment when she needed air was enough to scare the bejesus out of me and scare me into a c/s. However, I know that there are other issues with c/s like still having fluid in their lungs...right?

FML8608 · November 2012

katie599:
I just feel that there are too many unknowns with having a vaginal delivery with twins. I know that many feel it is safer for the babies, but I have also heard of many stories when baby B flips after baby A comes out, putting baby B in danger. I feel that a planned c-section is the best choice for getting both babies here safely.

This is where I'm at now and DH feels very strongly about a c-section but the OB I saw today (who will be out of the country if we make it to 38 weeks) is pretty convincing on the ole vag delivery.

Mrs.Greg · November 2012

FML8608:
THank you for pasting. I did read your post before and remember thinking that that moment when she needed air was enough to scare the bejesus out of me and scare me into a c/s. However, I know that there are other issues with c/s like still having fluid in their lungs...right?

Honestly, I was most worried about my recovery after a c-section. I knew that any issues the babies might have could be resolved in the NICU but once I left the hospital, I was on my own (with DH's help of course) to care for them, DD1 and myself. I felt like if I was in a lot of pain, my children wouldn't get the attention from me that they needed. But those are my personal feelings. You have to do what's right for you.

Mrs.Greg · November 2012

FML8608:

katie599:
I just feel that there are too many unknowns with having a vaginal delivery with twins. I know that many feel it is safer for the babies, but I have also heard of many stories when baby B flips after baby A comes out, putting baby B in danger. I feel that a planned c-section is the best choice for getting both babies here safely.

This is where I'm at now and DH feels very strongly about a c-section but the OB I saw today (who will be out of the country if we make it to 38 weeks) is pretty convincing on the ole vag delivery.

Nothing against your DH but I'd probably trust your dr's opinion more. When I tried to talk to my DH about my delivery options, he didn't have a clue. But now looking back, he says I definitely made the right decision.

LegallyBlonde217 · November 2012

I had to make the same decision just a few months ago. All of the OBs in my practice were of the same mindset as yours. I decided to take their advice and try for the vaginal delivery, and I'm glad I did. Both of my babies were head down, but my OB (and all of her partners) was more than comfortable doing a breech extraction if necessary. I ended up successfully delivering both vaginally!

ETA: The main reason I decided to try for vaginal is because 6 different OBs and all of my nurses (I was on hospital bedrest) thought it was the safest option for me and my babies. Since they're the professionals, I decided they knew more than DH and I did. Their main reasons were that the recovery would be easier on me, and since my babies were going to be in the NICU, that was important to me, and going through the birth canal squeezes fluid out of the babies' lungs.

Capri22 · November 2012

I was very torn about this for weeks. One doctor in the practice was pushing for a c section while my primary doc was all about a vaginak delivery. I ended up with the vaginal and I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. Granted both of my babies were smal - 5.6 and 4.13 - but it was such an awesome experience and I was back on my feet that day. This was especially helpful while I was taking care of two newborns! If your doc says you are a candidate, I would strongly consider it. I am so glad I did.

notallisonmarie22 · November 2012

I can not fathom why anyone would ever opt for a c-section if their baby/babies are in a perfect position for a safe vaginal birth.

It's your call in the end, but I would (and did) avoid a c/s at all costs. Invasive surgery for no good reason is never the right answer, imo.

FML8608 · November 2012

Ok, hadn't put in that perspective even it seems SO obvious - the doctors do know best and they certainly won't put us in a bad situation. I need to remember that.

I just don't think of breech as safe nor do most of the OBs in the practice who could end up delivering depending on who is on call (and refuse to do them) and my worst fear, of course, is that Baby B will do a flippy-do and end up breech or transverse and I'd end up with a vaginal and c/s recovery.

lynn0926 · November 2012

Personally, I dream to be in your position! I am all for a vag delivery. I am worried about a baby B flip situation, but will deal with it if it happens. My p,ace will not do a breech extration, so that would mean a double whammy for me. But, if you can push both out, go for it. Less recovery time, and you will be up and ready to handle two babies quicker.

caden · November 2012

Ask your doc how many times he's had to resort to a double whammy. My OB had never had to do it. After I learned that I felt much better about going for a vag delivery and thankfully I didn't ruin her record. If both heads are down then IMO you should go for it. Unless your doc says double whammies happen to him all the time, then I probably wouldn't. But I doubt he'd say that.

meldoo2002 · November 2012

I say vaginal hands down also. Especially with them both heads down. There's just no reason to me to have surgery when you don't necessarily have to. Mine were head down and transverse and we had a successful vaginal delivery. If you were talking VBAC I'd consider a c-section... otherwise I'd go vaginal.

elizabeth0705 · November 2012

This is a really tough one. I am scheduled for a c-section due to the positions of my twins, but if the type of delivery were up to me, I'd probably go with my doctor's recommendation. That said, the thought of a vaginal delivery with twins scares me, just because I have read so many stories about baby b flipping/baby b having problems/the dreaded double whammy.

My doctor said that she would recommend vaginal delivery if both twins were vertex or if just baby a was vertex (in that case it would be up to me, though). I think that if both of my babies were vertex, I'd probably go vaginal on my doctor's recommendation, but if baby b were breech, I'd opt for the c-section. Personally, I am sort of glad that there is no decision to make in my case! I have heard that a c-section recovery is not so bad if it is planned and not an emergency.

You may want to check and make sure that your insurance would cover you for a c-section if both babies are vertex. I seem to remember someone questioning that on this board at some point...?

FML8608 · November 2012

Thank you all so much for your input. I definitely have some more points for my pro/con lists. I'll do more research and talk to the OB I see next week (haven't seen her yet). I appreciate the lack of judgment, also. THis is a very personal and difficult decision for us.

JennT813 · November 2012

FML8608:
Thank you all so much for your input. I definitely have some more points for my pro/con lists. I'll do more research and talk to the OB I see next week (haven't seen her yet). I appreciate the lack of judgment, also. THis is a very personal and difficult decision for me.

thanks for posting the question and thanks to all who answered - we are also looking into pros and cons and the best birth plan so all this info really helps!

CourtneySue · November 2012

Vag. I HATED the c-section. Blah

I had a vaginal natural birth with DS & it was much better. I am still not right after the c-section 14 weeks later.

hayleydeee · November 2012

I've had one vaginal birth and one C-section. For me the c-section was SO much harder. All around the vaginal birth was a much better experience.

BuckeyeNut05 · November 2012

I could have written this myself back in April. Honestly, go with your gut. I am very type A and with twins, I didn't want to mess around with any variables that could play out if I didn't go with a csection. I also had one really pushy female OB that had had her twins vaginally, and she felt compelled to try and force me to go that route as well. I went back and forth until I realized the only reason I was considering NOT having a csection was because I was feeling pressured from the one Dr, so I went with what I wanted, which was the csection, and was very happy with my decision. Everything went great, and while recovery was painful, it went well and quickly, and I'm very happy with the decision I made because it was MY decision, and no one elses.

Ourfamilyof5 · November 2012

My twins were born 1 week ago...it was a double whammy. The first night and day were HORRIBLE and I don't wish a c-section on any one. Perhaps if I'd only had a c-section and had nothing to compare it to, I wouldn't think it was that bad, but having had a vaginal delivery for my first DS and a vaginal delivery for Baby A this time I can say that a c-section is 100x worse recovery wise.

The double whammy sucked, but if trying for vaginal means that you can try avoiding a c-section rather than just selecting one, that's absolutely what I would suggest. The pain from my c-section was so bad that I hardly noticed any pain from the vaginal birth. That's my .02!

SkyBee · November 2012

I would choose vaginal no matter what if I was in your situation. I can't imagine taking care of twin newborns and a toddler after surgery. Recovery is faster and you aren't going through a major surgery.

ETA: Also, the risks of a VBAC scare me to death and since we want more children, I would like to stay away from that because I would prefer to deliver all my children vaginally and not be forced to have a csection simply because I had one before.

projectbaby2012 · November 2012

I would opt for vaginal! My boys were both head down and we gave it a go. I failed to progress and ended up with a c-section. Because of this, my boys didn't get what they needed in terms of the fluid being pushed out of their lungs at birth and both needed NICU time, one needed to be intubated and on a ventilator for about an hour to get the fluid out. I think if I were able to have a vaginal birth, we could have avoided the NICU.

Good luck!

myheromyworld89 · November 2012

I'm going to be the odd ball here and say c-section. I've only have my twins so I've never givin birth vaginally. But I will say it wasn't an experience that I felt like I needed to have. I couldn't have given birth vaginally even if I wanted to based on their positions but I was already schedualed for a c-section for the following week anyway. I chose c-section because I felt it was the less stressful option for me and the babies. I also didn't want to risk recovering from both a vaginal delivery and a c-section incase my Baby B flipped to breech after delivering A. Not to mention the day I went into labor (exactly 1 week before my schedualed c-section) My contractions were very intense and 2 minutes apart, yet I was only 1cm dialated and 50%. I imagine that would have been a long labor, but thats just my specific story.

As far as recovery goes...yes I was sore but I was able to move around fine on my own from the day I left the hospital, I just moved a little slower. Now like I mentioned, I only have my twins, so I didn't have a toddler to try and take of too and my husband was also able to take off for a month after they were born. But as I said before, I was able to move around fine on my own about 5 days after they were born, just moved carefully and a little slower. I found getting up and sitting down to be the hardest parts, but once I was either up or down I felt fine. My twins were born perfectly healthy and had no problems breathing, but I can definitely understand the concern about the fluid not being squeezed out of their lungs. That just didn't end up being an issue thankfully in our case.

In the end both options are safe options, both happen everyday. It's what you feel is best for you and your babies. Good luck Smile

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