Community› The Bump Message Boards› Multiples
Multiples
New Discussion

Choosing an OB advice

SmallCityLivingSmallCityLiving member
in Multiples
We are about to get released from our RE so need to make an appointment with an OB.  I'm torn on what to do and would love any advice from those who have given birth to twins.

My GYN doesn't deliver anymore but I could obviously go to that practice (that I've been going to for 6 years) and I would just see the other doctors.  They deliver at the hospital I've always wanted to deliver at which has a great natural birthing center but no NICU.

Or, I could switch to a high risk OB practice that a friend goes to and has good things to say about.  They deliver at the hospital in the area with a NICU and obviously are experienced with multiples.

I really want to have as natural a vaginal birth as possible (and yes I know this is mostly out of my control!) if that weighs in.  I'd love to hear opinions from those who have been there though.  Do you wish your OB had more experience with multiples or do they all have enough in this day of IVF and IUI?
Report Reply to Post

Re: Choosing an OB advice

  • 10-4LilBuddy10-4LilBuddy member
    I would go with the high risk OB. I picked my hospital, then my OB. I hoped I didn't need it, but ended up on hospital bedrest at 24 weeks. It really helped to have the reassurance of a Level 3 NICU.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • PurpleIris30PurpleIris30 member
    Do you know if the natural birthing center is even an option with twins? I know some birthing centers have restrictions.

    I always wanted to have a natural, med-free birth . . . But just given all the extra monitoring, potential complications, and increased likelihood for needing a nicu, I'd probably start with the high risk OB that delivers at the hospital with a NICU. I

    I have a regular OB and then travel 100+ miles one way for each visit with our MFM. We just don't have any closer options, but I'd love to have an OB more experienced with multiples and high risk situations so I didn't have so many appointments to juggle.

    As it turns out, I have placenta previa, so a c-section is likely in my future even though I'm still holding out a little hope I might be able to deliver vaginally.
    Married 8/2008. IVF with PGD March 2013.
    3/22 ER: 25R, 20M, 15F. 9 genetically normal, and 3 survived to Day 5
    3/27 ET: transferred 1 embryo, beta 9dp5dt=163, 12dp5dt=639
    4/25 1st ultrasound at 7 weeks = identical twins with heartbeats?!!!
    PPROM at 31w, delivery at 32 weeks of two beautiful girls
    image
    Report Reply
  • SmallCityLivingSmallCityLiving member
    Good point about whether they will deliver twins at the Birth Center or not, I'll have to look into it.  They do have a Level III Intensive Care Nursery (ICN).  Doesn't seem the same as a NICU but thought I'd mention it to see if anyone knows if they compare.

    Really appreciate your advice.  It's currently hitting me how different it is to carry and deliver twins than it is a singleton.  I knew it logically before but all the implications are just starting to hit me!
    Report Reply
  • PinkinProvencePinkinProvence member
    edited September 2013
    You need a high risk ob/MFM even if you choose a regular ob. So if you can find an MFM that delivers than that would be my choice (and what I did choose) for 2 reasons: (1) you are going to have so many appointments and ultrasounds that it is just easier and less time-consuming and (2) I feel safer and trust her more because the majority of her practice centers around multiples pregnancy. You have to remember that the riskiness is not really in the deliver (of course it can be) but in the pregnancy and the management of the pregnancy itself.

    Also, you NEED to be affiliated with a hospital with a high level NICU. With multiples, there is just too much risk otherwise.

    Also, you are right that you have no control over vaginal birth v. C-section. It all depends on BAby A's position at the time if birth. What you can snow make sure your delivering doctor will even attempt the vaginal birth with twins. I have heard of many regular obs who do not have multiples experience tell their patients that c-section is automatic no matter what. My MFM told me it is 50/50 chance of vaginal birth.

    Good luck!

    D & L are here at 34 weeks 4 days by vaginal and breech delivery on 11/19/2013
    Two healthy boys weighing 4 lbs 15 ozs and 4 lbs 5 ozs.  Only 6 days in the NICU and getting bigger, stronger and cuter every day! 
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"