Don't know what to do: vaginal or c-sec?

twinmom1121 · October 2013

Hi, I'm mostly just a lurker on this group but I did have a question for anyone who can help me! I'm 34 weeks with di/di twin boys and baby a is head down like he should be but baby b Is in the breech position. After talking with my dr today she says it is up to me if I want to try for a vaginal delivery of baby a and hope baby b turns, or I can just opt to have a c-section so I don't have to recover from baby a being delivered vaginally and baby b having to be delivered c-sec if he doesnt turn. I'm really indecisive on what I should do because I really wanted to try vaginal delivery, because ive heard c-section recovery lasts longer but I'm afraid to risk having to recover from both if that ended up happening. What would you do? Or any MoM been in this situation where you had to choose what to do?? Hopefully that all made sense!!

24karat · October 2013

Is B bigger or smaller than A? My OB mentioned that sometimes it's possible B can be delivered without turning if A is bigger and heead down.

I had a vaginal birth with DD, c/s with my twins. The c/s was definitely harder to recover from even though I had tons of help. It is also a longer recovery and includes more restrictions. I didn't get the choice since both twins were transverse, but I definitely understand not wanting to go throug both. That said, being able to schedule my c/s was great because I went into it with the best chances of an uncomplicated delivery and recovery. I would've preferred a vaginal birth, but being able to schedule the c/s (and actually making it to that day without going into labor) worked out pretty well for me.

twinmom1121 · October 2013

Baby a is 2oz bigger right now so I know that helps. It would be nice to know exactly when I'll go for the csec. It's just the recovery time I worry about. Especially with taking care of twins. Thank you for your input!

smscartozzi · October 2013

So I was in your same situation Tuesday! I went into labor knowing A is vertex and B is transverse and very high. Well I opted for the C. The actual procedure was much easier and quicker than I expected. I had a vaginal with my first. I could not fathom recovering for both. Actually having been through both....I personally would never want to recover from both...stitches in the front, stitches in the back. My C recovery has been harder but not unbearable. And my advise is take the pain meds while recovering...it is what keeps me moving to help recovery! Also the spinal was nice, there was no catheter in my back like an epi. Just a quick shot that doesn't hurt really. Never had an epi.

I have found by day 4 I am up, walking, seeing the babies. Very surprised at how each step of recovery is easier than I thought. But you will need help when you get home, no question. Just put visitors to use, you hold the sleeping babies....it's what your body needs for recovery! My BFF had a C 4 weeks ago...she sai yesterday that she doesn't even remember having it or feel like she had one...she is feeling 100% already.

smscartozzi · October 2013

Sorry that was super long!!

LegallyBlonde217 · October 2013

I opted for vaginal. All of the OBs in my practice recommended it over going straight for the c-section.

ETA: I successfully delivered both vaginally! I pushed for 3 hours with each, but I got them out safely.

LittleLady77 · October 2013

If I have a choice I will try for vaginal all the way. There are health benefits to both you and the baby. That being said, I don't think opting for the C is a bad thing at all. It's totally a personal choice. The chance of having both vag and c section are VERY low, close to 4%.

solarflare · October 2013

What is the weight of Baby B? I was in this same predicament, but B ended up being almost a full lb heavier that A, and my doctor, who was very comfortable doing breech extractions, recommended a c-section for safety. He said that chances were just too high that B would get stuck since A wouldn't create a large enough opening. I really wanted a vaginal delivery, but safety was first, so we agreed to the c-section. And, our c-section delivery was awesome and beautiful! 2 healthy babies delivered at 38w2d with us from the moment they were born on. Recovery wasn't easy but neither was it from my friends who had vaginal births. I do not regret my decision.

raraavis28 · October 2013

I was in the exact same situation (except w/ mono/dis), and also agonized over the choice. I really wanted a vaginal delivery, but only one doctor in the practice was willing to go that route....and he was not there the day they decided the babies had to be born (they were concerned about a growth discordance). So the decision was made for me (which, honestly, was a bit of a relief, b/c I too didn't want to give up my hope to delivery vaginally, but also feared the double whammy). When all was said and done, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The recovery was tough, but I had nothing to compare it to, so I don't know how much harder it would have been to have gone through labor and delivering both babies. GL and I wish you a safe delivery and healthy babies, however they make their entrance!:)

Jfila13 · October 2013

I am making the same decision now. I am 37 wks Sunday, and baby a is vertex, baby b is transverse. My practice is willing to try to deliver both, but they gave me a 50% chance of delivering one & then having the other by C.

Baby b is also measuring about a pound bigger than a... I can change my mind at any time, especially if b cooperates and flips, but I decided to schedule a C section. I don't want to recover in 2 places, and I don't want to worry through my whole delivery about what will happen with baby b.

It was a tough decision- I can empathize! Still hoping baby b will flip for me. Good luck!

LegallyBlonde217 · October 2013

@marie8elise - Is your OB (and any other OBs in the practice who may deliver your twins) comfortable doing a breech extraction if Baby B remains breech after you deliver Baby A? Or will you automatically have to move to a c-section if Baby B doesn't flip? If the OB won't attempt a breech extraction, I would probably go straight for the c-section.

twinmom1121 · October 2013

LegallyBlonde217 said:
@marie8elise - Is your OB (and any other OBs in the practice who may deliver your twins) comfortable doing a breech extraction if Baby B remains breech after you deliver Baby A? Or will you automatically have to move to a c-section if Baby B doesn't flip? If the OB won't attempt a breech extraction, I would probably go straight for the c-section.

Well I've only actually been able to see the dr who delivers at my hospital once, about 3 weeks ago and there was still the possibility of baby b flipping. I see her on Friday to discuss if she is comfortable delivering a breech baby b. But there is a possibility of a different dr delivering if she isn't on call when/if I go into labor. So I guess if she doesn't want to deliver a breech baby, my decision will be made for me! Thanks everyone for your advice and input!

twinmom1121 · October 2013

solarflare said:
What is the weight of Baby B? I was in this same predicament, but B ended up being almost a full lb heavier that A, and my doctor, who was very comfortable doing breech extractions, recommended a c-section for safety. He said that chances were just too high that B would get stuck since A wouldn't create a large enough opening. I really wanted a vaginal delivery, but safety was first, so we agreed to the c-section. And, our c-section delivery was awesome and beautiful! 2 healthy babies delivered at 38w2d with us from the moment they were born on. Recovery wasn't easy but neither was it from my friends who had vaginal births. I do not regret my decision.

Baby b is measuring about 2 oz smaller than baby a so it could be possible to deliver him breech if my dr is comfortable!

ehighlan · October 2013

I had a vaginal delivery with my twins. My dd was smaller and she ended up turning after my ds was born. It was a risk, but one that my doc talked with me a lot about. I'm glad I went that route because recovery was a lot easier (from what I've heard from friends who had c-sections). 34 weeks is close to the end, but there is still hope for a turn. Good luck!!

meldoo2002 · October 2013

I delivered vaginally with my twins. Baby A was head down. Baby B was transverse and ended up being 7oz. bigger than baby A. My doctors never once recommended a C-section, but I also gave birth at 30 weeks so it definitely wasn't a planned/talked about birth plan. Once baby A was safely out they broke baby B's water and turned him head down. They were born 17 min. apart.

megs2011 · October 2013

I would have chosen to try for a vaginal birth if I had the choice. Mine were both head down. My c/s recovery wasn't completely awful but I would have rather a vaginal birth. OH well, with my next, I'm hoping for a VBAC.

cukimerrydoll · October 2013

I'm finding that it really depends on what the OB is comfortable with. For ours, as long as Baby A is head down, she said we can move Baby B into position after Baby A is born, which is typical of her practice (and a huge reason why we chose her).

She'll do elective C/S but told us the recovery time is more difficult, which corroborates what I've heard and seen in other moms.

Our plan is to do vaginal birth but to keep C/S on the back burner just in case.

Felicity86 · October 2013

Mine were di-di and both head down, so I had a vaginal delivery. Had either one been breech, I would have gone with a c/s. My ob and mfm said breech extraction was more likely to result in nicu stays. I'm not sure if that's true or if she just wasn't comfortable with the procedure...either way I would never want to do a vaginal with breech baby with an ob who wasn't VERY experienced with breech extraction.

kari.sandall · October 2013

My baby a was head down and baby b was breech. I had baby a vaginally and baby b flipped as soon as he had room. Unfortunately, baby b's cord prolapsed and he was born with an emergency csection.

You need to decide what you feel comfortable with and know that having both deliveries is a possibility with a vaginal birth.

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