C-section or vaginal delivery w/ twins

figgs0831 · November 2013

Obviously all will depend on position and health... But after my conversation with the doctor, I'm confused. He refuses to let his patients do a vaginal delivery with multiples. He started rambling off all these dangers that I never really thought about. Like hemorrhages, prolapsed cords, abruptions, etc... I had always assumed I would be getting a c-section, but I had hoped I would have been given the option of a less invasive delivery if possible. What were your experiences with delivery of your multiples? Did you have the option? I will obviously be following my doctors orders and would never jeopardize their safety, I'm just curious to hear what others have experienced.

marcobonny · November 2013

My OB is actually pro vaginally birth. She says she would only do a c section in an emergency situation. Every OB is different though.

24karat · November 2013

It varies practice to practice. Mine is very pro-vaginal delivery (they'll even attempt vaginal when B is in breech if A is vertex) but unfortunately I wasn't given the option. Both of my boys stayed transverse for the entire 3rd tri so I ended up having a c/s at 37 weeks.

carrotcake06 · November 2013

I very much wanted a vaginal delivery. From how it was explained to me, it would have been dependent on the dr on call that day. Most will do vag, but not all. However, 2 dr are on call so chances are if one was c/s only then the other would let me attempt vag.

The whole convo was moot. Baby A was smaller and stayed breech until my water broke and then his cord prolapsed. It was like the trifecta of instant c-section.

hgrosch · November 2013

I've been thinking a lot about this as well my doc will give the option and both my girls are vertex BUT honestly many MOMs who have tried vaginal ended up w one of each (which makes me very nervous) I'd rather not have to heal in two spots...also the last week or so has been so tough that I'm not certain I have it in me to push two babies out :-/

LegalLadyBug · November 2013

My OB has said several times I would be having a c section. I'm going to ask about it at my next appt. While I would love a vaginal birth I also don't want to be recovering from vaginal and c section while caring for twins and a 3 year old.

LegallyBlonde217 · November 2013

I think your Dr is just not experienced enough with vaginal multiples deliveries, and I would probably find a new one if I were you.

I delivered my twins vaginally. Every OB in my practice told me I should at least attempt a vaginal delivery....and that was knowing I would be delivering them at no later than 34 weeks. Yes, there are risks to delivering twins vaginally. I did hemorrhage after delivering Baby B, but we all survived. BUT a c-section is a major surgery and there are many risks to that, too.

pillowass · November 2013

My MFM told me that a vaginal delivery is safer for mom and babies when both twins are head down. When Baby A is breech, a c-section is safest. When Baby A is head down and Baby B is transverse or breech, there's no clear research showing one or the other is safer (although there is a big study underway currently).

All of that said, there are pros and cons to each way of giving birth and it kind of depends on how important it is to you to have the option of a vaginal birth. This is tough because while I definitely side-eye a dr. who insists on a c-section for ALL twins I would not judge a mom who chose a c-section for any reason, really. I feel like there should be more room for patient preferences in the conversation and it irks me that the decision has been made for you despite the relative safety of a vaginal birth in many of the scenarios you may face.

TobieRose · November 2013

My doctor was very pro-vaginal delivery, so long as Baby A was vertex. Both of my twins were so he was very optimistic and supportive, although he did have me induced at 38 weeks.

Of course, I ended up needing a c-section for Baby B anyways because of a nuchal cord ... and it is a royal pain in the butt to recover from.

So if vaginal birth matters to you, perhaps you can find a doctor who is more open to it!

jennybean80 · November 2013

I know that where I live 50% of twins are born vaginally, 30% both are c-section, and 20% are vaginal for A, section for B.

My OB is happy to attempt a vaginal delivery as long as A is head down (so far they're both transverse…) and has even said that while she strongly recommends an epidural she'll allow my to try without as long as I know all the risks and potential complications (like a GA section for B if needed).

angie637 · November 2013

My kids were born vaginally. They just required me to deliver in the OR in case I had to have a emergency c section.

figgs0831 · November 2013

Huh. I will have to talk with them again. I am high risk due to previous pregnancies and belong to a well respected high risk practice. At any given time I see any of the 7 doctors. The one I spoke with is the one I've had the most dealings with. I'm going to see if another doc is around to speak to. I haven't had successful deliveries I the past, but they were due to unhealthy pregnancies. I just want what is best for all 3 of us come day of.

Topanga · November 2013

I delivered mo/do twins vaginally. A was head down and b was transverse. He moved to head down with a little push from the dr after baby a was born. My OB practice delivers vaginally unless there are complications or a is not head down. They also would attempt breech extraction if necessary.

sterling1987 · November 2013

I had a vaginal delivery at 35 weeks. My girls were di/di and both head down. All the doctors in my practice were pushing for c-section especially since these were my first ( said I didn't have a "proven pelvis") The day my water broke the Ob on call still tried to scare me into a csection telling me all the risks involved with vaginal delivery of twins! Luckily she left the decision to me and I stuck to my guns with and chose vaginal. Sooo glad I did everything went great, delivered in OR just in case. My delivery and recovery were a breeze!

Mrs.Guz · November 2013

I was scheduled for an induction and was going to try for a baginal delivery. But the drs ended up wanting to take them a few days earlier and the dr on call didn't want to try for a vaginal delivery so I had no choice but to have a c/s.

It went better than I thought, but was a harder recovery. But I had been worried about needing an emergency c/s if I had tried for a vaginal delivery so it was nice it being a little more controlled. I was able to walk into the OR.

LittleLady77 · November 2013

MrsLee04 said:

hgrosch said:

BUT honestly many MOMs who have tried vaginal ended up w one of each

False. The statistic is actually less than 1%.

OP.....I'd seriously consider switching OBs. I wouldn't want to be cared for an OB who made such blanket policies. Twins are delivered vaginally 50% of the time, and the statistic would probably be a lot higher if it weren't for OBs and patients who choose to go straight to c-section without any medical necessity.

All this. I thought the both (a c section and a vaginal delivery) happened less than 4% of the time but either way it's extremely rare. Vaginal births have some slight health benefits for the babies and are way easier to recover from. My doctors are pro vaginal birth and really encouraged me to consider it if both babies are cooperating. I would seriously consider switching doctors.

LucyRicardo3 · December 2013

My OB would go for vaginal only if both were head down. Would not do breech extractions or aversions. He said he could refer me to another OB if I was insistent, but I was okay with that policy.

The MFM I saw also delivered, but at a more specialized hospital (university medical school attached to it). That dr group would attempt breech if I demanded.

Both dr groups/hospitals required all multiples to be delivered in the OR, vag or c/s.

Rynleigh · December 2013

Mine were di/di both head down and both delivered vaginally at just over 37w. I hemorrhaged, but that was a result of pre-e with degraded/low platelets, and having two placenta detachment sites three weeks before they were ready to detach. Per my doctors, I may have been in more critical condition if I'd had a CS and they hadn't been able to get the bleeding under control, as I still would have had the two placenta detachments with the addition of a surgical wound.

JocelynB0911 · December 2013

The plan was for both babies to be born vaginally. Baby a was but baby b was via csection due to decels and the doc not being able to feel what part of the baby he was grabbing at.

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