Debating Scheduling a C-section

shanaynerz · April 2014

I did search before deciding to post here, but couldn't find exactly what I wanted, so here goes!

I had an u/s Thursday. It went great. Baby A is about 2 lbs 8 oz, and Baby B is 2 lbs 6 oz, so definitely big babies! Baby A is still head down, but B is turned breech/transverse (she's in a really weird spot). The tech told me there's still lots of fluid and they can totally move and whatnot. The fact Baby A is still head down makes a vaginal birth definitely possible, but I'm wondering if I'd almost rather just have a scheduled C-section than chance needing an emergency one.

I totally have some time to worry about it and will discuss it with my OB, I just think my anxiety is getting the better of me. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone did schedule a C-section even though Baby A was head down? And am I totally nuts for just wanting to have some sort of plan?

I would love to have a regular vaginal birth like with DD, but I'm just anxious this time will be so much worse/harder since there's two. Hehe I'm just in my head too much I think, but just wanted to see your opinions about C-section vs just going for a vaginal birth.

legaleagles · April 2014

I had a vaginal delivery with DD (it was long and hard with an almost 4th degree tear). These babies are measuring big: at 35 weeks A measured 6lbs 9 oz and B measured 5 lbs 6 oz - DD was only 6 lbs 6oz born full term.

Both are breech so I'm having a c/s. But I would absolutely positively have a vaginal (or attempt a vaginal) delivery if possible. Despite a difficult labor with DD, I would choose that over the surgery. Already I'm limited to what i can do for DD and having a C/S just prolongs that. And I know some people have quick, easy recoveries, but I've had abdominal surgery and it wasn't as quick as I expected and was way less invasive then a c/s.

It's definitely a personal choice and there is always the risk of needing an emergency c/s or both, but if it were me, I'd opt to try for a vaginal delivery.

Talk to your doctor, make sure you know all the details of having the c/s and talk about it with your husband/partner and you'll choose what's best for you since only you know what that is.

sasky · April 2014

My baby A is breech and baby B is transverse, so it's likely I'll end up scheduling a section. But for a long time this pregnancy baby A was head down, and B has always been transverse. In that scenario my first choice was vaginal. BUT I had a lot of hesitation about it for the reasons you stated, so I totally understand.

And although that's how I was leaning, I can't say that would have been my final decision. There would have been a lot of talk with my doctors and husband. A big part of me felt guilty for thinking about potentially having a c-section when I could have tried for vaginal. You are not nuts at all.

It's definitely worth listening to the thoughts and experiences of others. But ultimately you have to listen to your gut and make the decision that's best for you, as trite as that sounds. And don't feel like you have to defend yourself.

TheDairyQueenx3 · April 2014

I was in this exact same position with my boys last year. I had a vaginal with my first and was worried it would be harder this time around because there was two and there is just so much that could go wrong. However, my twin vaginal delivery was ten times more easier that it was with my singleton. Much quicker, no swelling, no tearing, only thing was the after birth cramping sucked while I was pumping/nursing. My midwife and her husband my MFM told me that if A was head down what I could do was schedule a section for out as far as possible and that day decide. Most hospitals you deliver in the OR anyways but at least you are on the books just in case. Talk with your OB see what they are comfortable with and what works best for you. Some OBs though once the Csection is set your might not be able to change. and Should you go into labor on your own the on call OB may push for a section because thats what will be in your chart (happened to the woman next to me in the post partum ward) plus if its set too soon you could skip out on the chance to go naturally on your own. hope that made sense. Moblie bumping in the car

CJnKR2014 · April 2014

My boys move and flip way too much for me to know just yet (even at 31 weeks). They're my little acrobats!

Lauren201312 · April 2014

I was always considering a vaginal birth, but at 22 weeks my twins developed TTTS and we had fetal laser surgery. After that, even though both babies were head down, I opted for a scheduled c-section. After the trama of TTTS, I wanted to have some "control" over the birth. Though there are risks with a c/s, I was terrified of delivering A vaginally and needing an emergency c/s for B. After seeing how much prep was needed for the OR and for me, I am happy it was not an emergency c/s. I had a very easy recovery. Actually felt better two days post delivery than I did in the last week of my pregnancy. Look at all your options, and decide what is best for you. But don't feel bad about choosing a c/s.

Lauren201312 · April 2014

Wanted to add, but couldn't edit my post! As they were getting me settled, the dr asked if I'd like to be checked for dialation and try for a vaginal delivery. So even up until the end, they gave me the choice.

JenyB6 · April 2014

I kind of feel the same way you do. I have gone through 2 vaginal deliveries and they have been pretty easy for me. I am only a little behind you and both babies have stayed breach since the beginning. I go for my next MFM appointment on 4/30 so we will see how they are then. I am of the opinion that if there is even a small chance of having a C-section then I will go for it because I do not want to heal from a vaginal and C-section. Like you I would like to have a plan.

Rachiemoo · April 2014

Similarly to you, I had a vaginal delivery with my singleton and then got pregnant with twins. I was able to have a vaginal delivery with my twins. They were both head down at 35 weeks when they were born, but they were in different positions throughout my pregnancy. I would wait and see when you get closer to the 30 week mark where they are. I can honestly say it was easier for me to birth the twins than it was to birth my singleton. I felt like my body had already "been there, done that", plus the twins were both about 5 and a half pounds, whereas my singleton was 7 and a half pounds, so it was much easier to push them out. Best of luck whatever you decide!

MrsP419 · April 2014

My twins are head down, but neck and neck with each other, and my baby B is bigger. I scheduled a c-section for exactly the reasons you stated. I have had two med-free vaginal deliveries, and I am not afraid to deliver vaginally, but I am SO SO afraid of ending up with an emergency c-section or a double whammy that I scheduled a c-section. I feel like though the babies are head down, I am still at risk for an emergency C because they are so close to each other, B is bigger, and my practice would not do a breech extraction if B flipped in labor (the most they would do is a version while in labor). I have a twin mama friend whose girls were in perfect position for a vaginal birth, and at the lasts second B tried to come out first and they got stuck and she needed and emergency C- she said she totally wished she had just scheduled one to begin with. Not that one person's experience defines all, but I feel like scenarios like that are fairly common.

My OB is very supportive and never pressured me either way. They way he explained it to me is this: different people have different risk tolerances, just like we have pain tolerances. I feel an emergency c-section such a personal risk, that I would rather give up the potential of an "ideal" vaginal birth and plan a c-section than risk and emergency or double whammy. Since those risks are legit with twins, he did not think I was being paranoid or overreacting. Even though I second guess my choice and worry about recovery, I think it is the right one, and they anxiety I have over a vaginal delivery would make everything harder. Like pp's, there is no wrong choice and no one should make you feel as such. Twins are a totally different ballgame!

pillowass · April 2014

Something to consider is that you will likely go into labor before your scheduled c-section date arrives. My MFM wouldn't schedule induction/csection until 38 weeks - hardly anyone makes it that far! In the meantime, it might make sense to do contingency planning - i.e. consider the conditions under which you would try for the vaginal, even if it's only in the case of both babies being head down. And I'm sure your OB can help you make the decision once it's go time.

My babies flipped a lot toward the end and I didn't know how they would be born until we showed up to the hospital at 36/6 and learned via u/s that they were both head down. The birth (vaginal) was SO much better than with DS 1 - 8 hours from start to finish. I loved it! Recovery was really tough, but mostly due to things that would have been present in the case of c/s, too (swelling, carpal tunnel, rib and pelvis pain, etc.)

All of that said, I don't think it's unreasonable to opt for elective c-section with twins, even when they are both head down. If nothing else, knowing you have an end date is great for your mental health!

katekat8721 · April 2014

CJnKR2014 said:
My boys move and flip way too much for me to know just yet (even at 31 weeks). They're my little acrobats!

Ditto this, I'm 30 weeks and they're still flipping around (which is awesome and kinda HURTS at the same time haha!)

I would like to try for vaginal but like a lot of others I'm scared. There seems to be more control with a scheduled C... provided that you actually make it to that date and nothing happens to change the plan. But you know what they say about the best laid plans :P

The thing that's tough mentally for me is having to prepare for both a vaginal and c section delivery, not knowing until game day which type I'll have. If A goes breech (again) near the end then I'm definitely scheduling a c section though. I already told my doc I don't want to labor for 10 hours only to have to turn around and have a C. No thank you!

Mama-Bear · April 2014

I had a vaginal delivery with DS1 but a c/s with my twins due to A being breech. Personally I'd love to have a vaginal birth over any c/s. Sure you have labor with a vaginal birth, but IMO that's nothing compared to the recovery of a c/s (it's not the worst thing in the world, but my recovery from my vaginal birth was SOOOO much easier than my recovery from c/s). Sure some get hit with the dreaded double whamny, but it's rare and worth the risk for ME. This is YOUR decision though, you're the one that's going to have to go through either recovery so if you'd rather just have the c/s and be done, that's ok, if you try for a vaginal birth, no matter how it turns out, that'so ok too.

CMBatiz13 · April 2014

The possibility of needing a double whammy is what scares me. Plus, my doctor said it would be the best for my personal situation to schedule a c-section. This is my first pregnancy so I have nothing to compare it to. I would say definitely discuss with your doctor and ask questions. As the pregnancy progresses you will hopefully know more. Also, try to be flexible with your birth plan because ya never know what could happen. The most important thing in the end is healthy babies and healthy you.

megs2011 · April 2014

I wanted to attempt a vaginal delivery. Both mine were head down. I ended up needing a c/s due to one of the babies being in distress and I was no where near being ready to labour with induction. I personally wouldn't have chosen a c/s. I had a horrible recovery. It took me forever. I stayed in the hospital a couple extra days because I couldn't get myself off the toilet without using the bars and sink. I'm pregnant with #3 and I'm hoping for a VBAC.

shanaynerz · April 2014

Just wanted to thank everyone for your insight. I definitely don't want a C-section, but it's been hard with everything up in the air. My labour was easy with DD; only 7.5 hours from first contraction to the end, but she was a face presentation and I needed an emergency episiotomy which was awful. Other than that it was great and med-free, like I wanted. But with the twins I already need an epi anyways, so I'm just all over the place...

In the end of course I'll do whatever is necessary to make sure these munchkins get home with us. I'm not losing twins again!

I guess I'll just wait and see how they're both positioned at my next u/s, and the one after that. I always just expect the worst, but I'm trying not to!

4legsRbest · April 2014

I am having a RCS, but not because of babies positions.

That being said, I would personally go for a vaginal birth, if I could, over a c-section. The recovery from a csec, is no joke - I am dreading that the most. Don't let fear dictate your birth experience.A vaginal birth is so much better, for many many reason. Just my opinion and 2 cents. GL with whatever you decide!

bumpuser924057 · April 2014

I've had two scheduled c-sections, never been in labor. My recovery both times has been very easy and uneventful, and after the first night I was up and walking around both times - I had a lumbar strain at the end of my first pregnancy that caused me MUCH more pain in recovery than the c-section incision.

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