Am I the only one with vaginal delivery fears?

12bailey18 · August 2014

I've delivered two singletons vaginally and had great experiences both times. Baby A is currently head down so all of my OB's are very optimistic that I'll be able to deliver vaginally. And because of my two previous births (both 8 pounds) and the twins being di/di, I'm considered a good candidate for vaginal. They are actually very hesitant to discuss a C-section as they think vaginal is much better. But I can't possibly be the only one who is freaked out by delivering two babies? LOL. The fact they will either have to manually manipulate baby B down or deliver her breech makes me very uncomfortable (She's been transverse almost the entire time.) I feel like when I discuss having a C section they (and everyone else for that matter) looks at me like I'm crazy. I really won't know how I'm delivering until it's go-time since baby A can still change but am I the only one that would prefer a C section?

xtina78 · August 2014

Nope you're not alone, besides the fact that these were my first babies, I could have written your post. My twin A was vertex and B transverse and I was not psyched about the risk of them possibly needing to reach in and flip twin B or the risk of twin A coming out vaginally and B being an unscheduled or emergency c/s. In my case, I chose to have a scheduled c/s b/c I knew there was a decent chance something would go wrong and I would end up with an unscheduled c/s. I preferred to have one scheduled at a time when the hospital was fully staffed and I was rested (rather than having labored already). I was willing to accept the risks of the c/s which as I understood them were surgical risks to me of bleeding and infection, a harder recovery, and to the babies of "transient tachypnea" (due to fluid not being squeezed out of their lungs as they travel down the vagina) and possibly some concerns about their guts not being colonized by normal vaginal bacteria. There are also risks to you in subsequent pregnancies - like increased risk of placenta previa and uterine rupture, but as I wasn't planning on subsequent pregnancies this was not a big factor.

I did feel a little strange at first opting for a c/s but I'm really glad I did. There is a lot of hype for "natural" birth these days, but everyone is different and for me and my DH the risks/benefits of a c/s were better than for the vaginal birth. I would be annoyed if my doctor or anyone else was giving me the side-eye for making this choice.

My girls are 11 days old and doing well! Let me know if you want to talk further.

chickaboo1974 · August 2014

I was leery of a vaginal birth. I had discussed the options with each Dr in my practice. They did not do breech extractions- which honestly freaked me out anyway. The options if baby B was not head down would be trying to manipulate or a c/section- so the double whammy. My husband never voiced his opinion on this, but I know he was wanting me to have a c/section. The way I looked at it is that there are risks involved in both types of delivery. With the c/section, I took on the greater risk which I was willing to do. I never really had to chose since both my boys were still breech when I had to be delivered because of pre-e at 34 weeks.

My recovery was very very easy- I think a lot of it had to do with that I never went into labor- it was more of a planned c/section. I was back to feeling like myself and my pre-pregancy clothes at 2 weeks.

Rynleigh · August 2014

The most important thing is to have a safe delivery and have everyone healthy and happy at the end, and that can be achieved either way. If you are going to be less anxious and stressed by scheduling a CS, then there is nothing wrong with that.

For an alternative viewpoint, I also had two older singletons, both about 7.5lbs each, before I had my twins. My baby A was head down for most of the last trimester, and my baby B stayed transverse up until the last few weeks. He did end up flipping head down, and stayed head down during my bed rest (from 35w to 37w). I was able to safely deliver vaginally. In my case, that was a very good thing, because I'd developed pre-e and had very low platelets - adding extra blood loss from surgery could have become a serious complication. As it was I lost enough blood during the vaginal delivery that I was just two points off from needing a transfusion - I would have had a guaranteed transfusion had we gone with a Cesarean delivery. Both of my babies stayed head down during delivery - no versions or flipping necessary, despite James (baby

having spent much of the pregnancy transverse - he kept his little head down. My boys were born only 10 minutes apart, and I had no tearing (the little dudes were under 6lbs each, born at 37w2d).

I did have an epidural and I was induced, no "natural" goals in my delivery - just did what was safest for all of us under our specific circumstances. What is safest for you could be to choose the surgery, instead. There is no shame in choosing a safe delivery! You still have a few weeks left to go (hopefully), and a lot could change. Just remember that you do have a choice, and remember to hear your doctor's input about your own unique circumstances and to consider their suggestions and observations. Everything will work out alright.

kbeach82 · August 2014

I think you'd be hard pressed to find any woman who could honestly say she wasn't a little nervous about the thought of delivering two babies vaginally. I delivered DS1 vaginally 2 years prior to giving birth to my twins, and I knew I wanted to attempt another vaginal birth if at all possible.

Baby A remained head down for most of my pregnancy, while B flipped between vertex and transverse. My OBs and MFM recommended attempting a vaginal delivery as long as baby A remained head down, and I knew there was a chance that they might have to attempt a version or a breech delivery for Baby B.

Luckily, my induction (well, my second attempt in 2 weeks) was successful and I was able to deliver both babies vaginally without incident. The OB that delivered my twins requires an epidural for twin births, and I was not at all unhappy to follow along with that requirement. DD practically fell out on the way to the OR. DS2 turned vertex after DD was delivered, but it took some serious pushing to get him to descend. He was born vaginally 26 minutes after DD.

I only had 1 stitch for a small tear (compared to somewhere around 17 after my first delivery). Despite the fact that it was a multiple delivery and I had a crazy 2 year old at home, my recovery after their birth was much easier than it was after the birth of DS1. I know the thought can be a little terrifying, but a vaginal delivery of twin doesn't have to be awful. Good luck!

ksgsmu · August 2014

yes I understand your fear... I am really scared of delivery baby A vaginally and then having to do a C with Baby B... I talked to my OB about this fear and she said we can take a wait and see approach. I am leaning towards the C as I feel it will be the most controlled. I have watched a few birthing videos on netflix but none of them are twin births so not really that helpful.

KatieGummow · August 2014

Samesies!

diz1313 · August 2014

Oh I have vaginal delivery fears, but that is due to my first vaginal delivery that didn't go well. I understand that my circumstances are not typical though. As the damage has already been done I run the risk of a repeat if I try for a vaginal delivery again so I plan to go for a C. But I still have nightmares of something happening and I somehow "have to" deliver vaginaly.

I might have issues. Ha!

erinwithtwins · August 2014

I'm most worried about laboring for hrs then having a C anyways and being so tired from laboring. From what I understand that makes the recovery worse. It's totally out of my control though so just hoping for healthy and safe with no double whammy!

LegallyBlonde217 · September 2014

I was terrified of vaginally delivering 2 babies. I talked to all 6 Drs in my OB's practice about it, and all of them (plus every resident and nurse I had while I was on hospital bed rest) encouraged me to try for a vaginal delivery. Even after that I still considered just scheduling a c-section. We hadn't made a final decision yet when I went into labor at 33w3d. So we just went along with starting the process of delivery vaginally. Both babies were head down, but my OBs were all comfortable with doing a breech extraction if necessary. I delivered Baby A vaginally then pushed for 3 hours trying to delivery Baby B. At the 2 hour 50 minute mark I could tell my OB wanted to just call it and c-section Baby B, but I told her I could get him out soon and she let me continue pushing. I did 2 more sets of pushing and delivered him safely. I had no tearing since they were premature and smaller than average. My recovery was very easy, which was important since I needed to be at the NICU every day.

I am very happy I decided to try for the vaginal delivery!

auntjessy · September 2014

I was relieved when I found out it would def be C-section. I'd already had 3 abdominal surgeries anyway, what's another one?

1blueridgemama · September 2014

You have every right to be nervous! My son was CS and I had a terrible recovery and I'm really hoping to deliver the twins vaginally, which was looking good until last week when Baby A flipped. He's been head down the entire pregnancy!! Hoping he flips back and finds the exit ramp.

PinkinProvence · September 2014

My vaginal delivery was amazing and pretty easy, especially after a tough 6 week bed rest.

My water broke about 6 pm, and I had an epidural at about 4 am. The babes were born at 10:32 and 10:37 after about 30 minutes of practice pushing and 30 minutes of real pushing in the OR. I had a wonderful recovery and was walking around by the afternoon.

12bailey18 · September 2014

Thank you, everyone! Looks like Baby A made the decision for me; she (and Baby

are both breech as of yesterday. C-section is scheduled for September 26th.

jordangilliam · September 2014

Just posted somewhat the same post. So happy for this site & for all the pregnant mommas & mommas that share their experiences! Good luck to all of you

greks84 · October 2014

I am a FTM and terrified of a vaginal delivery. But everyone keeps saying recovery is easier after vaginal and I've also read that breast feeding after a CS can be difficult and painful. I have noooooo idea what to do. I guess I will just let my doctors decide

ekreps · October 2014

I'm terrified of c section and an really hoping for vaginal.

greks84 · October 2014

MrsLee04 said:

greks84 said:

I guess I will just let my doctors decide

This is about you and your babies. Don't just let the doctors decide, educate yourself and be part of the decision.

I have been.. But no matter how much research I do I'm not a doctor. I'm going to take the advice they give me. Now if they tell me that it could go either way depending on what I want then I will be in a pickle lol. I am working with a practice that Washingtonian magazine rated in the top 100 the past several years. I trust these women.

Hoosier722 · October 2014

I delivered my twins vaginally. I, too, had 2 other singleton deliveries before. Honestly, the twin delivery was so much easier because both babies were much smaller. My baby A literally slid out with one push and baby B came out 4 minutes later with 2 pushes. I'm so glad I avoided the c-section recovery. Surprisingly, my recovery from the twin birth was my easiest (again I think was because they were so small). I had 1 stitch and barely even needed the ice packs in the hospital. Good luck!

KDR1979 · October 2014

I would definitely opt for a vaginal delivery (if baby A stays head down) after a pelvis proven for 8lb babies! It is unlikely that the twins will be that big. A c/s is a major abdominal surgery. Some people have no choice but to deliver like that, but recovering from a vaginal delivery is so much better (especially while caring for 2 newborns)!

The twins were my first pregnancy. They were both head down. I had a 6 hour labor. Baby A (DD) weighed 5lbs (Head ~15-20th percentile). She was delivered in 4 pushes. My OB (very experienced and comfortable with twin vaginal births) had to turn DS's head b/c he was trying to come down "sunny side up." I pushed 45 minutes and delivered baby B (boy) exactly 60 minutes after his sister. He weighed 6lbs 9.4 oz and his head was 90-95th percentile!

I took motrin and maybe 2 Percocet in the first 24 hours after delivery. I was able to move around easily after that. I can't imagine trying to care/breast feed/nurse 36 week twins while recovering from a c/s.

Good luck with your decision!

fatcat11188 · October 2014

I delivered my twins vaginally no problems. FTM then and pushed for a vaginal. Twin B was breech and I still did it! All heathy and no problems! Three minutes apart and 18 minutes in the OR (precaution in case emergency C-Section had to take place). If you want to do it, you should advocate for it. Being breech is not the worse thing! Twin B was smaller and the second to come out. You CAN do this!

diz1313 · October 2014

Recovery from a normal vaginal delivery is so much easier than a c-section. Had I not had the experience I had with my singleton (not at all normal) I would be trying for a vaginal with the girls.... As that is not the case I will opt for a c-section as I have been told that it is highly likely I would have a recurrence of last delivery's outcome and it took me six months to recover from that. Maybe let the position of your babies decide what you will do and just be mentally prepared for either way.

BeesKnees181 · October 2014

I was terrified too. I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and it helped alleviate a lot of my fear. Since fear works against us during childbirth I worked a lot on empowering myself and the babies those last few weeks of the pregnancy. I also worked with prenatal yoga instructor on getting the babies to both be head down. Up until days before I delivered, Baby B was still transverse. At one point, they were both looking they may be breech. Then they both switched to head down (the week I delivered), and it went seamlessly. They were 8 minutes apart (looking back it felt shorter...it seemed like I held Baby A for a split second before I had to start pushing B out), pushing for Baby B was easier...maybe because Baby A paved the way and I knew what I was doing by that point. All the fierce mama adrenaline that kicked in and finally meeting my ladies, really helped to make it not so bad...well that and a great epidural and no tearing.

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