What would you do? (kind of long!)

I'm 38w2d right now. We just got back from the dr. I'm not dilated, not BH, no nothing. As he said, I'm really good at being pregnant. He doesn't want to induce me, as I'm clearly not ready. He gave us two options

1. Hang in there, do another non-stress on Friday, go back on Monday to dr. and see if any progress- if not, we'll either schedule a c section or discuss induction.

2. Do a c-section on Friday (in two days)

He does stress that the babies are in perfect position for a vag. birth. However, baby girl could flip when he comes out, and I'd have to have a section for her. (I do like how my office really tries for a vag. birth instead of pushing for sections) He also said I'm healthy, they're healthy, and he doesn't think I'll have a problem giving birth.

That being said I am so freaking miserable. My legs are so swollen I can't walk. I can't sleep. My blood pressure shot up in one day (I had a non stress yesterday and it was 120- today it was 140) The peri yesterday at the test said "Ok, you're done, you should have the babies this week.

So I REALLY want to do the c-section on Friday, but I'm feeling guilty. I feel like I SHOULD carry the babies until they're ready, not when I'm ready. I'm also scared of a c-section but equally scared by labor.

What would you do if you were in my place? Is a c-section horrible recovery? Is labor as scary as I think it is? Please let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading my novel!

 

That is a tough one. 38 weeks is awesome, awesome with twins, so I give you huge props for making it this long. I was miserable at 32 weeks and I can't imagine how you feel at 38.

I have delivered babies both ways - both vaginally and c-section. If I could choose, I'd do a vaginal birth with no pain meds (just like I did with dd) instead of a c-section. But, I had complications with my c-section. A lot of people prefer them to vaginal birth, I'm just not one of them. But, vaginal delivery was never an option for me with my twins.

I think worrying about delivering one baby vaginally and then having a c-section when the other flips is totally normal - and I'd worry about the same thing!

I think if your peri said you should have them this week, that makes a lot of sense and I'd put a lot of weight on that. Blood pressure rising sucks (that is why I had my dd at 38 weeks).

Tough, tough call. I think if it were me I'd wait to be induced, but that is just b/c c-sections scare me now. At the same time, I'd want them out now if I were as miserable as you are.

So - as you can see - I have amazing, concrete advice for you. Either way it happens - good luck and I hope for a super fast, super easy delivery, healthy babies and a fast recovery!! Congratulations! Those babies will be here soon!

 

Wow, you are amazing, 38 weeks+!!!!! These are my first babies so I don't have any great advice for you regarding natural vs c-section. But if you are really unsure and can handle holding out until monday that might be what I would do. Giving it a little more time for labour start on its own. If it doesn't you have definately done your duty as an incubator and discuss the options with your Dr. And if on friday your bp is up still then you may need to decide earlier.

I'm not much help good luck with your decision, it will be the right one no matter what you choose.

 

Well.....I was not given the option of whether to have a C section or not because ours were breech, however here's my opinion......

I've had eleven vaginal births and was back to the daily grind of our household within just a few days. The c section (a little over 4 wks ago) with the twins was my first c section, and while I'm sure it's not the worst surgery on earth....it's SURGERY, all the same. I got very frustrated (and still do get frustrated) with how much I have to hold back. I still can't do as much as I'd like to, can't lift as much as needs lifted around here, etc.... I think you'll be recovering from a c section longer than what you have left to be miserable if you choose a vaginal birth.

I really missed having time with the twins immediately after birth as opposed to have them taken to the nursery after a quick kiss goodbye while I was being stitched up and put back in my room.

Sometimes it seems miserable having such a comfortable womb for little ones, however IMO I don't think you'd be sorry if you held out for a vaginal birth. Surgery is NEVER fun, and I personally wouldn't choose it on purpose if I had a choice.

Good luck with your choice. Keep us posted.

Edited for spelling errors...sorry.

 

Well, I was induced at 38 weeks and 2 days, and I would so do that again! Both were head down and my OB said there is a slim chance B would flip, but they would do what they could to prevent that! (Nurse pressed on my abdomen so B would have less room to flip). I have to say the induction went really well. I was induced with my first child, and it went well too! I was nervous with twins, just because delivering two vaginally sounded so much more scary. But honestly, a C Section scared me even more! I have friends who have had C sections, and claim they are no big deal and a breeze to recover from, but it IS MAJOR surgery. There are more complications, longer healing time, and more risks in general. No, I can't say vaginal doesn't hurt, but with an epidural, it isn't that bad! I was up and showering both births within two hours of delivery!

I know others will tell you a C section is the way to go, and of course they may have had good experiences. I can only tell you about my experiences, which were vaginally. If I had to do it all again, I would still go the same route I went. Good luck with your decision. I know how hard it is these last few days.... I was in so much pain and totally freaking out just two weeks ago!

As far as dilating, try taking evening primrose oil.... this helps soften the cervix and is totally safe to take while pregnant. Also, start walking every evening, even if it is just around the block. It will help the babies put more pressure on your cervix to hopefully also start the dilation process.
Again, good luck to you!

 

First :yahoo: for going 38 weeks, that's wonderful Momma! My twins are my only children and because baby A was breech, my OB's office did a c-section at 38 weeks and 1 day. My OB's office also did not want me to go longer then 38 weeks but I do feel that the twins could have made it to 40 because they had no desire to get out there!
Personally, while I did have a good experience with my c-section...I do think the recovery is less intensive with a vaginal delivery, so I would talk to your doctor about how uncomfortable you are and see if maybe they would be willing to induce you on Friday. Not sure if that is a possiblity for you or not. You are not being selfish if you choose the c-section, you have to do what feels right for you and your babies. If your BP is spiking, it might be a good reason to go with the c-section. :hug: Good luck with your decision!

 

My c-section was great! I broke my tailbone delivering my eldest dd vaginally and had a long recovery period so for me the c-section was far less painful. I didn't have a choice however (mono girls) so I tried to have a really positive attitude to it and the 6 weeks of hospital rest before delivery probably helped me as well as having my babies in NICU for 6 weeks which gave me a chance to get back on my feet.

 

First yeah for making it to 38 weeks
If your bp is rising it's time to get those babies out of there! I had an emergency c-section at 30 weeks due to pre-e and you really don't want to develope that it can come upon you really fast and is dangerous to you & the babies.
As far as a c-section goes yes, it's scary and everyone is different but, I had no problems with recovery.
With this pregnancy I am going to have a sched c-section too.
Good Luck & Best Wishes

 

If your peri says to have the babies due to your bp, then I'd seriously consider having them this week - that's what you pay him the big bucks for, right? There are a lot of things that our bodies naturally do that we intervene with - our teeth naturally rot out of our head, but we have them filled, right? Probably not the best analogy ... My point is that I don't think that following a specialist's carefully considered medical advice is acting in haste.

I have had two c-sections and have thought they were a breeze - painful to get up and out of bed the first time with both sections, but beyond that, not bad at all. I had two different OBs (we moved between baby #1 and #2) and they had different advice on resuming activity - both allowed me to drive at one week post op since I was off the pain meds, but the first recommended I not run for four weeks (I ran nearly 800 miles while pregnant with my first), but my OB with my second allowed me to run at two weeks, which I did. I did everything else I felt like doing whenever I felt up to it - I did not feel like I had to hold back much. I do not think my experience is unique, although I do have friends who did not find the c such a cakewalk - particularly the ones who are gassy after the surgery. And I've never had a v birth to know what it's like ...

Congratulations on making it past 38 weeks - you should be very proud of yourself! Good luck with your decision!

 

Awesome 38 weeks!!!
I had an emergency c-section with my son…..although if the stars are in alignment, I would like to try for vaginal with my twins.
It seems as though your babies are in great position and you might want to try for vaginal.
I would although insist on being induced!
Do not feel guilty! You and your twins are one. Right now you are all part of the whole. If your body is screaming out pay attention….you are part of the process and maybe the babies are ready, but your body is doing the talking.
Best wishes!

 

I waited until my first was "ready," which was 41 wks, 2 days. He was badly positioned, he was too big, and after a 24-hr trial of labor, I had an ER c/s. And I wasn't nearly as miserable then as you sound now. I had an induced VBAC with DS2 and I had a c/s with my girls because they were worried about rupturing my incision. They came at 37 wks, 1 day. It was fine. Vaginal was the easiest recovery for me, but not by much. I generally recover well from surgery, only had to take motrin, etc.

It's your call, but at 38 weeks I wouldn't feel burdened with guilt about having them out. You are part of this pregnancy, too, and it's not like you're at 32 weeks, and just tired of being pg. You are at term. Fine to induce or have a c/s at this point.

 

personally, i would wait as long as possible for them to come on their own, but that's me & that's what lines up with my philosophy on pregnancy/birth.

really though, there's no right or wrong answer in these situations - there are an awful lot of variables involved & you're the only one walking in your shoes right now. take a deep breath & listen to your gut. you'll make the right decision for you & you're LOs. :hug:

 

I would go ahead and schedule the induction or c-section. 38 weeks is full term for twins, and I think many doctors feel this is the optimal time to deliver. I was induced at 41 weeks with my singleton baby with no dilation or thinning of cervix. Everything went fairly well, except the baby ended up flipping and presenting sunny side up and I couldn't push him out, so I ended up with a c-section after about 12 hours of labor. I think this could have happened with a natural labor too though. The c-section was no big deal, and I actually already told my doctor that I do not want to even try for a VBAC - I'd rather just go straight to C since I did not think it was that bad. Good luck!

 

PS - Lisa - do you have 13 kids or did I misread your post? I'm impressed!

 

Personally, I think the key to what you said is the rising blood pressure and the advice from your peri. Everybody's opinion about keeping them in as long as possible is a bit irrelevant in the face of sound medical advice. If your blood pressure is rising then I would get them out this week before you end up with an emergency situation.

 

ITA. It doesn't do your babies any favors if you have a stroke from overly high blood pressure.

 

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your birth stories with me. I love coming here for the wonderful and non-judgmental opinions/support!

We decided to go with the c-section on Friday (unless we get bumped for an emergency or women in active labor). I'm scare, excited, worried, anxious... pretty much how I've been for the past 38 weeks! I just can't go another weekend worrying about them and waiting for something to happen.

Thanks again! I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer me! I can't wait to share our story and move over to the first year!

 

Congratulations and good luck on Friday! I think you picked the best option. Blood pressure can skyrocket, especially when it is already high, and that is some scary business.

Can't wait to hear your birth story!!

 

Good luck to you Mama!! I hope it all goes well for you and the little ones!!

 

I just wanted to let you know that I was sorda in the same position as you. I went in at 37weeks and had no dilation, no BH, nothing. We had a c-section scheduled as Kalia was breech for 37w5d. We go in for the c-section and she has flipped, now at this point I already had my IV in and everything and my doctor says, "well, I can't induce you since your cervix isn't favourable(ie closed, firm) so you can either go home or we can do the section".


We chose the section. Now, I will tell you that I've had moments of wishing for that vaginal birth, for the experience of contractions and all that comes with it (as crazy as that sounds!!). I do know, however, that I made the best choice for my babies, Kalia had the cord around her neck multiple times and a placenta that was quite calcified. I never had a head engaged in my pelvis and I think that was my body's way of telling me that vaginal just wasn't happening.

I wish you the best on Friday and a quick tip. If you are planning on BF your babies get pumping as often as you can once they are born. With a scheduled c-section your body doesn't have those hormones that aid in milk production so it takes a while for it to come in. Wish someone would have told me that.

 

Good luck momma! Wow 38 weeks you have done so good!! Glad to hear you have made a decision. I am sure it will all work out perfectly!! :hug:

 

Yep, we've got 13. 7 boys, 6 girls. They range in ages from 1 month to 16 yrs.