John & Walter are here!

John and Walter made their appearance 8/26/09, weighing in with John at 4lbs 11oz and Walter at 5lbs even at 35weeks and 6 days.

I started having contractions in the morning, around 11am, but chalked it up to braxton-hicks until about 5pm when they began to seem closer together and more irritating. By 8pm I realized I would have to take a visit to the hospital L&D. I was feeling them both moving a little less and was nervous. It took my husband and I a few hours to mobilize and by the time we got to the hospital it was 11pm. I had called ahead earlier in the day to find out if it was my OB on call and turns out it was one of the doctors who would not deliver breech. When we got to L&D to be checked, the nurse told us they would get me going shortly with the spinal and discussed all the basic preparations for a c-section. I mentioned that had my primary OB been available he would have gone with a vaginal breech. "Poor you!" she said and made a face as if that would be putting me through a harrowing ordeal.

When she checked me I was surprised to find I was already dilated 6cm. I thought it didn't matter anyway since I would be having a c-section and although the pain was not out of control, the contractions were annoying me and I wanted them to stop. Suddenly the RN returned to the room and said, "Your OB is coming in. He said he will deliver your babies vaginally." Part of me was so scared to hear this, but mainly I was floored that he would come in on a night he was not on-call to give me this option.

I was sent upstairs to the OR recovery room where I met a resident who did a scan. I recognized her from when I was in pre-term labor and she went over some of my questions about the safety of a breech/transverse presentation with vaginal delivery. By the time my OB entered the room (had been at the hospital for an hour and 1/2), he checked me and I was 9cm! While the contractions were still painful, I still mostly found them annoying and could not believe I had progressed that far. Over continuing intense contractions I had the conversation with him that I had been agonizing over which was to take place the following morning--all my questions about the risks and pros/cons of a vaginal delivery vs. a c-section as well as questions about his skills and background delivering breech and what interventions would be employed. I had written out a page on a Word doc of questions and issues I wanted to discuss. Of course we had the abbreviated version of this.

Me: "What are the risk to breech?"
OB: "A breech vaginal delivery is slightly more risk, with head-entrapment the number one risk that occurs about 1% of the time."
Me: "Heh heh heh heh whooooo" (contractions)
OB: "I think a vaginal delivery is better for these babies."
Me: "Ok! Let's do it"

I had fortunately addressed my main concerns with the resident earlier when I was able to articulate my concerns more and one point we addressed was the back-up plan to move to Cesarean if needed. She recommended the Epidural so as to avoid general anesthesia. My OB also recommended this and requested the anesthesiologist to give me the lowest dose possible. He looked at me and said, "This is all you. I want you pushing." I was fully dilated though not quite at the pushing point. They gave me the epidural, got my husband back in the OR in full scrubs and had me start pushing. Although the Epi was the lowest dose, it came on strong and numbed me so when the nurse asked, "How was that contraction?" I looked blankly and said, "What contraction?" I could still feel sensation when the OB reached inside to check the position of Twin A, and so when they told me to push I was able to with full feeling, just not much pain. I pushed for about 5 minutes--maybe 5 pushes--with Twin A, and out he came! My husband describes seeing the bag of water coming out like a balloon as big as a babies head and then it ruptured and our John entered the world, butt first, at 4lbs, 11oz and 17 inches. From my perspective, it seemed that that rupture sprayed the entire room with amniotic fluid, but that may be my exaggerated perspective.

He was out and cried right away. I saw him briefly and then he was brought to the pediatrician for checks, the nurses giving me regular updates. His apgars were 8/9.

Now was Twin B's turn and my OB was instructing the resident on the breech extraction. As Twin B was still in transverse, she reached up until she got a foothold and gently pulled him down. I did not quite understand all that was happening, but heard my husband explain in awe: "There are his feet!" And I was called upon again to push, and another 4 pushes brought Twin B all the way out--except his head. I looked down between my leg and saw a slimy little back and butt and body and some dark hair peeking out. His head had not fully emerged with the push and the OB pulled up forceps to nudge out the head. Now I knew from my reading that forceps can be used for breech extractions with some risk but also with success. But I have to say seeing those forceps brought up over my little babies head was the scariest moment for me, as they are quite large metal instruments that look pretty capable of being used as weapons! But it was not long before they did nudge him out and our Walter was born, weighing in at 5lbs even (yay a 5lber!) and 17 & 3/4 inches. He was more quiet which made me nervous and they brought him quickly to the pediatricians. I did not wait long before hearing his cry and hearing good reports from the doctors. His apgars were 5/9, so he had a bit more trouble getting out so it took him a minute to perk up.

The entire room started cheering and I looked at the clock--2 hours since we had arrived at the hospital and I had two healthy twin boys!

As I sat back happily exhausted and full of adrenaline from the birth, I heard my OB talking to a medical student. The student said something along the lines of "That was really cool to see," to which my OB replied, "and something I don't know when you will see again. Birthing breeches is a dying art..." Later on my OB told me he had spoken about my birth to his associate on call who told him she would have delivered the twins by c-section, thus elevating my OB to "White Knight" status for coming in to offer this option that so few other doctors would.

With our healthy babies thriving we are really and truly blessed. And I can't help but find it interesting that my three children have all arrived 3 different ways--head, butt and feet! How will that come to define their personalities I am so thankful for all of the support and encouragement we have had throughout this process! I am so happy to have the babies on the outside!

Picture here: http://tinyurl.com/kl4tdk

 

Congratulations on your beautiful baby boys! That is the most amazing birth story I have ever heard/read and am literaly crying at my desk at work. I am so happy you were able to get the delivery you wanted!

 

Jessica, they are beautiful!! :wub: Congratulations Mom!! What a great birth story. :Clap:

 

I am hoping for a vaginal birth regardless of my twins being breech. I agree with your Dr. breech vaginal birth are looked upon as too scary but you are a brave woman. I think I would like to your Dr. number.

Congrads

 

:Clap: Wow, what a great story! Congratulations on your boys! They are adorable. :wub:

 

Good for you mama!! You were a great advocate for yourself and your babies. LOL @ the head butt and feet comment!

 

Congratulations Mama on your adventurous birth!!! Amazing story! So glad that you got what you wanted and that your babies are strong and healthy!!

 

Congratulations! They are adorable! I'm so glad that your OB was willing to come in and do the birth - we need more OBs like him!

 

They're gorgeous! Congratulations! Sounds like you have a great Dr.

 

Oh my gosh I'm so happy for all of you. Quite an accomplishment! And what a reward, adorable little boys. So exciting. Thanks for sharing the story with us!

Wow!!!!

 

That is such an AWESOME birth story! Yay for your OB!!!!! Congrats to you and your family.

 

They are adorable! What a wonderful birth experience after all the ups and downs of the last few weeks! Three cheers to the OB for coming in to deliver breech.

 

Wow! What a great story! Congratulations on your boys! They are beautiful!

 

:yahoo: What a great story! Congratulations momma!! :hug:

 

Congratulations on the birth of your boys! :yahoo: They are so cute! And I'm so glad you got the birth you wanted.

 

AWESOME BIRTH STORY!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! They are gorgeous little boys

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!
They are beautiful , and what an amazing birth story
I am glad that everyone is doing so well, congratulations again and thank you for sharing!

 

:welcome: to the world John and Walter! That is a great birth story and Congrats to you Momma :yahoo:

 

Congratulations Momma!! Welcome to the 1st year with Twins!! :woo:

 

Congrats!!! Which hospital did you go to? My breech baby B also had 5/9!

 

Wow! Odd coincidence! I went to Northwestern Prentice...I think I remember you did too? Only they have a new building now a few blocks away from the old round one.

 

Congrats mom, I too was brought to tears from your amazing story

 

So glad you had the birth experience you wanted! :banana: What a wonderful birth story! Congrats, and welcome to the world, John and Walter. Your boys are gorgeous, mama!

 

So glad everyone is happy and healthy. Congratulations!!

 

Congratulations, they're adorable! And yay :Clap: for your OB for coming in!

 

Jessica what an amazing birthstory, I am crying my eyes out. Your boys are beautiful, congrats Momma!!

 

I had them there too! But all 3 were born at the old Prentice (May 04 and Nov 06 and they didn't move until Oct 07). Who's your doc? My practice would all do breech baby Bs but not As which worked out well for me. I went to Lakeshore OB&Gyn at 680 N. Lakeshore.

 

Congrats on your boys! They are adorable. :wub:

 

CONGRATS momma!! Your boys are gorgeous! So glad it all all worked out!

 

YAY!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! :birthday: SWEET BOYS!!!!!!

oh my goodness they are ADORABLE!!!!

 

Congratulations! Welcome to the world, John and Walter! :Clap:

 

:yahoo: Congratulations! I am glad you got the delivery you had hoped you would. Enjoy those little boys.