C-sect or vaginal birth

O.K. I don't know what to do. I had my son 13 mo. ago vaginally and am now due with my twins in February. Today dr. said baby A is head down and baby B is head up and that I could deliver vaginally but since I was pg. with twins I could have a c-section. I have been leaning towards a c-sect. before he ever brought it up because I felt like things down there just werent' the same. Of course I know they won't be but I don't know if I want to do it again and especially with 2 babies. I felt like vaginal walls were weak and that there was alot of pressure and things could fall out. I just don't know! Has anyone had a vaginal birth with a pregnancy and then a c-section with another pregnancy. How would you compare them (pain, healing etc.) I've always had a flat stomach and did after my son was born to a certain extent, will a c-section leave me with a pooch. I need some help deciding and any stories would help.
Thanks! How soon or late do they do sections with twins?

Angie

 

There has been a lot of posts on this. I had a vaginal delivery with my first, 9lbs2oz (long, hard labor), forceps and 4th degree tearing (so things are definitely not the same down there ). My doc would let me go vaginal with the twins (and would definitely prefer that and me too) as long as A was head down (no matter the position of B). Well A was head down, B was breech, and I had a very smooth vaginal delivery. Five pushes for baby A and B was born 4 minutes later by breech extraction. I had 2nd degree tearing (some old scare tissue from last time). Both close to 8lbs. They started the Pitocin at 6 am, and they were born 10.32 and 10.36 am. I would never go through a c/s if not medically necessary. If your doc is confident performing a vaginal delivery including a baby B that is not vertex, I would go ahead and do that. I would listen to your own body. It sounds like you have a great chance for a vaginal delivery and your doctor seems to be willing to do it too independent of baby B's position (which is not the case for all docs), which is great!

Good luck!

 

I had my son vaginally 20 months ago. With the twins, baby A was head down and baby b was breech. I just had them 6 days ago, and I decided to go for the c-section because the c-section was safer for baby b....even though the recovery would be rougher for me. To be honest, the first 48 hours were painful, but they give you pain meds and as long as you get up to move it's not that bad. Now I am home and moving around, and just taking Ibuprofen. The hardest thing is remembering not to lift anything heavy....but it's really not that bad. I'm very glad I chose the c-section and everything worked out perfectly.

 

I'm glad you posted this. My twins are in the same postions as yours (as of now). My big fear is that the first one will come out fine vaginally but second one will not turn or will have problems and I will end up with both a C-section and vaginal delivery. I am probably going to go ahead and get an elective c-section (this is my first pregnancy). I don't really want to deal with recovering from both and I think that will be the safest way (unless second baby turns to head down).

 

With regards to the previous comments. Don't let anybody tell you that breech extractions are not safe or c/s are safer for twins ... it's not (necessarily) true. It can be perfectly safe, not less safe or safer than a c/s.

 

I wasn't trying to suggest a c-section is necessarily safer (it isnt always safer that is for sure). I just feel that for me it would be easier on my body to just do one type of delivery than having to deal with both vaginal and surgical deliveries (which I have known people have had to do when second one is breech sometimes -- depends on how comfortable your physician is with delivering breech babies). If your doctor isn't comfortable with breech or hasn't done many breech deliveries, that can be pretty unsafe too. There are a lot factors to weigh I think.

 

oh my gosh, me too I am so terrified I will have one vag and then one c-section. I also have a 13 mo old at home and there is not way I would be able to deal with twins, toddler, and recovery from vag and c-sect.

angie

 

I am personally terrified to have a breech extraction. My Dr has done many and is comfortable doing it if necessary for Baby B, but I'm not sure how comfortable I am with it. Not to say I am comfortable with a section either I know that a lot of women past and present have had successful breech extractions, but I know that a lot can go wrong and I don't know if I am willing to risk it. We'll see though, I could change my mind. Baby A is looking pretty comfy transverse for right now, so I may not need to make any decisions at all. If both are vertex, I would love to deliver vaginally! I'm just holding off and waiting to see what all happens, a lot can change between now and then

 

I had DD1 vaginally and a c-section with the twins. In our case, it was not only safer to do the c/s, it would have been downright dangerous to have the vag. It just depends on the situation. Our babies were taken early and were tiny; they could not have gotten through the natural birth.
Having done both, I think a vag birth is much easier on mom as far as recovery. I too had a flat tummy soon after DD1 was born; now I still have a little "overhang" around the c/s scar. Too bad, I guess.
I think most women on this board worry about the outcomes one way or another, but in the end it will depend on how the twins -and you- are doing when the time comes. A lot can change between now and then. I think the best thing is to ask careful questions of your doctor, listen to their recommendation, and put the babies' interest first.
:hug99: Either way, when you hold your newborn babies for the first time, you won't care how they came into the world!!

 

I had our DS vaginally with no problems but had the twins C-Section.. Ummmmm my vote is vaginally! The c-section was fine, but I got a spinal headache later that day and had to have a "bloodpatch." And my recovery has been horrible... In fact, I told the hubby I should of gotten my tubes tied, cause I never wanted to go thru a section again... But this is only my opinion..

 

My first two daughters I had both of them vaginally. Both just over 9lbs. My ob said with the twins we will do all we can so I can deliver vaginally. I am not worried about c-section, just don't want to deal with recovery while trying to take care of two babies. I seen women struggle taking care of one baby while trying to heal. I don't want to go through that. As long as baby a is head down I think we will attempt vaginal. Baby b can , if not head down, hopefully be turned or be delivered breech.

Dianna

 

i had a veg delivery with allthree of my babies.. Baby B was head down until 36 weeks. She switched just in time for birth.!! I was so nervous that i would have one vag and then have to have a em. c-section. It almost happened.. (Baby b's heart rate dropped to nnothing and they had to get her out NOW) I pushed as hard as i could and got her out!
As for how early or late the dr will do a c section.. It really depend on your doc. You need to ask him.. Some will do it as early as 36 weeks and some no earlier than 39... (they wanted me to wait till 39!!!)

 

I know everyone has there preference but after having my first with a horrible horrible labor 3hrs pushing and 36hrs laboring ya no fun not to mention it took me 3 weeks to go to the bathroom without crying.... I choose c-section... I was up and going with in 2 days no pain ... my recovery was awsome and would never have a vaginal agian....I feel like my doc was just awsome with the twins and DD#3 you cant even see the scar unless you actually get very ver yclose and god knows I dont let anyone do that haha..... anyway like I said c section for me was a very fast recovery and no pain with the bathroom or bleeding ect..... good luck...

 

My friend and I were talking about this topic today. She has never had twins, but has had to deal with a breech baby. She used a midwife and hypnobirthing for her third son. She said through the hypnobirthing course you can actually learn how to turn the baby. It is a technique which helps to make the pain work for you instead of against you. You can use it in conjunction with whatever preparatory classes you have taken. It is worth a should.