C-section vs Vaginal

As I am closing in on the arrival of the girls, I am debating on our delivery method. As of the last 3 u/s both girls have been head down. I have had 3 previous vaginal deliveries without any complications. The last delivery I started labor around 11 am and delivered by 4pm. I would obviously prefer a vaginal birth since I have 3 other children (7,4, & 2) to care for and would like to have a quick recovery. Although, I am very lucky that my DH will be home to help care for all of us for about 1 month and that is really the one reason I am debating on C-section (with the other being that I am not opposed to having a tubal ligation - this would not be my reason for having a C-section, but just an extra if C-section would occur).

My concern is from talking to other local moms who work in the medical field and just reading info on the internet is complications that may arise with Baby B.

1) Baby B could turn breach
2) Baby B may decided not to move down birth canal

With the end result of a recovery from vaginal and c-section birth - which I would prefer to avoid completely! Just wondering what others have experienced. TIA!

 

If I have a choice it will be vaginal all the way. My ob has given me alot of information on this and is confident that as long at baby a is head down, the risk of any problems getting baby b out (even if baby b is breech) will be minimal. The way is paved with baby a.

 

A mixed delivery - vaginal for Baby A and c/s for Baby B is pretty rare. Plus, with both girls head down at this point, they are likely to stay that way. Mine were both head down at 34 weeks (?) and stayed that way until delivery at 39 weeks.

For me, vaginal delivery was great! Can't say enough good about it, and that's as a first time mom. You'll have an even easier time of it.

C/s have a place, especially for multiples. But they do carry greater risks. If you are on the fence and don't need surgical delivery, I'd recommend vaginal. In your case, there's every reason to expect that you'll have a quick, uncomplicated delivery and fast recovery.

Good luck!

:youcandoit:

 

well it is possible, as PP said, the likelihood of having one of each type of delivery is quite small. for that reason (among others), i chose vaginal.

 

I chose a C-section, only because I had a horrible time trying to deliver my first son and I ended up with a C-section after 24 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing (he was 9 lbs 14 oz). My doc and I talked a lot about a VBAC with the twins, but in the end I decided to go planned surgery. In your case, I would try vaginal. Good luck, whatever you decide!

 

I've never had a vaginal delivery but if given the choice, that would be it... c sections are major surgery and while I had a great recovery, it was still difficult getting up and around for those first few weeks. Since the chances of having both types of deliveries are so small- I would definitely try to go vaginally! Good luck- hoping they stay head down for you!!

 

I requested a c-section for our birth.

 

In your situation, I'd choose vaginal since you've had previous successful vaginal deliveries. WIth my twins, I asked my OB for a c-section since I was freaked out about the whole giving birth thing. Since both babies were head down, she wouldn't do it and I completely understand her reasoning. C-sections do carry a higher risk of complications than vaginal births, and they generally are much harder to recover from. All that being said, I ended up with my c-section (and a host of complications) because baby A went into distress during labor.

 

Given a choice, with your history, I would definitely choose vaginal. I'm not one for undergoing major surgery if I can avoid it!

 

Before I gave birth, I was sort of relieved that one of the babies was breech and my OB recommended a c/s. I wanted the certainty of knowing what was going to happen. But although I still think it was the right decision in my situation, the recovery was much harder than I anticipated (granted, some of that was from the pregnancy itself, not just the surgery). In retrospect (IMO), giving birth without major surgery would have been preferable!

 

Go for the vaginal delivery. Like other mommies have said, baby A paves the way, plus you've havd vaginal births. My boys were delivered vaginally despite baby B being breech. If you have a good relationship with your OB, you should feel comfortable enough to try it, and rely on your body, your babies, and your doc. Mine helped me bring out baby B feet first with no problems.

 

Like you I had three previous vaginal deliveries. I really wanted to do that with the twins as I really didn't want to have to deal with the long recovery from a c/s. I was open to c/s if I had too for the twins safety. Our boys were head down the day before the induction (pre-e symptoms). On the day Ethan (Baby B turned breech)We delivered them easily vaginally. As people keep saying, once the first is out it has paved the way for the second. Our midwife held Baby B in place from the outside once Baby A was born to keep him in a good position and then the OB went in and grabbed him. It was a wonderful birth and I'm sure like me your well stretched from your previous births. Good luck with whatever you decide. (Now I have to wait for DH to have his much anticipated 'snip snip')

 

Had I had a choice it would have been vaginal. For me baby A was breech, and baby B transveres so I did not have a choice. Having 2 yr old at home I found it hard. Would have MUCH perfered a vaginal. For your tubal they can go in through your belly botton and do it that way.

 

Thanks so much for all the great stories/experiences, gives me much more confidence in sticking with a vaginal delivery. I think it's just ( like one person mentioned) the fear of not knowing what the babies are going to do that day! I will definitely go for the vaginal and I guess on time will tell exactly what happens. And DH will just have to have his turn at the Dr office for a little procedure!

 

Another vote for vaginal, especially because you had a successful vaginal birth already. My first was vaginal (although long ... 28 hours and 2 1/2 hours of pushing, she was over 9lbs), but the twins were a breeze. B was breach, didn't turn but was born by breach extraction 4 minutes after his sister. Very uneventful and super quick recovery.

 

I vote for vaginal as well. Both of my babies were transverse most of the pregnancy but I still hoped for vaginal. My water broke at 35 weeks 5 days. The doc did a quick ultrasound to check positons and they were still transverse. I cried when they told me I had to have a c-section. Good luck.