Did you have an epidural?

My babies are (so far) both vertex and have been this way for a long time now even though they're still able to move around. My OB is strongly encouraging me to get an epidural with this delivery even though I did not have one with my son and had a fantastic experience (she was my OB then, too).

Her logic this time around is that if baby B changes position after baby A's birth, then she'll need to reach in to reposition B which would cause me a great deal of pain and she'd need for me to be able to relax. Also, she says that there's always the chance with twins that baby B will need to be removed via emergency c-section and if I didn't have an epidural she'd have to knock me out. With an epidural in place I could still be awake.

These are strong arguments but I'd really hoped to deliver these two without an epidural, just like my singleton. Am I dreaming? Has anyone here successfully delivered their twins without anesthesia?

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

 

My babies are (so far) both vertex and have been this way for a long time now even though they're still able to move around. My OB is strongly encouraging me to get an epidural with this delivery even though I did not have one with my son and had a fantastic experience (she was my OB then, too).

Her logic this time around is that if baby B changes position after baby A's birth, then she'll need to reach in to reposition B which would cause me a great deal of pain and she'd need for me to be able to relax. Also, she says that there's always the chance with twins that baby B will need to be removed via emergency c-section and if I didn't have an epidural she'd have to knock me out. With an epidural in place I could still be awake.

These are strong arguments but I'd really hoped to deliver these two without an epidural, just like my singleton. Am I dreaming? Has anyone here successfully delivered their twins without anesthesia?

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

 

I had an epi b/c I wanted one and b/c my OB gave the same suggestions that your's did. I've heard that they can just place the epi catheter and not put the medicine in it unless it's needed in those cases like your Dr. described. You might want to ask her about it. Just go in being flexible b/c a twin labor/delivery can change quickly

 

I did not have an epidural. It was the first time I gave birth so I don't have anything to compare it with. First baby to come out was head down, second was feet down. Dr. did put her hands up there to hold babies arms near her body and pull her out. I did not find it particularly painful- didn't even feel her doing it. The second baby was out 5 minutes after the first so even if it had been very painful it wouldn't have been so for long. Although I know an emergency c-section was a possibity if the second girl had not kept her arms near her body I'm not sure what the anesthesia would have been in that case.
Good luck with your decision and have a great birth experience!!

 

I had one. Baby A was vertex but Baby B was breech. Baby A was delivered vaginally. She reached in to try to get Baby B out but he wouldn't come out (I didn't feel a thing when she did it, in fact I felt great). They needed to do an emergency C-Section because his heart rate dropped. They tried to numb me with the epidural but it didn't kick in fast enough. I ended up with general anesthesia anyway. But I'd definately get an epidural again even if there was a chance it would save me from being knocked out.

 

I had an epidural and I'm very glad that I did. After Josie came out the doctor reached in and put her hand on Bella's head to keep her from floating up or turning around. I'm really glad I didn't have to feel that! Also, I was 3 cm when I had the epidural at 11 a.m. after being induced the night before. I delivered at 3 p.m., so the epidural really helped me to relax and finish dilating.

 

I was pushing for an all natural birth. Both my sisters delivered naturally and I wanted to do the same. My husband and I attended bradley classes to prepare for a natural birth. My OB did not agree with it so we finally decided to do the epi before the delivery. We trusted and love our doctor. He felt the risk for a c is much greater for a twin than for a singleton birth and for all the other repeated reasons. Both babies were vertex. After I pushed out baby A, baby B's head was still down but his cord prolapsed after I started pushing which lead to an emergency c-section. I thank God I had the epidural in place, as I witnessed the glorious arrival of our baby son. I hope the best for you.

 

My doc didn't really give me the option of no epidural and I'm so glad. I was in labor for 18 hours before they sent me in for a c-section. I never dilated past 6cm. That many hours of contractions probably would have killed me! (although I am a wuss)

 

I had one, but didn't have it for the girls birth. My stories a little out of the norm. Baby A's water borke at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, no labor evident. Pitocin started at 3:00 a.m. Wed. Epidural given at 9:00 p.m. Wed. and I was fully dilated at 12:30 a.m. Thurs. and my dr had us go into the OR for the labor (just in case they had to do a C) and she turned off the epidural because she wanted me to feel the contractions Natalie didn't come out until 3:18 a.m. and then our little Miss Brooke decided she wanted to stay since she had all that room to herself, my dr. turned up the Pitocin and Brooke finally decided to come out at 6:38 a.m. Thurs. These were my first so I don't know what its like with an epidural, I only know that I hear my friends and sil with singletons talk about how they didn't even feel their baby coming out and the nurses had to tell them when to push because they couldn't feel their contractions. I definately felt EVERYTHING!!

Prior to going in, both babies were not in the position for a vaginal birth and we thought we'd have to do a C, however when I went to the hospital after Natalie's water broke and my dr did an ultrasound she told me that I could go vaginal if I wanted to because they were now in a good position. Because Brooke wasn't coming down after Natalie was born, my dr. did try pushing her down from the outside and she did try to reach in to see what was going on, but I don't really remember that hurting any more than Natalie coming out did

In the end I was knocked out anyway because after Brooke was born, my placentas wouldn't come out, she tried sticking her hand in to get them, but I had some complications so she had to put me out, which I was very happy for after pushing for 5 hours!

 

I had the epi and was happy that I did. I was able to go into my c-section very quickly.

I can't tell you what to do, but if it were me I would probably get it. At least you have the other experience for comparison.

Good luck and we'll be waiting to hear how it went!!

 

My Dr said that they had to place the epidural but did not have to start the meds unless I wanted them to. This was in case of emergency c-section( and I had to deliver in the OR). Luckily I was able to deliver both girls vaginally, although they were 1hr 12 min apart. I did ask for the meds as the pain was too much. Thank goodness I did since they were so far apart. Good luck to you!

 

I took bradley method classes too, but ended up getting an epidural at 7 cm. Those nurses can be very persuasive!!! When I had to push, I asked them to turn it down since I didn't feel the pushes (not productive). I ended up feeling all the contractions (though I know not to the full extent) and got really really tired, plus I tore pretty badly with the first baby, immediately after the episiotomy. Since my second moved after she had all that room (hand over her head) we had to wait a while and restart pitocin. It ended up being 1 1/2 hours between babies with me bleeding fairly badly this whole time. I didn't want the epi, but ended up being glad that I got one. Baby B was almost an emergency C. I found the birth to be very exhausting and didn't really recover until about 2-3 weeks.

If you are really not wanting to get the epi, I would recommend at least getting the something-lock ready in case they have to give you medicine in a hurry. I wish you the best of luck. I have heard of women having their babies 100% naturally, but I don't think it is that common. Just be prepared for anything and remember that healthy babies are more important than a "perfect" birth plan.

 

I had an epi with my oldest and a spinal with the twins. I was awake for both and am a big fan of no pain, no pain, so that's why I recommend them. Good luck and don't worry, it's not as bad as you think it is. Fear of the unknown is the biggest hurdle I think. Good luck to you and whatever decision you make, I hope all goes well.

 

I was induced and had epidurals for my first two singleton births. I had no problem and enjoyed the labor as I didn't have to suffer for hours. With my twins, twin A was breach so a c-sect was scheduled. I had a spinal for that birth. That was also okay, in fact I believe I recovered "feeling" quicker with that method.

 

Yes-two in fact! The first epi line had come out and the doc couldn't understand why I kept complaining that the pain was getting worse when he turned up the meds. I was taken to the OR on a false alarm around 8 pm and when they transferred me from the labor bed to the delivery bed, they discovered the epi line was out and all the meds had soaked the sheet. I'm a wuss and the pain was God awful when the meds I did get wore off. Since it was a false alarm, the doc put another epi in and boy was I relieved.

My OB did require that I at least have the epidural line in place in case we had to do a c-section. The timing of it was left a little open, but I did request it before it was pushed. I didn't feel the contractions for a long time-started pitocin at 8:00 am and requested the epi at 4:00 pm and was registering contractions since my arrival-I had PTL and never felt those contractions either. My pain came in the form of what felt like the worst leg cramps in my upper thighs-OB figured due to Katelyn's(A's) position.

I was glad I had the epi because I did have to have a "semi" emergency c-section due to cord issues for baby B after delivering baby A vaginally with 2+ hours of pushing. My OB termed it a "semi" emergency because the epi was in place, I was in the OR, and B's water hadn't broken yet so she didn't need to knock me out and to get the baby out ASAP.

Angela

 

I did NOT have any meds...We discussed having the cath in and ready, but then never did. I had my first singleton with an epi, my second singleton with nothing...and then the twins with nothing. The twins were both vertex as well and Sophia came down 4 min. after Sydney. It was PERFECT! I prefer 'fast and furious' as I call it


Go with your gut girlfriend, YOU know what's best for you!

 

Oh yes and i swear it is the best thing going!!! I was 7 cm dialated before they gave it to me but i think they were just trying to get me ready in of a c/s as my babies were 8 weeks early. x

 

Had one with my ds and it was the best thing ever, didn't feel anything until it was time to push and even then it was just like taking a small poop, sorry if that is gross. The epidural I had with my daughters, which I begged for bc pitocen sucks and makes your contractions harder, for me anyways, only worked for 20 minutes and then it only worked on one side until they transfered me to the delivery table, at which point the whole thing pulled outta my back. It sucked too, bc they had to knock me out for Sydney's birth (twin B) and I missed those first special moments I had with my ds and Manda (twin A).

 

Ask for a waking epidural or epi-light. I had just enough epi to take the edge off of the pain. But I could still move my legs, lift myself onto table, feel to push. It was a really good experience. But then again, I think all Twin moms should have an epi. (heck, I think everybody should have one. Why suffer?)

 

I didn't read the other posts, but here's my $.02

Both of my girls were vertex, till Lily popped out. Bell flipped frank breech (butt first) and since she was so much bigger the OB didn't want to chance a breech extraction, so I ended up with a double whammy delivery. (weights in siggy)

Can you ask the Dr to place the epi, but not start the actual drug? I've heard of that before. They kind of test the spot by giving a little of the meds, then let them wear off. If need be they can start he drip back up in case of an emergency.

OR why not just say no, in the case of an emergency C section, they can always come in an do a spinal, quick, easy shot in the back. They may have to have an anesthesiologist on standby during your delivery, but that shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Best of luck!

 

I had an epi...just about missed the boat as I was fully dialated 20 mins after the epi was placed.
Im glad i did as A was born Vertex, B turned and ended up being pulled out footling breech by my OB...dont think i would have laughed at seeng my OBs hand moving in my stomach if there was no epi.

 

I did not have an epidural. The doc on call wanted me to have one for the same fears your doc has (IF baby B turns then she'll have to try and turn him/her w/o it). I really didn't want one. I did sign up at one point to get it but (a) things moved fast and could not sit still for 15 minutes for them to do it (b) the nurse forgot to do blood work. So it can be done. I say take the chance and go w/o if you can. Good luck. Lemme know what happens.

 

I had a picture perfect labor/delivery all natural with my older daughter, so I too was hoping for natural... I tried to keep an open mind as it got closer, and then decided to have the catheter put in, but not the meds like PP said. It was perfect! I was more scared of the insertion of the epi than anything else, so I told them to do that early on when I had time between my contrax and I'd be most relaxed and not stiffed up. After that was over, I was so relieved. For me, I could take the pain as long as I was able to move around and do my thing, shower, etc. But as soon as they needed to break my waters and have me on the monitors, I said "this is stupid, I'm strapped to the bed, and can't move, and have this thing in my back anyway... why the heck am I not taking the meds!?" so I started the epi, but only enough to take the edge off. (I don't fancy my limbs feeling absent- what if they just walk away and I'll never know?)

Honestly, it's not as bad as I feared. But I will tell you the worst part of my whole labor/delivery (and I had a c-section after attempting to turn baby B didn't work)was the anesthesia wearing off for SURE. It was horrible to have those uncontrolable quakes and shakes and shivering and hot and cold etc. etc. etc. Ew! I'm getting all chilled just thinking about it. Yuck.

I say get that epi set up, and see what you can do w/o it. Good luck!

 

I didn't -- we took a while to search for an OB who was enthusiastic about working with us for a natural birth. My B didn't flip, but she did stay up high for a bit, and my OB reached in to hold her head so she wouldn't flip while she massaged my belly from the outside to encourage the contractions to start again. It was definitely the most painful part of the delivery, but it was over within 15 minutes (less than 10, really, since the last 5 were pushing) and definitely worth having the experience of a natural birth.

As a pp said, being strapped to monitors means that you are less able to use natural birth techniques (particularly those taught by the Bradley method) -- and one of my girls was at an odd angle so they kept having to adjust the monitor, which stunk. I highly recommend getting some hypnobirthing CDs -- they helped me enormously once I was stuck on my side in the bed.