For those of you that had vaginal twin births

from the beginning i insisted i was getting a c-section no matter what. my babies are head down and i'm starting to consider going vaginal, but i have such a horrible fear of vaginal labor. my doc is very generous with epidurals (which i WOULD FOR SURE be receiving).... i just wanted to hear some stories/experiences from those of you who have had your twins vaginally, with epidurals... (pain factor adn all that).

thanks!

 

I had a vaginal delivery for both my singleton and the twins. With my first son the epidural worked like a dream and it was completely painless. With the twins the epidural didn't work, so I delivered naturally. Of course at the time I was not happy about that, but honestly--I was so focused on getting those babies here that I just couldn't worry about that. The second they came out I couldn't have cared less that I felt pain. The recovery is generally so much quicker with a vaginal delivery I can't imagine choosing major surgery over that when the babies are in the right position. I know it doesn't mean much when I tell you there's nothing to be afraid of--but really, there is nothing to be afraid of! You can do it!

Reyna

 

I had a vaginal delivery and i had baby A heads down, baby B breech. It was a lot easier than i thought it would be... really not bad at all. My epidural worked like a charm and i only needed one tiny stitch after (very little tearing). I am so happy i didn't get a c-section because i was considering it as well. It would have been so much harder to recover from that and who needs that extra stress when you are going to have 2 little babies to care for. Just learning to feed the babies and deal with the fact that i was now a mom was stressful enough. It would have made it unnecessarily harder to have had to recover from a c-section.

so my advice to you is to definitely go vaginal if you can. good luck!

 

If I could have these babies vaginally, I would! There are a few complications afterward that are both uncomfortable and not very pretty, but I would so do it again. It's amazing how your body snaps back the way it was before the babies were born.

 

Hi,

I actually had a C-section (no choice - Baby A was breech and Baby B was transverse), but I thought I'd post just to say that C-sections are NO FUN. Recovery is hard, your body hurts, you've just had major surgery, etc. And when you need to take care of two babies at the same time, it's really difficult to focus on getting yourself better.

By all accounts, I had an easy C-section and a great (and quick) recovery. I didn't have any complications or problems with the C-section, and I was up walking around in 24 hours, walking up and down stairs in five days, driving a car in 10 days, etc, but honestly, I would take whatever pain comes with a vaginal delivery in order to skip the weeks of recovery, pain and hassle of a C-section. Just my opinion...

 

QUOTE(Trishandthegirls @ Oct 3 2007, 09:37 AM) [snapback]433977[/snapback]
Hi,

I actually had a C-section (no choice - Baby A was breech and Baby B was transverse), but I thought I'd post just to say that C-sections are NO FUN. Recovery is hard, your body hurts, you've just had major surgery, etc. And when you need to take care of two babies at the same time, it's really difficult to focus on getting yourself better.

By all accounts, I had an easy C-section and a great (and quick) recovery. I didn't have any complications or problems with the C-section, and I was up walking around in 24 hours, walking up and down stairs in five days, driving a car in 10 days, etc, but honestly, I would take whatever pain comes with a vaginal delivery in order to skip the weeks of recovery, pain and hassle of a C-section. Just my opinion...



this is why i'm starting to reconsider... i just want to recover and bounce back as quickly as possible, as i'm so sick of being bedridden at this point!

 

in the even that i were to tear(which i'm thinking i will quite a bit) adn needed stitches, would that make the recovery process a lot longer?

sorry if my questions are weird or kinda dumb... i have no idea about any of this! :blush:

 

Yeah, it hurt. But honestly I dont' even remember it! After I got my epidural (about 6 hours into it) I really felt nothing at all. Even during the pushing. Oh, and Baby A was head down, Baby B had to be turned.

I got an episiotomy and had to get a catheter afterwards because i coudlnt' pee. I was in pain afterwards but back to myself after about a week. Compare that to 4/5/6 weeks with a C-section! I had trouble goign to the bathroom and sitting but it was well worth it! Especially because my daughter was in a NICU over an hours drive so I was able to go see her after just two days.

 

I had a vaginal for my babies birth and everything went absolutley fine! It is painfull but once your babies arrive you forget about all that. I did have stitches as i tore a little but Id say within a couple of weeks of having my babies i was absolutley fine apart from a little tenderness. x

 

okay, what's the painful part if you get an epidural? stupid question, i know... i mean, is it the contrax you have before you get the epidural (which, of course, i'll expect) ? because with an epi. aren't you just completely numb?

and what is an episiotomy?

(i really can't describe how petrified i am of this, but really want the strength to do it! and i AM starting to feel a little better about it... )

 

I was VERY much like you throughout the entire pregnancy. We had anticipated a c-section because baby b was breach the entire pregnancy--UNTIL week 35 when he decided to flip. The doctor informed us we'd be having a vaginal delivery to which I stated "Can I still opt to get a C?" I have to admit the thought of delivering vaginally scared the crap out of me (for one much less TWO). Looking back, I am SO thankful that we were able to do so. The epideral barely hurt (I had expected much worse) and although it didn't completely take away all the pain of delivery, it did help me a great deal. It was such a beautiful experience (just like you see on "A Baby Story") and am so glad I got to experience it (because I'm not sure we'll be having any more). The healing process was really great too, I had a small tear, but as pp stated, I never felt it happening (I was most scared for that before hand as well). I say, if you have the option, go for it. You won't regret it!

 

I gave birth to my babies vaginally (induction) and it was excellent. I loved the epidural. It was a perfect, amazing experience. Try it!

 

I did not feel the epidural at all when it went in.

I told my husband after my delivery that I was so glad not to have to have an episiotomy. He got this strange look on his face and told me that actually I did have one. I had no clue the Dr. did it.

 

Hi, I had a viginal birth and it wasn’t bad after the epidural ….I actually told the doctor that I loved him for giving it to me…. lol. My twins were 26 minutes apart. What I remember is being really tire after the birth, it felt like a workout.

 

I had a vaginal birth (after induction) at 38 weeks. I had delivered naturally with DD 13 years ago, and I really wanted an epidural this time! So, I had 2 epidurals (that's right!) and neither worked.

The 1st epidural at around 5cm did nothing for my pain (inserted incorrectly?), and by the time the 2nd one was supposed to be kicking in, I was pushing out Baby A. Honestly though, it was painful, but not all that bad. I went from 6cm to 10cm in about an hour, and mine were born only 9 minutes apart. My doc performed an external version for Baby B because she was transverse and having decelerations in her HR. He said if I didn't get her out quick that they would be doing a C-section. I certainly didn't want to go through labor, deliver Baby A vaginally and then still have a c-section.

Best of luck in whatever you decide!
Suzi

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ Oct 3 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]434023[/snapback]
okay, what's the painful part if you get an epidural? stupid question, i know... i mean, is it the contrax you have before you get the epidural (which, of course, i'll expect) ? because with an epi. aren't you just completely numb?

and what is an episiotomy?

(i really can't describe how petrified i am of this, but really want the strength to do it! and i AM starting to feel a little better about it... )



When you're in labor, getting an epidural isn't scary at all. Compared to a contraction it is NOTHING. It really doesn't hurt. There's a slight poke, and then you'll start feeling warm and relaxed and in heaven. You're not completely numb...you can still move your legs, and you can feel pressure. You just feel very heavy and relaxed....but no pain! An episiotomy is when they cut the tissue between the va-jay-jay and the anus. Cutting it is generally easier to stitch up than if you were to tear. If it looks like you will tear, they will generally just snip it. They stitch it up right after and you'll be sore and swollen for a few days. I know it sounds scary...but I promise you won't even know they cut it. Your questions are NOT dumb! Ask away!

Reyna

 

QUOTE(ddancerd1 @ Oct 3 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]434023[/snapback]
okay, what's the painful part if you get an epidural? stupid question, i know... i mean, is it the contrax you have before you get the epidural (which, of course, i'll expect) ? because with an epi. aren't you just completely numb?

and what is an episiotomy?

(i really can't describe how petrified i am of this, but really want the strength to do it! and i AM starting to feel a little better about it... )


I felt absolutely nothing with the epidural. I was so focused on teh contractions I felt nothing else. Then it started working almost instantly and it was awesome. Do not be afraid of it! you wont' even feel it most likely. Yes, you are numb after this from I think, waist down. A spinal is from neck down (I think!)

Episiotomy is when the doctor cuts you, instead of or in addition to tearing. I never felt the cut or the stitches, and the stitches desolve so you dont' ever have to worry about them. I never even looked down there while I was still sore.

 

I got my Epidural 6 cm into the process... I didnt feel contractions but i did feel the babies come out.. It was painful, but i am kinda glad i did feel something.. With my first DD i didnt feel anything.. Nothing at all... I think it just depends on how good they get it in there... or where exactly they put it... The epidural is scarey but its over really fast and its not as bad as people think it is...
The stitches arent bad.. With first DD they cut me BIG TIME and with the twins i only have a small little cut and its healed fine already..

 

dd, go read my birth story on my blog, the birth was not nearly as bad as i thought it would be, once i had the epidural it was smooth sailing

 

I had my first DD with no pain meds at all, and would do it that way again. They strongly recommended an epidural with my twins, though, and it was a breeze. I had some issues afterwards and took quite a while to heal, but it was just something really rare that happened. I don't have any regrets about the way I delivered. Go for vaginal if at all possible! You can do it!

 

I would go for the vaginal. I got the epidural. I was walking around just a couple of hours after delivering them. They were in the NICU so I walked up and down the halls that same day. I was so glad I was able to move around after having them b/c I would of gone crazy if I would of not been able to go see and hold them.

 

I had the twins vaginally. Dh wanted me to have a section because he says I'm the biggest wimp known to man. I was fine though. I didn't do birthing classes and what not. I went in for the induction and the doc said I could get an epi at between 4-5. I was hurting for certain until the epi but after that, it was smooth sailing. I had PUPP rash and they had given me benadryl so once I had the epi, I slept for a few hours. Next thing I knew, I was at 10 and pushing.

I couldn't get the hang of pushing and I think they turned my epidural down or off or something. When they first did it, I couldn't feel my legs and I was feeling good. But, after about an hour of pushing, she (the nurse) had me standing and squating and what not. I still couldn't get it. I was freaking out and the doc was "threatening" interventions (vac or forcepts) or a section. Suddenly, I started making progress and before I knew it, it was over.

I did tear, 2nd degree tear (4th's the worst I think). It wasn't so bad. Like the pp said, the stitches dissolve and you're all good. Tampons hurt during my first period (2 months out) and sex is just now comfortable again. Other than that, my recovery was easy peasy.

 

So glad you are considering vaginal...most women don't realize that c/s is major surgery and comes with all the possible complications of surgery. I had to have one with the twins due to both of them being transverse. And honestly, my cycles were never the same...I think I may have had adhesions in there that were influenced by my hormonal cycles. And there's really nothing you can do...once you have scar tissue in there it's pretty much there forever.

On to vaginal...I did have vaginal with my first dd. I've learned a lot since then. I would encourage you, based on my research, it's a good idea to wait until you are past at LEAST 4 or 5 cm before getting the epidural. It's much less likely to stall out your labor if you wait...so in other words, don't get it at the first little pain you have.... And most women find that the pain is manageable up until that point anyway....with breathing or walking around to try to progress things. Once you get to the point where you really feel like you need an epidural, you'll probably be past 4 or 5 cm anyway. On the other hand, for some women who progress super fast if they wait too long they might find they don't have time for an epidural... like if you hit a very fast 8-10 cm stretch.... but for most women it doesn't work that way...and for those where it does they don't have enough time to cry about not getting the epidural...the labor is going so fast it's all they can focus on.

On epsiotomy... if I had to do it again I would seriously request that an episiotomy NOT be done. I've done a ton of research on this...I had an episiotomy with my first dd and tore right past it to get a lovely 3rd degree tear. According to my research most women who tear on their own will only have a first or second degree tear.... the 3rd and 4th degree tears are almost always after an episiotomy has been done. If you put a cut into a piece of paper it's so much easier to tear it....try it...it really does take less effort. There is only one good reason for episiotomy...and that is the EMERGENCY use of forceps...lets say that baby B isn't decending properly and his/her hb starts to really plummet and they want to get him out ASAP...then in that case a quick epsiotomy and use of forceps is probably legit. Other than that I think episiotomy is mostly due to the doctor feeling like he has to do "something." Most of the research now points to the fact that they don't prevent tearing and in fact cause even worse tearing.... The other thing is that you are having twins..typically smaller at birth...so you are less likely to tear than the typical vag delivery....do your research and you might find that you are letting your docs know that you will not consent to episiotomy UNLESS there is a true emergency. That's the position I'm taking with my vbac. The way I see it I can't get too much worse than 3rd degree if I tear on my own, so what's the difference??!!!

 

I agree with Susanna about the episiotomy. It's not necessary unless you have HUGE babies or there's an emergency. I specifically stated that I didn't want an episiotomy with DD1, but my DH insists that they did one (and I had a 3rd degree tear when I pushed her shoulders out). Actually a 5th degree tear is the worst...a friend of mine had that happen with a 9 lb. baby...her first. But that's rare. With the twins I had 2nd degree tears and I don't even know if I got an episiotomy or not, but I'm pretty sure I did. I didn't even think about telling them I didn't want one. After losing my first set of twins, all I cared about was getting the girls out healthy!

Good luck!

 

I had epidurals both times.

With my first, very hard and long labor, 2 1/2 hours of pushing, 4th degree and forceps ... very little to no pain (got epidural at 5 cm).

Twins, 4 1/2 cm dilated before induction without ever feeling a contraction. They broke my water at 5 1/2 cm (still never felt a contraction), then I got the epidural and it was painless again. Very smooth and fast vaginal delivery with a breech extraction (feet first) for baby B. With the breech extraction they usually recommend one because they have to reach in and grab the feet. Not so comfy. And my hospital requires one in case of an emergency c/s on baby B, which wasn't necessary.

 

hi! I had a vaginal delivery with my oldest dd & an epidural & also a vaginal birth with epidural with our twins last March. I would say go for vaginal delivery! It's not that bad at all! My epi with my oldest dd did shift & it wore off on one side & they had to redo it, but with the twins, it was wonderful! You hardly even feel them put it in, honestly! Just a little prick. You should note, that you might have some residual back pain for a few months after the epidural though (I do anyway.) I would do it all again in a heartbeat though! Good luck!

 

thanks, everyone for your stories (and i'll take more if people will give them! ) !
i'm not afraid of getting the epidural itself, i'm just afraid of feeling the pain of having to push them out and the tearing and all that! but it sounds like i won't have to worry about any of that if i get the epi.
i've been 3cm dilated for a week now, so maybe things will go juuuuust a little quicker when i start to dilate some more... i have no idea. the nurse had mentioned something along those lines. (i'm thinned out 85-90%, if that means anything... )

 

A vaginal delivery hurts TONS AND TONS AND TONS less than a C-Section!!!! I have a bunch of friends who've had both and there is no comparison. The difference is WHEN you're going to take your pain. Vag delivery some moms have pretty much NO pain with epidural. Even if there is some pain, once the babies are out, the pain will go away like a light switch! If you have the c-section, there will be NO pain during the delivery (though some weird pressure, from what I hear), but your recovery will take lots longer and involve much pain (in many cases). (Did you know that during a c-section, they remove your uterus from your body???).

As you can see from my signature, I didn't have any pain meds during my labor and, believe it or not, it really wasn't unbearable till the last 15 minutes! 5 days after my delivery, I could hardly believe I'd birthed two large babies (for twins)! Right after my babies were born, I was WITH them, not recovering in a different room!

You might think, too, about how many more children you'd like to have. Two of my friends with c-sections ended up having emergency hysterectomies. (This is not common with a first c-section, but after a number of repeat c-sections, it becomes more likely).

If you have 2 babies that are head down, you are SO BLESSED!!!! One of my twin mom friends IRL had two babies both breech and had no choice but the c-section. Remember, your body is made to deal with delivering babies! Your body was designed for it! If labor and delivery were absolutely so much of a nightmare, women would given up having babies after the first one!!!

If I were you, I would check out some Lamaze books from your library or other natural childbirth books. Not that you have to have a natural childbirth, but these books are very comforting that labor is a normal process and not something to fear. Fear causes a bunch of extra pain! Our culture is so far removed from childbearing that there is a ton of fear surrounding it.

 

QUOTE(Take Luck! @ Oct 3 2007, 07:58 PM) [snapback]434894[/snapback]
A vaginal delivery hurts TONS AND TONS AND TONS less than a C-Section!!!!




jeez, i thought you were gonna stop at tons and tons and tons!... till i saw the "less than...." lol, i got sick for a second lol

 

I delivered our dd vaginally and our son by c-section. I barely noticed the recovery of the vaginal birth and to tell you the truth, I loved being able to push out our daughter. Don't know why, I have always wanted to know what giving birth felt like. Anyway, the c-section recovery was so incredibly hard for me. I lost lots of blood and ended up staying in the hospital for almost a week. Received two units of blood and was in pain for quite a while. I didn't feel that my body returned to a relatively "normal" state until 8-9 months pp. I pray to God that if we ever get pregnant again, I will pray for a vaginal delivery!

I also agree with the previous post who stated that you ARE BLESSED to have them both head down. I believe it as a true blessing.

 

I had my natural (not by choice) I labored for 5 hours had an epidural inserted labor for another 13 hours and baby a still had not dropped (she was -2 I think ) so they turned off my epidural for a c-section because I was afraid I would not get both out 45 minutes later right before I was to be transferred to the OR for a c-section I started shaking uncontrollably they recheck and her head was right there 2 minutes later I am in the OR and now I feel everything ring of fire everything 3 pushes later Molly is welcomed to the world ,47 minutes later and 2 pushes Liam enters the world ,he did hurt the most but their heads are really large they have always been in the 97% percentile.
Having said all that I really don't remember feeling any pain 15 minutes later, I was walking around with in a half hour ,So for me I was thankful to have a vaginal delivery C-section just really frighten me .

 

I had my twins vaginally, twin A headfirst, and twin B was a breech extraction. I did have an epidural after about 30 mins from the time my doc broke my water. Honestly you forget the pain. The recovery was very quick though. I felt better just a few hours afterwards. I was pretty worn out from the pushing, but bounced back fast. If you can delivering vaginally is the way to go in my opinion.

 

I delivered my singleton boy vaginally and it was not too bad. I haven't had a c-section, so I can't compare. In my opinion, the epidural was nothing to be afraid of. In fact, I actually considered the anethetist my best friend afterwards because I felt fantastic. So relaxed... no anxiety or pain whatsoever. After giving birth, I had some stiches and broke my tail bone, but my recovery was nothing compared to people who have c-sections. If I am able to deliver the twins vaginally with an epidural, I will definetely go for it. Once you get the epidural, you feel great. I've never been a user of drugs, but after that experience I could see why people get hooked!

 

QUOTE(nickerbockers @ Oct 4 2007, 08:10 PM) [snapback]436430[/snapback]
I delivered my singleton boy vaginally and it was not too bad. I haven't had a c-section, so I can't compare. In my opinion, the epidural was nothing to be afraid of. In fact, I actually considered the anethetist my best friend afterwards because I felt fantastic. So relaxed... no anxiety or pain whatsoever. After giving birth, I had some stiches and broke my tail bone, but my recovery was nothing compared to people who have c-sections. If I am able to deliver the twins vaginally with an epidural, I will definetely go for it. Once you get the epidural, you feel great. I've never been a user of drugs, but after that experience I could see why people get hooked!

 

I had both my first boy & my twins vaginally. My doctor was also generous with the epidural, make sure to take them up on it as soon as you can. The contractions are usually so uncomfortable that the epidural is a breeze, you really don't feel much, and I would not even call it pain. It allowed my DH & myself to enjoy the entire experience, you can relax while laboring. I to had an episitomy, didn't feel a thing & the recovery was nothing. I am so happy we delivered the way we did, you are so busy once those babies come it seems you don't have much time to take care of yourself anyways. The better shape you are in the better. Good luck - they are so much work & sooooo much fun!