If you had a choice - vaginal or c-section delivery?

I have had two vaginal deliveries-my first was my singleton and it was long and hard but obviously not so bad that I wouldnt do it again...and with twins! My twins delivery was smooth and easy and I felt great afterwards! No problems what so ever. If both babies are heads down I would totally suggest giving it a shot! After 8months of discomfort, the the labor and recovery of a vaginal was a piece of cake!!!
This is how my labor and delivery went-
I was 4cm dilated at my ob check up at 36 weeks, he sent me to the hospital to get things going. After checking in he came in and broke baby A's water, soon after that I was given an epideral, then pitocin, a few hours later I was complete and wheeled to the OR to deliver. I pushed a few times and baby A was born, they broke baby B's water, then a few minutes later I was told to push again and after a couple pushes baby B was delivered. I had a small tear wich was stitched up. And me and DH took our babies back to our room. I really only felt a few contractions, had no discomfort while pushing and was up and going an hour after delivery.
I know that not every delivery is the same but it is worth a shot!
Good luck to you and I hope you get the birth experience you hope for!

 

I chose vaginal and was dead set against c/s. I actually broke my tailbone delivering vaginally rather than have a c/s.

 

I had my two previous children vaginally and besides just needing a little extra rest and being a little sore my recovery time was next to none. I literally got up and showered and left the hospital the next day. I know with the twins it will be different and I am not sure what I will choose (if I even have a choice). I am thinking that a c-section is major surgery and the risks are greater for me. It also feels like more "unexpected" issues can pop up with a vaginal delivery though. I am really torn.

 

QUOTE(idtwinstx @ Jul 15 2008, 10:20 AM) [snapback]877371[/snapback]
I believe is it because it pushes the fluid out of their lungs, but not sure.


This is the only reason I can think of. My boy/girl twins were born at 36 weeks and were perfectly healthy, but my son had to spend the first 36 hours in the NICU because the fluid did not get pushed out of the lungs. It was only precautionary and he was totally fine, but it was awful not being able to see him until I was unhooked from the magnesium sulfate (had to be on 24 hours after c-section due to pre-eclampsia).

 

My vote is a vaginal birth. My Dr was treating me like I was going to have a c-section, until at 24 weeks I told him I wanted to try for a vag delivery. He was willing providing the babies were in a good position. I did end up having a vag delivery, and walked out of the hospital 15 hours after delivering them.

 

QUOTE
1) Given a choice, would you do a vaginal delivery or a c-section and why?

2) If you have had a C-Section or knows someone who has, what is the "recovery" time? By recovery I mostly mean being able to take care of yourself and both babies so your hubby can go back to work.


1) It all depends on the situation/scenario. We had TTTS, and initially, we were told we would have a scheduled c-section. But then things stabilized and even improved. Both babies were head down for weeks, both were doing well, and I had a good history of quick, uncomplicated vaginal labors & deliveries (i.e., my body had proven to be able to handle things). My docs all agreed it would be in my best interest to attempt the vaginal in the OR with an epidural and plenty of monitoring just in case. Unless there was some sort of conspicuous contraindicative health issue going on, I would go for the vaginal if it was okay with my doctors. Sure, there are risks both ways.

2) Everyone I've ever talked to has different recovery experiences. My neighbor has horror stories, but two of my cousins say, "C-section is the only way to go!" (Although I disagree. They've never had vaginals. Either way is fine as long as it yields healthy baby, healthy mom.) Honestly, my L&D with the twins, a vaginal birth, was great EXCEPT for what happened with the postpartum repair. I lost a ton of blood and had some "retained product" (bit of placenta left) that required me to have to undergo a D&C about 2 weeks after delivery. . . I had a blood transfusion and my hematocrit numbers were pretty critical. I also was on bedrest for 13 weeks prior to having the twins which left me atrophied. Although I had a vaginal which was uncomplicated and wonderful (babies both came out easily within 5 minutes of one another), I had a terrible recovery just from the postpartum repair and months of bedrest.

I've heard a lot of c-section people say that two weeks later, they felt fine. With my previous vaginals, I felt fine within a few days - almost felt normal except for the bleeding, etc. And I think episiotomies are harder to recover from too.

Anyway, just my rambling thoughts on the matter.

 

I wanted a c-section but ended up going vag. I am glad I did. You need to do what is right for you and the babies. GL!

 

I switched doctors to one who would help me with a VBAC with twins--and I am so glad I did. I had had both a vaginal delivery and a c-section before. Sure I was able to get around and take care of the baby (wincing all the time) within a week or two after the c-section, but I was still having pain along the incision for months. Also I had a spinal headache for the first few days after the c-section, which was horrible.

My twin delivery was actually my easiest so far. My doctor said he's never had to do a c-section for the second twin, and even though my son's heart rate dropped a few times and the doctor threatened pulling out the forceps, I was able to push him out on my own. As soon as the birth was over I felt wonderful (except for some residual pain from the pregnancy itself). Now if I could just get some sleep I'm sure I'd feel great.

 

I haven’t read all the posts but I had c/s with my 2 pregnancies and only took Tylenol for the pain with the twins (Nothing w/ my singleton)… and only took the meds at the hospital… drove myself to get my staples out (no one said not to… though I knew I shouldn’t because of ts… but you wouldn’t have known I delivered twins a week ago). I would do it again in a heartbeat… I have had friends who have had way worse experience and permanent “damage” due to vag delivery (but their experiences could just be as rare as my no pain recovery???)…yes I have a scar but you can’t see it... but that was just MY experience…

you have to do what your gut says...

GL
Elizabeth

 

My first was vaginal. The twins were C-section. I would definitely vote vaginal.
With my first I was up and back to normal within days to a week. With the twins I still don't feel completely normal yet and they are almost 4 months old!!! My scar still bothers me.

 

QUOTE(LMW1015 @ Jul 15 2008, 08:11 AM) [snapback]877154[/snapback]
We went to a Parenting Multiples class last night - which was really great. Full of great info, etc... They had a DVD where they said something along the lines of it would take 1 1/2 months to recover from a c-section (which didn't sound right to me...I'm thinking they meant TOTAL recovery). I was set on a C-section before as the thought of the 2nd baby getting stuck or something happening to make me do a c-section with the 2nd baby scares the living daylights out of me. Now after hearing the 1 1/2 month recovery time my husband is freaking out a little bit and is really pushing me to try a vaginal if I can. He doesn't have a lot of time that he can take off from work when the babies come and he's really nervous about that and me not being able to take care of the babies once he goes back to work. SO - that brings me to my questions:

1) Given a choice, would you do a vaginal delivery or a c-section and why?

2) If you have had a C-Section or knows someone who has, what is the "recovery" time? By recovery I mostly mean being able to take care of yourself and both babies so your hubby can go back to work.

Thanks!!!


Vaginal!!! Quicker recovery! It's been 3 1/2 months- my nerves are not fully connected yet. It's annoying because
i work out a lot and my recovery is a lot slower. Totally stinks, but hey the girls got here and safe and thats all that
matters.

 

I had a c-section because twin A was breech. It was a hard recovery for me but I know it varies with different people. It took me about 4-5 days to be able to walk without any help or support from someone else. I was told not to lift anything heavier then the babies or drive for a week or two I believe. I think things were much more manageable after 2 wks pp. I am wanting to do a VBAC for my next child but that is if the situation is in line with a vaginal birth. Personally I would always go with what delivery is safer for the baby/babies. Good luck to you

MJ

 

Both my DD and the boys were delivered vaginally. The boys were born 11 minutes apart. I can't imagine why someone would choose to be cut open unless it was required. Good luck in your decision!

 

I was given the choice and leaning towards c/s since I too was afraid of complications with twin B. I had a c/s scheduled from early on just in case, but still didn't make up my mind until 2 days before the surgery. I was 38 weeks and could barely get around, I was so miserable from pelvic pain for the last 2 months. I was not dilated even a finger tip and my blood pressure was rising. The dr said we needed to do the c/s or induce b/c I was developing pre-e, couldn't wait for them to come on their own. He said an induction would likely result in a rough labor since I wasn't dilated so I chose to go ahead with the c/s. Everything went well and the babies did great, no NICU time. They were ready to go home right away. I was pretty sore when moving around, but the pain meds worked well and I was much more comfortable than I had expected to be. I stopped the meds about 10 days later.
Ideally I would have liked to have gone vaginal, but I was already nervous about something going wrong with the second baby, and then with the pre-e I felt the c/s was the safest way to go. I don't have any residual pain or any ongoing problems from the surgery. I still wondered if I'd made the right choice until I spoke with a friend who had her singleton vaginally on the same day, and she had complications for months after. She told me she wished she'd had a c/s. So vaginal would have been great, but it's not a guarantee that everything will go smoothly. I guess I'd hope for vaginal, but be prepared to do a c/s if there are any issues. But that's just me. You have to do what you are most comfortable with. Good luck!

Jen

 

The only drawback from the csection in my experience was I wish I could be released from the hospital within 48 hrs like a vaginal. I was lucky I was able to take care of the babies immediately by myself (and do everything else around here for that matter) as soon as I got home and felt fine after a csection. Same as my vaginal with my first but I was allowed out of the hospital in 48 hrs with her.

 

in the begining I was all about c/s but my doc convinced me otherwise - even when we found baby b to be breech - and i am so happy because even after a really long induction it was great to push them out and be able to get out of bed 5 hours later and go visit them in the NICU. but - my one advice to you if you choose to go for vag - get the epidural put in right away -even if you diont want the medication turned on yet. that way if you need an emergncy c/s you wont need general anesthesia. GOOD LUCK!

 

1) Given a choice, would you do a vaginal delivery or a c-section and why?
2) If you have had a C-Section or knows someone who has, what is the "recovery" time? By recovery I mostly mean being able to take care of yourself and both babies so your hubby can go back to work.

Without a doubt, I would always choose a vaginal delivery first if possible. I had the birth experience no twin mom wants to have-I had twin A vaginally and then had an emergency c-section for twin B due to cord prolapse. Both were head down and in perfect position for a vaginal delivery and there was no way the cord prolapse could have been predicted. Having recovered from both at the same time and having complications with both deliveries, I can say that the vaginal delivery was sooooo much easier to recover from in comparison to the c-section. It was discomfort from the vaginal delivery vs. serious pain from the c-section and an incision that didn't close properly for 4 weeks. The staples used to close the incision sucked-they caused a lot of my pain and were poking into the incsion, so I always tell people to push for stitches instead. Some of them came out early and caused a gap in the incision that wouldn't close. DH had to clean and pack the incision site for a couple of weeks until my gap was too small to pack. Luckily, he's a firefighter/emt and it didn't bother him. Someone I know had the same problem from her c-section and a nurse had to come out to do it each day. DH went back to work at 3 weeks and he works 24 hour shifts. I had family help that first day he went back to work-it was Thanksgiving day, so I spent the day with my folks and brothers. I was able to drive at 2 weeks post-op and was moving around somewhat normally though I did have to be careful of the incision site until 5 weeks-OB wanted me to take it easy until the site had been closed for a week minimum. Wearing my maternity support belt helped make moving around easier.

One other thing to consider is this: because I had twin A vaginally, I am a candidate for a VBAC if we ever have another child. If I had had just the c-section, I would not be a candidate for a VBAC in my area. The hospital I delivered the girls at is the only local hospital that does VBAC and to be a candidate, you must have had a successful vaginal birth in the past. Of course, requirements depend on your area and some are more "liberal" than others.

 

I held out as long as I could for a vaginal delivery, but my babies wouldn't cooperate. They were so big, that they didn't have the room to turn, when it came time to do so. I ended up with a c-section. I was scared to death. I had all my other children completely natural, no epi or anything. It really wasn't as bad as I thought and in the end, you do what is safest for you and your babies. I was on my Demeral IV drip the first day, Tylenol 3 the second and regular Tylenol and Ibuprophen after that. Once my staples came out after the first week I felt much better. You do have to remember you just had major abdominal surgery and you really do need to take it easy. All you should do is take care of yourself and your babies. If you can get help for the first couple weeks that is a really smart plan. My DH stayed home for the first 2 weeks. If you can have a friend or family member come over during the day after that once or twice a week, to do some housework or even get a maid would be a great idea. You will not be feeling up to doing a whole lot at first. If you pull anything inside you, you will be flat on your back for a lot longer. When they say 6 weeks, they really mean it. But your hubby should be able to go back to work after a couple of weeks. I would just make sure that he understands that all you will be doing is taking care of yourself and the babies... that means, no dishes other than maybe putting things in the dishwasher and turning it on... I would let him put them away, cooking dinner, laundry, or heavy cleaning for a few more weeks after that. By a month you should be able to get back to doing some things, but NO HEAVY STUFF! You will find that you are more out of shape than you thought and you will need to work back up to things slowly. At 5 weeks I tried to help my mom and my children pull some weeds in my flower bed, LOL, that was a joke. I hardly did anything and I hurt like crazy the next day. You won't believe how many muscles you haven't used in the last 3 months of pg!

 

I tried for vag delivery, but I had baby B breach and I was worried about having to do both. So after a bunch of hours of pushing, we decided to do a csetin. If i could do it again I would still try for vag. I used T3 for pain after the csec for about a week, tried just using plain tylenol in the beginning but that didn't cut it for me. It did take about 5 days for me to be able to get around on my own. Dr said no lifting over 6lbs for like 6wks - which meant I did need help around the house and with the babies.
By about 6wks things didn't hurt around the incision sight as much, and I could do most everything I needed to, but still to this day it is a bit tender and numb feeling.

 

didn't read all the replies, so i'm hoping not to repeat anything. first off, let me just say that those who have had only one birth experience are really not much to go on, since i think when it's over, we all (or at least the vast majority) think that it was great, given that at the end of it all we had these 2 beautiful babies that made everything we went through worth it, regardless what it was. JMHO

that said, i had a c-section with the twins, my only pregnancy (thus far ). my ob really pushed for the c/s saying it was the best decision, and i went with it because i trust him to no end, but if he HAD given me a choice, i would have tried to do it vaginally. i am a goal-oriented person, and will always wonder "if" i could have done it. my advice would be to try to go vaginal, but be open to the possibility of it not happening. the recovery will be faster and i think there is some empowerment there (from what i've seen). that said, my c-section went beautifully, i was on tylenol for maybe 3 days after leaving the hospital. it was maybe 2 or 3 weeks before i could do it on my own, but 6 weeks before the dr. said "see ya".

good luck with your decision, i don't think there is really a "right" answer to be had here....

 

I was terrified of having a c-section. I stayed up nights worrying about the pain. Twin A was head down and twin B was breech. I had an emerg. c-section because twin B stopped moving. I never really had a choice. I felt better the day I left the hospital than I did while pregnant. My husband stayed home with me the 1st week. After that it was all me. I took pain meds the first 2 days I was home and then didn't need any. It was not nearly as bad as I thought!!

 

First off, however they come into the world, its amazing!!

However, I feel very strongly about vaginal birth. It is the best and most natural way to go. If you have to have a C-section than you for sure should have a C-section. However if it comes down to a choice or a preference, vaginal is the way to go. Its good for you and its good for the baby. Even if the babies aren't positioned "the right way" you can still give it a try. I did deliver a breech baby, most people thought I was nuts, but I would do it again in a heartbeat

 

I had DS1 vaginally and the twins by c-section....and I would definitely pick vaginal over a c-section anyday!! With the twins I listened to the doctor and had the c-section b/c she said it would be safer (DS2 was breech)....but my recovery was long and painful and with the vaginal delivery it was so quick and very painless. If you are debating and can try for a vaginal I would say go for it!