Please don't yell at me..

I see all these posts about vaginal vs. C-section and I know people feel very strongly in both directions. I just want to know why. Here's my disclaimer: I'm asking this question for the purpose of gaining knowledge, NOT to start a heated debate.

I'm a first time mom and want to know what's best for my babies. After being so careful with them for so many months, I want to make sure their grand entrance is as uneventful as possible.

So, what is the medical reason behind a preference towards vaginal or C-section births? And (again, please be gentle with me), if your doctor recommends a C-section, what's the reason to put up such a fight?

 

I had a c-section and I regret it. My DR. wanted a c-section for HIS benefit, it's faster, easier and timed. I went along with it because of the dangers of having vaginally but, if I had to do it all over again, I would choose vaginal. With a c-section it feels like I missed a important part of the motherhood journey, if that makes sense. I know the babes were close to coming on their own, so that does not get to me as much as being the one who was able to birth them. I suppose it is difficult for me to express what I feel about it but, I really feel as though I have missed something by NOT giving birth to them. I wish I had put up a better fight. It can be done vaginally even when complications do arise, it is probably more stressful but it is totally possible. I wish my DR could have been more confident that we could do it but, again I think it is more for the DRs benefit to do a C-section.

ETA: NOT

 

I was told C-section was my very strong *only* option for safety of the babies and myself. It was related to a medical complication I have (bleeding disorder ). I was told this at my 'preconception' consultation. I did not argue much after I was told I could bleed out quickly- regardless of any other factors due to baby/babies.

Though my PERI said that they will do a vaginal delivery on most moms (just not me) if both babies are head down, close to term, and no other complications- with labor in the operating room just in case. That said, she only sees high risk patients so she is probably more prone toward C's.

Mine ended up an emergency C due to distress of Baby B at 31.6 weeks ( in the middle of a Sunday afternoon with my doctor racing to the hospital). Baby A also had the cord around her neck. a natural delivery was not an option since laboring alone totally decelerated Baby Bs heart. I was also totally sedated/anesthiastized for the C- also unusual since most moms have a spinal or epidural. It would have been a planned C if there were no complications.

I would talk to your Dr. Many do allow for a vaginal delievery- it will decrease the risk of RDS (both my girls had this from preemies and amniotic fluid aspiration) and is ' an easier recovery for most moms (thogh NOT all) because a C is MAJOR surgery.

Good Luck in whatever you are hoping for.... in end we all just want healthy happy babies! I dont regret my C at all- knowing what I did about my personal situation, it was the best option for all of us.

ETA:spelling

 

My doctor was very flippant about it, just saying that most twin pregnancies end in c-section, but we'll see what position they are in when it gets closer to the end ... She said if the presenting baby was heads down, we could try vaginal.

For me, my presenting baby was breech and never changed position. Baby B was transverse. I never cared that much about which way I gave birth, I just wanted to do what my doctor said was best, and I REALLY didn't want to take the chance of a vaginal birth that ended up in a c-section!

My c-section was fine and the babies were fine, but that is just my story.

I know that "things" happen during a vaginal birth that helps the baby ... stuff gets pushed out of their lungs as they travel down the birth canal that is good for them ... so I think if you can do vaginal, go for it! But don't super stress about it ... at the end of the day, it's all about getting those babies here safe and sound. But do your own research, and then talk to your OB about.

 

I think a lot depends on the doctor. Some prefer c-section just as a matter of routine. But mostly, it depends on the woman and all of the unique circumstances behind the pregnancy as everyone is different. Sometimes babies born via c-section fair better due to preterm labor or other health issues. Sometimes they fair better with vaginal. Sometimes there isn't a choice because twin-a is breech or maybe there are other issues.

C-section births require more recovery time and have some higher risks to the mother. The babies tend not to breathe so well sometimes if born from c-section. Vaginal tends to be Mother Nature's way of taking care of some last-second finishing touches and can actually be easier on the mom in the long run. Sometimes it's the preference of the mother.

 

I was told by my OB that it depended on the postiton of the babies. If both were head down, we would do vaginal. If A was head down and B was not, we could attempt a vag. and she could try and flip B or maybe B would flip by himself, but there was still a chance B would have to be c-section if this was the case. And obviously if they are both breech, c-section would have been the answer.

But my two came early, with A being born at home (vag) , feet first. Trevor was also taken by c-section since he was breech as well. BTW, my first pregnancy was a vag delivery.

 

I think it totally depends on your body, your babies, and your circumstances. I had two vaginal deliveries before the twins and wanted another vaginal delivery. My Dr gave me the percentages, the risks both ways, and let me make up my mind. I would have gone vaginal except he thought baby B would go breach and be difficult. I decided to do the c-section and have never regretted it. He said after he pulled out A, B went double footling breach and would have been an emergency c-section. I'm glad I had the section, even though had things been different I would have LOVED to have had them vaginally.

There is no perfect answer - we all do the best we can.

 

After having my singleton Gabe vaginally, I knew that If possible, I would give birth to the girls the same way. It was a phenomenal experience. That said, both girls were head down, but Lily was the smaller baby and she came first. Bell then flipped frank breech and my OB didn't want to risk a breech birth with her estimated weight. So, she came via csection. Even after having a double whammy birthing experience, I would do it all over again for the chance to have them the "old fashioned way".

BTW, my girls were 7.2 and 9.1 at birth, so I'm thankful my Drs didn't take any chances with Bell's delivery.

Ulitmately, I say go with your gut and what your Dr is most comfortable with. In the end, as long as you have 2 healthy babies, that's all that matters.

 

I had read so many places that vaginal babies' lungs are healthier at birth because of their lungs being compressed and getting mucos out etc.I don't know if this is true, but it's something I was concerned about since I was a C-section baby and have terrible asthma.

I also did not want to have to deal with the recovery of a C-Section and I also just plain wanted to have the experience of a vaginal birth.

I had a team of dr.'s, one was encouraging C-section, one was encouraging vaginal and one said it was up to me! I decided on vaginal!

If Baby A had been BREECH I would have changed my mind but that was the only reason I wouldnt have at least attempted one. By the way...My A was head down but B was transverse. Doctor "guided" her down her down head first after Baby A was born.

 

I didn't have time to read the other replies but one way a vaginal birth is 'better' (for lack of a better word) than a c/s, is that the process of being squeezed through the birth canal squeezes out the amniotic fluid in the lungs, resulting an an easier time of breathing upon delivery. C-section babies can have a higher chance of initial breathing issues due to the fluid still in their lungs.

Also a c/s is major abdominal surgery for the mother! It also can have complications and risks (infection, etc). Many people and Dr's view it as 'only a c/s' but it is still what it is.....surgery.

My body was made to deliver vaginally, and I want to give that a chance if things line up and look like a good situation for it (and doable for the babies).

 

Oh no, I hope people aren't yelling at you in this forum! :hug:

I really wanted a natural birth. My labor stalled out and I ended up with an unexpected and unwanted c-section. But, you know what, it turned out okay. It wasn't as painful as I thought, and I'm sure that recovering from birthing either way takes a bit of time. My girl (baby b) was transverse, so even if my boy had come out vaginally, we knew that there was a chance that we'd have to do a c-section as well.

If I were to do it again, I would still aim for a vaginal birth, though.

 

I would have loved to have delivered a baby vaginally but it was not meant to be. I had my first daughter by c-section and so my dr would not let me deliver vbac. She said the hospital did not allow it. It was to bad though because my girls were head down and in the perfect position for vaginal.

 

I am having the decision issue as well. I know the benefits and risks of both ways of delivery (which you should ask your OB to sit down and go over with you) and both of my boys are currently head down and I have begun to slowly dilate and baby A's head is at -3. The boys have also been passing their NST's and are reactively positively to contrax so for now it looks like I will try for vaginal if I go into labor on my own. I am however a little concerned to attempt a vaginal birth if I have to be induced (we have a due date at 37 weeks due to overcrowding issues and swelling)because I know from past experiences (2 vaginal births with pitocin) that it makes for a long and hard labor that can end up being stressful to the babies in the long run if they are not ready to come. Pitocin inductions also have a higher risk of ending in c-sections also so I may just decide to do a section if that issue comes up. I am trying to let "nature" take it's course the best I can even though I know the birth will most likely be filled with medical interventions either way (I need to have the IV, epidural, catheter at my hospital because twin births occur in the OR just in case an emergency c-section is needed.) Talk to your doctor about it and see what he/she thinks also.

 

Here you go- medical reasons for both, I am NOT a doctor, but this is what I've found from talking to my Dr. and doing my own research.

Vaginal birth is supposed to be good for the babies because all of the dirty stuff they encounter, and squeezing, is better for their lungs and helps develop their immune system. There are some studies that suggset c-section babies have higher incidence of allergies and asthma. I've heard vaginal recoveries are also easier for the mother to recover from, and less painful shortly after verses weeks of recvoery.

However, twin complications can be a LOT in a twin birth. Even with dichorionic. That is why many would prefer c-sections.

There are many medical things that can go very wrong in a monochorionic birth. Monochorionic pregnancies have higher incidences of vasa previa (where a blood vessel crosses the cervix) that can bleed babies out and kill them during birth. This can happen during single pregnancies too, it is just more common in twins. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5961

Monochorionic twin births also have higher incidences of cord problems, including Velamentous cord insertion (and a lot of other stuff don't remember what) that can be life threatening.

Also, there can be blood pressure issues and acute twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Even with NO symptoms of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, it can be acute and put both babies at risk. A baby can be born, and the blood pressure difference between the two (one in the womb and one out) can kill them both.

There are other placental problems that can put monochorionic babies at risk, not to mention the usual risks of distress, etc.

A lot of these things can cause neurological morbitity if the infants do manage to survive them.

 

Are you having monochorionic or dichorionic twins? I'm sorry I don't know the information on dichorionic pregnancy risks. I know there are some more than singletons as well, I just don' know what they are.

 

i suggested to my ob that i should have a section because i was afraid of having to end up with both (one born vag and than needing an emergency section )
but my dr was very much wanting me to do a vag birth, said he would hate to send me home with two new babies after just having major sergery for no good reason.
he said the other dr in there practice always does a section with a twin birth but said he was very good with breech extraction. i ended up being induced at 38 weeks and 4 days and had a great vag birth so happy that i did not end up with sergery. but if i had to have a section it would be ok, as long as everyone is heathy thats what counts.

 

Even though I just found out I am pregnant, let alone expecting twins, I think my doctor is aiming for a c-section. Of course since it is early we have no way of knowing how these two little ones are positioned, there is a chance the could be momo twins, sicne the doctor is 90% sure they are identical. I think after doing some reading and research, my greatest fear would be delivering one vaginally and then having to be rushed to a c-section for the second. However I do believe and agree with what others have said...you have to do what you are comfortable with. Talk to your doctor, and if need be, get a second opinion.

 

For me there are several reasons why I choose a VAGINAL BIRTH.

One, I have a toddler at home, and husband who is going to be gone for a month right around the time of birth. I feel that the recovery time with a c-section, along with the demands of a toddler, and two babies is too much. I have already had a successful vaginal birth. I feel my body should be allowed to do what comes naturally, and not what is easiest for a doctor.

Two, the health benefits. When a baby is born vaginally, the fluid from their lungs is squeezed out, and they have less chance for breathing problems.

I'm very passionate about having a vaginal birth, but if at any time, my doctor can give me good reason not too, I will surely listen. (Examples: Position, sickness, size) I will not be pushed into a c-section simply because it’s easier for the doctor. I’m fortunate enough to have a DR who understands my hard-headedness!

Whatever you choose to decide, do a lot of research to what YOU feel is BEST!

 

QUOTE(TwinsInFL @ Aug 29 2008, 09:57 AM) [snapback]953262[/snapback]
I see all these posts about vaginal vs. C-section and I know people feel very strongly in both directions. I just want to know why. Here's my disclaimer: I'm asking this question for the purpose of gaining knowledge, NOT to start a heated debate.

I'm a first time mom and want to know what's best for my babies. After being so careful with them for so many months, I want to make sure their grand entrance is as uneventful as possible.

So, what is the medical reason behind a preference towards vaginal or C-section births? And (again, please be gentle with me), if your doctor recommends a C-section, what's the reason to put up such a fight?

my doc wants to do c sec because he says it is easier on preemie babies, less posssibility of bleeding in the brain ect.

 

Well, I'm faced with the same decision. My doctor will do either one, he's not pushing me one way or the other at this time. At one time he said he would go for vaginal birth because he said it's less paperwork for him ;o) He's so funny. . .

I thought by reading the responses I could get a better idea of what direction I would want to go but I'm more confused than ever!!
While I'd like to go into labor with a strong idea of c/s or vag I understand things can change rapidly. A is vertex and B is breech.

There are tons of things to worry about but I think I'll pray that God makes the way clearer for me to choose as we get closer.

 

QUOTE(desolation_anonymous @ Aug 29 2008, 12:14 PM) [snapback]953507[/snapback]
Are you having monochorionic or dichorionic twins? I'm sorry I don't know the information on dichorionic pregnancy risks. I know there are some more than singletons as well, I just don' know what they are.


I'm having monochorionic twins, so the information you've provided is very helpful. I'm guessing (and will discuss with the peri next week) that monochorionic holds a higher risk for cord complications and higher bleeding. I totally support everyone who chose to go vaginally and were able to do that in a healthy way for the babies, but I think I'm leaning more towards the C-section with the possible problems involved.

Also, I currently have placenta previa, so vag is not even an option, but hopefully that will clear up.

 

I also had a C/S at the persistence of my OB. Looking back I almost wish I would have pushed for vaginal, knowing it would be an easier recovery for me since I had already had 3 previous vaginal deliveries, but I didn't question or insist <_< Now for this next set, I will automatically have a C/S since I had one last time. I am also having my tubes done this time as well so it makes sense to go ahead with the C/S for me even though the recovery totally sucked. Not to mention, I am not sure if my little guy is going to change positions anytime soon....he has been tranverse across the top of my uterus for months now.

 

My doctor told me at 9 weeks that a c-section would be safer for the babies. Another dr in the same practice told me later on that I could try vaginally if at least baby A was head down. We scheduled a c-section for Jan 3 with the knowledge that if Addison was vertex I could be induced instead of the c-section if I wanted to. At the time I was So afraid to go through a long labor and end up having a c-section anyway so I would have done the c-section no matter what.. I also kept thinking of that first dr who told me it was safer for the girls - my oldest son has issues from a lack of oxygen at birth and I did not want to take ANY chances!!

 

i fought for a vag birth despite my OB's recommendation for a c-section because i did not feel that the risks of a vag delivery, as she described them, outweighed the risks of undergoing major abdominal surgery. there are obviously risks to a vag delivery as well, but for me personally, unless my life or the lives of my babies was clearly & obviously in imminent danger from a vag delivery i was not going to agree to a section. for me, a c-section was the last resort. i believe that our bodies are designed to give birth the way they do for a reason, and messing with that without good cause is not a good idea. i find it interesting that it's become a common belief that c-sections are safer - they are only safer in some situations, they are not safer in all cases. in a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy vag deliveries are always safer.

on another point, it is possible to deliver twins who are both in breech position, most doctors just don't know how to do it. there are more risks involved, but again, each person needs to weigh the pros and cons for their own particular situation before deciding how to proceed.

 

Personally I am not completely against either. I was hoping for a vaginal birth but accepted that there was a large chance that I would have a c-section because twin "a" was breech and that is what we ended up with. I think when you are expecting twins that you have to be ready for either. You just have to do what is safest for your babies, and that is something only you and your dr. can decide. I would love to try a vag. delivery with my next child, on the other hand my sister is all about c-sections and has had two thus far because that is what she is comfortable with. You and your Dr. will know what is best for you and your babies. Don't worry about what anyone else says. Good luck

MJ

 

I agree with pp a lot does depend on the Dr. I had a vag. delivery with baby A and an emergency C-section with B. I had a classical incision with the c-section so I will never be able to have a vag. birth again. That is something I really regret and have had to get over during my current pregnancy. If I had to do it again I would have just had a regular c-section so I could at least have a chance at a VBAC. Just my experience.

 

I also had a Placenta Previa & it stayed that way until I delivered via scheduled c-section. My Dr. was WONDERFUL and prepared me from the get-go that a section would probably be in my future. I was totally fine with that ~ to be honest, going into labor & having a vaginal birth scared the heck out of me!!!! :shok:
I don't feel as though I missed out on anything & my experience was a wonderful one for both me and my husband
So long as my babies came into the world safe, no matter how they were delivered, was all that mattered :wub:

 

QUOTE(tamaras @ Aug 29 2008, 08:11 PM) [snapback]954198[/snapback]
I also had a Placenta Previa & it stayed that way until I delivered via scheduled c-section. My Dr. was WONDERFUL and prepared me from the get-go that a section would probably be in my future. I was totally fine with that ~ to be honest, going into labor & having a vaginal birth scared the heck out of me!!!! :shok:
I don't feel as though I missed out on anything & my experience was a wonderful one for both me and my husband
So long as my babies came into the world safe, no matter how they were delivered, was all that mattered :wub:


Thanks Tamara, that really makes me feel a lot better. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who was terrified by labor and vaginal delivery! As for the placenta previa, other than the major things my doc discussed already (ie, no nookie), did you find anything that you could not do or anything that helped?

 

I opted for a c-section and I don't regret it. As a matter of fact, unknown at the time, had I not had it I probably would be dead and so would the girls. I don't know why I opted for it, but I was scared of having them vaginally knowing that the second baby could pose a problem if she were to turn or fall to the side. Both girls were head down, and could have easily been born vaginally, but for some reason i just couldn't do it. My OB was fine with delivering them c-section and even recommended it, although I had had no previous problems with my son who was born vaginally. I guess it was a sign from God to have a c-section. I went into labor naturally but was not dilating. My OB told me the next day after delivery that the reason I wasn't dilating is because scar tissue (from a previous cryosurgery) had formed over my cervix not letting it dilate. Had I not chosen to have a c-section, my uterus would have ruptured which could cause potential death to me and the girls. So, for me, it was just a great gift from God that I chose that route with no one pressuring me to do so.

Having experienced both, they both have their positives and negatives. The c-section was very painful for many weeks. But, so was my vaginal delivery because of the hemorroid that I have because of the pushing. I still deal with that today and may end up having surgery to fix it. I would much rather deal with a few weeks of incision pain than years of hemorroid pain that I have had to deal with from my first delivery.

 

QUOTE(TwinsInFL @ Aug 29 2008, 06:14 PM) [snapback]954201[/snapback]
Thanks Tamara, that really makes me feel a lot better. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who was terrified by labor and vaginal delivery! As for the placenta previa, other than the major things my doc discussed already (ie, no nookie), did you find anything that you could not do or anything that helped?


:hug:
Glad you feel better - You are definitely NOT the only one who is scared by labor/delivery!!
Yup, no nookie, no lifting anything heavy & towards the end if you still have the previa they will want you to take it easy so that you don't start early labor.
I did end up on bedrest for the final month and was taking Nifedipine to keep PTL away & it worked great
Just listen to your body & your Dr's orders & you will be A-OK!

 

From the moment I found it was twins at 8 weeks, I pretty much figured it was out of my hands. Then i developed high blood pressure and Twin A was always on her back (is that transverse)? Then Jake was diagnosed with IUGR and i worried each week I was going to have two very premature babies.

Knowing that I was unlikely to go into labor on my own, I was comfortable with a c-section. I also knew these were going to be our only kids. having a scheduled c-section was great. No labor, got the hospital around 5:30am and had babies by 9:15am. The recovery was rough the first few days, but nothing awful (my dr. is good at c-sections). Every experience is different, but for me, the c-section was really fine. And i was TERRIFIED of experiencing labor and ending up with a c-section (a friend from work went through that w/her singleton).

I know we are made to deliver vaginally, i also know child birth is risky business considering how natural it is. I don't regret my decision and the kids have perfectly round heads

 

My doctor has it either way but he leaves it up to Baby A (being head-down)
and the Mom's decision on a vaginal birth vs a c-section. I already have 2
daughters and am 35.4 wks with mo-di boys. I had my other two girls vag.
and am planning on having the boys the same. Here is my problem, alot of
women and support/help DH, neighbors for weeks at home to help. DH is
taking the day off I have the babies (if he gets in in time because he is a trucker)
and my MIL is going to try and take off some but may only get the time off
during the birth and then she will have to leave too. I don't have time on my side
for a recovery from a c-section. I have to be about 100% when I leave the
hosptial and that includes being able to drive anywhere I need to go, take my
oldest to Pre-K and handle the kids 24/7 after birth. It isn't something we planned
on and we had money set aside until recently for DH to take off, well crap happens
and now there is no money, so we are stuck in this situation.... I believe that a
vagnial birth would be the best because then I don't have to worry about recovery
that much and can get back to being a Mom to all my kids....

 

I'm surprised at how many have said they went through a decision making process with this; I assumed that most doctors were like mine and went for vaginal unless something indicated a C-section. I wonder if he was more laid-back because I'd had 3 previous vaginal deliveries, though. I was lucky in that my doctor had no problem delivering my twins vaginally, even though baby B was breech. He even told me beforehand that if she didn't flip on her own, it really wasn't a big deal to reach up and pull her out by her legs!

As it was, a few minutes after Allison's birth, Sarah had flipped around and was presenting head first. The twins were my easiest delivery AND my easiest recovery. Because I went vaginally and I didn't tear, I was walking around just a few hours later and felt totally recovered in just a few days.

 

QUOTE(TwinsInFL @ Aug 29 2008, 02:21 PM) [snapback]953745[/snapback]
I'm having monochorionic twins, so the information you've provided is very helpful. I'm guessing (and will discuss with the peri next week) that monochorionic holds a higher risk for cord complications and higher bleeding. I totally support everyone who chose to go vaginally and were able to do that in a healthy way for the babies, but I think I'm leaning more towards the C-section with the possible problems involved.

Also, I currently have placenta previa, so vag is not even an option, but hopefully that will clear up.



Oh, good! I was worried I had babbled in your thread and it wouldn't be relavent

Please share what your peri says? I think talking to him/her will probably give you the most valuable information, I hope your is as nice and mine and lets you ask all the questions you want

I am sorry about the placenta previa! That has got to be very stressful for many, many reasons. I hope it clears up later for you, too!

 

QUOTE(ChristinaB @ Aug 29 2008, 11:32 PM) [snapback]954376[/snapback]
I assumed that most doctors were like mine and went for vaginal unless something indicated a C-section. I wonder if he was more laid-back because I'd had 3 previous vaginal deliveries, though. I was lucky in that my doctor had no problem delivering my twins vaginally, even though baby B was breech. He even told me beforehand that if she didn't flip on her own, it really wasn't a big deal to reach up and pull her out by her legs!


I guess we live in different parts of the US. I actually had a hard time finding a
doctor that would allow a vagnial birth (we have alot of Big OB/GYN places and
not all doctors feel vagnial is okay).... I drive an hour to see my old doctor
because he is a one-man practice and was the only person that would listen to
me and be okay with a vagnial delivery... (Im not saying all the other drs only
wanted to do c-section, it was just if the doctor on call was a c-section only for
mulitples, there was no overriding their decision unless you could just wait for
their shift to be over and the next attending doctor was okay with it. But, I just
didn't want to take that chance because my last dd from water breaking to delivery
was only 5hrs)....