Upset with doctor

When i had my last ob-gyn appointment, both the girls were in a head down positiona and I, very happily, told the doctor that should everything stay as is, i would like to have a vaginal birth. He went on a spree to tell me how dangerous it is and even told me a story about twins being born three weeks apart!!!! he refuse for me to have a natural birth and is insisting on a c-section. He can not give me a medical reason right now but said there will be one later.

I am totally upset about his reaction and feel that surely I have a say in this matter? If both the girls are fine, as they have been at every appointment, and they are in the head down position and I am fine, i should be able to give birth the way i want to!!! Fo the life of me i do not understand his tantrum about the dangers of delivering twins naturally.

 

When i had my last ob-gyn appointment, both the girls were in a head down positiona and I, very happily, told the doctor that should everything stay as is, i would like to have a vaginal birth. He went on a spree to tell me how dangerous it is and even told me a story about twins being born three weeks apart!!!! he refuse for me to have a natural birth and is insisting on a c-section. He can not give me a medical reason right now but said there will be one later.

I am totally upset about his reaction and feel that surely I have a say in this matter? If both the girls are fine, as they have been at every appointment, and they are in the head down position and I am fine, i should be able to give birth the way i want to!!! Fo the life of me i do not understand his tantrum about the dangers of delivering twins naturally.

 

I have had conversations about this with several of my doctor's. They said even within the practice they have different beliefs. Some feel twins have to be a C-section regardless some feel as long as they are both in head down (and not laying weird) that they will let you do a vaginal delivery. Both of my babies are head down right now so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that when I go into labor it's one of the doctors who doesn't just believe that it's twins and has to be a section.

 

Hi there,

Well, unfortunately, at least here in the US, it's the risk and chance of lawsuits.

I think that some OBs will deliver a breach B baby and I know of only one OB in the Boston area who will deliver a breach A baby. So I know you may not want to hear this, but I believe you may find it hard for someone to let you deliver vaginally.

GOod Luck with the rest of hte pregnancy. Always remember that no matter how they are delivered, the goal is to get 2 healthy, happy babies as the outcome... by whatever means is best.

Teri D

 

I agree it is fear of lawsuits. OBs have the highest insurance rates over every other medical speciality by a huge margin. Most docs now will not perform VBACs and the same goes with deliverying twins vaginally.

If you are set on vaginally, your best bet is to look at one of the larger hospitals. The doctors there are usually a bit more flexible because they have greater resources in case conditions change in a flash.

 

And you would stay with this doctor... because why?

Vaginal birth is a safe option and should be presented as such--especially when Baby A is head-down (Baby B's position is less important). You owe this person NOTHING. You owe yourself and your babies the chance to have a safe & satisfying birth. There are lots of great OBs out there--who actually practice evidence-based medicine. Your doctor is obviously not experienced or confident with non-surgical birth. Please don't think you'll change his mind. He will find a reason to operate, because that's what he's used to doing. Besides, you deserve to have a doctor that supports your wishes and has the know-how to bring your babies into the world without automatically resorting to surgery.

This is YOUR decision.

Good luck.
Lisa

 

quote:
So I know you may not want to hear this, but I believe you may find it hard for someone to let you deliver vaginally.

but both of her babies are vertex, not breech and Boni stated in her post that providing everything stays as is (head down) she would like to attempt vaginal delivery. I think there are many docs who would allow for a vaginal delivery with two vertex babies.

Boni, I know it would sound like a huge chore at this point but I would definitely look around for a doc that has similar views as you. I understand that two healthy babies is the goal, trust me I do. I had 'the best of both worlds' delivery because I wanted what is safe for my babies but if the doc can not provide you with any medical reason at all to conduct major surgery on you then I would look elsewhere for care.

 

OMG i can not believe they wont let you deliver vaginally. Its totally different over here everyone is encouraged to try naturally unless baby a is breech or there has been prior problems. I agree with pp can you try and find a different doctor that has the same views as you? Both my babies were head down from the start and not once did they ever talk about c-section. Keep us posted on what happens. I hope you get what you want x

 

I am not saying you are wrong for feeling upset with your dr- but you are still early on - and I have to tell you - my girls were flipping around and I delivered at 27 weeks (emergent C-sec) so try not to worry about it right now. Your babies can sense that frustration! When the time gets closer- then you can question him. And I do have to say- my dr would talk about delivering vaginally, etc., but he also thought I would get to 36 weeks- not knowing I wouldn't. HOwever, in the State of Ohio- just in my area alone- there have been 12 OB/GYNs that have left in the last 3 years due to malpractice insurance and liability rates going sky high! It's risky! A lot of people are sue happy- warranted or not. Try to take one day at a time- you're doing a good job!

 

quote:
I am not saying you are wrong for feeling upset with your dr- but you are still early on - and I have to tell you - my girls were flipping around and I delivered at 27 weeks (emergent C-sec) so try not to worry about it right now. Your babies can sense that frustration! When the time gets closer- then you can question him.


When the time gets closer???? The problem with this is that her doctor is already pushing for a section. He adamant (and emotionally charged about it without supporting evidence), and I think it's safe to say he is going to find a way. Telling the OP not to worry isn't putting her at any advantage--if, indeed, the babies stay vertex. The longer she stays, the more vested she'll become--physically, emotionally, and psychologically. I say get out now while the getting is good. Find a supportive doctor who understands the benefits of vaginal birth. If Baby A goes breech and she ends up with a c-section, at least she'll know that she gave it her best shot by advocating for herself. If she stays with this guy (and gets a c-section) she will always look back and wonder "what if". It's about being pro-active instead of reactive.

Lisa

 

I vote switch doctors. Do it now, while it's still early enough that you can probably get another to take you. His opinion is not going to change.

Now, for everyone else early in your pregnancy, this is a discussion you should have as soon as you learn you're having twins. If you haven't had it yet, do. My doctor went over exactly what would be different from our initial discussions both when we learned it was twins and again the next appointment since I was in shock the first time we discussed it.

You should also be able to have a frank discussion with your doctor without being attacked or belittled. I wouldn't stand for it.

 

Is there another dr. in the practice that you are comfortable with? Find out their beliefs. Also, I agree w/ a previous post about vaginal birth being the best. I tried sooo hard for a vaginal birth and when I was admitted Baby A was vertex and Baby B was breech. My OB simply put it that I would deliver Baby A and if Baby B didn't turn then she "would go up there and get her"... Anyway, I know it is early but if things stayed the way they are now, I would try for the vaginal birth. Just my opinion though...

Good Luck

 

I have to agree with Kaysandra and some others. I know that many women really want to deliver vaginally and it's been shown to be best for the babies regarding fluid in the lungs and all that, but that's not always possible or safe for twin pregnancies. She is still early on and all hopes for a vaginal birth can't be shot down, but you can't close the door on it.

My OB didn't even mention a natural birth. I guess it was always assumed, I'd have a c-section. I think almost always when they are early they do a section as well.

If you are uncomfortable with his practices, then find another dr. that will suit your needs. It is your pregnancy and children after all and they are both vertex and as long as they stay that way and there doesn't seem to be any other reason. Although, my hospital's rules were that ALL twins regardless of a vaginal or c-section birth would be delivered in the OR "just in case".

 

If you want to try for a vaginal delivery, than you need a different Dr. Obviously, he is not comfortable with a vaginal delivery, and should you insist and refuse a section (your right if Baby A is not breech) you will either have a very ticked off Dr doing something he is uncomfortable and probably inexperienced at, putting you and your babies at risk. Or he will refuse to treat you and you will be stuck delivering with who knows what Dr, or being forced into a section because the babies must be born and nobody will treat you until you sign off on the c-section.

I have found that docors vary widely with what they are comfortable doing. My OB will deliver twins vaginally as long as Baby A is head down. The OB who delivered my twins (I was life-flighted to a different city), would only deliver vaginally if Baby B was head down too, my new OB seems a little iffy about delivering any twins vaginally, and on the off chance this pregnancy is twins as well, we'll be having a very in depth conversation before I continue with this practice.

Also- not all premies need to be c-sections. It is really only necessary for micro-preemies. Mine were 33 weeks and delivered vaginally just fine and probably benefited from having their lungs squeezed on the way out. My good friend had her twins at 27 or 28 weeks and they were vaginal as well with no problems other than typical preemie problems. I've heard the tiniest preemies can't withstand a vaginal birth because their heads are too fragile, but most preemies are far enough along to do fine without a c-section.

 

I am all for finding a doctor to do it vaginally. My doctor wanted a C-section (baby B was head up, Baby A head down), and I talked him into trying it. I had to deliver in the OR anyway "just in case", and he and everyone else were already there, so he said he would. His reason for not is that he just didn't like having to rush and deal with emergencies. We did it vaginally, and it worked just fine. Baby B turned and followed his brother just like the books said he would. Good luck!

 

My OB will NOT "just give you a c-section for no reason"...I asked! She is very cautious with me (appts every week since 16 weeks, NST's every week since 22 weeks, BPP's every week since 30 weeks, etc etc). I totally trust her, and her opinion. It's not looking like I'm goign to go vaginal because they are both breech, but that is her first choice. She said she'd want me to have an epidural, and we'd be in the OR with everyone on standby just in case, and of course the babies would be monitored during the whole delivery. When you're this prepared, an emergency C-section can be done in a matter of seconds, or a few minutes, I think.

Find a doctor who shares your philosophy...just make sure they deliver in the OR..I think that's a big deal, just in case.

Good luck!

 

i agree, find a new dr.

 

I agree, find a new doctor. I had my twins vaginally and I am so glad I did. The delievery and the recovery was a breeze.

 

I think that it is important to be on the same page with your doctor. Sure, your babies MAY change positions. But they may not. And if you feel that a vaginal delivery is safe, then find a doc that agrees with you.

 

Find a new doctor pronto. I understand other people in this thread saying that sometimes a c/s is necessary, but that isn't what your doctor is saying. If you have any desire to have a vaginal birth, get out of that practice now. And don't think about another doc in the same practice, because if you go into labor and Dr. Surgical Birth is on call... guess what? C/S for you.

There are plenty of doctors out there who are comfortable enough with twin births that they don't need to resort to unnecessary surgeries in order to do it right. It's ridiculous, in my opinion.

 

Yes, find a new doctor. YOU are the pregnant person, YOU are the mother.

Of course the primary concern is the health of mother and babies, and if there is a reason to section, then fine - but to go in assuming that they have to be sectioned - uh uh.

I had a long talk with a peri today about exactly that: she said that even w/in her practice, there are some doctors who are comfortable doing a breech extraction if baby B is not vertex, and others who are not. But - bottomline, you need to be in a practice that is consistent and concordant with your approach to childbirth; yes it's all true about malpractice, and this being a very litigious society, but - part of the trend towards more surgery and less 'hands-on' is simply fear-based, and since you want to try for a vaginal birth IF the conditions are appropriate, you should be able to!

I'd talk to my friends, and when you look for another practice, do some phone-interviewing and explain why you're looking at this point in your pg., so you don't waste time with others.

good luck!