Vaginal birth vs. C-section HELP

I'm 34 weeks along and expecting twin boys. My last ultrasound was may 24th and both babies were head down and weighed 4lbs. and 4lbs. 2 oz. My doctor is giving me the option of a vaginal or c-section birth although she prefers to do c-sections on moms carrying twins because it's less stress on baby B. Any advice? I have no I'd what to do and I've been stressing out about this. I want to do what's in the best interest of the babies. I'm nervous to try a vaginal birth and then end up with a emergency c-section, so do I just go with the c-section? Any advise? Has anyone had a c-section? Any advice on on the process? I am so scared to get my stomach cut open.

 

I had a c-section with all of my pregnancies (Baby B in my first was breech). The surgery and recovery weren't bad, much better than I had psyched myself out for. But - I would have opted for a vaginal birth. With my second pregnancy my water broke but labor never started and they can't induce after a c-section, so I'll never have that opportunity. I've always felt like I missed out on that experience.
Good luck with your decision. I'm actually glad I was never given an option, I doubt I would have been able to decide when it came right down to it.

 

The twins are my only babies and I had a scheduled c-section. It wasn't as bad as I expected although getting up the first few times was not fun. I would do it the same way if I had it to do over again. Baby B was breech so I probably would have ended up with a c-section anyway. I talked to a few moms that had the first baby vaginally and an emergency c-section for the second. I really didn't want to go through 2 types of birth but that might not happen to you. I went 37.5 weeks and I could barely stand, lay on my back, etc. so I don't know who I would have pushed them out. I had almost 14 pounds of baby in there.

Why don't you take a c-section class at your hospital (if offered) so you will be prepared if you choose to have on or if needed at the last minute?

Good luck!
Mendy

 

I had a vaginal birth about 6 weeks ago, and everything went great. I understand there can be complications, and it's the doctors job to tell you about them---but I felt like it was almost designed to freak me out. I decided to go ahead and try for the vaginal delivery--and it was perfect. I pushed baby A out in 2 or 3 pushes, waited a minute or two, and pushed baby B out in 2 or 3 more pushes. Also, baby B was bigger and longer than his sister...which they tell you can be a problem, but it didn't affect my delivery at all. I'm really glad I didn't do the c-section out of fear. If you decide to do it, just make sure you're not doing it because of all the "what if's". I ultimately decided I would regret more not trying for a vaginal delivery (simply because I had no medical reason to) . Good luck with your decision!

Reyna

 

I've done it both ways. I had a vag delivery with dd1 & a c/s with the twins. If your babies are head-down, go for it! You can do it. The recovery from a vag delivery is nothing compared to having major surgery. My girls were both breech, so it was not an option for me.
Good luck!

 

I'm also 34 weeks today, and have been stressing about this for some time, because until recently my Baby B was breech -- then flipped to transverse -- so one of my main OB's was really pushing the C-section.

I just found out this week, though, that both are head down right now -- if they remain that way, I will absolutely try for a vaginal birth, provided there are no other medical reasons not to do so.

There are no doctors in my practice who would push a C-section if both babies are head down, unless Baby B was significantly bigger than A -- so I'm a little surprised yours is.....yes, there is always a risk to B, and there is always a risk you could end up with both -- but it's not enough for me to schedule major surgery to avoid it.

Good luck! I know we all just want healthy babies, no matter how that has to happen -- it's a really tough decision!

(PS -- wanted to add that I had a vaginal delivery with my older daughter, and I too am petrified of being cut open....)

 

There is absolutely no reason to go for a c-section if both are head down and there are no major medical issues. I truly don't understand doctors who push for c/s just because it's twins?! It's crazy. My first was born vaginally (extremely long and difficult, she turned out to be too big for me). My twin girl was head down, pushed her out in 5 pushes, she was still close to 8 pounds, my twin boy was breech and if baby A is head down and baby B is breech you can still have a vaginal delivery although many doctors are not well trained and therefore not willing to do it. Which is a shame. My baby B was breech and was born feet first 4 minutes later. He had a little trouble breathing at first but was fine within minutes. I am still extremely pleased that my doc (and the hospital I delivered) are in favor of breech baby B deliveries. My recovery was smooth, no major surgery with 3 kids under 3, I would do it again in a heart beat. A lot of people can deliver both babies vaginally. Personally I would take the risk, especially if both are head down. I would always avoid surgery if not medically necessary.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Both were head down for me.
Very easy vaginal delivery. Baby B born 21 minutes after his brother. No issues, no worries, no scary moments.
But only you can make this decision - but rest assured that according to unscientific polls on TS, about 45-50% of twins are born vaginally without complications.

 

C/S are major surgery. If your babies are head down and there are no other medical issues than you should try for vag delivery. I had mine vaginally about 6 minutes apart and we had a fantastic experience. I had a pretty good and quick recovery. IMHO I think Drs are pushing c-sections way to much these days.

 

[SIZE=10pt]I completely agree with prior posters. I would definitely go with a vaginal birth if both babies are head down.

My OB doesn't push one way or another. She does give you the information on both options. She prefers to go vaginally if they are both head down. If one is head down and the other breech ~ she gives you the option of how you want to deliver. Of course if both are breech (which mine are and have been all along) it is a C/S.


What ever you decide...remember it is your decision and as long as you're comfortable with it ~ that is all that matters.

April [/SIZE]

 

I didn't have a choice because of another issue (not the twins). I would say if they are both head down, then you should be able to have a vaginal delivery. I know a lot of moms on here have done it.

 

As long as Baby A was head down my OB was ok with attempting a vaginal delivery. I am one of those that ended up with a c-section for baby b but I do not regret my decision to deliver vaginally and given the same situation again I would not change a thing and would still make the choice to deliver vaginally.

I believe it is important to remember that while c-sections can sometimes seem common place because of how often they are discussed places like these boards, it is major surgery.

 

Honestly, you can pick vaginal, but you need to seriously be prepped for anything to happen. Since about 24 weeks baby A was headdown and B kept roaming around under my ribs. Every U/S had them both weighing within an ounce of each other with A usually an ounce ahead of B. My water broke, went to the hospital, had a scan done, A still headdown, weights a few days before had them weighing in at about 5 pounds 8 ounces apiece ... I was given the OK to try for vaginal. I ended up laboring for 26 hours, never progressed past a dialation of 6 (after a bath, Pitocen, an epi put in, etc.) and I spiked a fever so they did an emergency C-section. It turned out that A weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces and B weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces so it was likely they would have had to do a C to get him out anyways.

So, by all means, if you want to go for the vaginal, go for it! But you really REALLY need to be prepared for anything to happen. Recovering from the C-section wasn't bad at all, the worst pains actually were gas (which I could have gotten meds for but didn't because I thought it was something I ate) and engorgement.

Good luck!!!

 

My dr has been known for a lot of twin deliveries so I was confident in his advice. I could tell he wanted to do csection from the beginning however he did say I could try if they were both head down. He said you just never know what could happen to baby b after baby a comes out meaning baby b will have room to turn. At time of delivery, only a was head down. I am happy I had a csection but I never had vaginal so I really cant compare. I was nervous but everything went smoothly. I never regret having the csection. As long as I took the pain meds on time, I was fine.

Just want to add...when I heard people had to have csections, I always thought to myself 'oh that is sad, they wont be able to experience a natural birth'. I had those thoughts before I ever became pregnant. After having the csection, I do not think that way at all. I am just so happy I gave birth to two healthy babies.

 

I've done both, vag w/DD1 and CS with the twins. Honestly, the CS was awful compared to vag, and my surgery went very well relatively speaking.
However, I'm glad it went that way as my babies were tiny and preemie and I wanted to give them the best start possible. It's stressful enough to be born early, much less have to go through labor and delivery!
I'm sure you'll make the best choice you can for you and your babies when the time comes. Good luck!

 

When I first found out I was having twins, I went ahead and told DH I was going to have to have a section (a big deal for me because DS was a vaginal.) I talked to my OB about it and they real not do a vaginal with twins unless both are head down. So I figured what are my chances of both babies being head down. Well guess what!!! They are head down (for now.) Well since all this happened I have developed a HUGE vulvar varicose vein (sorry if TMI.) I made my OB look at it even after he reassured me it was normal (I was very early 20-some weeks when it popped up.) After seeing it, he sat down next to me and held my hand and told me yes it was normal, it was bigger than he expected especially at my stage of pregnancy. He said it was going to grow (as it has) and become more and more uncomfortable. I asked if it could rupture.... his response was "sure it can, but your house could be flooding right now. It's not likely but it can happen. I would worry more about it during a vaginal delivery though. Which is not an issue right now, so we will worry about that one later." Now I have an option and never really considered it. I'm scared of a vaginal delivery so I think I'm gonig to opt for a section.

 

QUOTE(Becca34 @ Jun 5 2007, 12:29 AM) [snapback]279470[/snapback]
I'm also 34 weeks today, and have been stressing about this for some time, because until recently my Baby B was breech -- then flipped to transverse -- so one of my main OB's was really pushing the C-section.

I just found out this week, though, that both are head down right now -- if they remain that way, I will absolutely try for a vaginal birth, provided there are no other medical reasons not to do so.

There are no doctors in my practice who would push a C-section if both babies are head down, unless Baby B was significantly bigger than A -- so I'm a little surprised yours is.....yes, there is always a risk to B, and there is always a risk you could end up with both -- but it's not enough for me to schedule major surgery to avoid it.

Good luck! I know we all just want healthy babies, no matter how that has to happen -- it's a really tough decision!

(PS -- wanted to add that I had a vaginal delivery with my older daughter, and I too am petrified of being cut open....)

My other issue with try a vaginal birth is, we never went through the child birth classes. My doc pulled me out of work for moderate bed rest as we were starting the classes so we never attended them. I'm afraid I might have missed out on important information and don't want to walk into it blind. My doc has been pushing for the c-section so that's all I've been focusing on until recently once I realized they were both head down, I realize I had the option to try vaginal. I keep going back and forth and I just don't know what to do.

 

QUOTE(mdavis @ Jun 5 2007, 05:05 PM) [snapback]280358[/snapback]
My other issue with try a vaginal birth is, we never went through the child birth classes. My doc pulled me out of work for moderate bed rest as we were starting the classes so we never attended them. I'm afraid I might have missed out on important information and don't want to walk into it blind. My doc has been pushing for the c-section so that's all I've been focusing on until recently once I realized they were both head down, I realize I had the option to try vaginal. I keep going back and forth and I just don't know what to do.



I don't think childbirth classes are very helpful. Since your OB is pushing a c-section, chances are he will insist you get an epidural. With an epidural, I think (and maybe I'm wrong because I've never had one) all the breathing techniques and stuff aren't all that applicable. Your body knows how to push and you'll know when it is time. Beyond that, it's all just killing time.

I agree with the others. Vaginal deliveries are easier on the mom and better for the babies' lungs. And I can't imagine how hard it is caring for newborn twins while recovering from major surgery! I am in awe of moms who have had to do that.

 

My child birth classes were useless too. And yes, I had epidurals. Nothing can really prepare you. Your body will do what it has to do, just my 2 cents.

 

I was told yesterday that a c-section is in my future due to Baby As position (the little stinker). If I had a choice, I would do the vaginal for sure. Mine with my son went really well. BUT everyone is different. I have numerous friends who have had c-sections and say that it isn't that bad and others with vaginal deliveries who say it was awful which contradicts many of the opinions posted. Do what you feel is right and go with that. You're fortunate your babies are cooperating!! Good luck with your decision!

 

I know how you feel even though I am early in my pregnancy I have been thinking about the delivery a lot. I had to have a c-section with my son at 37 weeks because of his size. The surgery and recovery was not as horrible as I had imagined but it still was nowhere near as easy as my best friend who had both her girls vaginal.
I felt like a failure because all my friends had their babies vaginally no problem and here I was having to have a c-section. I held on to the hope that with the next one I would be able to have a V-back. When I found out I was having twins one of my first questions to my doctor was “what does this mean for me in terms of a vaginal delivery”
My doctor told me that because my son was a c-section my chances of success are lower then someone with a previous vaginal delivery, but because my twins are di/di there are less risks involved. So if both are head down when we get to that point she will leave it up to me although she believes with my history a c-section would probably be in my best interest.
Part of me really wants to try because I never experienced labor with my son and I would love the shorter recovery but the other part of me does not want to risk going through hours of labor and potential harm to one or both of the babies only to end up with a rushed c-section in the end anyways.
It is not an easy choice but I believe no matter what we decide the only thing that really matters is that everyone is healthy in the end.

 

I say that if you are in a good position for a vaginal delivery you should go for it. I had a c-section and I wish I could have tried for a vaginal delivery.

Don't worry about not having classes. God made our bodies to deliver babies and you'll know what feels right when you get to that point. But definitely be prepared for either type of delivery. A vaginal delivery is going to be a much quicker recovery than having a major surgical procedure and also if you plan on having any more children opting for the section now may set the path for future sections down the road.

Trust your body to know how to have a baby, or babies, and go for the vaginal delivery!!!

 

i personally am doing the c-section because my husband and i are going to get the tubal. we both feel done and that we are ok with girls. my sons are from my previous marriage so we are pretty much set. i would do what your gut is telling you. my girls are laying A - head down and B across the top of my belly. there is a size difference of about 12 ounces but the c-section was a decision that my husband and i had to make. at this point in time i am just ready to have these girls and get back to being normal again. but i still have to wait until July 5th for our c-section. but i know that our girls weights are really good right nowjust in case we had to go early.

besides my body has always been faster at healing, with a higher tollerance of pain. this can be good and bad, but i am going with good--lol

best wishes on your decision!
Meshell

 

Mine were both head down when I went into labour at 33 weeks. The OB insisted on an epidural and tried for a vaginal birth. The epidural was used just in case something went wrong and he had to do an emergency c-section. Everything went well and both were delivered vaginally. I see no reason to have a c-section if you don't need to. The recovery time is far longer, then there is the pain afterwards and a scare for life. I had no pain at all with the epidural and I would have been feeling fine after a goodnights rest had I not lost heaps of blood and needed a blood transfusion.

Personally, I'd go the vaginal delivery with the c-section as a fall back if necessary. I know some people don't like the idea of an epidural but I would highly recommend it. If you had a c-section you would probably have an epidural anyway.

 

If you were to look at all my posts I think I asked the exact same questions. I felt the exact same way. Both of my boys were head down and there really wasn't any reason why they shouldn't be delivered vaginally. I was just so fearful of all of the unknowns that could happen between the first and second baby. I felt like a c/s was just safer for the babies. My doctor put the choice in my hands. So I decided on an induction, thinking that maybe it would go very smooth and it would be an easy delivery. I went in at 6:00 am and they started my pitocin at 6:30, I labored all day (nothing horrible), I did not dialate at all. They gave me pain meds and cranked up the pitocin but I still didn't dialate. So at 6:30pm we decided that if I didn't progress we would go with a c/s. Well I got the epidural and 2 hours later I was only 1/2 cm dialated so I went in for the section at 9:35 pm and they were born at 9:49 and 9:50. The recovery from the c/s was worse than I had anticipated it took a good 2 weeks before I was feeling better (nothing horrible, just uncomfortable and very sore not bed ridden). I was glad that I tried the induction, because given the rough recovery I would have wondered if a vaginal delivery would have been better. I would try for a vaginal and just see how it goes, once you are in the middle of it you don't really care how it happens and they monitor the babies so closely they won't let anything happen. Once you get the epidural you really don't care!!! Once you hear those little ones cry you will not care how it happened, I promise. :hug99: