Vaginal or C-Section

Hi girls,

Since I found out that we're having twins, I immediately decided to book c-section. Now that I'm almost 35 weeks along and BOTH babies are head down, I started contemplating vaginal delivery. I wanted to see how many people here are opting out for c-section or vaginal. Please also share your experiences if you already delivered.

I am scared to give birth to one vaginally and end up having c-section for the second baby...

 

I really want to be able to do it Vaginally, but my doctor wont do it unless both are head down. I still have WAYS to go, but it has been on my mind since I found out we are having twins. I have a 19 month old and I really dont want a section then have to come home to a toddler and take after 2 newborns. That seriously SCARES me

 

I understand how you feel. I want to have a vaginal birth too but would hate to give birth to one and still have to have a c-section! My doc says a c-section is likely but I hate the thought of the recovery.

 

I'm going for a VB but my OB recommends the epidural in case I do need a csection for baby b. I'm scared that that may happen, but it's worse case scenario right? My OB told me that he'd reach in and pull baby b out if he has too. That's what happened w my niece. Really whatever gets these babies here safe and sound.

 

my goal was to have an unmedicated vaginal birth - there were many "discussions" with my OB about it and even though both my girls were head down for most of my pregnancy she really wanted me to have a c-section. when it came right down to it though, she never really seemed to be able to give me a good enough reason why she wanted to do the c-section so i finally told her that unless something really changed in our situation i was going to attempt vaginal & i didn't want to talk about it anymore. i did, however, at my 34 week appointment, finally agree to an epidural for two reasons 1) if they had to do a breech extraction for baby B, i didn't want to feel it and 2) if i had to be rushed in for a c-section i didn't want to be put under general anasthesia (sp?) & miss the girls' births. however, when the girls decided to come they came so fast there wasn't even time for an epidural. so in the end i got the exact birth i was hoping for & other than being 6 weeks early, the girls had no serious complications. GL with your decision!

 

No real decision for me. C-section from the get go.

My first pregnancy and I figure I won't make it to term anyhow. At this rate it's really looking like I won't.
I've no desire to do deal with a vag birth or pain. One serious miscarriage did me in forever.

 

In most cases the pain from a c-section ( major abdominal surgery) will be far worse than a vaginal delivery (something your body was desinged to do and women have done for centuries).
I wanted an unmedicated vaginal bith. I got a medicated vaginal birth.
Like a pp my doctor and I discussed at least having the epi in place (even if no meds were in it) in case of 1. breech extraction or 2. emergency c-section.

As my labor progressed, I did opt for the epi with meds in it and my birth went fabulous. The doctor was ready to realease me 12 hours later but allowed me to stay one more night because my babies were. I didnt have to worry about staples, or stitches or my muscles being put back together, or infection. I was able to move easily and felt great.

I think every twin mom out there is afraid to deliver one baby vaginally, and one via c-section but statistically the odds of that happening are slim. Additionally, I always told myself IF that were to happen at least I was able to do a great thing for one baby by squeezing through the birth canal (getting the excess fluid out of their lungs) etc.

last thing is I knew I wanted more kids, I didnt wnat to have to have a c-section in the future because of already having had one.
Best wishes in your decision.

 

Oh I so wish I would have had the option to birth them vaginally like you do. A was breech and B was transverse. Now, I'm left trying to figure out whether to have a VBAC with this baby or a repeat c-section. I'm sorry I didn't check, but are these your first babies? And do you plan on having more? I recovered so much more quickly with my vaginal births, even though I had a 4th degree tear with one of them, than I did with my twins' c-section. IMO, I would totally go for a vaginal birth, but definitely read up on c-sections to be prepared.

 

I was thinking I'd have a vag birth but we booked a c/s just in case. Turned out I developed pre-e and we needed to get the girls out before my body seemed ready. I was not dilating at all, and the dr said we could try for an induction but there was a good chance that it would be a rough labor and might end up in a c/s anyway. I was concerned what that might do to baby b, so I decided to go ahead with the c/s. He also asked me several questions, such as whether I would have a lot of help the first few weeks, whether I planned to have more children, etc to make sure it was a good choice. In the end everything went well, and the recovery wasn't bad (not easy but not terrible) so it was a good decision for me. If I hadn't had the pre-e I would have just waited and attempted a vag birth (at least I think I would have; I was extremely huge at 38 weeks and just wanted them out!).

 

Yeah, I am so not on the vaginal is better bandwagon. I'm c-section all the way. I think its important that moms should be able to do whatever their individual situations will permit at the time -- it really is a combination of a personal (what makes the mom feel the most comfortable) and medical decision. And personally, I feel that there is too much pressure out there telling women that they are less empowered if they choose c-sections. Medical technology exists for a reason and there's nothing wrong with accessing it.

My brother was a singleton and would have died from a vaginal birh if my mom pushed one more time. His cord was around his neck 4 times (something they didnt discover until he went into distress during labor), and I have seen other friends and relatives have as many complications from vaginal as from c-sections (I'm sorry but an episiotomy doesnt sound any more fun than a c-section incision). I never wanted a vaginal birth with twins, but my medical situation takes the issue out of my hands anyway.

To me there are no prizes either way for how you deliver. The only prizes are the two healthy babies that emerge at the end of it all.

Good luck with your decision.

 

I think the poll is flawed. There should be a "non-elective c-section" category. If your doctor tells you he or she can't or won't deliver the babies vaginally because of the babies' positions or because of some other complication, I think that's a non-elective c-section.

And thank you, sparkle77. I too am tired of people trying to make me feel bad because I'm having a c-section. Sure, our bodies were designed to give birth vaginally, but a whole lot of women used to die during childbirth. So maybe the design wasn't so great, eh? We'd all like a perfect, complication-free vaginal birth, but it's not always possible. It's not always advisable to even try. Sometimes the odds of its being successful are just against you, and it makes perfect sense to go forward with a c-section. Lots of women who have had both vaginal deliveries and c-sections have told me that they recovered more easily from their c-section surgery than from their vaginal deliveries. It's not really accurate for people to say that recovery from a vaginal delivery is always easier or faster. Everybody's recovery is different. And as for the constant refrain I hear about how c-sections have a higher risk of complications than vaginal births, says who? Where do you get that info? Cite me some actual statistics. Show me a scientifically-valid, medical study.

 

Well, now--isn't this quite the hot topic!! ^_^ I have had 3 vaginal deliveries with epi and 1 without, all singles. I continue to feel a "prick" pain at the epi sites for quite awhile after (like a year or more) and it has always taken them at least 3 tries to get the epi in, a pretty bloody mess. Why? I have no idea--I just know that it is not in my best interest to go with that as pain relief if I can go without. Ideally, I want a natural vaginal birth. As long as baby A is head down, we won't be discussing anything else. I don't want to go with a c-section because that is unknown territory for me and I really don't want to have to contemplate a VBAC if we have more......

 

I didn't vote b/c my c-section is mandatory not elective. I've had 3 previous c-sections so my doctor said "not a chance" to a vbac.

 

QUOTE(rogerdodger @ Jun 20 2009, 01:51 PM) [snapback]1361739[/snapback]
I think the poll is flawed. There should be a "non-elective c-section" category. If your doctor tells you he or she can't or won't deliver the babies vaginally because of the babies' positions or because of some other complication, I think that's a non-elective c-section.

And thank you, sparkle77. I too am tired of people trying to make me feel bad because I'm having a c-section. Sure, our bodies were designed to give birth vaginally, but a whole lot of women used to die during childbirth. So maybe the design wasn't so great, eh? We'd all like a perfect, complication-free vaginal birth, but it's not always possible. It's not always advisable to even try. Sometimes the odds of its being successful are just against you, and it makes perfect sense to go forward with a c-section. Lots of women who have had both vaginal deliveries and c-sections have told me that they recovered more easily from their c-section surgery than from their vaginal deliveries. It's not really accurate for people to say that recovery from a vaginal delivery is always easier or faster. Everybody's recovery is different. And as for the constant refrain I hear about how c-sections have a higher risk of complications than vaginal births, says who? Where do you get that info? Cite me some actual statistics. Show me a scientifically-valid, medical study.


This is very true. A medically necessary c-section is a different category. I voted elective because I would have chosen c-section either way, but mine is actually medically-necessary. I cant push because of prior surgery.

 

I would really love to have a vaginal delivery - although with an epidural. However right now B is breech and my doctor is really willing to discuss a vaginal birth unless they are both head down. I am still hoping that she flips - but we have scheduled the c-section just in case. I do understand doing the c-section - B is the smaller of the two and I would hate to have to deliver A vaginally and then have a c-section for B - I just was really hoping to avoid the c-section. It kind of scares me to think about recovering from surgery like that with two little ones and a four year old to take care of at home. So here's hoping that B will stop being stubborn and flip around already.....

 

C-section! I've already had two and am a HUGE fan ... the recovery has been a breeze for me both times. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my final one is as good as my first two!

 

I really want the vaginal with epidural, but because I had first c-section and this time it's twins I woudl be having c-section.
and OB doesn't allow me to try give birth myself.

 

QUOTE(Chicklet @ Jun 19 2009, 06:59 PM) [snapback]1361384[/snapback]
My OB told me that he'd reach in and pull baby b out if he has too.


That's basically what happened with my last singleton and let me tell you it felt so bad even with an epidural! I had so much damage afterward from delivering and them pulling her out at only 8 cms that I am scared to do a vag again.

QUOTE(katiesmom @ Jun 20 2009, 11:14 AM) [snapback]1362008[/snapback]
I do understand doing the c-section - B is the smaller of the two and I would hate to have to deliver A vaginally and then have a c-section for B


Oh man my baby B is bigger so now that makes me think A may come out and then B would be a c section which (like many of you) scares me! As I mentioned above I was so damaged from a vag last time if I have to have both I couldn't handle the pain of both recoveries. It took me 6 long weeks to heal last time with a vag birth.

My hospital doesn't do epis often, my first they wouldn't give me anything, my last one thank goodness I had an epi and it was wonderful! If I do vag again they had better give me one, there is no need for all natural if the mom doesn't want to do it that way. That's barbaric to force it on women.

I am scared of a c section but am almost secretly hoping my OB says I need one. But I will also need to be able to chase after a 15 month old so I guess I just keep flip flopping lol. I am scared of both options. There are no elective c sections here, they have to be medically necessary. My baby B has been breech or transverse since forever so we shall see what happens.

 

QUOTE(chellebelle @ Jun 20 2009, 08:27 PM) [snapback]1362315[/snapback]
That's basically what happened with my last singleton and let me tell you it felt so bad even with an epidural! I had so much damage afterward from delivering and them pulling her out at only 8 cms that I am scared to do a vag again.
Oh man my baby B is bigger so now that makes me think A may come out and then B would be a c section which (like many of you) scares me! As I mentioned above I was so damaged from a vag last time if I have to have both I couldn't handle the pain of both recoveries. It took me 6 long weeks to heal last time with a vag birth.

My hospital doesn't do epis often, my first they wouldn't give me anything, my last one thank goodness I had an epi and it was wonderful! If I do vag again they had better give me one, there is no need for all natural if the mom doesn't want to do it that way. That's barbaric to force it on women.

I am scared of a c section but am almost secretly hoping my OB says I need one. But I will also need to be able to chase after a 15 month old so I guess I just keep flip flopping lol. I am scared of both options. There are no elective c sections here, they have to be medically necessary. My baby B has been breech or transverse since forever so we shall see what happens.


I think it'll depend on the size of your babies then if they'll let you try another VB?! My baby B is bigger than baby A too and my ob said that since I've had big babies b/f w/o a problem... and these two will be smaller than the girls were that he thinks I shouldn't have a problem. He said generally they like A to be bigger to pave the way for B.

 

We are going for a VBAC (vaginal after c-section). I had a c-section with DD and would like to avoid another one. My Dr. is all for it as long as Baby A is head down, I go into labor on my own (wont induce twins) and Baby B isn't bigger than A by more than 10%. Hospital policy says I have to deliver in the OR and I have to have an Epi incase of an emergency c-section.

I'm open for a c-section in an emergency situation but I really believe a vaginal birth is better. A c-section is a major surgery and the complication rate is high (10% for mom and almost 15% for baby vs. 1% vaginal for both vs. 3% for both with a VBAC). I had a c-section and I dont want another. It was a very hard surgery and I was very lucky to have a great Dr. who did them on a daily base. Plus with a toddler and twins recovering from surgery would be very hard.

 

Thank you girls for all your posts. It is very helpful to see what other people think. I am still in limbo about my decision.

Someone asked - Yes, these babies will be our first/second babies and yes, we are most likely will want more.

 

I had a pretty easy vaginal birth with my twins. Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech. She was born butt first. My OBs were willing to let me try which is all I asked. When I got pre-e at 34+3, I needed induction which was still easier to me than a c-section. My OB quoted 5% of ladies will have both a vag and c-section. 5% seemed like an OK risk since the benefit was so great in my opinion. I too had a toddler at home and had no wish to try and take care of 3 kids recovering from major surgery.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

My preference is for whatever gets the babies here and keeps them healthy... although I definitely see an epidural/spinal in my future regardless. With my ds, his head measured almost 15" and I had to have an episiotomy - yea for the epidural!!!