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When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

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When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Multiple births

Why did you opt for c section?

29 replies

Methenyouplus4 · 12/06/2014 21:12

Other than medical reasons I mean, I'm especially interested if you chose this option even if you had other children to care for when you get home.

I'm asking because I was quite surprised the other day when both dh & mother said they think I would be better having a cs. I understand why dh thinks this as with previous two large ours our boys got 'stuck' at the last moment and ended up being ventouse, this makes him uneasy as he used to date a girl who was a twin and her brother had disabilities because she'd been first out and he'd been deprived of oxygen. No idea why my mum thinks this as I'll have a toddler to run round after, think she is just worried as first labour was quite traumatic with a long recovery.

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Methenyouplus4 · 12/06/2014 21:13

No idea why the word 'large' is randomly in there stupid phone!

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TwelveLeggedWalk · 12/06/2014 21:16

I had no choice, as I had a Cat 1 EMCS.

However for many I think it is the risk of ending up with both - i.e. a vaginal delivery, with all the soreness/tearing/stitches that entails, AND a CS, which is a bit more likely than I think medics like to let on, as once Twin 1 is delivered there is a chance of Twin 2 turning/getting tangled/cord prolapse etc. Or just not delivering within the 'window' that most hospital Trusts want for the second delivery.

Given many twin deliveries tend to be highly medicalised - monitoring, sited or active epidural in case of EMCS, theatre etc, I think the odds are kind of stacked against many women for having TWO intervention free births, and you still end up with the utter exhaustion of labouring then producing two babies some how!

A nice stress-free planned CS sounds good on many levels.

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Methenyouplus4 · 12/06/2014 21:19

I think that's my mum's thinking. I'm not really scared of op or labour but nervous of recovery for cs with a 18 month old toddler too, most hubby can take off is 2 weeks.

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Provencalroseparadox · 12/06/2014 21:27

I don't have multiples but had EMCS and ELCS. I recovered really quickly both times. I don't think it's always a tough recovery.

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Methenyouplus4 · 12/06/2014 21:31

Most of the recovery stories I've heard have been pretty positive. Main worry is thought of not driving. Where we live is pretty remote and though in reality I probably won't want to go out much, the thought of being trapped with no car and three babies makes me feel pretty claustrophobic!

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SweetieTime · 12/06/2014 21:31

I had a planned section with my twins 6 months ago. I had to really fight to have this though as my Trust don't do ELCS. I too was worried that I would give birth to T1 naturally but T2, who was breach, would need a EMCS in the end anyway. I just wanted them both out safe and sound and I would deal with whatever afterwards.

My recovery was really ok, I was only in hospital 2 nights. I was quite sore but to be expected with major surgery. The recovery was not half as bad as I expected but I am sure everyone is different. I can understand your concern with having an 18 month old to look after. You will have your hands full whatever the mode of delivery with newborn twins and an 18 month old. Take any help that is offered and ask for specifics such as freezer meals or washing/ironing to be done.

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neversleepagain · 12/06/2014 22:02

I wanted a vaginal delivery but ended up with an EMCS as babies were transverse when my waters went.

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jerryfudd · 12/06/2014 22:04

I had section because presenting twin breech. Had second for medical reasons. I've always recovered well and was able to look after new born and 21 month old twins just fine. Not being able to drive was bit of a pain but 6 weeks passed in a blur anyway

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Methenyouplus4 · 12/06/2014 22:07

Thanks, it's really interesting to hear about different experiences. I said to dh I almost hope lowest twin is breeach /transverse so the choice is taken out of my hands!

So dare I ask, which would you opt for, a cs or a vaginal?

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jerryfudd · 12/06/2014 22:15

I was glad she was breech. I consider I did it the easy way regardless of recovery

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andadietcoke · 13/06/2014 09:37

It's funny I spent my whole pregnancy convinced I wanted an ELCS and worried that they wouldn't let me. In the end it wasn't my decision as they were both breech, and suddenly, when I didn't have the choice, an ELCS was the last thing I wanted. I went to 38w so I often wonder whether I would have gone much longer without an ELCS!

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TwelveLeggedWalk · 13/06/2014 14:34

For an elcs you'll probably be ok to drive in about a month, but as someone else has said you will want a lot of help lined up for those early weeks if you can anyway - paternity leave, grand parents, friends, childminder for the older one, just plan for back up!

You will likely need transport for medical appts for the twins.

The main piece of advice for anyone re twin delivery is don't plan too closely - they have a habit of changing rapidly!

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SoonToBeSix · 13/06/2014 14:37

Sweetie why would your second twin have needed a c section to get her out ? Only the first twin needs to be head down they can turn the second.

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SoonToBeSix · 13/06/2014 14:39

Op I had my twins vaginally , I was very relived twin one was head down I would have hated a section.

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Methenyouplus4 · 13/06/2014 22:39

Lots of interesting responses. I know we'll have to wait and see how things pan out nearer the time but it's always helpful (at least I think so) to get insight from those who have been there before you. Can I ask why you would have hated a C section soontobesix?

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jerryfudd · 14/06/2014 08:16

Just to say I recovered well from both my sections. Able to walk the next day once catheter out. No problem looking after newborn twins first time or a newborn and two toddlers under 21 months the second time.

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MorningTimes · 14/06/2014 09:41

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MorningTimes · 14/06/2014 09:48

When I looked into this, I found recent research that indicated that, with a natural delivery, there is a slightly increased risk to twin two. Sorry I haven't got a link for that, it was a while ago that I was looking at it.

It was a bit different for me anyway because I had previously had a section, so the risks were increased (in case of scar rupture during labour). I discussed the possibility of a natural labour with a consultant at one stage.

He said that he would not be worried about getting the first twin out but that he would be scared for the second baby because they would need to put their hands in and mauky turn the second if it was not in a good position.

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MorningTimes · 14/06/2014 09:52

Needless to say, I did have a section and the recovery was fine. One of my babies was in SCBU and I was able to walk up there and see him the next day, whilst pushing the other twin along in the wheeled cot.

Getting up and about walking makes a big difference to recovery I think. The first time you stand up after a section is hard, but after that it just gets easier every time.

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LairyPoppins · 14/06/2014 09:56

Exactly as a poster said above. I didn't want to risk having both labour and c section.

I asked for the stats at the hospital for how many vaginal multiple births ended in EMCS. 84percent.

So I went for an elective section.

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SoonToBeSix · 14/06/2014 11:21

Mathen partly because the thought of being cut open made me feel squeamish and a bit scared I know that's silly it's a standard op but just how I felt. Also after a section you can get really painful wind and if hospitals are busy you can be stuck unable to pick one baby up without help never mind two.
Thirdly the recovery at home , I have other children so j need to drive and wanted to pick up my active 18 month old without worrying about my scar etc.

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SoonToBeSix · 14/06/2014 11:22

Lairy those stats are awful , ours were very low .

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SoonToBeSix · 14/06/2014 12:06

Lairy those stats are awful , ours were very low .

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TwelveLeggedWalk · 14/06/2014 13:50

Wow at 84% emcs.

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slightlyinsane · 14/06/2014 15:08

Blimey 84% that's shocking!! It's a hard decision to make with twins. I let myself be ruled by the position of the twins, if t1 was head down natural it would be. In the end both were head down and as soon as t1 made her way out the mw held t2 in place (from outside) so she wouldn't turn. I did make the decision to have an epidural just incase I needed an emcs, I wanted to be awake for everything. As it turned out I was extremely glad I had one as both twins were trying to come out with a hand up by their heads, which required Dr to push heads and hands back up to get them into a better position.
When thinking about recovery time a natural delivery can be just as long/bad as a cs. I had lots of stitches which was very uncomfortable after and walking sitting etc was hard work with 2 to look after.