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Multiple births

Advice please - twin birth - CS or vaginal

13 replies

Yikesitshot · 24/07/2014 12:01

Had my 24 week growth scan for DCDA twins at Queen Charlotte's yesterday. All seems fine which is good. At the appointment with the Dr after the scan, the subject of birth came up and once again I was told that I'd be having a vaginal delivery assuming twin 1 stays head down. Even if twin 2 is breach 'we can grab him out by the legs'...nice. I was told I should absolutely avoid major abdominal surgery if I can. Reasons I was given were that it is hospital policy, major abdominal surgery should be avoided, I am tall, have had 2 (induced at 41 +4) deliveries vaginally before which bodes well etc. etc.

When I asked for the hospital stats on twin births, I was fobbed off with 'we have one of the lowest CS rates in the country'. I explained that whilst I'd rather not have a C section, frankly the thought of the huge uncertainty surrounding an induction, v close monitoring, intervention, possible emergency section for twin 2 etc. fills me with fear.

Any of you ladies have any advice here? The concern I have is that I'm being fed the party line as CS are much more expensive to the NHS than a 'natural' delivery. I just want a straight answer re: the least risky option for me and the babies.

How hard to I push for a CS or should I just get over it and be led by the hospital?? Apologies for rambling thread....

OP posts:
Heels99 · 24/07/2014 12:05

Yes the CS is less risky for the babies but more risky for you. I was told by consultant that there is a 1 in 210 chance of there being ' mechanical difficulties " in getting the second one out. I chose CS because of that. I do know someone who made a different choice and twin two died. Not trying to scare you. What does your consultant say?

neversleepagain · 24/07/2014 12:08

With a multiple birth you have the ultimate say on what you want. If it is c section you'd prefer you should be given one. Have a look at the Nice Guidelines.

However, with two vaginal births already you would be a pro :)

Good luck!

deadwitchproject · 24/07/2014 12:24

I was told a similar thing, "we'll grab him by the legs" as my twin2 was breech, but the blood drained from my face and I nearly fainted in the chair Blush so the doctor quickly said we will do an elective C-section. My biggest fear was giving birth naturally to twin1 and being rushed in for an emergency section with twin2.

In the end I had placenta failure with both so had a C-section 2 days after this conversation.

Diamondsareagirls · 24/07/2014 12:24

It is really up to you but I would wait to make your final decision as late as possible so you can see what position your babies are in. I had a vaginal birth (after induction) with my DTs as twin 1 was head down but it took up until 36 weeks to make that decision as they were not in the right position up until then.

Bodeccia · 24/07/2014 14:12

I agree with diamond - see how you feel later. I'm pretty sure you'll get a csection if you really want one. When the time comes, you may want to see how you get on, especially having had a previous vbirth.

slightlyinsane · 24/07/2014 14:55

It's such a hard decision to make and you'll spend wks trying to decide whats best. Mine were mcma and I had decided to let the babies decide what was going to happen, I let their position make the decision. In the end both were head down so we went for vaginal birth. The one thing I was sure I wanted was an epidural just incase I needed a section I was awake for the whole thing and time would be saved if t2 needed a section. Inthe end both were vaginal and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
If (never going to happen) I were having mcma again I would have a section. Mine had taps when born and after researching it we are exceptionally lucky they both survived. If they were dcda I wouldn't hesitate to have a vaginal birth again.

andadietcoke · 25/07/2014 19:08

I agree with waiting. I agonised my whole pregnancy about the type of delivery and in the end I had the choice taken away from me due to their positions.

littleomar · 26/07/2014 20:17

I had my dcda twins vaginally after 2 previous births. It really was fine despite induction, epidural, low forceps for t2 (head down but heart rate dipped so they helped her out. No tearing or rpisi

littleomar · 26/07/2014 20:17

Gah - episiotomy

Yikesitshot · 28/07/2014 09:37

Thanks everyone. Will just bide my time and wait and see. Could just do with a lot more info from the hospital about their particular protocol.

OP posts:
Middleeastmummy · 29/07/2014 19:11

I had my mo/di girl twins via planned c section6 weeks ago and had a lovely experience . Recovery is painful the first week or so but nothing unbearable you just have to take it easy .

DanDarPop · 26/09/2014 18:49

I agonised over what to do for months. My babies were DCDA and both head down. In the end I opted for a planned section. I might have gone natural if I'd gone into labour but at 37+5 nothing had happened. I personally didn't want to be induced and I would have probably chose section anyway because I was worried about stats of something happening to twin 2 if she turned last min and also 1 in 20 twin births twin 1 comes naturally and twin 2 needs a section. Really didn't want to be sore everywhere!

I was also in a busy Central London hospital, my friend got induced and she was left for a while in between hormone gel as emergencies came up. I was also told I couldn't have natural delivery in theatre (which I wanted in case emergency section was needed). I sometimes think I should have tried natural but I was just too worried about worse case scenarios and thought I'd just plan things as much as I could.

My decision was completely supported by hospital/consultant/midwife. If anything I think they were slightly biased towards a section delivery. You can completely choose as per NICE guidelines.

Good luck, I understand it's such a tough decision but in the end you will make one because you have to!

SantanaLopez · 27/09/2014 17:20

I'm trying to make this decision too. I'm 32 weeks with DCDA twins, both of whom seem to be lodged under my ribcage

If they both turn, I'd like to aim for a vaginal birth. I'm dreading having to go for a c-section for the second twin, but apparently there's only a 5% risk of that actually happening. I also don't really want syntoncin, but I think there's less room to argue that one.

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