Twin birth questions

[SantanaLopez]

I'm pregnant with DCDA twins, everything so far going to plan!

What happens to the first twin while you are giving birth to the second?

If I have to have a C-section, DH would stay with the baby, but how quickly would they be brought back to me?

This is the stupid question; did you hold both of them at once or did it take a bit of practice? I was so nervous with DD and there was only one of her

[toomuchtooold]

Congratulations!

I have 2yo twins. They were DCDA as well. I had vaginal birth, wouldn't go so far as to say natural as I had all the drugs, an episiotomy and ventouse for both, but still... I went into labour spontaneously at 36+5 and the girls were born about 24h later. While in hospital they monitored both babies' heart rates during the labour, one using a clip attached to the top of the head, the other using one that goes round your middle. When DT1 was being born, DT2 was still in there apparently happy and being monitored by one of the midwives. Then after DT1 was born I was given syntocin - induction - which I think is standard. Both of mine got taken to special baby care very shortly - DT2 was checked over, DT1 had her lungs suctioned - and as a result I met DT2 first. And she weed on me :-)

I think they mostly bring you the babies as soon as they can but yes, my OH went with DT1 and stayed with her. TBH my timeline gets a bit fuzzy at that point .

About holding them both at once: not a stupid question at all! It's more an issue of getting the second one into your arms once you have the first one - you can do it with a sort of scooping action to get your arm under their neck - once they can hold their heads up it's much easier. I used a Weego twin baby carrier in the first 6 months, a lot easier as your both hands are then free. Be prepared that you are going to end up with a very toned upper body - sometimes mine still want a carry at the same time and you get stronger as they get bigger

[harrygracejessica]

Not daft questions. I had c secs with both of my sets, the first set were 7 weeks prem so taken straight away to neonatal. The 2nd set twin1 was fine but twin 2 needed 2 lots of recuss at birth and ended up in neonatal so it felt very odd just having 1!

Holding them you do learn a scoop motion.. Also I ended up grabbing baby grows too if needed to grab a lift (anything to get them quickly while I was in my own before they woke the others!)

[harrygracejessica]

Oh and winding I could had one over my knee being patted and one on my shoulder being patted. You find your own way of doing things :-)

[slightlyinsane]

Omg Harry I'd never thought of trying that winding technique.
I had my id twins naturally, it was all fairly quick. Theyy were both head down, t1 arrived and was handed to me while a mw held t2 in place so she didn't turn transverse. I gave t1 to dh while I had t2 5 minutes later. T2 needed some help straight away but was returned after 10 minutes where I had them both. I would recommend an epi just incase, best thing I did as both twins were trying to arrive with a hand up by their heads.
Holding them was easy at first, 2 tiny bundles using the scoop method. Then they grew and it was a little more difficult for a while now they're starting to have better head control it's getting easier again, it's all trial and error

[SantanaLopez]

2 sets of twins! Wow.

Thanks very much, it's so reassuring. I've written down that winding technique too

[Diamondsareagirls]

Hi OP,

I had DCDA twins 4 months ago. Twin 1's birth was fairly straightforward so ds was handed to me for a little bit and then to DH. I had to go to theatre for twin 2's birth due to complications so we were given the choice of DH staying with DH or leaving him with a midwife. Was a tough choice but DH came with me as we didn't know if I was going to need a c-section, if I would be ok etc. He was with the midwife for about 40 mins in the end until dd was born and then they bought him straight in to me so I could have them both.
Agree with others about the 'scoop' method for picking them both up. It gets much easier once they can support themselves a bit.

[jellybeans]

I had the very rare 'combo' birth. Normal for twin 1 (Dh held him) and crash c section for twin 2. I was under GA and very poorly when I came round (PPH) and twin 2 was in NICU. I had twin 1 with me the whole time but couldn't see twin 2 for 3 days until I was well enough to leave HDU. Despite this we formed an amazing bond after a very short time and after 5 days he joined me and his twin on the ward and we went home after 9 days and didn't look back :)

[neversleepagain]

I had a emcs at 34 weeks (both babies transverse).

We couldn't hold either baby until they were checked out by the 2 paediatricians who were in the room. Once the babies were checked over, one was given to DH and one to me for a quick kiss and cuddle. The babies were then swapped over so we got to hold both. They were then taken to the NICU. I was taken to the recovery room, put on a drip and helped to change into my nightie. They took DH and I (I was still in my hospital bed) up to the NICU to visit the babies. It was a short visit as it was midnight by this point, I was exhausted and a bit high from tge morphine. I got to cuddle them seperately and together the next day in special care.

Just be prepared for a lot of people at the delivery. Including DP and I there were 14 people in the room!

[SantanaLopez]

Thanks again I really do trust the midwife I've been seeing and she says they will do their best to keep us all together.

Just be prepared for a lot of people at the delivery.

Along those lines, I can't decide what to do about students.