What would you do?

[rubyred84]

I am due in August with twins, and up to this point was happy with a vaginal birth, having researched etc...even though intervention is common.

Today I discussed statistics of twin births at my specific hospital with a midwife, and must say it seems chances of a successful vaginal birth are low. basically, out of 100 women last year, 11 had one baby vaginally, the other by emcs; 12 had both vaginally but with intervention; and 2 (yes just 2 women in an entire year) had their babies vaginally without intervention. the remaining women had elcs or emcs for medical or personal reasons.

So I have decided to have an elcs, and will let my consultant know next time I see him. I must say the hospital hasn't been forthcoming with these statistics and now I know why.

I would be interested to know what decision you would make is given these statistics?

side note. .please don't think I have made this decision rashly, I was prepared to attempt a natural birth but honestly feel now there is no point as the odds are stacked against me.

[Shadow1986]

I ended up having ventouse with my twins, after a 30 hour induced labour...it really was a horrible way to start life as a mum as once they were out, I passed out from exhaustion and didn't see them till the next morning. About 6hours later. If an elective c section meant that I was conscious enough to spend their first hours with them I would choose it all day long!

Good luck x

[Orangeisthenewbanana]

The stats look bad though because it appears that the majority of women either go for ELCS or require EMCS (I'm assuming for both twins in that instance?), so there aren't as many (only 25%) attempted vaginal births to report on?

I would have made the same decision as you however, even without the stats! Getting one baby out is exhausting/can be difficult enough, let alone two! Why risk it?Congratulations on your pregnancy

[KatharineClifton]

Planned is so much better than emergency - especially after a long labour and the epidural only working down one side so GA needed.

If I were to go back in time and were to be given a choice I'd choose elcs everytime. It still rankles a little even after 13 years that I wasn't there when my children were born and I had to read medical notes about it.

[rubyred84]

I didn't add the rest of the stats as didn't think they were relevant but see that they are....50 women had elcs (for medical reasons or personal). leaving 50 overall who attempted vaginal birth - of those 50, 25 had emcs. Then leaving the remaining 25 women split as per my original post. I suppose that makes the stats look worse!

[andadietcoke]

I had the same decision to make, with similar statistics, and the hospital recommending ELCS. I had decided ELCS but in the end they were both breech so I had no choice.

Elective seems to make a big difference in terms of recovery. I went to 38+2 with mine and my booked date, but there was a plan in case I went into labour early. No regrets at all.

[neversleepagain]

My consultant was very pro vaginal birth and this is what I was hoping for. In the end the choice was taken away from me. Instead of induction at 38+0 I ended up with a EMCS at 34+5.

My c section experience was great.

[Rootvegetables]

I had a vaginal birth with my twins however it was very disorganised and not to plan at all, they arrived very quickly and it was very stressful I was anxious about it for ages afterwards. A friend 6 weeks before had a planned c section and it sounded wonderful, very calm and she thought it was great, also twins. if you don't feel the hospital are very pro active in terms of you having a vaginal delivery I'd book a c section to avoid an emergency c section. In terms of delivery, in my case the second baby arrived within 15 mins of the first and was no extra effort really so it wasn't like having 2 labours.

[mrsm16]

I had a vaginal birth with my twins, was induced and it was an all round better experience than on my ds1, have you had any other children?

[Ponyboycurtis]

I had a ELCS with my ID twins at 38+4 weeks - like PP's I didn't come to this decision easily but my main concern was giving birth to the 1st naturally but potentially distressing the 2nd and then having an emergency c - section. I think I wanted to feel a little bit prepared. I had the girls and was up and about within 12 hours (when I say up and about, I don't mean I was doing Zumba, more a gently stroll to the shower!).
It's a very personal choice and you must do what feels right for you.

[EmilyMaitliss]

Hi ruby I requested an elcs at my 28 wk and 32 wk apt, and on the morning of the day they were born (about 12 hours after my waters had broken but 12 hours before twin one was born). I was refused by the cocky little shit of an obstetrician. "I see no reason why you can't give birth to these babies naturally ..." Etc etc

The birth was h.o.r.r.e.n.d.o.u.s I can't begin to tell anyone how much and I really thought I was going to lose twin 2 (Thank God he is healthy, as is his sister.) There was a 2 hour gap between the twins with Neville Barnes forceps used in both cases. Placenta wouldnt detach, I could go on & on. I have been left with permanent injuries and would advise anyone, if they can, to have an elcs with twins. As your statistics seem to indicate, natural delivery with 2 healthy babies and a healthy mother is rare.

Soon after they were born it was announced that every new mother could request an elcs if desired - I had to turn the radio off each time it was discussed.

[Degustibusnonestdisputandem]

I had ELCS with my ID twins at 36 weeks which was hospital policy. It was a nice calm and smooth experience (though I don't recommend sneezing or coughing afterwards! )

[Degustibusnonestdisputandem]

Oh my, Emily, sorry if I came across as insensitive there, that sounds absolutely horrendous!

[Randomcafe]

I wasn't given the option of elcs, never even mentioned/discussed.

Induced at 38 weeks and it was all fairly quick and straightforward. Went in at 9am and had pessary. Both in good positions. Didn't need the hormone drip. Broke waters early afternoon. Had an epidural not long after. Had a nice nap before going into the delivery room (most comfortable in weeks!). Twin 1 was not quite "turned" enough in the birth canal, so tried they ventouse to help turn her and speed things up a bit. No luck with ventouse, so needed forceps and stitches. Both born before midnight, just! 15 minutes apart, 8 more and they would have had different birthdays. Both absolutely fine. We stayed in hospital for 3 nights.

I never expected to get to 38 weeks and was dreading induction as had been told it was likely to be a long hard slog, so I was pretty happy with my experience in the end. It was more medicalised than I would have ideally liked, but I'd accepted that would be the case with the increased risks with twins.

Would be interesting to know the stats for single vaginal births requiring intervention too for comparison.