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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Twin birth

87 replies

Thetirednessisreal · 24/10/2019 19:06

Hi I’m 34 weeks pregnant with twins

I was all set for a natural birth was told it would be around 36 weeks

At my meeting yday the consultant told me
That they would wait until 37 weeks to induce me. Now I’m worried my twins are already over 5.5lbs so by then they will be 7 or over. I was also told they have to be careful inducing previous c section mums due to the scare.

Induction team rang me and today to book me in and are looking like 37+4 to induce I think this is too late and also the second twin is breech. I don’t have an appt again until 36 weeks but I am now wanting a section due to this new info can I ring for an appt with my consultant (it’s a busy nhs hospital)

OP posts:

Foldinthecheese · 24/10/2019 20:55

You are entitled to an elective CS if that’s what you want, so definitely speak to your consultant.

With regards to your delivery, it is standard that MCDA twins are delivered at 36 weeks due to risk of placenta failure. That would be my concern, not their size. If your consultant wants to delay the birth until past 37 weeks, what monitoring measures are being put in place to ensure the babies are okay?

Wotrewelookinat · 24/10/2019 20:58

I was booked for an electric section at 37 was with my mcda twins. My waters broke at 34 wks 4 days and I had an easy vaginal delivery. Twin 2 was transverse but the obstetrician managed to turn her once her sister was out if the way! So hopefully everything will work out how you hope, but it’s definitely worth having a talk to your consultant if you can.
And CONGRATULATIONS! It’s fab having twins!

RolytheRhino · 24/10/2019 21:13

I was booked for an electric section at 37 was with my mcda twins

Electric section sounds horrific!

flouncyfanny · 24/10/2019 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ActualHornist · 24/10/2019 21:18

Btw it is mcma twins where vaginal birth is not recommended, not mcda. In case pp were worrying you.

I’m pretty sure some of the stuff noted here is quite specific to that hospital rather than in general - I’ve never heard of births being recommended at 36 weeks for mcda in the twins groups I’m in. And OP is being scanned at 36 weeks anyway, I’m see they will scan again if deemed necessary.

Good luck OP, try not to worry.

helpmum2003 · 24/10/2019 21:21

Personally with a previous section (and even without) I would request an elective section. The chances of an emergency section must be high.

Call and request to discuss with the Consultant.

Of course you may deliver both normally but the chances of that versus one or both requiring a section would lead to me wanting the certainty of an elective. Much more enjoyable and quicker recovery than emergency...

Haworthia · 24/10/2019 21:21

Please just ask for a section.

I know two women who’ve had twins in the last year. Both were attempts at natural births and both were horrific (one delivered one twin breech and then needed a crash section for twin 2).

An elective section will be much safer for you and the babies.

Good luck.

cabbagequeen · 24/10/2019 21:28

When I had my twins I was absolutely discouraged from having a natural birth and was told some horrific statistics by the hospital regarding the likelihood of the second twin dying during a natural birth. So I had a c section at 37.5 weeks and it was a very civilised experience.

ActualHornist · 24/10/2019 21:31

I think that must really depend on the hospital. I admit I was very lucky to give birth all three times at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital under the care of two consultants - although this is clearly not standard!

DeadDoorpost · 24/10/2019 21:32

No help, but at 38 weeks my twin BiLs were 7lbs and 8lbs 10oz respectively

Hope you get the outcome you want and need.

Loaf90 · 24/10/2019 21:35

Oh gosh I can't imagine having the 'ring sting' twice! Ouch

TooTrusting · 24/10/2019 21:38

Mine were the same. Baby 2 was breech the whole way though. I went for a scan and consultant appointment at 36 weeks intending to ask for a c section but he had turned and was head down. God knows how he'd managed to do that without me noticing. Had them naturally after spontaneous labour at 37+4, weighing 5 11 and 6 5

PumpkinPie2016 · 24/10/2019 21:39

I know nothing about twin births but from what you have said, I would ring tomorrow and insist on speaking to the consultant and go for an elective section.

My son was born by emergency section after a long labour and if I had been brave enough to have another there is no way I would have tried a natural birth.

Wishing you lots of luck for you and your babies

DoloresDingo · 24/10/2019 23:01

You don’t need to hear what happened with my twins right now, but I will say that every day for the rest of my life I will wish I had had an elective c section rather than be convinced by the consultants to pursue a vaginal delivery. Best of luck and congratulations.

NearlyGranny · 24/10/2019 23:12

If the second twin doesn't turn of its own accord, they can do an internal version, which is just what it sounds like; a bit veterinary! But it will probably turn headfirst and follow once there's room.

My no1 was head down and he'd elbowed his sister to an almost tranverse position but she followed on nicely. 6lb 10oz and 6lb 13oz, 38+1. Natural labour (no induction).

I hope all goes smoothly for you and your two precious babies.

SleepingStandingUp · 24/10/2019 23:17

Op yo u should be entitled to a planned section.

I'm pregnant with MCDA twins following an EMCS 4 years ago. Hospital v supportive of I want natural and have said 36-37 weeks delivery. Fellow MCDA mom just had C Sec at 37+3 so doesn't sound like your delivery is being pushed back too late so long as the babies are growing OK.

However you should still be entitled to a C Sec. Speak to your midwife or call the consultants secretary

TheSoapyFrog · 24/10/2019 23:42

The estimated weights are incorrect more often than not. If they had been correct, I'd have given birth do a pair of 8 pounders. They actually weighed 6lb 1oz and 6lb 10oz.
I regret being induced and wished I'd have been given the option to have a c-section. My boys were born at 38 + 3

Loopytiles · 25/10/2019 06:39

Here are the RCOG VBAC guidelines. www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg_45.pdf

The site may have specific guidelines on twin births.

With my VBAC (after DC1 unplanned section) I did NOT get balanced information and was v much pressured into VBAC.

Migrainefun · 25/10/2019 06:49

Don't worry about the weights, mine were totally wrong and they missed twin to twin transfusion syndrome!
Mcda should be born 36+0 to 37+0
Mine were 35 weekers
They wanted to induce me but I declined due to the second twin being much smaller... 2 pounds different.

lifesnotaspectatorsport · 25/10/2019 07:11

I'm overseas and my obstetrician (don't see a midwife here, only specialist doctor) strongly advised a C-section for my DCDA twins because I have had one previously. I will be booked in at 37-38 weeks assuming no growth issues (I'm 27 weeks at the moment). Risk of scar splitting may be low but consequences are life-threatening. Don't take the chance, OP.

Countryescape · 25/10/2019 07:55

A vaginal birth with MCDA twins is very risky. Usually they wouldn’t do that unless you’ve had very straight forward births previously and a consultant would need to be there at delivery not just a resident or house officer. It is also not recommended to go past 36 weeks with this type of twin pregnancy. The placenta has well and truly given up by that stage. I’d not be accepting that if it was me. I have experience of a tragic outcome in this situation so I wouldn’t risk it.

Countryescape · 25/10/2019 07:59

@ActualHorniat no it’s both. MCDA (Mino chorionic) means one placenta which is the risky part. If the placenta slips out with one twin it can cut off the blood supply to the other twin resulting in brain damage, death etc.

Countryescape · 25/10/2019 07:59

Mono

ChilledBee · 25/10/2019 08:36

They usually prefer first baby to be head down. Breech isn't a pregnancy risk. It is a labour risk. I'm in a breech Facebook group (last baby was breech for 1 appt!) and the advice there is to seek a hospital with a large amount of premature or twin vaginal births as they will have more breech experience.

ChilledBee · 25/10/2019 08:39

Your OB also makes a lot more money off of you if you have a C/s. Well worth overstating the risks so he can line his pockets. Don't be surprised if he introduces you to his good friend the paediatrician at some point soon.

In this country, we are told the risks of different approaches and we choose the one that best fits our values/needs. We aren't instructed by a profit making machine and nor do we want to be.

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