Twin birth at Kingston hospital

[lilacsky]

I't's my first pregnancy, I'm 44 and due to have an elective c-section at Kingston just before Christmas. Both twins are currently head first, but I was concerned the second might flip round after the first is born and get into distress which is why I chose a c-section rather than induction for 38 weeks. If I were to go into labour before that, my consultant has advised me to see how the twins are presenting and try for a natural birth. I was wondering if anyone has had experience of a natural twin birth at Kingston? I am a little worried that I might be left on my own for periods and get into problems. At least with an emergency c-section there would be doctors around at all times. I am also concerned that I might give birth to the first twin and then have to have an emergency c-section anyway. Any advice?

How exciting!

No experience of Kingston but just wanted to comment on the delivery of your twins. The new, much publised Nice guidelines on caesarian section actually state that a CS is not the recommended mode of delivery for twin pregnancy when twin 1 is cephalic presentation. In vaginal twin delivery the lie of the second twin may be stablised by the obstetrician and then the waters of twin 2 broken in a controlled manner to ensure the head/bottom engages. It may be unpredictable which is why an epidural, continuous electronic fetal monitoring and iv access are recommended in preparation for operative delivery, as you refer to. The thing is, it just cant be planned! Yes, during a CS there will be a huge team of obstetricians, midwives, anaethestists etc present but during a high risk labour (twins, epidural), you will received 1-1 midwifery care.

It is obviously your choice and I am sure you are fully aware of the risks of cs delivery but the unpredictable nature of birth can make the decision making process hard! Sorry not much help - would be great if we had a crystal ball! Good luck!

Hi, I have no experience of Kingston but I had an emergency section for my twins, was booked for elective but they decided to put in an appearance at31 weeks. I think it really depends what sort of twins you have. My consultant would not let me go a natural delivery, mine are identical (risk of acute TTTS during delivery, or as you say delivering one and needing section for the second) but for non identicals, vaginal birth is the preferred method.

I gave birth to a singleton at Kingston in October -- no experience of twins but I wasn't left alone for a moment after I was admitted (at 5cm, waters gone) and I imagine my labour (single baby, meconium in fluid and some decelerations so continuous monitoring but nothing dramatic) is no higher risk than a twin labour would be. From the experiences of my friends with twins, the medical team take the delivery very seriously.

In my labour, hey needed a second midwife for the delivery 'just in case' and given his decels they had a paediatrician there for the birth as well but rather than leave the room even for a minute my midwife had my husband hit the emergency call button when it was time for everyone to pile in and they left just as quickly when it was clear they were no longer needed.

Looked after triplets born via c-section at Kingston, mum said care was good.