twin birth videos....possible TMI!

[rubyred84]

Hi Everyone,

I am having twins and have been watching some twin birth videos to prepare myself if I manage to have a vaginal birth. All is what I expected, lovely but quite restricted, big team, lots of monitoring etc, but one thing I absolutely didn't expect was the doctor/consultant inserting his/her entire hand/arm after twin 1 is born to feel for twin 2! Any mums of twins, did this happen to you? Why do they do it? I understand it may be medically necessary (and having just pushed a baby out I'm sure there is more than enough room) but guess I wasn't expecting it (hence the reason I like to be fully clued up on all possibilities!) any ideas or experiences?

Apologies if this is TMI, just interested!

Hi, I'm expecting twins as well :) and from what I've been told it is due to twin 2 being in a breech position. This is one of the reasons why an epidural is advised by most hospitals if you are having twins and a vaginal birth.

I want a vaginal birth that is as natural as possible without an epidural, but this possible internal manouvere if baby needs turning is making me have second thoughts! It sounds very unpleasant.

And this is why epidurals were invented. Joking aside it's really not a nice experience. My girls were both head downand after an internal examination twin 1 had her arm by the side of her head so had to be rearranged in order to get her out. As she was on her way out a mw grabbed hold of my belly to hold twin2 in place. The consultant then had to do an internal to get her in the right position, alsohad her arm by her head. the process can be a quick one and as soon as twin 2 has all that room they can fall into an awkward position, there's only one quick way to rectify that. If you're lucky your 2nd twins waters will go while they're elbow deep, made me chuckle and a little 'ha serves you right for having your freaking arm in there"

Thanks for all your replies everyone, seems there is definitely a reason for this, but it doesn't make me feel any better about it! But I suppose if its necessary as long as you have an epidural you shouldn't feel the worst of it. I know I might not even have a choice if twin 1 is breech and it will be a straight c-section, but I like to prepare myself for anything!

Its 10 years since my boys were born, and the second spinned around to breach as soon as the first was born, we just went on to have a breach delivery, no hand interventions, it was all fine...the thing I hadn't thought though, was who would hold twin 1 whilst twin 2 was being born, which took 25 minutes. it's good to plan for that,

Hope it all goes really well for you