Induction with twins - absolutely terrified

[Mumlovestoast]

Hi

Has anyone been induced with twins? My consultant says he’s going to induce me at 37 weeks if twin 1 is head down. If twin 2 is breech he’s going to put his arm in there and pull it out.
Won’t lie, I’m losing sleep over this. I was induced with DD and it was the most traumatic thing I’ve ever been through, it’s taken me 11 years to even entertain the idea of having another baby.
Just wondered if anyone else has been through this?

They will know you will be a bit scared so they will look after you - I know it can take a while sometimes to be induced so take along something to distract you. Kindle with a binge worthy series to keep you going? No experience of this - but have had friends who were induced. Un-mumsnetty xxxx

Sorry re-read. You've been induced before, it may will be a bit easier 2nd time. Not long til you have your babies 😍

I was induced at 40+2 with twins and both were breech.
The induction was planned but a bit moot as I had a show the same morning so perhaps things would have moved on their own a few hours later. The best bit was that as it was a planned induction there were a lot of staff around to help as T2 was born floppy and scored only 1 Apgar .
But both were fine with a little oxygen and I was just ecstatic not to have the pregnant belly pressing on my lungs any more.

I was induced with my twins at 37 +2. Both were head down (twin 2 was breech until then). Mine was actually relatively easy. I had a pessary at 4pm, waters went at midnight. I had an epidural at 5cm. Twin 1 was born at 9.30 am and twin 2 at 10am. Twin 2 was in an awkward position (hand and foot first) and didn't descend so midwife had to assist but getting them into the right position . However I felt really well supported and great midwife care throughout labour and was much better than my singleton birth.
Congratulations on your twins, it's hard work but totally worth it!

Thank you
Hopefully I get chance for a boxset this time. Last time they stuck me straight on the drip and out of nowhere I had contractions every 30 seconds for 24hrs. Got prepped for a section but there was a queue so that never happened. Lost a lot of blood and kept passing out.

**joleyn

That doesn’t sound too bad. I could live with that.

**KarinVogel

Wow, I’m struggling to breathe at 19w, you deserve a medal going to 40+2

Yes, and I had a really traumatic birth first time round (also induced) but my twins' birth was lovely, even though a little problematic (twin 1 had head stuck so there was talk of forceps and section but someone managed to turn his head so I could get him out), and the experience sort of healed the emotional trauma from my first birth. The difference was I asked for and was given an epidural quite early on so wasn't reliant on the gas and air which gave my first birth such a nightmarish quality. Congratulations on your twins!

I was induced at 37 weeks with twins had epidural and suction birth, it was fine! Didn't feel anything coz of epidural.

Third baby was induced also at 37 weeks, and they didn't realize he was breech till a foot was poking out!! Consultant had to reach in and pull him out. It was very quick only 20 mins no time for any pain relief. But it was fine too. Foof obvs stretched out so much couldn't feel the reaching in or baby out bit! Just normal painful contractions.

My consultant wanted to induce my twins no later then 38 weeks. I had two sweeps beforehand and managed to be in very early labour already when I arrived to be induced. I went to the maternity triage instead and they agreed to wait. My twins arrived in a natural delivery after a 1.5 hour labour at 37+6 days. I was really worried about induction too so tried very hard to avoid it! Some luck in there, but would advise lots of walking, swimming and sweeps if you want to get things going yourself. Good luck and congratulations!

I would ask for mobile epidural straight away. I had this with my second and it was amazing, also when I was induced with my first and contractions for hours and hours like yours once I had the epidural I slept for six hours woke up 9cm! Good luck!

Thanks everyone. I’m going to try everything possible to bring on labour naturally, failing that I’ll beg for an epidural ASAP. I’m not due until October so I’ve got time to get my head around it. Poor DH is going to have to put out every night before eviction day no matter how huge and grumpy I am

I think they are often quite keen for you to have an epidural as it makes it easier if you do need help or need a c section. I got one very soon after i asked with no questions or quibbling about it. I watched loads of rubbish tv and it really was a good experience

You may not believe in it but I am sure Accupuncture helped me avoid induction second time, try to find someone who specialises in fertility and pregnancy.

Have they actually discussed your options with you?

Sorry this may be the case just a bit concerned at how you have worded that your consultant has basically 'told you' what is happening! Sounds pretty disgraceful.

Everything is 100% your choice, you do not have to agree to induction at 37 weeks nor going through an attempted vaginal breech birth with intervention.

I would research pros and cons if I were you. You may feel an elective c-section may be a more acceptable option if one twin is indeed breech (I have heard stories of one twin being born vaginally then the second needing a section)

Of course you may find the risks of a planned CS less acceptable than the risks of an induction and that's absolutely your choice

No, there was no discussion. He said because I’d managed to give birth once I can do it again.
I’d been reading quite a bit before I went to see him and found most women have a section one way or another. Either elective or emergency when twin 2 gets stuck so I just figured I’d opt for a section first as last.
Maybe my midwife will be more sympathetic, I’m seeing her next week so I’ll see what she says.

You absolutely don't have to go along with what he says, that's just his opinion/preference and you're not obliged to consent.
He should have presented it as a choice, shown you other options and discussed the risks/benefits. Being told that you will be induced at 37 weeks even if one twin is breech and have an assisted delivery as a matter of act is absolutely terrible care imo and I would complain.
How many weeks are you now? I agree discussing with the midwife is a good idea as she may be of extra support in helping you achieve the type of birth and choices you want.

I was induced at 40 weeks with twins and ended up having an emergency c section after a day of labour. Induction doesn't work for me - I seem to over respond to the drugs.
Everyone is different and every birth is different but I would say that you can challenge your consultant's opinion. I was under the care of community midwives and a hospital consultant and the hospital was very keen for me to have a c section at 37 weeks whereas the community midwives we're suggesting a homebirth in a pool. You do have options.

My consultant was also very pushy. I just nodded and smiled then made my own decisions later. As the induction date got closer I saw my midwife to firm up other options, which is when she did the sweep. When are you due? My twin 2 was transverse all the way but head down for delivery. If you have time on side remember lots of twins come early anyway so you might not have to choose in the event.

You don't have to consent to a vaginal birth. The risk of emcs or forceps is massively increased if you have an epidural which the hospital will probably insist on. For me twin 1 was head down and twin 2 was breech. They kind of assume the breech one will turn himself but if he doesn't you know what that involves?

I was pushed into attempting a vaginal birth and it end in an EMCS under General anaesthetic with me 5 minutes from losing one or both of the twins. If i knew then what i know now, i would go straight for the elcs and id shout and scream till i got what i wanted. You don't get any medals for a vaginal birth and personally for me the risk was too great and i shouldn't have been pushed into a vaginal birth. I put too much trust in the medical staff . Consultants do NOT listen in my experience. Do your own research and if the prospect of a vaginal birth is scaring you this much it is your absolute right to demand an elcs. I was as scared as you are while I was pregnant and it turns out i had good reason to be. I don't say this to frighten you but anyone can only give their own experience. If you gave birth vaginally it may turn out absolutely fine but then it may not. Equally if you have a cesarean you never know what could happen but in my view the risks of a casarean or more certain than the risks of a vaginal birth. It all comes down to what level and type of risk you're willing to accept for you and for each of your babies.

Ive just started CBT to deal with my birth trauma 2 years later and a large part of my issues stem from the fact that I was not listened to. Vaginal births may well turn out fine for some twin mums but you need to be fully informed of the risks and benefits of each type of birth and what could possibly go wrong. In my experience the consultant will not be willing to talk to you about whether a Cesarean would be better for you but they have to refer you to a consultant who will do it if you request one. There is NO shame in requesting a csec. It doesnt mean you've failed.

I’m a while off yet, I’m not due until the beginning of October so I’m guessing I’ll have time to negotiate with the midwife and consultant. I’d happily have section after my last experience. I’d already decided in my head that was what was going to happen before the consultant said he’d induce me.
I’ll definitely push for a section and/or see if I can bring on labour naturally.

Epidural straight away!!!!

You already know you want a c sec. Its a perfectly valid choice. Its your body and youre in charge.

I was induced at 37+2 with my twins - it's relatively standard to recommend an induction with twins around then, as complications are more likely than with a singleton to arise between 37 and 38 weeks. I was just relieved they didn't push straight for a C-section! I wanted a vaginal birth if I could possibly manage it. I'd have liked to go into labour naturally, but accepted the consultant's recommendation. Actually having the induction planned (rather than emergency) meant I felt really in control - and could plan childcare for my 3 year old as well. You've got time to plan, and get yourself OK with the idea.

@BuffyFan the issue is more that the consultant hasn't really 'recommended' induction but has apparently just told her it's what will happen (even if one baby is breech) and not actually presented it as a choice or discussed other options.

OP there are lots of options. E.G. you may want to attempt a vaginal birth only if both twins are head down, you may want to only attempt a vaginal birth if labour is spontaneous so book a CS slightly later to see whether this happens in order to avoid induction. Just research the risks, decide what is best for you and be firm.

I completely agree that it's not on that the consultant hadn't given options or at least explained his recommendation. I simply wanted to reassure the OP that induction of twins is pretty normal, and that it's good there's time to plan. An induction is only an option anyway if twin 1 at least is head down.