Twin Birth Stories ?

[greyby25]

Just looking for some reassurance and advice really. Me and DP recently found out we were expecting our second child and were over the moon after initial shock calmed down, DD is 18 months, I had a bleed at 6 weeks and had an early scan, we saw baby and heartbeat, and carried on trying not to get too excited just incase, all of my symptoms seemed to vanish and I went to my 12 weeks scan nervous and pessimistic only to find out we are expecting MCDA twins !

Anyways, we have spoke to our doctor and she recommends a C-Section, I feel this is the best option due to our daughter, we would have a date booked in and we would know when our twins were coming, this would mean that we could arrange childcare for her and have everything ready for when the twins were due to be delivered, also the risk of having one twin naturally and then having to have another through emergency c section is worrying me, my recovery with my first daughter wasn't two bad, episiotomy and a few tears, but still not lovely and the thought of recovering from both sounds awful. Another worry is that I feel C - Section delivery is simply safer for my twins, they will be born at the same time relatively and they won't have to deal with the stress of contractions.

Having said all this, despite being induced with my daughter I had a lovely birth and I'm terrified of having a C- Section, truly and utterly. I'm scared of the recovery and I'm scared of the surgery. I was actually really looking forward to having a "normal" birth again, and was hoping to be able to have a nice birth centre water birth, this is what I wanted with my daughter but due to induction it wasn't possible, so I'm gutted as with a twin birth if i had them vaginally they would recommend an epidural, whereas with my daughter I felt the pain was telling me we were getting somewhere, I knew when to push etc, I managed to get by on codeine and one shot of diamorphine with my first so epidural isn't appealing to me at all. I would love to have the twins vaginally but also I'm scared due to reasons stated above and I don't like the idea of a doctor putting his had all the way up me to potentially the 2nd twin to be delivered. I know ultimately if I was in that situation I wouldn't give a crap but I can't stop thinking about it all.

If anyone has positive twin birth stories, vaginally or C-Section that would be so so helpful as I'm lost and I don't know anyone who has had twins so I feel in the dark about it all !

TIA X

Isn’t that funny - the advice you have been given is almost the opposite of the advice I have been given. I’m having non identical twins though, perhaps that’s the reason?

Apparently only 10% of vaginal twin births end up in a section after the first has been born, so while it’s a possibility, it’s not the norm by any stretch.’

At my hospital they don’t give out epidurals unless you want one, so I’m surprised that you’ve been advised to have one. It does say on the NHS website that they prefer mums to have one, but my midwife dismissed that.

Yes, lovely water births are out. I’m gutted about that too. Apparently they used to do them in France in the 90’s!?!? No NHS will agree to it apparently.

At my hospital they will book me in for an induction and a c-section at around week 37, and then cancel the one I don’t use. I’m going for Induction but will have the back up if it doesn’t go well. That way my childcare is easier to sort.

I got all this info from an antenatal day at the hospital designed for parents of twins. It was very useful, and we got to see the wards, the induction room, the miserable birthing suites. Does your hospital run similar? It took away a lot of the fear.

@Middledistancerunner how weird ! I don't know if its different because yours are fraternal, possibly as I'm presuming you have two placentas ? Whereas my twins share one though I don't know if that makes a difference ? I see one doctor and she said I would be induced / c section before 37 weeks. My last scan is September 3rd ( I have scans every two weeks on the dot) where I will be 35 weeks they said they will induce / section me shortly after the scan, my twins are at risk of twin twin Transfusion Syndrome but the risk of that goes down after a certain amount of weeks, and then we have the risk of one twin growing less than the other so I don't know if that has anything to do with the difference in timing, I was told we would talk more about birth options later on but I don't think they will book me in for both !

I would love to have them naturally but my doctor said she would push for me to have epidural just in case I had to have a c section. I will definitely pushing for induction or c section because we will need to sort childcare out and get MIL and my mum off work to care for my daughter and cat .

We had a tour of the hospital for my last daughter which wasn't too long ago but probably will go again plus at tour of NICU which they've recommended to us. The tour last time made me feel a lot better but then again that was just of the birthing centre where I was planned to give birth with my daughter but was induced for RFM instead.

Thanks for answering ! X

I have never had twins but I did a hypnobirthing course at the hospital with my first - it was led by one of the senior midwives. Two ladies in the group were having twins (sorry don't know what sort). One was having section and was happy with that. The lady with the older child was hoping for vaginal birth. She'd been to the twins information evening run by the consultant who said they recommend epidural in all cases for twins. The midwife doing our course explained that this was in case of section and that the lady should only have an epidural if she wanted one - if she needed more pain relief or epidural later in the birth the midwife was confident this would definitely be given. She showed us the rooms on the high risk bit (where I ended up giving birth) and said that although twins lady didn't have the chance of water birth, she could still use ball, stool, rebozo, lights down, music etc and would still be supported by midwives with the doctor only entering the room if actually required.
So maybe you have more choices?

@Hollywhiskey

Perhaps ! The more I think about it the more epidural seems like something I should get but I enjoyed being active in my last labour so I would want to be on the ball and walk up until I could have the epidural, I'd want epidural at the last chance to get if, if you see what I mean ? It's good to know that I'm not just going to be restricted to my bed. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to have those things that you have mentioned but I know myself and I will definitely try and get in the bath a couple of times I loved the bath when I was in labour with my daughter and technically it's not a pool.. . No in all seriousness I will take all advice they give me on board. I think it's just disappointing when you know you won't be having the birth they you would like but ultimately the goal is healthy happy babies x

I'd be all for avoiding a section if possible, lifting two babies is hard enough without section pain and a small toddler at home. I was induced at 36+4, had the epidural (at my request but had been advised to get one too), babies born 6.5 hours after induction started, 9 minutes apart. My first labour was horrible, the twins were much easier and nicer experience.

@mrsm12 I definitely want to avoid a section if possible. The recovery scares me the most and I don't know I could cope with my then 2 year old daughter bouncing all over me and having to carry her and then also have to lift twins up and down, and make my way up and down stairs. It just seems a nightmare. I have my next appointment with my consultant next week so I will bring up the fact I want to avoid a section. I think I will be going for epidural when I get to about 5-6cm, I'll always remember an ep of one born every minute where a woman was having twins and decided on the epidural two late, the doctor had to break the waters of the second twin after the first had been gone, that gives me the fear ! How interesting that your twins were more pleasant, I wonder if that will be the case of me x

Failed and awful induction followed by (not awful) emcs with DS1. ELCS with twins... fantastic experience and v easy recovery. Would recommend.

I had a csec and two under 5 at home it really wasnt that bad.
I was in hospital for 3 days and DH took 2 weeks off work so i didnt do much lifting.

I also BF but only managed 6 weeks as feeding 2 was exhausting!

My twins were fraternal and one was 6 lb 4oz and the the other was 8lb 2oz!
I was pleased for the csec once i knew how much they weighed

my first twin was quick and easy vaginal birth. second didn't want to come out so had csec under GA as epidural didn't work.
The physical recovery was fine, don't remember any issues , but it was quite shocking.
My first child (singleton) had a very long birth with forceps and physical recovery from that MUCH longer than twins despite csec.

I have DCDA twins and was induced at 38 weeks. Gave birth to twin 1 with forceps and twin 2 was born 28 minutes later. Had it got to 30 minutes they would have performed a c-section.

I had c section however twins came 7 weeks early so it was an emergency section. Was transferred during labour to another hospital as not enough nicu beds at our local one. This is not uncommon.
I chose c section as a significant % of twin births can result in 'mechanical difficulties' getting the 2nd twin out. I didn't want to risk that it took us 5 years of ivf to get pg. I have lots of friends with twi s, all had sections.
Find out about your local twins group. I'm still friends years later with people I met at mine.

@villainousbroodmare hmmm ! I suppose everyone's experience is different. My mum had emergency section with me at 29 weeks and her recovery was far better than her VBAC with my brother. However my brothers birth was horrendous.

@FuzzyLilac wow what a Wonder Woman you are !! And wow what an amazing weight for twins ! My SO will be off work so will be helping out a lot, just concerned about the lifting as I know what I'm like and often over exert myself when I should be resting  if I end up with a section I'll have to be strict with myself.

@Fernicktylo that's my worst case scenario massive fear having to go through both ! I'm glad your recovery wasn't too bad though. Bizarre to see a few of you are saying that recovery and birth was easier with twins than a singleton !

@AllStar14 I didn't know there was a 30 minute time limit, I wonder if that was for you or if it is in general !

And congratulations to all of you on your twins !

Thank you Grey
If i am honest that first year was a blurr
I am like you but in all honesty having twins made me sit down a lot and rest as its not possible to do stuff carrying 2 babies.

I had already had an elective c section for dc1 and a straightforward vaginal delivery for dc2. My twins were MCDA, and the consultant was very firm that they should be delivered by c section at 37 weeks. I wonder whether the shared placenta can make it more hazardous for the second twin ? I guess it could start to shut down/detach after the first twin is delivered? I accepted the advice (having already had one c section I knew what to expect but had enjoyed the vaginal delivery if dc2 and was disappointed not to experience that again). C section was fine, very painful for a couple of days, and made more uncomfortable because I was trying to breastfeed twins and pillows were strictly rationed ! Stayed in hospital till they kicked me out (5 nights) . Good luck OP !

Don't have time for a long answer, but I had monoamniotic time and I know that within seconds of the first twin coming out of the sac the second one has to come too so it must be a c section for monochorionic monoamniotic twins. Yours might be different if they don't share an inner sac but still, my gut would be saying that a section is a much safer option for the twins.

And also, mine ended up being an emergency section at 33 weeks. It made it much easier that I had been expecting a section all along anyway!

Congrats OP.

My DCDA twins are 2.5 now. I had a terrible phobia of labour and wanted an elcs (was having intensive counselling through pregnancy) but consultants refused to discuss it until very late in pregnancy when they finally agreed.

Unfortunately one of my twins had undiagnosed IUGR and stopped moving, and I had an emcs at 35+1. By far the worst part was the spinal but mine did not go well. Once that was done it was very fast. Unfortunately both my boys were taken straight to NICU and we were apart for 8 hours so it’s definitely not the birth experience you’d want. However, in terms of recovery it was really fine. I’ve had six laparoscopies and the c section recovery was no worse than that after the first 12 hours - they managed my pain very well but just things like rolling over to be washed was really tough when your stomach muscles are cut through.

I was discharged in less than 48 hours and managed stairs etc fine, and spent most days in and out of NICU all day which was tough physically, but I could at least get some rest at night (sort of - I was expressing every two hours!). Hardest time was 2 weeks to 8 weeks when one was in and one was home.

I know lots of twin mums who’ve had a variety of birth experiences - there are pros and cons to both obviously but my biggest fear was having one difficult vaginal birth and then an emergency section. The ones I know who’ve had the least trauma and feel most positive about their births mostly had elective c sections to be honest.

Do what you feel is best and do your research. I know that for DCDA twins, c sections are marginally safer than vaginal birth in terms of outcomes for babies, but I’m not sure about MZ twins

TAMBA released info just before I had mine saying that the safest time to have DCDA twins is 37 weeks. I can’t remember what it was for MCDA twins, worth having a look.

I hope this helps you Grey. I know this couple so I know the article isn’t bullshit! It’s your body & your babies. I’m sure you’ll work out what’s best for you.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hypnobirthing-mum-who-shunned-pain-9914307

@JumpingFrogs mine are MCDA also, shared sac with one inner membrane seperating them. I wouldn't want to stay in hospital for long ! SO hates them and I would miss my daughter too much haha although it might be a nice break . Noting that I'll need lots of pillows ! X

I was in hospital for a month after my c section I had complications and needed an operation. For 5 days in the middle I was sent home but the babies remained in hospital.
Sometimes one baby can go home before the other. But try to expect that you may be home before both or one of them if they come early.

@DrinkSangriaInThePark
I'm not sure ! They have the same sac but an inner membrane separating them so presuming they would come at the same time pretty much. I'll take all advice and take consultants advice, she didn't say I have to have c section and told me 40% of women do have natural births ! I'll just have to take it as it comes I suppose ! Aw I bet they were tiny ! Hope all is well with them now x

@SinkGirl Thankyou ! I'm terrified of getting into the later stages as I had RFM with my daughter and she basically stopped moving and it was terrifying so I can't imagine how you felt. I'm very worried about them being whisked away and not seeing their little faces but I suppose they only do what is best for them ! Thankyou so much for your response. I'll have a look at TAMBA when I have a brew later ! I have had a look a few times but not seen anything about births  I think my doc said between 35-37 weeks, 37 weeks being full term for twins apparently x

@ladyratterley Thankyou ! I'll give it a read when I get 5 minutes later xx

@Hollowvictory yes definitely, we aren't expecting to all go home together. Being prepared for that I suppose is the best way to go forward. My SO was shocked when I told him it wouldn't be as it was with my daughter where we were allowed home 5 hours after birth x

I honestly had no idea he wasn’t moving. His twin was active (and much bigger by the end - 4.5 lb and 3.5lb) and I couldn’t tell. I felt very guilty about that. If i hadn’t started to feel unwell and gone in, I would never have known which is so scary. My body was definitely telling me that something was wrong though. Very strange.

Obviously the biggest risk for you is TTTS so they’ll be keeping a very close eye indeed.

One thing I would say - make sure your vitamin levels are optimal. Twin pregnancy really does suck you dry of nutrients and I didn’t know until after they were born that I had multiple severe deficiencies, particularly vitamin D and would have needed a very high dose supplement. Both of my boys have ASD and one has multiple other developmental issues - there’s some research to suggest that vitamin D deficiency could be a factor in some developmental issues like folic acid is.

If doctors won’t do a full vitamin and mineral test, get your own through somewhere like medichecks and then you’ll know what you need

@SinkGirl how awful, but you definitely shouldn't feel guilty, it's just one of those things. I'm taking folic acid, iron, biotin and aspirin at the moment. I've been taking folic acid since I found out I was pregnant. I have been thinking about taking vitamin C as I feel very rundown and tired, I'm presuming that's because I'm carrying two babies.

I have scans every two weeks and I'm urged to go to triage if I think anything is off. To be honest at this stage I feel quite weird, I have a bump but no symptoms and only feel occasional flutters so hard to know if anything IS off yet. But they scan me every two weeks on the dot. I have an 18 week scan next Thursday so definitely being kept an eye of. The idea of TTTS is absolutely terrifying x

OP, on positive side my MCDA pair were decent birth weights at 37 weeks (nearly 6 lb each) so no TTTS and didn't require any special care. The first night their temperatures kept dipping but they stabilised after a couple of tube formula feeds. After that they thrived, and breast fed well. I really missed my older two (aged 2 and 4) whilst in hospital but my parents stayed at our house and looked after them, and they brought them in to visit every day. I think the time in hospital gave me time to focus on establishing feeding (and studying the babies to discover tangible differences so I was confident I could tell them apart) and it also meant that by the time I was discharged I was not in such acute pain. With dc1 I discharged myself after 3 nights but at least I didn't have other children clamouring for attention at home ! My parents did a great job of taking the older two out and about and keeping them busy, so they didn't seem to miss me as much as I'd thought they would. As well as pillows, I would advise you to get extra food brought in if you are breast feeding. I needed as much fuel as possible, so supplemented hospital food with M&S salads, fruit salads and sandwiches!
Once we were home I used to feel guilty that babies didn't get as much attention as there were two of them plus two bouncy toddlers...so I would establish eye contact and talk to the baby but give a commentary of what the older children were doing, so I would say things like "Look what dc1 is doing. Isn't she good at jumping ?" or "dc2 draws such goid pictures" because it felt like attention for the baby and for the older child at the same time, if that makes sense.