Happy twin birth stories please

[kingfix]

Like lots of others on here, since recently discovering I'm expecting twins I've been bombarded with all manner of horror stories.

So please oh please tell me some happy tales of natural births, problem free c-s, short stays in hospital and bonny babies.

Make them up if necessary!

Please!

[e3chick]

I had a very nice pregnancy, no more tired or uncomfortable than the others.
I got to one day short of 40 weeks. My plan was to stay at home for as long as possible, although I did have the agreement to use the pool if it was free. (The plan was a trace ECG on admission for 20 minutes, then I could get in the pool with manual monitoring and get out for another trace every 2 hours. I was happy with this as I was pretty sure I wouldn't be in established labour for that long).
My waters broke at around 6am, but no pain. We chilled and got things ready then watched a DVD. At 11.40am I called the midwife as the pain seemed to be getting labour-like, and she arrived pretty quick. She checked me and I was 9cm so we had to call the ambulance to transfer and I delivered dt1 really nicely and smoothly about 30mins after arrival.
Dt2 was not playing ball and continued to sit really high up (breech). I was not having any contractions at all so after 30 mintues I had the syntocinon infusion which was upped slowly, then after 2 1/2 hours (yes! really!) my waters were broken and she came out in 2 contractions.

Dt1 was 7lb 11oz and dt2 was 6lb 7oz and were absolutely fine.

So, all in all there were more interventions than I would have liked, and I did have a pph, but it was far from the horror stories I was fed from day 1.


I had

[kingfix]

e3chick wow over 14lbs of baby! Respect.

All these stories have calmed me down, thank you.

[e3chick]

Get yourself to 37 weeks and pray they get themselves into good positions. You've had 2 before, you then stand a very good chance of sailing through it.
Not being a first time mum gives you a lot more credibility (I reckon) with the consultants if you want to argue the case for going outside the hospital protocols.

[kingfix]

I am Mrs Meek of Timidtown though.

I haven't seen my consultant yet so don't know what the current protocol is but I think they are happy to try for a vb if the first baby is head down, but like you to have an epidural.

From my limited knowledge I think an epidural means you can't move about and I'm afraid it makes you more likley to go on to have a c-s.

Anyway, as you say, let's get through the next few months first and the birth is only part of the story after all.

[eme1989]

Hi!,
Have to say my labour was fine, had an epidural as twin 2 was breech and i was 28 weeks but both came naturally and are now thriving! I think it has a lot to do with the staff around you. I think i had the best ever midwife who didnt leave my side the entire time. I think the best thing is to remember what you'll have at the end! and let the hospital understand your wishes! i think some music in the background wouls have helped me relax more! Congratuations xxx

[rattling]

As you are probably gathering, twin pregnancy/birth does come with the chance of a few more problems. I think you would be sensible to accept that, prepare for the possibilities and enjoy it if all goes smoothly.

However, hopefully you won't find too many unhappy outcomes - my boys were born at 32 weeks after I developed pre-eclampsia. They were both 4lbs and required only 50min breathing support (one baby), a bit of treatment for jaundice, and a few weeks being monitored and kept warm till they came home fit and well. Snottiest children I've ever met, but other than that just fine. DH has just spent a week in bed being sick - boys (18 months) had nasty nappies and no interest in food for all of 4 hours!!

Best of luck with your pregnancy. Sounds like you are in the early stages now - a spring due date? I do recommend that.

[3ismylot]

Congratulations and welcome to fun that is twins

I had a very easy labour with my boy/girl twins and would do it again tomorrow!

I was massive and uncomfortable near the end and begged the consultant to induce me and she agreed to do it at 37 weeks.
I had my 1st lot of waters broken and walked and waited but nothing happened so after 3 hours they started me on the drip, this took agaes to work and it wasnt until they had it up really high that I got a twinge, the contractions were intense but no more painful than my 1st labour.
After 30 minutes of contractions I told the midwife that I was "going to moo then have a baby" (by moo I meant the noise of blowing back down the gas and air tube like I did in my 1st labour lol) she didnt really believe my so had to jump across the room a bit to catch DD lol things calmed for a couple of minutes and then my 2nd waters went (all over the consultant who had been telling me I would end up with an epidural and cs as it was a twin induction!)and just minutes later DS2 was born feet first but fine.
The time recorded from 1st contraction to both babies was 47 minutes

DD weighed 6lb 1/2oz and DS2 was 7lb 2oz so Im glad i didnt let them take me to full term lol, saying that though DS1 was 9lb 13oz so I think I do big babies!

The best thing to remember is that what will be will be, just go with the flow and see what happens as long as they are both born healthily it doesnt really matter how they arrive

[1stMrsF]

2 non-id girls born at 38+1 planned c-section (both breech). Brilliant experience - saw both emerge over low screen, had skin to skin minutes after birth, DT1 7lb6.5oz DT2 6lb12oz, cried heartily, both bf in recovery room within 30mins...

The hospital stay afterwards was less impressive but that's another story.

My cs tips are to do lots of reading (I found Mumsnet non-multiple threads very helpful) and write a birth plan. You get to meet the surgeon, theatre nurse and anaethatist (sp) beforehand and you can tell them what you want - be clear that you understand that if things are not going well, you bow to their superior medical knowledge etc. but if things are going well, these are the things you'd like to happen.

Good luck!

[kingfix]

Thanks for all these stories

[alexhayes]

Hello!
My non-identical girls were born at 40 weeks + 1 day! I tried to give birth naturally, but after 17 hours of contractions cervix was only 6cm. As we found out later, it was because girl number 1 got stuck with her head. I had a c-section, lost quite a bit of blood, but babies didn't go to special care and we were out 2 days after!
Doctor suggested c-section at 38 weeks or induction, but I refused, to let the babies to mature as much as they need. They were born with very good weights - 7.2 and 7.9lbs :)

Most important is positive thinking! It's only twins, some women had more! :)

[alexhayes]

Also, apparently, induced labour hurts much much more than natural.