Identical twins, would like to try for vaginal birth privately - any experience?

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I would love to hear from any other London mums who have had vaginal births privately with identical twins. Apologies for the long post, but I am sharing my details below in case anyone else finds it useful...

I have recently found out I am expecting identical twins. My first singleton pregnancy was very straight forward. I had a fast and uncomplicated vaginal birth.

Having done extensive research myself on the recommendations for identical twin pregnancy, the current guidelines published by both the Royal College of Obstetricians (RCOG) in the UK and by the American College of Obstetricians (ACOG) in the US state that for uncomplicated identical (monochorionic diamoniotic) twin pregnancies, vaginal birth can be attempted as long as the first twin is head down. These recommendations are based on the most comprehensive study on twin births showing no difference in outcomes (for either mother or babies) between planned caesarean and planned vaginal birth for identical twins.

Despite the above, I was surprised to learn that at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which is nearest to me, the private obstetricians there have concluded that all identical twins should be delivered via planned cesarean section at 36 weeks. I was told this by two different consultants who I met with. Apparently were I opt for NHS care at the same hospital, I would potentially have the chance of a vaginal birth if I really fought for it, but not on the private side.

Having decided I would like to opt for private care (primarily for continuity of care and also because of convenience given I work full time), I am now in search of a consultant who is experienced with twins and would support my choice to try for a vaginal birth, assuming the pregnancy is uncomplicated (fingers crossed). I am considering private at Queen Charlotte’s or the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s as those are the next two closest hospitals to me and I would hate to travel more than 20 minutes.

Of course I am fully aware that complications arise frequently in MCDA pregnancies and therefore I may eventually not have the option of a vaginal birth. I am keeping my mind open to a c-section, but I want to give myself the option of a vaginal birth should I be lucky to have no complications.

If anyone has had a similar experience, I would love to hear from you.

Sorry, got absolutely no experience of private care. I am pregnant with MCDA twins though and under Nhs care, i’ll be having scans and consultations with the same consultant every 2 weeks until delivery. Delivery type is completely my choice unless any complications dictate, I was told that I could definitely have either c-section or vaginal delivery depending on what I wanted. Maybe you’d have more luck going NHS but maybe with a private doula/midwife for support?

Hi Worried67202 - thank you so much for your message. I am considering going NHS now after being told by some consultants they simply wouldn’t take on MCDA twins privately. Do you mind sharing what hospital you have gone with? Or perhaps you are outside London?

I know St Peters in Chertsey will allow MCDA mums the choice if no other complicating factors. Not sure if that is the right side of London for you so probably of no use! Good luck.

Bit late to the post & no experience of twins (just one solo girl) but I did a bit of research on the NHS website & found this:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/giving-birth-to-twins/
It says 40% of twin pregnancies are delivered vaginally & the ones that aren't are usually due to health reasons/mother having already had a c-section with a previous pregnancy. It seems absolutely obsurd to me that privately they would want to perform a c section 4 weeks early. Why?! My mother was a twin born in 1966 full term, naturally. Of course some twin pregnancies (& singles) for one reason or another end in c-sections but you might be absolutely fine carrying to term & having a vaginal delivery so why would they jump the gun like that? It's your body, you babies! I would expect to be monitored more during pregnancy & labour with twins but I'd tell them to get lost if they wanted to deliberately make my babies premature for no logical reason what so ever? Congratulations by the way! Twins!

Thank you @Ilovemybaby91 :)

Good news - I have found a consultant who will support the option to deliver vaginally assuming I have no other complications that would indicate a c-section is necessary.

She is based at Queen Charlotte’s, so I will go there rather than Chelsea Westminster. It’s not as convenient which is a drag but I think worth it to be looked after by someone who supports my choice and importantly has experience in vaginal birth for mono/di twins.

Happy to share details of my experience with any other twin mums who run into the same obstacle or issues - please DM me.

That's fab . It's all about choice. Mum knows best I hope it all goes well for you!