Natural birth/C section with twins?

[EvaGraceMummy2015]

Hi ladies, I'm just looking for some experiences from other twin mummy's please? I'm only 14 weeks with twins but all I can think about already is the birth! With my daughter (apart from a long labour and some stitches) everything went smoothly and I recovered fairly quickly 😊 Whenever I have spoken to midwives/consultants about the subject they have always assured me that a natural birth with twins is completely possible (providing the babies are healthy, in correct position etc) but obviously a c section is also a possibility, which for some reason I am scared of 🙈🙈 I know it's ridiculous! Haha
I would just appreciate if any of you ladies could share your experience of twin birth please as I am interested in hearing about both sides and how quickly you recovered etc? x

I have twins and had an emergency c-section. The section wasn’t actually anything to do with it being twins my labour just didn’t progress which we have history of in the family.

The c-section was fine and not scary at all. The medical staff kept us informed about what was happening at each stage.

It wasn’t painful during but was painful (but not unmanageable) afterwards.

I still got skin to skin and breast fed my babies although my milk was slow to come in (which is common with sections).

The biggest disadvantage with a section and twins is not being allowed to carry heavy things for about six weeks (and two baby seats are heavy to carry!) I found ways round everything though.

Although I wouldn’t have chosen to have a section it was necessary and it was fine. Nothing to be scared about.

Thank you for your reply, it was really informative 😊 yes the more I've read about twins Ive learnt that a c section/emergency section is needed quite often (or could be in singleton pregnancies) and obvs you have no choice over it! As long as the babies are healthy then that's all that matters really.. I think I was worrying about the long recovery as dp will have to return to work after 2 weeks and I will have a 3 year old to get to nursery as well as the twins to look after! 🙈 and like you said can't carry anything heavy.. obviously millions of women have managed to get round it like yourself so it's possible!

If your DH is around for two weeks that will make a difference.

It was quite painful to bend over for the first few weeks so much DH did all the nappies and bathing until he went back to work.

One of the biggest problems with having twins is working out the logistics of things.

Attending our local twins club was really helpful for advice on that kind of thing. See if you can find your local group - it’s well worth the effort up go along.

My twins started walking quite early and I couldn’t work out how to get them both safely into their car seats (given that a ten month old is unlike to stand still while you strap their twin in). One of the brilliant women at twins club told me that you just use reins and put your foot through the strap so one can’t run away.

Reins are an excellent investment for twins partyif you have another child!

I had my twins naturally, but it was a much more "managed" birth than either of my singleton births. Present were my DH, a midwife, a student midwife, the consultant, a registrar, two anaesthetists and two paediatric nurses. More a spectator sport than a beautiful experience! I was quite bossy about what I wanted, and despite the audience, it was my best birth just because I felt more in control. But also, because there were so many people there, I was confident that if anything started going wrong it could be dealt with.

After delivery, I had a brief cuddle with Twin 1 then after his checks, DH got to do the skin to skin cuddles while Twin 2 was delivered. Twin 2 was breech, so the registrar moved him into position (externally), and that was probably the worst bit, because my tummy was incredibly tender and this huge guy was pressing hard to turn him, once turned his birth was quite straightforward, 9 minutes between births. And then I delivered the hugest fused placenta. Seriously, it was bigger than both babies together, amazing.

What surprised me the most was how absolutely exhausted I was and how long it took me to feel myself again afterwards, how flabby and jelly-like my stomach felt. I had made a conscious decision to take things really easy, and basically, stayed in and just fed them for the first few weeks. The logistics of feeding/nappies/sleeping was challenging to start with, and we had to be so super-organised. My mum stayed for the first few weeks after DH went back to work, so if you have someone who can come and offers you support, makes sure you get fed and can cuddle one while the other one gets "dealt" with, leap at the chance. Don't turn down any help, and don't be afraid to tell them what needs doing. If you have someone who can take your other child to and from nursery, that would help initially too.

Good luck!

I had a planned c-section with mine and I was up and about quicker than with my slightly traumatic natural birth!

I had an emergency section with my twins one week ago.

I was meant to have a section anyway but due to pre eclampsia they had to come out early at 34+5.

The section is easy, but bizarre. The spinal tap took five goes and was a bit unpleasant but manageable. Say goodbye to your dignity as you are splayed out naked before 20+ medical staff. As soon as the anaesthetic works they spring into action and it goes from very calm to a bit overwhelming, but that's when DH was allowed in and that helped.

Getting the boys out was quick but we got no skin to skin and because my arms were tied down I didn't even get to touch them. Not sure if that would have been different in a planned section or another trust. My DH got to hold them though.

The next bit when they take out the placenta and stitch you up takes much longer and feels so weird but not painful at all.

I had a very nice, calm anaesthetist talking me through everything eg explaining I'd lost 800ml of blood. The paediatrician was great too explaining where the boys were going and why. DH went with them to neo natal and then came back to be with me.

I was then alone in recovery and totally happy on all the drugs. I slept and felt really happy when I woke up. But between that and getting back to the ward etc it was 8 hours until I actually got to see and hold my babies. Again this probably would have been sooner if they'd been full term.

I mainly didn't like being attached to the catheter and the IV for the pre eclampsia drugs, as it stopped me being able to easily visit and interact with my babies. I got them taken out the next morning by demonstrating how mobile I was and felt much happier.

Walking was very slow going at first. The incision only hurt the first day or so but the stomach in general has been sore. The belly doesn't shrink much the first day or two and you still look pregnant which is weird, but just a week on and it's much smaller. I mean my belly will never be the same again between the scar, the droop and the flesh above it which is bubbly, bruised and odd.

A week on and I can walk much further and more easily. I can lift a bag or two of shopping as well.

I've been showering easily since the morning after.

Lying down in bed really hurt the first few nights and rolling over was awful. But a week on that is better too.

If I hadn't had pre eclampsia I would have been allowed ibuprofen as well as paracetamol and maybe that would have helped. Definitely take any painkillers offered while in hospital.

I would say overall it was a bit more unpleasant than I expected but I was mobile quite quickly and if I'd just been at home with my babies and not going back and forth to hospital then just having your DH around would be plenty of help.

Gave birth to DTs nearly 11w ago.

Induced due to T1 having restricted growth but otherwise a breeze. Both head down and emerged quickly. No pain relief bar 2 breaths of gas n air when tbey broke T2's waters.

Easy peasy in fact so easy they didn't realise how close I was, left me alone and I delivered him myself! But that is another story.....

Oh and was fine after, walking around just fine within acouple of hours and went for a walk next day. My pelvic floor is a bit knackered mind....

I gave birth 2 weeks ago. I was given the choice between natural and CS. Twin 1 was head down and I had another baby recently so felt good about going for a vaginal birth. Ended up with an induction at 37+0 as I had cholestasis.

Very smooth induction, 12 hours from pessary to twin 1 being born. Didn't need the drip. Twin 2 was transverse and she needed positioning. She came out breech, bum first. Had an epidural 5 minutes before twin 1 was born, just in time to take the edge off twin 2's manipulation. Would have liked it earlier but the anaesthetist wasn't available! On the upside they removed it straight away and it never reached my legs and feet. I could walk straightaway and didn't need a catheter. Both girls were small (twin 2 had IUGR which wasn't picked up on the scans) and I escaped without a graze.

I was so scared I'd end up having an EMCS (have a young toddler and it would have been really hard) but if went brilliantly! Good luck whatever you choose.

Don't be scared of a c section. I had an elective because both my twins were breech and I loved it. Recovery wise I coped a lot better than I thought I would. Was lucky to have help ( mum and partner) with any heavy lifting. So I found it great. Enjoy your twins!

Happy and shiney loving that reins tip thanks x

I had my twins in November, a natural birth (both head down), no induction and done start to finish in 1.5 hours. If you have had no problems before there's no reason why it shouldn't happen. Good luck whatever you decide.

I had an elective C-section due to twin one being breech and twin two had IUGR at 35 weeks. They were taken to NICU straight away and I didn't see them until the following day. Recovery was good thankfully as I had to get to the hospital and back on the bus for two weeks to see them and I don't drive.

My natural labour with DS was excruciating, resulted in awful injuries that required 3 operations and took 8 months to recover from. I was told to never have a vaginal birth again.

My DTs were born from a lovely, calm, planned c-section. Let me tell you, it’s MUCH easier to take care of your new babies after a full night of sleep rather than after a day of screaming agony.

There is a 90% chance you will have to have a c-section with twins anyway. It is the safer option for both you and the babies and a planned c-section can be a really nice experience. Mine really was. My recovery was so easy! With appropriate medication you will be moving around on day 3 like a mum who had a normal, easy vaginal birth. Just that you’ll be well rested and not traumatised.

Good luck. Having twins is the best thing ever!!!

I ended up being induced then needing an emergency section with my first. I was advised to just opt for a section with the twins. I had them at 38 weeks. It was very calm and I recovered quickly. There is only 17 months between my first and the twins. D H had a day off but my mum came to stay for the first two weeks. Lifting them was tricky to start with but I was certainly find after two weeks. I made sure I was as active as possible during my pregnancy in the hope i would recover quickly. Good luck and enjoy every moment. I was a very different mum to three than I was to one. My moto became...My best is good enough. ☺

@EvaGraceMummy2015 you say that the midwives and doctors keep assuming that you are going to have a normal birth rather than cs. Have any of them told you about statistics etc? Despite what a PP has said, the risk of a cs with twins is 50%, not 90% (I'm a midwife who used to specialise in twins). If you have had a previous vaginal birth then your chance of success is much higher than that. A previous long labour doesn't mean that this one will be long...most second times are much easier and quicker. Most of the doctors I have worked with would be happy with you making a plan with them in which you could say that you are happy for vaginal birth but with a lower threshold for cs should anything abnormal occur. You have hit the nail on the head with some of the benefits of having a vaginal birth especially with having 3 children to look after! Ultimately the decision should be yours...just make sure the team give you the pros and cons of both methods and allow you time to process the information before choosing! Good luck OP!

I'm also scared of a c-section! I'm 30 weeks with mcda twins and have been advised to have elcs despite vaginal deliveries previously. I'm petrified of the post-surgery recovery.

You really don't need to be petrified @nailsathome. I'm two weeks post emcs with mcda twins today and feel good. Obviously I still can't drive or lift anything heavy, but I'm not in pain and can lift babies and feel generally well. Scar is healing well and my stomach no longer feels so sore and weird.

My twins were my second and third babies and were both head down fromabout 24 weeks, they came naturally with gas and air at 37+1, 2h10 from first contraction I felt to T1 born then 20 mins to T2. I was already in hospital as if had some twinges after a sweep the day before and was due to be induced that morning. Glad I didn’t have to get to hospital! As both were head down, staff were happy for me not to have an epidural just in case of the need for manipulation. I do feel I had a very good hospital that took my wishes into account. I could’ve requested a c section at any point.

As you’ve had a vaginal birth before, as long as twin 1 is head down, you probably will be fine to have another vaginal birth. Even if you have to be induced everything I’ve heard indicates that is much easier when you’ve had a vaginal birth before.

I would’ve been happy with a c section and did seriouskyconsider it, but in the end was happy to have had them naturally. I was up and about with my 3yo daughter vey quickly afterwards.

Thank you Clare it's good to hear some positive stories. I had second degree tears and lots of stitches with both of my other two and recovery was quite long so I'm building up to the cs being so much worse than that.

Moggle were yours mc twins? There's a risk of the placenta failing which is why they are recommending cs. Also they are currently breach and transverse so we'll see if the move!

MIne were DCDA

My twins spent most of the pregnancy with twin one head down and twin two transverse. At the end they both went head down but the surgeon told me the moment twin one came out, twin two went breech. So a vaginal birth might still have ended with an emcs for twin two.

My friend with dcda twins just had twin one vaginally then an emcs under general for twin two. 5% of twin births end up with twin two being born by section after twin one being vaginal. I really wanted to avoid that as it just seemed like the worst of all worlds - the exhaustion of active labour and recovering from surgery.

Although as I say the recovery has really been very good and that was when I also had pre eclampsia!

I got pre eclampsia, so had mine just shy of 37 weeks, by ELCS. DT1 was head down, and DT2 was breech. I had the option to give birth vaginally, but was advised I could end up with an EMCS for DT2, which I really didn’t want if I could avoid it.

I was utterly terrified of having a c section, and a wound etc, to the point where I ended up in floods of tears on a few occasions wondering how on Earth I was going to cope. I can honestly say, it was the most amazing experience of my life. It was a very relaxed atmosphere, the anaesthetist knew I was terrified and went out of her way to reassure me, there was an army of doctors, nurses and midwives there and also on stand by to help in case we needed it (which we did with DT2), it was just incredible.

Recovery wise, I was up and hobbling the next day, (wanted to walk same day but they wouldn’t let me), and although it was bloody painful, we were taking the babies food shopping 5 days after having them, and I was back to driving when they were 2 weeks old, having been signed off as ok by my dr, and given the go ahead by my insurers. My DH went back to work after a week, so I kind of had no choice but to get on with things as best I could.

I took all the painkillers offered for best part of 2 weeks, but was nicely healed by then. Obviously not fully, but the scar was looking good! If you do have a c section, a nice thick maternity pad tucked in to your knickers over the scar will make it feel so much better.

To be fair, the last couple of months of my pregnancy were incredibly difficult, I had ridiculous water retention (it got so bad my legs sprung leaks), so in the early days after birth everything felt so much easier as I could move more with the wound than I could before, and I got more sleep with two newborns than I did before also which helped.

Should I have more babies, I’m definitely going for another c section, it was fantastic!

Twins are born naturally all the time it's not 90% like op said, it's 50 or 60% from what I've read.

Thank you unicorn, that's exactly how I feel about the cs and wound. I cry every time I talk about it! It's reassuring to hear that it's not as bad as I'm building it up to be.