Pregnant with twins, natural labour

[Hunkahunkaa]

I am pregnant with twins, both have own placentas and own sacs.
I would like to try for a natural birth, what are peoples experiences of a natural twin delivery please.
Thanks

[girlgonenorth]

Hi there, I had twins after a straightforward birth with DD, I went into the both feeling unwell, the last weeks of the pregnancy were pretty gruelling, it was at just over 35 weeks, went into labour spontaneously, quick like my first birth, after DS1 was born DS2 flipped round to become breech, he was born breech 25 minutes later. They said they should have put reassure on my stomach to stop him turning, but it was ok. On tips, the birthing of twin 2 was as painful as twin 1, he didn’t yet pop out, we didn’t have a plan for twin 1 during twin 2 birth, he was left on the side and that upset me a lot, there were 9 people in the room, it’s quite full on, recovery was quick and I was glad not to have had a section. Good luck!

[Dazedandc0nfused]

I had an induction with mine at 36+6 and my experience was good. Pessary took well and DD (twin 1) was born about 7 hours later. Contractions slowed after she was born so I was put on the drip to get them going again and DS (twin 2) was born 21 minutes later. One small tear which needed a few stitches. The midwife and trainee midwife were great! Was in for 4 days as DS had jaundice but allowed home after that.

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy. It's tough bit so worth it! Mine are 5 years old now and best friends... most of the time 😁.

[unhappychaos]

Twin induction here at 36+6 after a tricky vaginal delivery of DS1.

It went really well - pessary to birth in 12 hours. Tons of people in the room but all calm and pleasant, a million miles from the car crash of DS' birth.

Twin 2 was transverse and turned breech, came out bum first. Not a graze on me (I had had an episiotomy and a lot of stitches with DS).

I would do it again although it's not without risk (especially for twin 2), but then no birth is.

We were kept in NICU for 4 days as the twins were on the small side and they wanted to establish feeding. No issues at all.

[Bean18]

I delivered twins naturally after a straightforward natural delivery of my eldest. Twin 1 was head first but twin 2 was breech. The worse part was having twin 2 held breech by a midwife pressing on my stomach, in stirrups, and on a drip to keep contractions going but I think it’s non-negotiable on the stomach pressing part because if twin 2 goes transverse it’s a section job. Twin 2 was delivered 40 mins after twin 1 and I think I was getting towards the end of the amount of time the consultants allow you to deliver naturally. Unlike my first birth, I didn’t need any stitches thankfully (presume as twins were a 1lb and 2lb smaller than my singleton) and I felt so much better for it. The consultants will allow you to consider a natural birth if twin 1 is head down late in pregnancy (>30 weeks) and no other complications. You’ll probably get resistance from them if it’s your first birth as twins are high risk delivery.

[doingitforthegirls]

I was advised due to previous c section natural birth of my twins would be discouraged so it would also depend on if you've had one before?

[unhappychaos]

@Bean18

I delivered twins naturally after a straightforward natural delivery of my eldest. Twin 1 was head first but twin 2 was breech. The worse part was having twin 2 held breech by a midwife pressing on my stomach, in stirrups, and on a drip to keep contractions going but I think it’s non-negotiable on the stomach pressing part because if twin 2 goes transverse it’s a section job. Twin 2 was delivered 40 mins after twin 1 and I think I was getting towards the end of the amount of time the consultants allow you to deliver naturally. Unlike my first birth, I didn’t need any stitches thankfully (presume as twins were a 1lb and 2lb smaller than my singleton) and I felt so much better for it. The consultants will allow you to consider a natural birth if twin 1 is head down late in pregnancy (>30 weeks) and no other complications. You’ll probably get resistance from them if it’s your first birth as twins are high risk delivery.

This is interesting. My twin 2 was transverse and they let me go for a natural delivery on the assumption she would turn either head down or breech.

[Snoopsnoggysnog]

Interesting, my twin 2 was breech and I was advised to have a section, although they said I could try for a vaginal delivery if I wanted.
I went for the section, went almost to full term so no labour.

[BewareTheBeardedDragon]

I tried for a natural birth - all went to plan, waters broke before the deadline docs had given us of 38 weeks (mine shared a placenta so docs didn't want them in too long), labour progressed for a few hours but then suddenly stopped. They put in a drip and it didn't go anywhere, and after 12 hrs it became clear the only way they were coming out was a section. Turned out they were both head down and got stuck with both heads trying to get down and neither managing it.

I was terrified of having a section but it was fine. I guess the point of my story is - it's absolutely fine to try for and hopefully have a natural delivery but if you can't for whatever reason that will be ok as well.

[Bean18]

@unhappychaosthink it’s me not being clear as my twin 2 was transverse up until twin 1 was actually delivered, and then twin 2 was born breech. Had the midwife not “stabilised” twin 2 as breech and she had stayed transverse during labour after twin 1 was born then it would’ve been a section for twin 2. You’re right, as they’re not bothered about twin 2’s position before you go into labour :-)

[unhappychaos]

@Bean18

@unhappychaosthink it’s me not being clear as my twin 2 was transverse up until twin 1 was actually delivered, and then twin 2 was born breech. Had the midwife not “stabilised” twin 2 as breech and she had stayed transverse during labour after twin 1 was born then it would’ve been a section for twin 2. You’re right, as they’re not bothered about twin 2’s position before you go into labour :-)

I get it Exactly the same happened here,
although I felt that they didn't make any extra effort for her to go/stay breech. It just seemed to happen. I might have been too high to remember

[womaninatightspot]

I had an induction at 36 weeks,pessary. I did have an epidural (just in case they need to whip you off for a section. DTD1 was head down, DTD2 was bottom down. When DTD1 was born consultant attempted to turn DTD2 but failed and she was born breech. Previous child was 9lb 2 and the girls were 5lb 10 and 6lb.

[thetaleunfolds]

I went into spontaneous labour with my twins, just like with my first child. Twin 1 was born pretty quickly, twin 2 was breech and they managed to turn him around but he wasn't born until 40 minutes after the first twin which caused some concerns. He ended up going straight to NICU for a few days for observation as a result.

But otherwise a nice, straightforward delivery. I was actually waiting for 2 days to be induced on the ward when my labour started naturally at 38+1, stroke of luck!

[Hunkahunkaa]

This is all great to know- Thankyou. I've had natural births before so no sections. I'm petrified of a section.

[TheMagicDeckchair]

My twins were both head down and I’d had a vaginal birth previously so drs happy for me to try.

I’m one of those who ended up with interventions- twin 1 had a large head and was at an awkward angle so I ended up in theatre having an episiotomy and double forceps delivery. As I had an epidural there wasn’t much pain during Labour and delivery but the recovery was a bit rough- although as much of that is recovering from the rigours of a multiple pregnancy. my pelvic floor was pretty weak for a while- it’s not perfect now but I can live with it.

Worst case scenario would have been the assisted birth failing and having an emergency section, and then having to recover with stitches down below and a section scar.

Overall I think I made the right choice, but it’s hard to say.