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Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

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Original poster

Elective c section with twins

23 replies

TwinMumma2be · 01/05/2023 18:59

I am 29 +3 with dcda twins (first pregnancy) and all the way through i have been thinking about the delivery. A part of me would like to try for a vaginal delivery ( if twin a is head down) with the potential of having to have an emergency c section if things don't go to plan or can i ask my drs/midwife for a planned section? Do you have to have a medical/health condition specifically to opt for a planned section? Any advise would be great before i speak to the professionals and make myself sound silly 🙈

OP posts:

Stuckundersleepymoon · 01/05/2023 19:43

I am pretty sure you can ask for a elective c section. Your midwife will be able to advise you and go through all of your options (it's definitely not a silly question to ask)

I can't remember what week it is you have the midwife appointment where they go through birth options (possibly 36 weeks but that was for 1 baby so could be different/earlier for 2). I imagine you need to mention it sooner rather than later as you will have to have a consultant appointment aswell.

Good Luck on the birth of your twins 🥰

CupEmpty · 01/05/2023 19:44

If I were you I would 100% have a section.

Donimo · 01/05/2023 20:07

You can have an elective c section if that's your wish. Discuss birthing options with your consultant at your next appointment. If I remember rightly my consultant booked my section date when I was about 30 weeks for when I would be 36 weeks. Unfortunately we didn't make it to 36 weeks and the twins came at 33 weeks.

mauveiscurious · 01/05/2023 20:58

I had a normal birth but I wished I had a section as it would have been less stressful on them. I wish you well with your decision

Ironsoup · 01/05/2023 21:02

C- section. No question. Paediatrician here - I've had one very dicey vaginal delivery, and 2 subsequent elective sections. Loved my sections; calm and controlled. With twins, absolutely I would opt for an elective c-section.

minisoksmakehardwork · 01/05/2023 21:12

I have twins. They were a planned induction but had other ideas and arrived a few days earlier. Twin 1 was a straightforward vaginal delivery (no tears! Which was amazing after 2 2nd degree tears with the older 2). But, twin 2 ended up being an emcs under general as he turned and got stuck. They were concerned about his heart rate as they couldn't get a good trace on it.

That said, of 3 pregnancies, my twin one was my easiest recovery. Because I took things at a much slower pace.

As a twin pregnancy you are automatically higher risk so discuss with consultant and midwife at the earliest opportunity. My induction was pushed back a few days as they had other twin pregnancies further ahead than me booked in at 37 weeks (I was booked in for 37+2) and the hospital wanted to make sure they would have enough space for myself and twins, plus nicu in case anything went awry.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 01/05/2023 21:19

I have twins and I had a elective, one of them was breech but it was the second one, the first one was head down. They said it was likely I could deliver the first one and the second one would turn but I thought no thanks very much and went for the elective.

A couple of weeks before the breech one turned but I went for the elective anyway. Didn’t go into labour and they were born at 38+2. It was all pretty calm but obviously pretty difficult once they were born!

NadjaCravensworth1 · 01/05/2023 21:38

You can definitely ask for a section and they shouldn't give you any pushback at all with twins. I mean they shouldn't anyway but ppl have different experiences with midwives. If that's what you want then you have every right to it, you might have to put your foot down but it's your body and obviously twins is a tricky vaginal delivery. Emergency sections are totally different from planned so if you're going into it thinking you'll end up with an ECS then I would definitely just have it planned. It's a much much calmer experience and you will need all your energy for looking after those beautiful babies!

Original poster

TwinMumma2be · 02/05/2023 07:14

Thank you everyone that has definitely helped

OP posts:

squidwid · 03/05/2023 20:51

I had twins. C section. Especially if youre considering it. I loved my birth.

Original poster

TwinMumma2be · 06/05/2023 17:13

Im also thinking of having a little pamper session before little ones arrive hair cut a little gel polish on my nails. But if im planning on having a c section will me having gel polish on my nails be an issue?

OP posts:

LittleMrsPerfect · 06/05/2023 17:16

Twins is a medical reason for a c section if that is what you wish.

If you choose a vaginal delivery make sure your trust have MW who have experience in twin deliveries as these are very rare.

LittleMrsPerfect · 06/05/2023 17:17

I had gel polish on my fingers for a section it wasn't a problem

SleepingStandingUp · 06/05/2023 17:17

Planned C Sec here for twins. Eldest was EMCS. Was worried one would come out and then other would move altho they do try and control it. Elcs was very straight forward, I had three midwives I with me so also have some awesome photos.

Desperatelyseekingcommonsense · 06/05/2023 17:28

I went for a vaginal delivery with my mcda twins. I had a toddler already and didn’t want to have to recover from surgery if I could avoid it. Induced at 36 weeks, early epidural just in case but it was very straight forward.

coxesorangepippin · 06/05/2023 17:30

I'd have a section

I've had two sections and both went well

mauveiscurious · 06/05/2023 19:51

LittleMrsPerfect · 06/05/2023 17:16

Twins is a medical reason for a c section if that is what you wish.

If you choose a vaginal delivery make sure your trust have MW who have experience in twin deliveries as these are very rare.

I agree, having the right team around you is essential, I was 24 hours in labour and twin2 was in distress at the end

TinyTeacher · 10/06/2023 18:09

They'll be happy to talk to you about options. Mine were MCDA, and I was recommended to have a section at 36+3. As it happened we only made it to 35. Still very calm and straightforward.

Recovery may be tougher than for a vaginal delivery, but usually only in the very short term. The only issue I had with my section was the first post-delivery poo was AWFUL. I wish I'd been warned that was likely. Only time I needed morphine and I was CERTAIN I'd rupture something. Other than that it was totally ok to handle with paracetamol and ibuprofen.

PinkButtercups · 08/08/2023 17:44

I had a vaginal delivery with my DCDA twins. Twin 1 was head down and twin 2 was breech but being breech wasn't an issue as they held him in place so he didn't turn. The birth was actually easier than my eldest DS's.

Luckily it was all straight forward but they did give me the epidural early on incase I needed a section. The epidural didn't work for me anyway but luckily didn't need a c section either.

My twin consultant actually said if these were not my 2nd & 3rd babies and I hadn't had a vaginal delivery before and twin 1 was t head down there is no way she'd sign me off for a vaginal delivery and it would be a c section.

PinkButtercups · 08/08/2023 17:45

wasn't*

bluebella2 · 04/07/2025 00:22

Im in the same boat, 24 weeks with DCDA twins and I have no idea what to choose. I don't even have the option of joining antenatal classes - apparently they are irrelevant for multiples! There are no private classes only nhs 🥹 it would be easier to talk things through with others

Donimo · 04/07/2025 07:25

@bluebella2 the twins trust do antenatal classes for multiple births. https://twinstrust.org/supporting-you/courses/pregnancy-courses/antenatal-courses.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21693022064&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyODmyciijgMVwZFQBh0QXhmjEAAYASAAEgKFV_D_BwE

Also look to see if there is a local twins group near you that meet up.

bluebella2 · 04/07/2025 08:47

@Donimo thank you ☺️ I have booked on xx

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