Twins - who avoided C section?

[BuffyFanForever]

Hi All,

Was just wondering how many people out there had twins without a caesarean? I’m really keen not to have one but everyone I’ve spoken to says it nearly always happens...

Nah my mate had hers vaginally. But it was her 3rd delivery so I guess was more likely. You need to find an obstetrician/centre who is keen to give it a try. However it does depend on how far you get- the more prem the more likely you will go to CS and the way they are lying affects it too. There are some positions which are very risky to try vaginally

I had mine vaginally. I wanted a section but it was declined as first twin was head down.

If I remember rightly it's all about the position of the first twin.

However I didn't have a good experience so I'm probably not one recommend vaginal!

As pp said the position of the babies is important.

My sister in law had her twins vaginally at 36 weeks. I don't know whether it makes any difference but it was her fourth pregnancy and all her previous babies (singletons) had straightforward vaginal deliveries at full term.

A friend managed to have hers naturally, one was head down but the other was traverse but moved into position once the other one was born. She already had another child but I believe she went into labour naturally but may have been booked in for a section.

I’ve got a friend with 2 sets of twins, now in their early teens. Had both sets naturally.

My friend had hers vaginally but she had had two other natural births (singletons).

Will this be your first delivery OP or have you given birth vaginally before? That seems to make a big difference.

Thanks for all the replies. These are my first (and only) babies so wonder if that will make a difference. The midwife said they don’t even talk birth plans till after 32 week appointment but the sonography said lots of twins come at 32 weeks so just trying to get an idea of what might happen. Only 26 weeks today so do have some time hopefully!

I had my twins vaginally at 37 weeks. At my hospital I certainly could've chosen either option but I was keen to try vaginally. My first birth was via ventouse, my twins were actually easier. Its definitely worth discussing with them what you want, it will all depend on their position. Good luck and congrats, twins are awesome!!

Hello, I had my twins vaginally, I did need an assisted delivery but was all fine! First and only delivery.
Both my twins were head down but I was already down for induction as twin one had been head down since 20w... twin two went from breech to cephalic at 33w.

God can we please stop calling vaginal births natural? I had my twins by emergency c section (after 8 hours of established labour) and there’s nothing unnatural about my boys. It’s not a competition, as long as babies and Mum come out of it safe and well, there’s no need to add to the pressure of the societal nirvana of a “natural” birth. No medals here!

I did, at 37 weeks, after having my son by c section 20 months earlier, definitely possible.

@doodlejump1980 they aren't saying your babies are unnatural. A c section isn't nature's way so it is unnatural. It's not a bad thing just a statement of fact. My only birth was a c section.

@doodlejump1980 I have absolutely nothing against people wanting C sections I just personally am scared of being cut open! It’s not a bravery thing, exactly the opposite!
Thank you to everyone for your stories nice to hear some balance rather than “it’s twins of course it will be c section”, of course will do whatever needs to be done to keep these little ones safe but good to be informed

@BuffyFanForever trust me there’s nothing to be scared about. Recovery can be tough with two, but if it’s the safest and quickest way to get them out in an emergency then sometimes the decision is made for you. One of my friends had her first twin vaginally and had her 2nd twin by emergency csection so that can happen too. Best to prepare for every possible outcome. 😊
@EnidMatilda I never accused anyone of calling my babies unnatural. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Good luck op, if you’re having identicals they class them as full term at 36 weeks. They’ll let you go to 38 weeks with fraternal twins. I had mine at 37+6. 7lbs5oz and 6lbs4oz!

I wanted a section as there's a high risk of an emergency section with the second and then you've had both shite options! Also everyone I know who had a planned section had a good experience and straightforward recovery. Not so with the emergency sections.

It's a difficult decision. Twins are awesome!

Locally most twins are vaginal delivery. I know one mum who had hers on the midwife-led maternity unit, though a paeditrician came down for the pushing out bit. It was her second labour (and vaginal delivery) so I suppose she and her team knew risk of complications was relatively low.

Im a twin and was delivered naturally, thats was 32 yrs ago mind, but I'm sure if you would like a natural birth than have a talk with ur midwife and ur consultant and they can go through all the pro as cons with you x

my sister has recently given birth to twins vaginally at 34+6. Twin 2 had to be delivered using ventouse as there was over an hour gap between their births and she had a pph. But she had been leaking fluid for a few weeks so had already been given steroid injection just in case of early labour so she was able to see and hold both babies for a good while before they were taken to nicu

I had mine vaginally after a C section with the first. Had to have two consultants agree to it and sign documents to say I would have a c section of deemed medically necessary

All was fine

I had my twins by forceps delivery at 35 weeks. Both head down and very straight forward. My singleton third child on the other hand was an emergency c-section. You just never can predict how these things will go. My third child was also the weight of my twins combined so in hindsight I was rather pleased with the c-section!

@Pomelos

A friend managed to have hers naturally, one was head down but the other was traverse but moved into position once the other one was born. She already had another child but I believe she went into labour naturally but may have been booked in for a section.

This was me as well, except I wasn't booked for a section. First was forceps, the second was manoeuvred in to a footling breach position. Mine was my first pregnancy. They are now strapping 6"1, 21 years old.

My mum had hers vaginally. (baby 2 and 3)