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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Twins - c section or induction?

24 replies

excitedemmi · 20/12/2020 15:57

Hoping to have a vaginal birth. Really! C sections scare me... But if I don't go in to labour by 37 weeks, then they will either do an induction or a c section as they don't let twin pregnancies go beyond 37 weeks now due to risk of stillbirth.
I've got time to decide, but both options sound horrendous, although a c section sounds safer for the babies. We have been trying for 4 years and have had 5 round of IVF, so this may be our only pregnancy, so high stakes all around!
Any thoughts on c section versus induction? I know there's no easy way to have babies come out of your body, and each has pros and cons....

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DramaAlpaca · 20/12/2020 16:00

In your post you say 'a c section sounds safer for the babies'. I think you've answered your own question there. I'm sure your doctors will advise you of the least risk option too.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

Original poster

excitedemmi · 20/12/2020 16:06

Thanks @DramaAlpaca. All my consultant would tell me is that he wouldn't recommend one or the other but that he was totally happy to put me forward for a c section (which made it sound like he would give preference it - although maybe I'm reading too much in to it).

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SquirtleSquad · 20/12/2020 16:12

I was induced with my (dcda) twins at 36+4 and had them at 36+6 via emergency CSection.
The induction was bloody tough, I was eventually in hard slow labour for 21 hours after an initial failed induction and didn't progress past 9cm. Twin 2 became very distressed and they had to get them out ASAP.
C section was classed as "emergency" but was honestly so "relaxed" I was calm and informed the whole way through.

When DC3 came along I had to have another section as he was late and wouldn't budge and I'd pick c section over induction 100000 times over.
The second c section was planned and a beautiful calm and relaxed experience.

Good luck

Snailandthewhale · 20/12/2020 16:13

@excitedemmi

Congratulations! I had twins this year and had a c section.
I wanted to try naturally if I'd have gone into labour before 37 weeks but that didn't happen, I had a planned section at 37 weeks exactly.

I have no experience of induction but a few of my friends were induced, some had great labours, some had really long that ended up in section anyway. So I decided against it.

The consultant gave me great advice and I felt section would be the best option. He talked possibility of delivering one baby naturally then having a section for the 2nd, it being harder to monitor twin 2, them being more distressed etc.

I actually liked having a date that I knew they'd be here by and it took a lot of anxiety away for me.

I recovered quickly and had no issues but again, everyone is different.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Twins are amazing 🥰

mollieangel123 · 20/12/2020 16:16

Iv had a previous emergency C and il be having one again with this pregnancy ☺️ it's not all that bad but you really do need to rest. Every ones bodies reacts differently to pain but I think your be surprised it's not as bad as it's made out! Congrats on the twins! How amazing! Xxx

ScrunchyBook · 20/12/2020 16:22

In my hospital trust (Southampton) they recommended for dcda twins getting them out at 38 weeks, and if all seemed good, vaginal was the one to try for.
But that depended on the type of twins you were expecting, whether there were any expected complications, how the twins were presenting etc.
I was induced at 38 + 1. Twin 1 came out fine, Twin 2 was breech, they pretty much yanked her out.
Wishing you all the best, very exciting!

Itmaybeus · 20/12/2020 18:00

Had an induction with my dt.
My reasoning was I had been 3 cm dilated for several weeks so hoped I was starting from a good point, I was a single parent with a 3 year old so needed to be physically as fit as possible post birth.
It was actually better and quicker than my spontaneous singleton birth.
I was monitored closely but at times this was difficult to get both twins so ended up with Dt1 having a probe on her head. After birth of first dt I had to be scanned in order for them to decide if dt2 could be delivered safely or needed to have a csection luckily was head down.
The one thing no one told me was after Dt1 is born contractions stop but then suddenly it starts and they are final stages of labour pains (its like 0-100) however 15 minutes after they started dt2 was born so over quickly.
7 hours after induction started I'd delivered both twins. And two hours later dc1 visited.
I went into knowing the freshold for converting to csection was lower but wanting to attempt vaginal birth.
Good luck and congratulations. Dt can be hard work but also so enjoyable and they always have each other.

ivfbeenbusy · 20/12/2020 18:11

I'm having a c section for IVF twins also after 5 rounds. I've had a previous c section so pretty much a given I'd have a other one. Also given multiple losses before the doctors very much said in not so many words that these babies are so precious to you after the journey you've had c section is best.

C section is major surgery though and I had to go through IVF because adhesions and scar tissue from my first c section meant my tubes never worked again and I lost them both to ectopics

But there are risks involved which every option you choose. But my hospital considers c section safer for twins x

KyraGoose · 20/12/2020 18:14

C section. Labour is not fun.

Inniu · 20/12/2020 18:18

How many weeks are you now?
Vaginal delivery is only safe if the twins are in a certain position. From memory I think Twin 1 needs to be head down.

I had decided on induction with epi for my twins but they were born very quickly just short of 36 weeks. No time for an epi.

Snapcat · 20/12/2020 18:20

C section. I had EMCS but was booked for elective. All my twin mum antenatal friends who had vaginal birth had issues with twin 2 - emergency c section required after twin 1 birth, twin 2 not breathing on delivery and twin 2 with longer neonatal time. Obviously that’s not evidence based, just a trend in the twin mums I know.

Original poster

excitedemmi · 20/12/2020 18:30

Thank you everyone for your responses. It's very helpful to get other people's perspectives. Feel like I am veering towards c section for the safety of the twins (although generally not looking forward to it!).

Mumsnet is quite pro c section anyway, though, isn't it? So it can't be the worst thing ever?

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Original poster

excitedemmi · 20/12/2020 18:31

I'm at 19 weeks. I'm also a twin myself and my mum had to have an EMCS at 35 weeks because I was in distress so this might all be a moot point if I don't even get to 37 weeks!

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ivfbeenbusy · 20/12/2020 18:57

Mumsnet is quite pro c section anyway, though, isn't it? So it can't be the worst thing ever?

MN is very pro choice / your body your choice which is why you don't tend to see many judgemental posts from those against c sections

I would say though that whilst short term risk of both vaginal and c sections risks are discussed with you by the doctors long term risks to maternal health of either rarely is x

Schoolchoicesucks · 20/12/2020 19:01

A friend had twins naturally at 35 weeks. She was visited by a procession of medical professionals as it was apparently so rare.

I believe that it's quite common to have the first vaginally but then need a c section for the 2nd. Which means 2 lots of healing. I would really take a vaginal birth over a c section for a singleton. But for twins, especially if a c section is on offer....

lcdododo · 20/12/2020 19:02

I was induced witH DS and ended with an EMCS anyway

Would definitely have an elective next time. So relaxing and the recovery really isn't that bad

Original poster

excitedemmi · 20/12/2020 19:19

This is all really helpful. I think my main (only?) objection to c section is my own fear of it (having major surgery and having my stomach sliced and ripped open). And maybe the recovery... but it really does sound safer for my twins and the most likely outcome anyway...

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ivfbeenbusy · 20/12/2020 19:27

@excitedemmi

Honestly the procedure itself was fine - I found it very calm and relaxed. Recovery wise stayed in for 2 nights and was up and about pushing the pram and had visitors 3-4 days after c section. I think I was on strong paracetamol only for 5 days

pringlebells · 20/12/2020 19:42

C-section, honestly the recovery is hard but the procedure is fine

upsidedownroundabout · 20/12/2020 19:57

Definitely have a C, it's much safer for all three of you. I have a friend who lost one of her twins attempting a vaginal delivery - sorry to scare you but don't let this happen to you if it is avoidable.

Wishing56 · 20/12/2020 20:21

I had my MCDA twins in January. After a lot of research I decided that I wanted a c section.
Each consultant I spoke to (i didn't have a specific one) would give different opinions on whether I should try a vaginal birth. But all agreed it was safer for the twins to have a csection.

Personally i chose a section because they said I would need to have an epidural and give birth in theatre so if any signs of distress they would be able to perform a section straight away. I didnt want to give birth to one vaginally and the other via section.

I watched a few c section videos on youtube and lots of recovery tips so felt really informed and prepared.
My c section was a great experience. Very calm. And my recovery went really well and I was back on my feet after a week (still taking it easy but would go to the shops etc).

I wish you all the best for your pregnancy and whatever birth you choose/end up having.

Amelia891 · 20/12/2020 20:28

I’m expecting twins also and am going to go for a c section. Had a previous vaginal delivery and it went well but for safety reasons I’m opting for the c section this time. I also don’t want to risk having one naturally then the 2nd needing to be delivered via c section and then having to recover from both deliveries. I’ve also kind of resigned myself to the fact that the decision will probably be taken out of my hands anyway, depending on their size/position.

Original poster

excitedemmi · 20/12/2020 20:29

This is all really reassuring. Maybe I should watch some youtube videos to help with the fear/prepare myself also.

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Original poster

excitedemmi · 21/12/2020 08:20

@upsidedownroundabout thank you for sharing. I'm really sorry for your friend. That is my worst fear.

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