Photo credit: Brandi's Flickr Stream (click the pic for link)
This is the first post in my new feature Ask Andrea, wherein you get to ask this L & D RN, labor support doula, and childbirth educator all of your pregnancy and birth related questions. I love making the complex easy to understand, and providing the information you need to make the best choices for you and your family. I understand pregnancy and birth as normal, natural experiences with the power to transform. Questions can be sent to: hello@holisticdoulanyc.com.
Dear Andrea,
My wife is preggers with twins, so I have been reading quite a bit about cesarian section when it comes to twins. It seems that a cesarian is “necessary” in the majority of twin pregnancies. In your opinion, what are the chances of being able to deliver twins vaginally, and is there anything that can be done to increase the chances?
I hope everything is going great for you, and I look forward to seeing your response!
Sincerly,
Expecting Twins in the Twin Cities
Dear Expecting Twins,
Thank you for your great question, and congratulations! First of all, I think the chances for a vaginal delivery of twins can be very good! The key is to choose a birth provider and location that supports vaginal delivery of twins, and to do everything you can as parents to educate yourself about tipping the scales in your favor in terms of vaginal vs cesarean delivery. Here is my best advice on preparing for a vaginal birth of twins.
Find a provider who is skilled at both twin deliveries and breech deliveries
Much of the reason why vaginal birth of twins isn’t supported is because there are many providers out there who simply don’t have much experience doing it. In addition, many providers who will support a vaginal twin delivery will only do so if both twins are head-down. It is actually quite common for Baby B (that’s the 2nd one who will come out) to be foot first, and a skilled midwife or ob/gyn will be able to safely manage this kind of situation.
If you’re interested in working with a midwife, the experts in managing normal birth, I did a little research for you about options for you in the Twin Cities. I learned that the HCMC Nurse-Midwife Service cares for twin moms. They are the only midwife group that does and can be found here.
Follow the same recommendations I give all mamas on how to avoid a caesarean section
I share lots and lots of tips in these posts:
Make sure your provider and facility (if you aren’t birthing at home) will embrace the Lamaze Care Practices That Support Normal Birth
- Labor begins on its own
- Freedom of movement throughout labor
- Continuous labor support
- No routine interventions
- Spontaneous pushing in upright or gravity-neutral positions
- No separation of mother and baby with unlimited opportunities for breastfeeding
Hire a doula
My analysis of the birth on The Office provides insight into how and where a doula can really make a difference in you having a normal positive birth experience. By the by, the same person who gave my tips for a midwife in the Twin Cities sent me some doula recommendations, check your email, I sent them to you there!
Don’t listen to people who are fearful of natural birth with twins
Get educated and get inspired! A vaginal birth is totally possible with twins. As a labor and delivery RN I supported more than my fair share of twin vaginal deliveries. And there is an upside, twins are usually a little bit smaller! The intense sensations of dilation are the same no matter how many babies you have in there, but the pushing part can be a tad easier with a littler passenger. In addition, given that there is more baby weight resting on the cervix, it is possible that the dilation phase will move more efficiently. No promises, of course, but in can work that way. Let me leave you with this fantastic video celebrating natural birth of multiples.
I hope that was all helpful, please let us know how it all turns out!
Love,
Andrea
RN, Doula, and Childbirth Educator
P.S. Twins can be breastfed as well, check out what La Leche League has to say about it here.
