[mrmnmom82]

After being sooooo exited about having a water birth at home, it turns out that is no longer an option. And on top of that, it seems I'm going to have to come to terms with a 50% chance of having a C-section.

This is really throwing me off. It turns out I'm having twins. Which is wonderful, now that the shock has worn off a little. But with the gift of twins come a lot more risks in labor. Especially since Baby A is breech. Which means, if baby a is breech I have to have a C section. I have no choice.

I've been crying a lot lately. I feel like I had my home birth ripped away, and now any remnants of even having a natural birth is slipping through my fingers.

For those of you who have had your labor go the opposite as expected, how did you cope, and come to terms with it? If you new ahead of time, how did you prepare for this change of plans?

Thankyou, in advance.

[DivasMomma]

your having twins???? WOW! that is great (it WILL be great, just take some getting used too!!)

I have not had this happen...yet. But Im sure you will work everything out, and as long as you have two healthy gorgeous babies you will be OK no matter how the labor turns out


(((HUGS)))

[twinzplus3]

YIPPEE! My twin dust finally rubbed off on someone!

You are right. . .you cannot have a home birth with twins. Well, honestly people do it, but I think it's really irresponsible and chances are good your insurance won't cover it.

I can talk a lot more about twins, delivery and labor but my best advice in this situation is to be prepared for the unexpected but expect the best. You can have a natural child birth for the twins and you can deliver a breech twin B if your OB will do it. You cannot deliver a breech twin A. . .although again. . .some people do it. (I should really say it's not advisable. . .)

But if you'll forgive my bluntness. . .you have much more to worry about than the delivery. You're focusing on a water birth you wanted but (as I'm sure you'll soon learn) it's pretty rare for M.O.M.s to carry full term. And you're late in your pregnancy. My advice to you is to get over the birth and focus on the pregnancy. . .doing all you can to assure that your little ones will stay in for as long as possible. In doing that, you are giving yourself the best possible chance of a natural birth anyways.

[mrmnmom82]

Thankyou! Both. I'm due Dec.10th, they moved up my due date from the 22nd, so as long as I can make it into Dec. I think they'll be ok. I'm trying to be good, and not push myself too hard. I'm feeling really lazy. But I get nervous when my belly tightens up when walking around and picking up kids toys off the floor.

I'm trying to reduce my stress by thinking possitive about baby A turning around, and at the same time am trying to be ok with a C section, but I'm having a hard time with the 2nd part.

[Rissa812]

I went into labor with DS#1 and dilated to 10 but wasn't completely effaced. I pushed for two hours and decided I wanted the c-section. Dr agreed about a half hour later. His head wasn't coming down. I had the c-section and at first felt like I failed, and regretted not pushing longer, or wasnt pushing hard enough. I thought since I had a c-section I wouldnt bond with him as I would have with a vaginal birth. All that went away when we spent our first night wide awake walking around the hospital room. With DS#2 it was different . It was scheduled and it was like "here he is your son, as the dr raised him above the curtain", and I didnt do anything but lay there. With DS#2 (born at a different hospital) they wouldnt let me do things I was used to after delivery like I did with my first two at the other hospital. I felt like they took things away from me that a mother should do, not a nurse. I would say expect the unexpected, and dont feel like its your fault. In a way, you dont have control over the situation if things need to be done to save you and baby. Good Luck!

[Magic_Mikki]

Ok, so you can't have your home birth. That must be really disappointing to you! But what about a water birth at the hospital? At my hospital water births were allowed for twins, but they keep a serious eye on you. (Of course, this is assuming you make it to 37 weeks or passed, and that your pregnancy remains uncomplicated.) I don't know if all hospitals allow this, but probably not. But perhaps yours does??? A water birth is a great experience, and with my water birth, it was like I was at home! I'm glad I wasn't though, because having a pain meds-free birth was actually kind of scary!

If you can't have a water birth in the hospital, there is still the possibility of having a natural birth! Will the doctors be able to turn baby A? (I've heard it's painful, but obviously worth it!)

[mrmnmom82]

I will definately have to take a tour of the hospital now and ask about at least being in the water ahead of time, I don't think they allow you to push baby out into the water.

And Rissa812 : what you mentioned is exactly what I'm afraid of. Not feeling connected to the babies, because I didn't help bring them out. I've heard some people think that postpartum depression can be linked to the mother not having that flow of natural adrenaline and chemicals when pushing baby out. I will also ask about hubby bringing babies to me, so at least, maybe, I can try to nurse soon after the c section.

[twinzplus3]

I would really encourage you to take a tour of the hospital and ask twin specific birth questions. . .I think the more you are prepared for what can happen. . .the better off you'll be. But I would encourage you to ask questions of your doctor specifically. Not that the hospital won't have answers. . .but twin births are not like singleton births. BTW, I labored in the tub with the twins.

Sweetie. . .again, forgive my bluntness. . .but it seems to me you really need to adjust to the idea that you're having twins and not a singleton. Nothing. . .and I mean NOTHING is going to be like what you thought when you thought you were having one. Please stop thinking you'll be okay if you make it until December and focus on going a full 40 weeks--regardless of when they moved your date 'up'. Your babies will fair much better the longer you go. They suck better, their lungs are better. . .and the list goes on. 40 weeks is the average gestation for a human and that means for twins or singletons. . . Twins do not grow as rapidly at the end as do singletons and even 38 weekers can be too small. . . I don't mean to be offensive but I do mean to come off strong--you need to keep those babies in until 40 weeks. And stop picking stuff up. Rest and eat bon bons. And lots of protein. (Ask the last mom who was on here and thought I was paranoid. . .until she delivered some 8 weeks early.)

Bonding is going to be different regardless of what happens at birth and if you nurse right after the c/s (if they'll let you which a lot of times they won't bc of hte trauma of a twin birth) you're going to have to put one down. PPD is much higher with twin moms but frankly, I seriously doubt that it has anything to do with the c/s rate.

Please take some BTDT advice and rest and stop stressing and do it NOW as you are late in your pg. Take some time to educate yourself on the various things that can happen during twin births. It bears repeating. . .this is NOTHING like giving birth to a singleton and a c/s frankly, is the least of your problems. (BTW, did you know that the high rate of c/s for multiples is largely due to prematurity NOT to twin positioning?)

[purelegance]

congrats on the twins! and you're still early, i would imagine twin A still has plenty of time to turn (am i right?)

[mrmnmom82]

Twinsplus3 : I totally hear what you are saying. And I am blessed with a husband that is totally picking up the slack! In addition to friends and family helping with simple chores around the house. I didn't know that about c/s rate and premature labor. Thankyou for the info.

Part of my problem is that I was really confident in my ability to have a single baby at home! And now I don't have a clue!!!! Everything is totally different!! I only found out a week ago, so it's still sinking in, and I'm still trying to learn as much as I can.

Thankyou again.