https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:41:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281332 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:18:19 +0000 BSB 2281332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LulaBee: oh, that's good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281319 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:10:58 +0000 LulaBee 2281319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: they didn't put me under. Just pumped me full of fluids and gave me a spinal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281284 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:56:56 +0000 BSB 2281284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LulaBee: oh, wow. Did they put you under for the c-section?</p> <p>@creativemomma15: thanks! Thanks for sharing how your VBAC had similar reasons for a Epi.</p> <p>@Mrs.Pinecone316: thanks. I'm definitely going with an Epi and it does ease my mind that I shouldn't have to worry about pain. </p> <p>@Ginabean3: ouch! Sorry you hemmoraged. Yeah, definitely decided to go with the Epi.</p> <p>@hilary: thanks for sharing your twin birth experience and how it compares to your singleton pregnany.</p> <p>@ElbieKay: thanks. Yeah, definitely decided on the Epi. </p> <p>@kindredjoy: Yup, I have a doula. She's experienced with Epidurals and has had experience with a twin birth with a c-section. I think I might be her first twin mom that will try to deliver vaginally. She and my husband will be in the OR with me and I'm so glad she will stay with me when I deliver so DH can follow the babies to the nicu. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281239 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:41:21 +0000 kindredjoy 2281239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a doula and birth assistant at a birth center, so I'm all about unmedicated birth, but in your situation I would get an epidural. You can absolutely have a successful vaginal twin birth with the epi (do you have a doula who can help with positioning after the epi?), and it's not worth the risk of having to be put under and miss your babies births if a ceserean birth becomes necessary. </p> <p>You want either experience to be positive and peaceful, and both can be! I think with the epidural your stress will be lower about the "what ifs" and you can focus on welcoming your babies to the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281204 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 08:17:29 +0000 ElbieKay 2281204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Under those circumstances, I would get an epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281125 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 07:18:07 +0000 hilary 2281125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had twins and my OB strongly recommended an epidural in case one baby flipped and they needed to try to turn the baby by pushing on my uterus which she said would be pretty painful. Right before they wheeled me to the OR to actually deliver I started to be able to feel things again and I opted to re-up - best decision ever because I felt no fear of pushing since it didn't hurt at all. Both were born vaginally 3 minutes apart. My twin birth experience was a million times better than my singleton because I felt every ounce of pushing my first daughter which made me hold back and took longer. Also mine were 4.5 and 5.5 pounds and neither went to NICU so there's always hope. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2281016 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:25:11 +0000 Ginabean3 2281016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get the epidural....I did not have twins but my last pregnancy I hemmoraged afterwards and they were working on me for quite a while trying to stop the bleeding and the whole time I could only think "THANK GOD I got the epidural". Otherwise I think it would have been so painful and unbearable.....</p> <p>Not that this would happen to you of course, just sharing a recent experience. 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2280991 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 22:36:59 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2280991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Epidural! You won't be sorry :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279975 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 07:01:47 +0000 creativemomma15 2279975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I'm not a twin momma but with DD I was hoping for a VBAC and my midwife and OB both strongly recommended I get an epidural for similar reasons, so that if something went wrong I already had that in place for a c-section... I was glad I had it even though we did have a successful vbac... I was more confined to the bed due to lots of monitors and that was hard before I got the epidural. Good luck momma! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279962 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 06:42:24 +0000 LulaBee 2279962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I labored for 17 hours on Pitocin without an epidural and it was horrible. Ended up with a c section anyways. So excited for you to meet your babies soon!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279898 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 23:19:24 +0000 BSB 2279898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Oh, no. It's okay. It's all good. It's all mentally preparing me on what to expect. </p> <p>@Mrs.KMM: @Eko: @2littlepumpkins: @misolee: Yeah, I think I've definitely decided to go with the Epi. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279891 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 23:03:38 +0000 misolee 2279891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought I had a high tolerance for pain and was in the "epidural if it hurts too much" camp. But then I got induced and the pitocin is no joke. I was begging for it at 5-6cm. I'm glad I got it in bc I did end up with an emergency csec and it was easy peasy to get ready for surgery (took less than 20min) and it was bc I already had the epidural in. I remember everything clearly and saw and heard her pretty much right away. </p> <p>My aunt had her first with pitocin and second without. She said there's a world of difference in pain. Wish I had known that before I was induced ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279880 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 22:50:03 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2279880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely vote epi! Not a twin mama though. But I can attest to the fact that at five centimeters you can be in a world of pain. And with all you've been through (and maybe this is selfish on my part, but whatever) I'd just want to make things as uncomplicated as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279848 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 22:00:56 +0000 twodoghouse 2279848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I'm sorry if I've scared you! I really hope your L&amp;D experience is much simpler than mine! He had to leave the room because it was a last minute decision and they didn't have time to put a curtain until afterward when they were stitching me up. The nurses held a sheet above my head so I couldn't see anything. They actually let him come in once Blake was out and he got a full eyeful of them working to get the placentas out. A nurse grabbed him as he walked toward me and pointed him in the direction of the kids instead, but he still saw way too much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279844 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:52:26 +0000 Eko 2279844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote here for an epidural. I was keeping an open mind about my unmedicated birth plan and the back labor was so intense I immediately requested the epidural. I ended up laborring for 2 hours before I got the medication. I was only at 4cm. It was so intense I ended up vomiting. I was able to enjoy the process way more and have zero regrets. I'm glad that I have fond memories of my labor rather then thinking about how much pain and stress I would've been in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279838 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:44:25 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2279838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the PPs. I would vote for better safe than sorry as you don't want to have to be put under General Anesthesia if one or both babies need to be born via C-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279833 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:37:47 +0000 BSB 2279833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Oh my gosh! Why did they make Alex leave the room? Your experience is definitely hard to read but knowing what could happen does prepare me so I'm glad you told me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279775 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:36:45 +0000 twodoghouse 2279775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Even with the duramorph I still remember Blake being born! I was pretty confused about things though (but I was also exhausted, starving, and super emotional so it could have been any of that). Alex had to leave the room, but my anesthesiologist was very supportive. There was meconium in Blake's water and he didn't cry for a few minutes, so I was freaking out. The dr was saying "he's ok he's ok, can you hear him crying?" And I was saying "no that's her that's her" and he said "look to your left and see your son" and I remember looking over and they were holding up the longest, skinniest, weirdest looking, most beautiful little alien you could ever imagine and he was crying his head off! I actually hadn't seen Alice yet at that point, so that was my first glimpse at either of them. It was totally surreal. The duramorph actually made the subsequent hours harder because I was drifting in and it of sleep, seeing double of things, super nauseous, was having a hard time communicating, etc. But in the end I am extremely glad I was awake and remember my delivery of both kids! Having twins is full of constantly changing expectations and it started for me right from the get go in the delivery room.</p> <p>Try not to stress too badly about a failing epidural. It's just as likely that it will work fine for you! My sister's twin delivery was totally different than mine (she was induced but ended up having both babies c-section because she didn't progress. Her epidural rocked!). I can't really remember the pain of contractions or pushing anymore. When you're in the moment and it's happening you just know that the only solution is to get through it and for me at least (having gone through both kinds of delivery in one day!) the recovery wasn't too bad. Now my husband says I have amnesia about it all and his hormones haven't erased any of the screaming and craziness of the delivery, haha. But at least if it is horrible and painful, your hormones will take care of it. Just don't be afraid to tell everyone you come across that the epidural is not working if it comes to that. Nurses kept brushing me off saying it was just pressure I was feeling and then one catbeterized me to see if my bladder was full and that would help and i screamed bloody murder. She was like oh yeah, it's not supposed to be like that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279750 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:15:51 +0000 BSB 2279750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279747 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:15:15 +0000 BSB 2279747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Caly: oh, ouch, cholestasis. Yeah, I thought I had PUPPS or cholestasis a few weeks ago but my tests came back negative and I take benedryl at night to sleep and I think it was the lotion they used durings my NSTs. So sorry about your itching and I'm glad the epidural helped with that.</p> <p>@twodoghouse: I did read on the worst physical pain thread about Epidurals wearing off and I didn't know what they meant by that. I think I understand now after your explanation. Oh, my gosh, I would be terrified to feel the pain if the Epidurals were wearing off and I was told I was going to have an c-section. Glad the dura morph worked. Sorry it drugged you for 24 hours. :( Do you remember seeing or hearing Blake cry or take his first breath? Or were you that drugged. I guess I would rather be in a drugged state than unconscious. </p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Oh, okay. Yeah, hoping to avoid a c-section, too, but understanding if I need one. </p> <p>@Mrs. Microscope: @blackbird: Yeah, I just read up on Epidurals during inductions and it sounds like having Epi in place is a good idea. </p> <p>@petunia354: Oh, man, I'm so sorry that you were put under and missed that moment to see your baby cry or take their first breath. Hugs! Thanks for sharing your experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279702 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:32:32 +0000 Foodnerd81 2279702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a med free single birth, but if I was having twins I would definitely get the epidural. No question. Good luck- so glad they stayed in so long, great job, babies!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279696 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:29:43 +0000 blackbird 2279696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pitocin is a bitch. Team Epi! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279688 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:23:31 +0000 petunia354 2279688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was under general anesthesia and trust me, you don't want that unless absolutely medically necessary. You'll always regret not getting to hear your baby's first cry or to see their first breaths. I still cry at births on TV and in movies because I long for that experience. It's so isolating to wake and not be pregnant anymore and in my case it hurt our bonding experience. Go for the epidural, for sure!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279670 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:09:44 +0000 Mrs. Microscope 2279670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pitocin is no joke. You will definitely not regret an epidural! Good luck with the babies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279659 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 19:01:21 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2279659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: haha yes. I meant avoid section... Shoulda said that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279629 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:27:08 +0000 twodoghouse 2279629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dr has had 4 unmedicated water births and is very supportive of natural births, but in the case of my twin birth she strongly preferred I get an epidural for all the reasons you wrote out. She did not require it at 5 cm, though. I could wait as long as I wanted, but I wasn't progressing. I had an epidural at 3.5-4 cm and immediately starting dilating fast and furious. I was one of those worst case scenarios that had one baby vaginally and the other c-section, so I obviously recommend going for the epidural! As it is, I had a failing epidural. They would re-up my epidural and it would fade out 20 min later. As soon as Alice was born, they re-upped my epidural because we were attempting an external version to turn Blake (and a breech extraction if he didn't descend on his own). As soon as my dr called Blake as a c-section, I freaked out and was crying that I would feel everything since the epidural kept failing! The anesthesiologist gave me dura morph through my line and promised I wouldn't feel a thing. I really wish I hadn't needed the duramorph because I was drugged beyond belief for the next 24 hrs, but at least I didn't need to be knocked out. Please let me know (or wall me or message me on Facebook) if you want to hear anything else about twin L&amp;D! I can't believe you are so close! You have done so well keeping those babies cooking so long! A few days left and you're going to be a mom!!! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279627 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:25:31 +0000 Caly 2279627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was like you and undecided on an epidural and was more in the "I'll see how it goes camp." I asked the opinion of each dr I saw over the course of my labor (maybe 3 or 4 dr's) and each recommended the epidural. At approx 8cm I decided to get one...I got one for a variety of reasons...the most pressing was that I was absolutely miserable from cholestasis (extremely itchy) and the one thing that would stop it was an epidural. The other was a toss up between avoiding any more extreme pain and having to go through two deliveries and the other was my concern if there was an emergency in the delivery room. I don't regret my choice! And they were delivered in the OR...I was transferred into the OR at 10cm when it was time to push. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279622 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:18:54 +0000 BSB 2279622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: yeah, the nurse said I could get the epidural in my room (before I get to 5cm and moved into the OR), if I wanted to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279621 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:16:58 +0000 macintosh 2279621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For what it's worth, you might already be feeling ready for the epidural at 5 cm. :silly: I was induced with pitocin and by the time I was 5 cm, my water had broken and I was definitely in pain. Shortly after that I got the epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidurals-and-twin-pregnancy#post-2279618 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 18:11:36 +0000 BSB 2279618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Thanks! It's standard for twin babies to be delivered in the OR (at my hospital) plus they said my babies most likely will be going straight to the nicu and the OR has direct access to nicu.</p> <p>@Mrs. Pickle: Good point! Yes! Thanks. </p>