https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 01:05:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2281755 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:04:00 +0000 hilary 2281755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: baby a was always bigger so probably why this never came up for me. Hope you're getting some answers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2281732 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:49:22 +0000 BSB 2281732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilary: oh, ok. I took a expecting multiples class and they (a nurse) said for vaginal births that like to see both babies head down and with the larger baby come out first. Or if the smaller baby comes out first that they would like the second baby to be within 20% in size. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2281669 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:03:31 +0000 hilary 2281669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I was induced because of the size difference and a little concern over their size (I was 38 weeks). We never talked about a c-section unless something went wrong since mine were head down. So I'm not sure about the size difference being a reason for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2281660 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 13:00:50 +0000 BSB 2281660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Ah, that's right. They couldn't find his heart beat. I am hoping that since the dr was expecting both babies to be in the 4lb range that baby girl being slightly smaller will still allow me to proceed with the vaginal birth. My dr usually comes around lunch time so I have to wait another hour to see her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2281634 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:47:31 +0000 twodoghouse 2281634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: In my case baby A was 1 lb larger, but we didn't know that. At the time we thought baby B was bigger (and they were estimating them around 6.5 lbs!). Because the estimates were close enough to the same size, they went ahead and let me attempt vaginal delivery. Blake's csection had nothing to do with his size, FYI. With a 1 lb difference, I'm not sure what they will recommend for you. The fact that they are small might be in your favor though! Let me know what the dr says after you see him/her! I'm thinking of you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2281621 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:39:28 +0000 BSB 2281621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: @hilary: Just had a growth ultrasound and baby A (girl) is measuring 3lbs 6 oz and baby boy is measuring 4 lbs 5 oz. I know for a vaginal birth they want both babies to be within 20%. Now, I'm a little worried a vaginal birth is not recommended. I haven't seen the dr yet, but both of you seem to have babies that were 1 lb difference. I know a c-section for both babies was always a possibility so I'll be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2225075 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:24:44 +0000 BSB 2225075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Glad Blake was okay. So yesterday at my 24w appt, they said both babies are head down. Baby A is the girl and baby B is the boy. At the moment, the placentas are out of the way. The only thing is the boy is larger than the girl. (Boy is 53 or 57 percentile and the girl is 28 percentile.) So if there's a chance that I can try to vaginally deliver, there will be a chance that the boy might be too big and I will need a c-section. My OB warned me that recovering from a c-section and a vaginal birth might be difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2225065 Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:17:33 +0000 twodoghouse 2225065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Yep, Alice was vaginal (vacuum assist) and Blake was a section. He was transverse all along so we were hoping he would flip one way or the other after Alice was born. He was having heart decels, though, so I had several midwives present to perform an external version to push him breech (easier to grab his feet and do a breech extraction then give him time to descend on his own). Unfortunately we lost his heartbeat altogether trying to turn him. They gave him 30 seconds with no heartbeat before they were doing an emergency c section. They ran my husband out of the room and didn't even have time to erect a curtain. Nurses held a sheet over my face to keep me from seeing everything! He ended up fine but it was scary! Recovering went fine, though my husband swears that's not true and I have amnesia, haha! But I don't remember any lingering pain from the csection in the weeks after and my vaginal recovery was a breeze.</p> <p>As for your other questions:<br /> 1. I didNt have pics done, although my DH took some pictures of my around 28 weeks in our backyard. I was big but not super unbearably huge yet.<br /> 2. I think I did it around 30 weeks. It wasn't a big deal. I just asked around for recommendations. I chose an office near my house (which is awesome for getting the kids in the car and making it to appt on time!). It just so happens that our ped is an IVF twin mom which is awesome! I love chatting about twin-specific issues with her!<br /> 3. I was on bedrest at home at that point and feeling better than I had in a few weeks! I was done with work and getting to sleep all day!<br /> 4. My parents came in the night before my induction and all 4 grandparents were at the hospital when the kids were born (against my wishes! But whatever). They met the babies about an hour after I did. I actually had to wait about two hours to meet them (surgery complications and staffing issues kept us apart although DH was with them) and only had an hour before they had to take me for X-rays (long story). So the grandparents came in them. I wish we had had WAY longer with just my DH and I and the babies, but it is what it is. I was extremely drugged (failed epidural, so I was given a strong cocktail of all the drugs for my csection) and didn't know what was going on so I couldn't communicate well that I didn't want the grandparents coming in. My mom stayed for two weeks after they were born. My MIL also ale over every day. I wrote he details of that on another of your threads so I won't rehash it, but that did not go well... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2224172 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 18:01:37 +0000 hilary 2224172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 38 weeks<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!). Vaginal<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? Induced bc they were worried about size<br /> Sizes of your babies? A: 5lb 8oz. B: 4lb 5oz<br /> Any NICU time? No<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? Yes<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? Yes<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? Honestly I can't remember<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? In room but our hospital had Melody under the warmer that whole first night because she had trouble regulating her temperature</p> <p>A good pediatrician you trust does wonders. We love ours and he's always so comforting and never made me stress about how little they were (and at 6 months still are!). (Ours we had from LO#1)<br /> At 33 weeks I felt fine just huge. I worked the day I was induced.<br /> Not a ton of help. My parents were here when we got home from the hospital since they were caring for our toddler but then had to leave. In laws came for a week at 1 month mark and it was brutal. It was like having guests rather than helpers.</p> <p>Good luck! You'll do great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2224155 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:16:49 +0000 Raz 2224155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 38w3d<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) C-section<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? It was a scheduled c-sectino, but coincidentally I also started contractions that morning and I'm convinced the babies would have been born that day even it weren't for the scheduled c-section.<br /> Sizes of your babies? 5lb. 10 oz. and 5 lb. 15 oz., both roughly 17"<br /> Any NICU time? nope<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? DH cut the cords<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? We did skin to skin in the recovery room, so maybe 30 minutes after birth<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? First attempt in the recovery room, so maybe 30 minutes after birth<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? Stayed in the room with us. </p> <p> @bluestriped bee:<br /> 1. We didn't do maternity pics - I was gigantic the last month, so I definitely wouldn't have wanted to do it then.<br /> 2. We just got a pediatrician assigned to us through Kaiser<br /> 3. I felt fine at 33 weeks. I worked all the way to 37 weeks.<br /> 4. Lots of help! My mom stayed with us for 2 weeks, my husband was home for 6 weeks, my MIL came after my mom left for another week. First visitor was before they were a week old, but I was exhausted and so worried about the babies because they lost a lot of weight at first. They were very delicate. Plus, if you like a lot of twin moms, you're on a very tight breastfeeding/pumping schedule so you don't have too much time before you have to start the breastfeeding/pumping cycle again. I think a visitor at the beginning should stay for no longer than 1 hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2224029 Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:02:42 +0000 BSB 2224029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! Such a great thread! </p> <p>We went to an Expecting Multiples class this weekend and they said on average most twins get delivered around 36 weeks. From this thread alone, it seems to be true. I'm hoping to get to 36 weeks. </p> <p>So this may seem crazy but I kinda want to cut the cord myself. DH is not exactly sure what he wants to do. He goes back and forth between not wanting to cut the cord to possibly cutting the cord. He is a bit squeamish about needles and blood, so if had to guess, he probably won't do it. Luckily, there are two babies in there so I can cut one and he can cut the other. </p> <p> @twodoghouse: You had a vaginal and a c-section? From the class this past weekend, they said that's it's pretty rare have to have both. Was baby B in distress? Is that why you need a c-section. </p> <p>@meganmp: The class I took talked about breech extractions where they pull baby B out by their feet. I was going to ask if anyone had it done and it seems like you did. </p> <p>I would like to try for a vaginal birth but DH and I realized that we won't know until around 32 weeks and they get into their final positions. (So there is nothing I can do about it. Just upto chance, I guess.) The instructor said that they will only consider a vaginal birth if both babies are vertex and if the babies are similar in size &amp; weight. I plan to ask my OB to confirm. </p> <p>I am glad DH and I took that class this past weekend. We learned so much about being pregnant with twins and giving birth to them. I think I was a bit overwhelmed with everything and the class really helped eased my mind that we can do this. </p> <p>@twodoghouse: @Trailmix: @sunshineandsushi: @littlehunny: @twoofeverything: @Mrs. Blue: @Mrs. Train: @meganmp: @Caly: @tequiero21: </p> <p>Spin-off questions I have...<br /> 1) if you had maternity pictures done when did you get them done? How many weeks pregnant were you? I'm 24w4d pregnant and I think now might be a good time to schedule it. Well, I'm thinking sometime in July.<br /> 2) When did you start looking for pediatricians? I'm thinking I should do this soon since I don't know how long it will take to interview Drs. I'm going to ask for some recommendations from the OB today when I see her.<br /> 3) How did you feel at 33 weeks? This probably sound crazy but I've let (or agreed to let) DH fly to Boston for a wedding where he is a groomsmen. Of course, if there are any issues that come up before his trip, we will have the opportunity to cancel. I know this all depends on how the babies and mom are doing. Plus, some of you were on bed rest and some of you were not.<br /> 4) How much help did you guys have after the babies were born? When did you have your first visitor? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2076020 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 02:03:12 +0000 tequiero21 2076020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 38 and change<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) csec<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? All of the above! On my scheduled csec date, I went into labor! Tried to go on my own, got some pitocin, but my sons heart rate dropped and we think it was the pitocin, so almost had emergency csec, but heart rate went back up again. Doc wanted to just have csec just in case.<br /> Sizes of your babies? Both 6lb5oz<br /> Any NICU time? One day for son, he had a lil pneumothorax.<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? No, not sure if he was given the option but he had no desire to do it. He was given the option to w my second son, but he declined.<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? Nope, didn't get to hold my daughter until after I left recovery room.<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? Yes, once I got her.<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? Both. We thought it best to put them back in nursery at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2056385 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 19:08:16 +0000 twodoghouse 2056385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Good idea! Can't believe it's been 10 months since I was thinking about this. Time is moving way too quickly!</p> <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 38+2<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) One of each :sad:<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? I was induced at 38+1<br /> Sizes of your babies? A was 5 lb 15 oz and B was 4 lb 15 oz<br /> Any NICU time? Nope!<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? He trimmed one of the cords, but they were both cut by the dr.<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? No, I was in recovery for 3 hrs before I saw them. That is not usual for my hospital, but due to the circumstances around my c-section (my epidural failed and I got ALL THE DRUGS) I had to be monitored closely and there weren't enough nurses for me and each baby at the time.<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? No, see above.<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? Yes, they roomed with us the whole time! Blake had a hard time regulating his temp but stayed in a warmer in our room. We tried to send Alice to the nursery one night but she was there for like 10 minutes and they couldn't get her calmed down! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-2056272 Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:22:23 +0000 BSB 2056272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: I would love to see your update on this thread! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1547211 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:47:08 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1547211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LMOG47: @twodoghouse: thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1546988 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:18:50 +0000 lemondrop 1546988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely love these photos and stories!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1546948 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:00:32 +0000 .twist. 1546948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not a mom of twins, but I LOVE all the photos!!!! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1546933 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:53:52 +0000 twodoghouse 1546933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: Aw, what a sweet photo! Love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1546884 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:32:32 +0000 Caly 1546884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: awww, they're such cuties! Love the lil hand tucked under the chin </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1546879 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:27:56 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1546879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Okay, I have to share my c-section photo. :) I didn't hold them because my body was shaking really hard from the contractions and medicine. I didn't want to drop them! </p> [attach=2352/14/n3iwuk.450x600.603097_10152411605955273_1896933001_n.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1546804 Fri, 04 Apr 2014 14:48:08 +0000 Caly 1546804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 36 weeks</p> <p>Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) Vaginal</p> <p>Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section?<br /> At 36 weeks I had really high blood pressure, and had developed cholestasis, I was 5cm so I was admitted. A couple hours later they broke my water &amp; labored naturally from there. While pushing, I was given pitocin to help regulate contractions. They were born 10 mins apart. </p> <p>Sizes of your babies? 4lbs 9oz &amp; 4lbs 13oz</p> <p>Any NICU time? Yes, 11 days. One had some breathing issues for a couple days, other than that, they mostly needed to learn to eat/swallow, etc &amp; put on weight. They also had some jaundice. </p> <p>Was your partner able to cut the cords? He didn't want to but I imagine he could have if he'd wanted. </p> <p>Did you get to do skin to skin right away? No, they were taken to the NICU. They let me hold the first twin very briefly before they whisked her away to the drs/nurses &amp; I needed to start pushing for the next. The second came out purple &amp; not breathing well on her own. She was taken immediately by the NICU Dr. On my way back to the recovery room (I'd been in an operating room) we were able to briefly stop in &amp; see them. </p> <p>Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? No, I pumped. </p> <p>Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? They stayed in the NICU. </p> <p>It sounds crazy, but, the birth itself was the easiest part for me. Getting pregnant &amp; being pregnant was so difficult &amp; I went into the birth hoping for the best but expecting the worst...honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. You'll so great! If you have any questions, etc, by all means, ask. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1539762 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:12:04 +0000 meganmp 1539762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 38w 4d (barely- it was 1:30am)<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) Vaginal- Baby A was head down, Baby B was breech. After I pushed out DS, DD was extracted by her feet.<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? Induced. I actually won a bet with my doctor, who said she had NEVER induced twins. She still owes me $20.<br /> Sizes of your babies? 7lbs 11ozs, 5lbs 3 ozs.<br /> Any NICU time? Nope!<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? He would have been able to had he had the desire, but he didn't.<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? Not really. I still had to birth DD after DS was born, and I was laid out on the table in the OR (flat on my back). I didn't feel comfortable holding them on my own- my arms were too weak from grabbing onto my legs and pushing for an hour and a half.<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? Yup. DS latched like a CHAMP, DD had problems. I was able to tandem feed while the nurse helped squeeze colostrum into DD's mouth.<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? Yup! My hospital has an automatic room in policy. They have a nursery, but it's only available if you request it, and it's on a first come/first serve basis, and they will feed your baby formula. We didn't want them to have formula for as long as I was able to breastfeed, so we didn't take that option.</p> <p>Have people take pictures when you're in the hospital (and when you get home in the early days) of YOU and the babies. I only have one picture I like of the three of us and it makes me sad. </p> <p>I didn't like being in the hospital, but some people do! Don't be afraid to DEMAND what works for you- I really wanted my IV port taken out, but no one would do it until I demanded that it happened- in a nice way, of course, but it was along the lines of "I need this to happen now, thank you." The same thing goes for your actual birth- if you are able to get up and walk around, do it- closer to the end, DS's heart rate keep dropping whenever I walked around, so I had to stay put, but they kept trying to keep me in bed even when it wasn't dropping. I think it would have made labor go a heck of a lot faster if I had been able to stand up and walk when I wanted to.</p> <p>You'll be amazing! It's scary, yeah, but it makes you feel like a super hero:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1539728 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 12:03:01 +0000 Mrs. Train 1539728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And I love everyone's twin baby c-section picture. I there wasn't a lot of time for big family pictures because I wasn't doing so well. I was having trouble seeing them so the nurses put them right up to my face so I could feel them against my checks then I feel asleep.</p> <p>Here is one of Mr. Train right after cutting the chord. </p> [attach=2123/14/n3ey13.600x399.IMG_2369.JPG] [attach=2123/14/n3ey15.600x399.IMG_2359.JPG] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1539716 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:57:52 +0000 Mrs. Train 1539716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 37 weeks</p> <p>Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) c section</p> <p>Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? I was being closely monitored for per-eclampsia. I was in and out of the hospital for extra monotoring four times before finally they said they needed to do the c-section. So I was technically and "emergency c-section" buit I wasn't in labor or anything, I just had high blood pressure and protein was starting to show in my urine. I was was scheduled to have my c--section four days later. Since my kids were sharing a placenta my OB recommended a c-section and I was fine with it.</p> <p>Sizes of your babies? 5lbs 12 oz, and 6 lbs 8 oz</p> <p>Any NICU time? nope we went home three days later</p> <p>Was your partner able to cut the cords? He was able to cut baby B's cord. The first was taken out quickly and taken to a nurses station at the rear of the operating room and DH did not want to walk over there and see the other side of the curtain, but with Baby B they had a little more time to bring him out so they brought him to the side so DH could cut his chord. </p> <p>Did you get to do skin to skin right away?<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? I am going to answer these two together. No I had some complications. My blood pressure plummeted during the surgery and they had to give me lots of medicine that made me very loopy and I fell asleep. I was able to stay awake until they showed the babies to me but then I was out. I slept in recovery for about 4 hours before I was brought in to my room to see the babies. My husband stayed with them the whole time and they kept him updated about me. </p> <p>When they brought them to me they were not really hungry, they had some low blood sugar and were given formula but I think it was maybe 2 hours after that (so 6 hours after birth) that we were able to try. They were not very good at it but we gave it a good try. Eventually after about 3 weeks we got the hang of it and then we breastfeed until 1 year but from about 0-6 months they each had a bottle of formula a day. I just didn't have enough to feed both. Once they started eating baby food I was able to cut out the formula.</p> <p>Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? During the day they were with me all the time. At night I did send them to the nursery so I could fall asleep. They would bring them to me when they wanted to nurse (which was about every 1.5 or 2 hours) and then take them back out when they were done.</p> <p>Any other anecdotes, advice, etc? You can do this!!! Being a twin mama is awesome! It is so hard and so tiring but soooo worth it. I have just loved watching my little babies grow into little people. They are almost 5 now and it is just amazing. I think my biggest tips would be<br /> 1) don't be afraid to ask for help</p> <p>2) get up and walk around as soon as you can if you have a c-section</p> <p>3)Don't be too hard on yourself or bummed if you don't get immediate skin to skin or breast feeding. You will bond, they will eat and it will be beautiful no matter when you get to do it. The important thing is healthy mom and healthy babies.</p> <p>4) take lots of pictures or have someone take lots of pictures. Those early days are such a blur to me and I love having pictures of those first few months to remind me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1539421 Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:20:53 +0000 twodoghouse 1539421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunshineandsushi: @littlehunny: @twoofeverything: @Mrs. Blue: Thank you so much for sharing your birth details ladies! It definitely helps me calm down a little about this. I appreciate all the support and encouragement too. And the pictures are beautiful! I can't wait to see my husband hold our babies for the first time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1538561 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 22:04:09 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1538561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second what @twoofeverything: said about trusting your mama instinct both during labor and deliver, in the NICU if necessary, and after you get home. Mama instincts are totally real. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1538554 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 21:58:49 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1538554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 36w1d<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) c-section<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? I was induced even though Baby A was breech. My MFM was one of those rare doctors with a lot of breech delivery experience., so they said I could try to deliver vaginally if I chose to do so. We knew there was a good chance it wouldn't work since I wasn't at all dilated and there was no baby head to be pushing in the cervix. After a day on Pitocin with no progress, we decided to proceed with a c-section.<br /> Sizes of your babies? E was 5 lbs 15 oz., and F was 4 lbs. 4 oz.<br /> Any NICU time? Yes, both were in the NICU for 8 days. E had some breathing trouble initially and F had to learn to regulate his body temp. They also wanted to see growth, especially for F since he was only 4 pounds. In hind sight, I recognize that they were pretty healthy babies for the NICU, but it was still pretty scary at the time.<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? No<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? No. Had they not been taken to the NICU, we would have has skin to skin within a few minutes.<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? I got to try BFing Finn a couple hours later when we finally got to go see them in the NICU. E was on a c-pap, so I couldn't try to BF him until about 24 hours after they were born.<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? Since they were in NICU, we didn't have a choice.</p> <p>Any other anecdotes, advice, etc? It's amazing. Seriously. When you finally hear those two cries and meet these two little people....just incredible. Now, practical stuff. If you end up with a c-section, get up and move around as much as you can stand in the first few days. Since the boys were downstairs, I had to be out of bed and up and down to take care of them. I credit this with having a really easy recovery from surgery. If one or both are in the NICU or aren't eating much, ask for a pump and start using it for 15 or 20 minutes at a time at least every 2-3 hours even if nothing is coming out. I had no clue what I was doing, and so I wasn't pumping for long enough. I never was able to get my supply built up enough to exclusively BF after that slow start. The boys are 12 months old, and they're doing great and are hands down the best thing that has ever happened to us. I thought twin pregnancy was tough, but even with the ups and downs, I just love being a twin mama!</p> <p>I'm so excited for you! If you have any specific questions, let me know. Keep us posted. :-) </p> [attach=1359/14/n3dv45.600x399.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1538524 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 21:37:36 +0000 twoofeverything 1538524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG! So excited for you! You're almost there!</p> <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth?<br /> 36 weeks exactly</p> <p> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!)<br /> We were a planned C-section. </p> <p>Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section?<br /> I had PTL at 28 weeks and had been on indomethacin/bed rest. The contractions were REALLY bad the night before my delivery...I suspect I was in early labor at that point! Either way, I had opted for a C-section. Both babies were head-down, and I was given the choice/encouraged to birth them vaginally. But...I just had a FEELING. It ended up being a good thing! Baby A came out just fine, but Baby B curled into a tight little ball once her brother came out...the doctor said I would have ended up with a C-section, anyway. Gut Mama Instinct :-)</p> <p> Sizes of your babies?<br /> Baby A was 5lb, 10 oz (was estimated at 5lb), Baby B was 5lb, 5 oz (was estimated at 6.5lb)</p> <p> Any NICU time?<br /> Nope! Our hospital had an automatic NICU policy for any babies born prior to 36 weeks. I essentially crossed my legs for the majority of that last week...I had early pre-eclampsia and my thyroid had gone to hell, but with daily monitoring and bed rest, my doctor let me go to the 36 week mark so we could (hopefully) avoid the NICU. Norah (Baby B) had some minor troubles transitioning with her breathing and they were threatening to take her to the NICU, but we dodged the bullet.</p> <p> Was your partner able to cut the cords?<br /> Nope. They didn't even offer it with the C-section. </p> <p> Did you get to do skin to skin right away?<br /> DH held them up to my face right away, but I didn't get to do skin to skin until we got to our room...about 30-40 minutes. I thought that would bother me, but I was so happy to know they were okay and in DH's arms. As long as I could see them and hold my cheeks against them, it was okay. </p> <p> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately?<br /> Yep! I hemorrhaged once I got back into the hospital room. They were literally giving me shots in the thigh and massaging my uterus while I tried to BF. Not the most treasured memory, unfortunately, but I'm glad I got to do it. (We ended up only BF'ing for 3 weeks, so that time was really special.)</p> <p> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery?<br /> They roomed with us! It was amazing!</p> <p>You got this! GL Mama, and let us know how it goes! Can't wait to hear! (PS here's a shot of them in the delivery room...I love the memory of DH holding our babies).<br /> Let us know if you have any questions, now or ever!</p> <p>[attach=1559/14/n3dtyr.600x450.IMG_0833.JPG] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1538484 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 21:14:26 +0000 littlehunny 1538484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 33w 4d<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) C-section<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? Emergency c-section due to HELLP syndrome. My platelet count was low and my blood pressure was super high.<br /> Sizes of your babies? 4lbs 13oz and 4lbs 1oz<br /> Any NICU time? E was in for 4 weeks and L was in for 3 mostly due to feeding issues as they had trouble figuring out the whole suck, swallow, breathe concept.<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? No<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? No they were too early and they needed to be looked at by the nicu teams right away.<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? I started pumping the next day, but didn't get to try breastfeeding for a week since the kids were so small and having trouble sucking.<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? Nursery</p> <p>Even though they were in the nicu they were fairly healthy and just needed some extra time to grow and learn to eat on their own. Everyone helping out with them was fantastic! They are now 17 months old and doing very well! </p> <p>If you have any questions feel free to ask! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-moms-birth-questions#post-1538478 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 21:11:52 +0000 sunshineandsushi 1538478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How many weeks were you when you gave birth? 37 weeks exactly<br /> Vaginal or c-section? (Or both?!) c section. We could have tried for vaginal since baby a was vertex, but Baby B was breech and I was terrified of a double whammy. Plus, my ob supported our decision of C section. I had an awesome recovery, no regrets on my decision<br /> Did you go into labor on your own, get induced, scheduled a c-section? I went into labor one week ahead of my scheduled c section. 38 weeks is the longest i would have been allowed to go<br /> Sizes of your babies? 7 lbs 1 oz and 6 lbs 9 oz<br /> Any NICU time? No<br /> Was your partner able to cut the cords? No, my hospital didn't offer that for c sections. DH was fine with that<br /> Did you get to do skin to skin right away? No, i went to recovery and the babies and Dh went to the nursery. I think that I had some more than normal hemorrhaging so I spent more than 1 hr in recovery<br /> Did you get to try breastfeeding immediately? No, bc of extended time in recovery. I got to try bf'ing probably 4 hrs after they were born<br /> Were your babies able to room in with you or did they go to the nursery? They were brought up to my room probably 4 hrs after the surgery, which actually worked out okay bc we were both exhausted. I went into labor a Monday evening after we both worked a full day. Boys were born at 2 am tues, so it was kind of like being up for 48 hrs bc we didn't go to sleep sleep til tues night </p> <p>Any other anecdotes, advice, etc? Thanks! Having twins is such an amazing journey and experience! My boys are 15 months and I still feel amazed at the fact that I am a twin mom. I am so incredibly proud of what my body accomplished growing two healthy babies, even though I was utterly miserable throughout pregnancy (and I had a relatively easy pregnancy w/o complications). </p>