https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:07:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027763 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:14:51 +0000 Torchwood 2027763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I very strongly want a vaginal birth, so I would go for the VBAC if it were me. But, seriously, if it's not something you feel strongly about, I would 100% go for the repeat c-section. I don't think that's something you want to go into if you aren't sure about it. And it is *your* decision, no matter what your OB recommends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027749 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:01:48 +0000 marionberry 2027749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: What an experience!!! Thanks so much for sharing! It had to be stressful but I'm glad in the end it all worked out. You're right, nothing matters but the fact that you have two healthy, happy babies in the end.<br /> @Mrs.Pinecone316: I like hearing this from a NICU nurse's perspective. When I mentioned a VBAC with the twins to nurses I work with from the OB floor, they seemed to recommend against it.<br /> @sunshineandsushi: I feel the same way about the double whammy - can't imagine recovering from both with a toddler! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027713 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:33:27 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2027713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I delivered my twins at 37 weeks via c-section. I had one scheduled for 38 weeks, but went into labor one week early. Baby A was head down, Baby B was breech. We decided to opt for the c-section because if Baby B didn't flip after A came out, I would have had a double whammy (delivery both ways) and that really freaked me out for potential recovery time. I don't regret my decision. Personally, I would be even more in favor of c-section if I had a toddler at home already. But, I agree with others that it probably comes down most to your mindset, which may change as you get closer to delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027678 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 15:20:20 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2027678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is great that your doctor is giving you options! I will just say as a NICU nurse, we go to all deliveries of multiples and I personally most often see them end up both being c-section or one goes vaginally, one goes by c-section. Honestly, the possibility of having to recover from both vaginal and c-section would be enough for me to just do a repeat c-section. I know a lot of people really want to avoid c-sections, and would go for trying vaginal and I would probably want that as well if it was a singleton but with twins I wouldn't risk it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027597 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:35:24 +0000 twodoghouse 2027597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: It's great that your pregnancy has been going well so far! I think that's a great sign that you'll go full term, which is so awesome for twins! I wasn't under general anesthesia for the csection. I had a failed epidural, so after 4 hours of pushing we headed to the OR (where all twins are delivered at my hospital) to deliver Alice by vacuum. I sound calm about this now but I was a disaster at the time - yelling at everyone that I needed a csection RIGHT NOW PEOPLE. There was a shift change and a new anesthesiologist came on duty and numbed me to high heaven right before we headed to the OR. After Alice was out we were trying an external version on Blake (he was transverse) when we lost his heartbeat. My hospital has a 2 minute rule- if the heartbeat doesn't rebound in 2 minutes you are being cut into. At the point that they lost his heartbeat, the anesthesiologist (my new BFF, Steve) pumped me full of all the drugs. My husband was kicked out of the room because they didn't have time to erect a screen, so I was holding Steve's hand and screaming that I was going to feel everything since I was convinced the epidural was going to give out. Steve promised I wouldn't feel anything for about 24 hrs. And boy was he right. That is something that I wish was different about my delivery because I was sooo drugged up and it of it for hours after. But that was an epidural issue not a twin issue, I guess. My husband had to leave the room but he was let back in very quickly. So quickly that they still didn't have a screen up and when he headed straight to me he got a huge eyeful. For what it's worth, my recovery from both the vaginal and csection deliveries were very easy. If I had to do it over I would because it was so important to me to have a vaginal birth (one of the many reasons we decided to try IVF instead of adoption was because I wanted to go through L&amp;D). Good luck with whatever you decide and remember the actual delivery is a little blip in the whole process. Once they're here the real fun begins! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027591 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:30:22 +0000 littlejoy 2027591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: No offense taken at all! I was just being silly. :)</p> <p>I will say, I had some ligament issues (a tight ligament that would NOT relax until I saw a chiropractor (for my VAGINA), lol). And, baby was a fast delivery, and I think I had some peripheral damage to my urethra. So yeah, the week after baby came, I felt like my vagina was destroyed. BUT, a year later (even at 4 month pp), it all felt normal again. Just a little comfort should you go that route. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027574 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:23:28 +0000 marionberry 2027574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Skadi: I read a great study that showed the risks and success rates of VBAC for singletons vs twins are exactly the same. I agree with you that this likely is going to come down to mental comfort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027566 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:20:15 +0000 marionberry 2027566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: I hope I didn't offend. I certainly don't mean that all vaginal deliveries destroy vaginas - just that I have multiple friends dealing with issues because of their vaginal deliveries and I would prefer to not have a long term issue if I don't need to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027565 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:19:12 +0000 Skadi 2027565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.skepticalob.com/2013/03/yet-another-c-section-study-that-purports-to-show-the-risks-but-ends-up-showing-that-arent-particularly-risky.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.skepticalob.com/2013/03/yet-another-c-section-study-that-purports-to-show-the-risks-but-ends-up-showing-that-arent-particularly-risky.html</a></p> <p>The Skeptical OB points out that statistically, the risks of repeat c-sections are on par with VBACs. Given that, I think you should probably just ask yourself what you're most comfortable with--it sounds like a repeat c/s is the route that would cause the least fear and anxiety for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027497 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:46:48 +0000 littlejoy 2027497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am an advocate for VBAC when a normal pregnancy presents itself. Like pp have mentioned, I feel like you really have to want the VBAC for it to work. So much about labor and birth is mental (can you dilate when you're focusing on the fears you have?) ... </p> <p>I have seen many stories of twin VBAC, and there are so many successes for a vaginal birth. I totally understand your hesitation though, and it sounds like you had a wonderful c-section experience. </p> <p>FWIW, I don't think vaginal birth destroys vaginas. Mine seems normal! ;) </p> <p>I hope you decide what's best for you, and that your doctor supports you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027485 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:41:05 +0000 marionberry 2027485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I think this is what my OB is thinking. I was actually just reading your blog article. I really hope that you're able to get your VBAC! I know that they're awesome for so many women, and like I said, if it were just one baby I'd probably be trying to do just what you are. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027481 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:39:12 +0000 marionberry 2027481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: Love your questions! Most of them I really need to ask my OB. I'm supposed to have my first growth scan at my next appointment which is on Tuesday. They haven't measured my cervix yet but I hope they do pretty soon. So far because I haven't had any issues my OB has been really lax. I'm still on appts every 3 weeks but I imagine that should move to at least 2 going forward. With your c-section with Blake were you under general? I think I'd be really sad if I didn't get to see them be born - it meant a lot to me to be awake for J's c-section last time.<br /> @lawbee11: @SugarplumsMom: This is pretty much my thought and certainly DH's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027476 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:37:58 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2027476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really want a VBAC with my current singleton, but if I were pregnant with twins and didn't feel really strongly about a VBAC I would probably do the c-section. You can always just wait and see if you go I to labor on your own since it may not be an issue and it would give you more time to see how the babies are doing at that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027456 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:27:17 +0000 lawbee11 2027456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think I'd attempt a VBAC with twins. I'd probably schedule a repeat c-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027444 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:20:20 +0000 twodoghouse 2027444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long would yor trial of labor be? Like, could you call it and go csection at any point? Who would make that decision? You or the OB? If OB, what will be the criteria for switching to csection? </p> <p>Have you had a growth scan recently? How are your babes measuring? How is B measuring in comparison to A? What positions are they in? Have you been having your cervix measured? Any thinning? Will you be checked for dilation as you get closer? All of these things would impact my decision, as someone who has been through a twin birth. For reference, I went through a 28 hr induction before Alice was born vaginally and Blake was a csection 9 minutes later. Obviously not ideal! But I wanted the vaginal birth so badly that I was willing to try knowing that was a risk. </p> <p>Going through a twin birth is no joke. If you don't desperately want the VBAC, I would probably opt for the csection. At least it is a known quantity! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027434 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:12:57 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2027434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would ignore her and schedule a c-section. I would not feel comfortable otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027432 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:11:53 +0000 Foodnerd81 2027432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@marionberry: oh wow! I had no idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027428 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:09:53 +0000 marionberry 2027428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: @Mamasig: Thank you for your opinions! @Foodnerd81: I think I read that the percentage of times one twin is delivered vaginally and the other needs to come out via c-section is as low as 4%. But you do seem to hear people talk about this as if it was much higher. VBACs are also pushed pretty heavily at my hospital to decrease the c-section rate so I know that that is at play too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027415 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:02:05 +0000 Foodnerd81 2027415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I would probably do what you are thinking- just go for the repeat csection. It seems like most twin births result in at least one being a csection- though just anecdotally, I'm thinking yor doctor knows a whole lot more about it than I do! Can you talk to your doctor about what the rate of Vbac vs ending up with a csection anyway is, with twins? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027410 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:59:10 +0000 Mamasig 2027410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a repeat c section with my 2nd son. Honestly, the procedure and recovery were harder the second time around. The recovery may have been worse since I had a toddler at home that also needed me. I never seriously contemplated a VBAC. I liked that I knew what to expect with a c section. </p> <p>If I were having twins, I'd definitely just go with the repeat c. To me it seems like less stress. But I'm not one of those women who feel like I missed out on something since I didn't push or have my boys vaginally.</p> <p>Eta: I saw your comment about getting out of the hospital earlier. That may not happen anyway. For both of my boys, I would have been released after 2 days but we ended up staying 4 days because of them. One had jaundice and one ran a fever. We stayed until they were cleared to leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027402 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:55:31 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2027402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Go with your gut feeling. If you are going to VBAC you have to really want it. If it was a singleton, I might encourage you to try VBAC, but with twins, well... it really comes down to your feelings on the issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vbac-for-twins#post-2027396 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:52:11 +0000 marionberry 2027396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first child was breech from nearly 20 weeks on. After a failed ECV I scheduled a c-section and he was born at 39+1. I had a great c-section experience and have no regrets. He was perfectly healthy (despite a little jaundice) although pretty little - 6lbs, 4oz.</p> <p>Now I am pregnant with twins and considering my delivery options. As long as baby A is head down, my OB is encouraging a VBAC. I have told her I most likely want a repeat c-section. We're scheduling one for 38 weeks but she wants to see what happens with a trial of labor if I go into labor prior to 38 weeks (within reason of course).</p> <p>What would you do? Here are my thoughts...</p> <p>If I go with a repeat c-section I know exactly what my recovery will be. I won't be damaging my vagina or suffering any long-term consequences (like some of my friends with recurring bladder issues). I know that there will be no risk to my fragile little ones, who could need NICU care. And I won't have to face a chance that I could vaginally deliver one and still need a c-section for the other (though odds are small of this).</p> <p>If I go with a VBAC, I have no idea how my body handles labor - it could go well or I could have all sorts of issues. I could get out of the hospital quickly with a shorter recovery and I won't have to worry about not being able to pick up my older son when he wants me. Finally, if we ever decided to have more children (we're really up in the air about if this will ever happen) it would be a much healthier option for my body.</p> <p>So to all mamas (and especially twin mamas) what would you do in this situation? I think if this were a singleton I'd go VBAC with no concern, but the fact that they're twins really has me feeling uncomfortable about it. </p>