Delivering Twins naturally

[2 Buns a baking]

Hi, I'm 29 weeks pregnant with twins and was wondering about the likelihood that the twins could be delivered naturally. Doctor has said that it would most likely be by C-section but I'm still hoping. Anyone able to share their experiences with giving birth to twins? Thanks!

[cousin]

I haven't but my cousin did. One was breech, too. This was in NZ where it's standard to deliver twins vaginally.

[experience]

One of mine was head down and ready to go and the other was breech - I was told by the doctor that I could deliver the first one naturally, but they would probably end up doing a C-section to deliver the second. I decided I didn't want to end up with both a 'natural' delivery and a C-section at the same time, so I opted for a planned C-section at 38 weeks.

29 weeks is still early - best to stick with a 'wait-and-see' attitude. If they are both in the head down position when you get closer to term then it makes perfect sense to try to go natural. In the end, though, you are best opting for the safety of you and the 2 babies - and, sometimes, that means a C-section. No big deal - I didn't find the recovery from a C-section all that rough.

[oh lord]

Delivered naturally at 38 and half weeks. They gave me epidural half way through the labour just in case an emergency c-sec is needed  for sudden complications. I was up and walking the next day and left the hospital on the 3rd day. The labour only took 8 hours and 12 minutes between daughter 2 and daughter 3 when they came out. I had the most wonderful and the cleverest obstetrician - in NZ though - he does 80% of the twins deliveries in North Shore, Auckland. In comparison to the birth of my singleton eldest daughter, 16 hours of labour and took almost 2 whole days before I was able to walk. 

Natural birth can definitely be done if there are no known problem. I think if there are breach issue, most doctors would probably opt for c-sec as to avoid any emergency situation. As your pregnancy approaches the 32-35 weeks mark, you should have these discussion with your doctor if he hasnt said anything yet.

[New Market Wizard]

I have three girlfriends in Australia who have had vaginal delivery with twins (all first time pregs - one a home/water birth!) & meet many women in my bf counselling who have done so too.  The conventional wisdom here as I understand it is that as long as you have one baby head down then a labour will be allowed to proceed, albeit highly monitored.  It would not be surprising to know that the routine is different in SG where the tendency in any situation where surgery 'may end up' being required, is to go straight for the surgery.  I guess the decision can only be made in discussion with your OB, but ultimately it should be your choice.  Check out some sites where multiple births are discussed to see where your own preference may be.

[NMS1]

I would make sure that you discuss this with your doctor sooner rather than later as some of them have very fixed views on certain things. Leave yourself enough time to find someone else if you aren't on the same page.

[Mother of twins.]

Delivered mine naturally in 36th week, no complications at all, but both head/head wich is to prefer.Would never ever consider homebirth with twins though..

[agreed]

i agree with mother of twins.

i would personally feel more at ease at a hospital just in case any last min  complications come up.

[2 Buns a baking]

Thanks for all the advice. At 20 weeks, both twins were head down. Now, both twins have their heads on the right side of my belly, one breech, one transverse. So, the right top side of my belly is very hard. My doctor has said that he would very much like to deliver them naturally. He just warned that if they don't move downward then it'll have to be a c-section. Yup, at the end of the day, it's what is better for the twins. All I can do is to talk to them and tell them to turn. It'll be funny if they come up pirouetting because they keep hearing mummy going "turn babies turn"!

[OB]

Dont take this the wrong way but does your doctor actually mean that or could he perhaps simply be stating what he knows you want to hear? There is only a very small group of OB's here that would be willing to actually give it a go. If you've been here a while then you probably know the names of those (one in particular at TMC). I've seen friends deliver with OB's who were supposedly all for low-intervention births (where possible, obviously) but when it came down to it couldn't wait to get the inductions/drugs happening. I realise twins are different - and I hope that one or both turn for you  - maybe you should ask your OB how many times he has delivered twins naturally before?

[Seond that]

The only chance you've got of delivering twins naturally in Singapore is if you are with either of those well known male Drs at Thomson Medical Centre.  Most hospitals are very averse to allowing natural twins because of the complications and possible legal issues.  Also, give how section happy Drs are in Singapore, there are very few who actually have recent experience in delivering like this.

Good luck with Paul or TC. They are both great.

[2 Buns a Baking]

Oh, I've read about twins being delivered naturally at KKH before but I'm delivering at Gleneagles. My doctor's LC Foong and from what I've heard, he's pro natural birth because he was trained in the UK. And his nurse has told me, when I asked that he does deliver twins naturally, when they are in the right position that is. I guess at the end of the day, I'm fine with how they are delivered as long as it guarantees their safety but of course, a natural birth in my book is always preferable.

I'm happy to deliver with him at Gleneagles because he's been a really great doctor, it's near where I live and TMC for some reason gives me the heebeejeebies!

[oh lord]

Yes, I also think the world of Dr Paul Tseng (of TLC) and he was my Dr prior to leaving SG for NZ at 6 months pregnant with the twins.

Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy and the impending birth.

[Mumof2]

I believe that KK also has some good gyneas. A good friend told me that they had already pushed her into the OT in case of a C-section because one of the babies was in a breech position but her gynea managed to turn him and delivered both naturally. The thing that amazes me is that she only used laughing gas for her pain and she was discharged 2 days later.