Do Multiples Equal Cesarean?

A Guide to Vaginal Twin Births

By Neilia Sherman

Being pregnant with twins does leave you more vulnerable to medical complications, which is why moms-to-be are monitored more often throughout their twin pregnancies. Preterm labor is a possibility because two babies stretch out the uterus sooner. You may need to cut down on activity toward the end of the pregnancy and spend more time lying down. Pregnancy-induced hypertension, which is known as pre-eclampsia, is also seen more often in twin pregnancies, as is gestational diabetes.

Mathews realized that taking care of herself was one way that she could increase the odds of having a vaginal birth, since some Cesareans are performed as a result of the above medical complications.

"I got a lot of rest, and while I was out of bed, I listened to my body," she says. "If I felt tired, I didn't try to fight it. I took a nap, even if it was for only 30 minutes."

Dr. Lawrence Jay Rappaport, a senior attending physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N.Y., has delivered many twins vaginally and describes the experience as "exhilarating." However, when one baby is in the breech position, he does consider a Cesarean section, as the delivery might be too difficult for the mother. "If the first baby is breech and the second baby is vertex, there may be interlocking of heads, which makes vaginal delivery difficult, if not impossible," he says.

Dr. Rappaport also cautions that sometimes twins have only one placenta, so it is important to avoid delivering the placenta after the birth of the first twin.

Want to see more?

• Pregnancy & Birth Statistics: Cesarean Section Delivery
• Just in Case: Making a Plan for Cesarean Birth
• Keep Those Babies in There: Avoiding Premature Delivery With Twins
• I Wish Someone Had Told Me What I Needed to Know About Bed Rest
• Talk about it!