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Do Multiples Equal Cesarean?
A Guide to Vaginal Twin Births
By Neilia Sherman
The interval between the birth of twins is usually less than an hour. Dr. Hill says that there is no required time in which the delivery has to occur because the second twin is monitored very closely. In her book, Having Twins: A Parent's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Childhood (Mariner Books, 1991), author Elizabeth Nobel points out that putting the first twin to the breast immediately can stimulate contractions, which will aid in the birth of the second twin. She attributes the high incidence of C-sections for twin births to the fact that medical schools teach doctors to do surgical interventions rather than training them to do breech births.
"Unfortunately, the extra difficulty in breech deliveries and the skill required to are reasons enough for many obstetricians to opt for a Cesarean," she says. She also explains that the generally smaller size of twins should make a breech birth easier than it normally is.
It is possible for the position of the second twin to change after the first is born. An internal version (moving the baby internally) can be done if the second twin is transverse. Doctors also sometimes try external version to avoid a breech delivery.
There are occasionally instances where one baby is born vaginally but the second is born by C-section. Dr. Hill says this is not unusual and happens in cases where there is a prolapsed cord or an abruption, resulting in the need for a prompt delivery of twin No. 2.
Marge Williams, of Edison, N.J., saw a team of doctors who specialize in high-risk births throughout her pregnancy. She believes that a twin pregnancy is high risk and should be handled by specialists. "A doctor who is used to delivering twins is going to be far less likely to do an automatic 'C-section' to avoid complications," she says. She was able to deliver vaginally – the first twin was head down and the second one turned head down after the first was born.
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Do Multiples Equal Cesarean? by Anonymous on 08/05/2009 01:02AM
if u want a natural birth dont go to an obs! why go to a specialist in complicated delivery when u can go to a midwife who specialises in NATURAL birth
Do Multiples Equal Cesarean? by jc on 07/07/2009 09:33AM
My question is this: How do I find a doctor who is supportive of natural delivery? Thus far, I can't find anyone who will tell me anything other than that c-section is the way of things with twins. I am meeting with a midwife tomorrow, but anyone I mention this to thinks I am a wacko for even considering something other than an OB in a hospital for my "high risk" twin birth (high risk for no other reason than that it is twins!). The birth center in the area won't deal with twins. I feel stuck. How did you manage 5 hours between? I run across stories like this every so often. It sounds normal and natural to have some time between, but when I ask a medical professional about it, they insist that it is not possible to allow so much time between. Where did you give birth? Home, hospital, elsewhere? It is reassuring to hear stories like this ...
Do Multiples Equal Cesarean? by Anonymous on 06/15/2009 06:17PM
that is so awsome and reasuring to a hear. I keep getting told from everyone I will have to have a cesarian. I strongly feel if one baby is head down, why should I? I am going to fallow all the steps to help prevent a cesarian! I can't believe yours were 5 hours apart. Congradulations!!! And way to go!!
Re: Do Multiples Equal Cesarean? by anonymous on 01/31/2009 02:31AM
I just delivered twins vaginally (they were 5 hours apart!) and I must say I was happy with the experience. I'm looking forward to a quick recovery and a happy every after! Both twins were head down.
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Re: by anonymous on 01/14/2010 03:47AM
I had twin boys at 37wks and 3days!My OB really wanted me to have a cesarean but my husband and I did a lot of researched and I told him that he had to at least let me try to have them vaginal!I did Baby A was born and 4 minutes later Baby B was born!! I'm expecting again and they think it's multiples again....maybe even triplets or quads and I'm making sure I do my research and hoping for another vaginally birth!Have 6 kids with the last twins all natural vaginal births!It can happen!