[Submitted Question]

I am having twins should I deliver vaginally or is this dangerous?

[WombToBloom]

Twins can be delivered vaginally under only one situation: if the presenting twin is head down and the second twin is head down as well. This basically makes for two vaginal births and is generally relatively safe for a pregnant mom and babies. If the twins are in a breech presentation or if even one twin is breech, it is considered too dangerous to deliver vaginally in this day and age.

Some doctors will deliver twins vaginally if one twin is head down and one twin is transverse, with the idea that he will pull the head down of the second twin after the first twin is delivered. It sometimes doesn’t work, however, and the second twin has to be delivered breech, which is more dangerous than a cephalic or head-down location.

You should also talk to your doctor and ask how many twins he or she has delivered vaginally. The doctor should be experienced at delivering twins vaginally or you should switch to a different doctor or be delivered by cesarean section. So many twins are delivered by cesarean section these days that doctors just don’t have the experience delivering twins vaginally anymore.

There are also situations where one twin is delivered vaginally and the other twin is delivered by cesarean section.

[Chesapeake Birth]

Sure you can, but baby A needs to be head down and doctor or midwife needs to be willing to reach in for Baby B if he/she is not head down. The rule of thumb is usually everybody needs to be head down. You can try accupuncture or chiropractic care to turn the babies but thats not a guarantee. Sometimes if baby B is not head down they will follow baby A out.

good luck!

Sue

[imaginephoto]

With multiple birth deliveries, the hospitals here deliver in the OR in case they need to do a C-section. They will attempt all multiple birth vaginally if Baby A is head down.

[SandraTallbear]

Originally Posted by WombToBloom

I am having twins should I delivery vaginally or is this dangerous?

Many women are able to deliver their twins vaginally. A true contra-indication would be the first twin breech and the second twin head down as the chins could entangle. If your first baby is head down and your placenta is not covering the cervix there is no reason why you couldn't labor with an excellent outcome, except that your doctor prefers C/sections for twin deliveries. Have an open dialogue with your doctor, tell your doctor you'd like to deliver vaginally if possible. I'd like to share an empowering story with you. In Africa a woman was in labor with triplets. While walking to the hospital a rain storm hit and she climbed up in a tree to wait it out. It flooded. The flood lasted 3 days. She gave birth to her triplets in the tree and nursed them, cared for them those 3 days and then proceeded to walk to the hospital with her newborns when the flood subsided. If she can birth triplets in a tree, any woman can easily give birth to twins in the hospital with all of modern medicine to assist.

[veteranmidwife72]

You would do very well if you had your babies vaginally. Many good doctors will let you labor as you like to have your twins, Birth Is A Natural Process, twins or one baby, even if one baby is turned, that baby can be turn to the right position. If your with a midwife, they too are trained to guide... you turn babies if needed, deliver and care for you in the best way. Do not be afraid, whether this is your first baby or second delivery and you are having twins, Of course i advocate midwives, i am one, but i have also seem many good docs relaxed and not plan you out as a c-section, Don't plan one either. let me know how you decide, Let me know if i can answer any more questions for you, i would be very glad to. It's not dangerous
Eveith Miller LM

[Doula Jenny]

Of course you can have your babies vaginal! if this is how you want to have your babies stand firm and don't let any OB bully or scare you into a C-section. I'll be rooting for you!

LOVE & LUCK
-Jenny!

[veteranmidwife72]

How r u doing, what a great responce from so many people... have you had a sono recently?, how are the twins lying to day?

[fawnanddoe]

There are many women who deliver twins vaginally! If that is what you want I strongly encourage you to go for it!

[Nicolexx]

I agreed with WombToBloom but you also need to consult the Better and Professional Medical doctor for advice.