I am almost 13 weeks pregnant. We just found out we're having TWINS. I was hoping to have a natural childbirth, but now I'm starting to think I'll have no choice but to have a cesarean and that TERRIFIES me.
I'm still in shock about having twins, but I am extremely happy and excited. I've secretly wanted twins all my life, but never believed this could happen to me. I know it's going to be a lot of work. We have a 3 year old boy too... I just want to be prepared as much as possible.
I think having major surgery then trying to adjust and take care of three children is insane. I also want to make sure that I'm able to nurse them. It's very important to me.
In a nutshell, I'm just terrified about everything.
I'm trying to do my research though. I felt like I knew exactly what to expect, but then we found out it was TWO babies and now my world is shaken up like a snowglobe. AN INCREDIBLY AWESOME, BLESSED BEYOND BELIEF kind of snowglobe, but a scary one when I don't know what to expect.
And I guess the delivery should be the least of my worries, but it is very important to me.
ARE there any doctors that won't pressure me into a cesarean delivery??!?!?!
The doctor I saw last Thursday basically told me it was a waste of my time to deliver the first baby vaginally, because the second would most likely be turned and they won't deliver breech. She said I'd have to go all the way into Houston to see a doctor like that. (I live in Spring... I really wouldn't mind a 20 minute drive to avoid MAJOR abdominal surgery!)
Sorry for the novel, ladies. Mamasource has been such a blessing to me. I really appreciate all of you taking your time to help me!!!!!!
I AM A PROUD MOTHER OF TWIN GIRLS!!!
you do not have to have a c-section UNLESS the babies are having some type of complications.
my OBGYN was Dr. Janowitz, he was very professional and caring towards my needs. my pregnancy went smoothly, he does prefer vaginal delivers or c-section too, cause of the recovery time. his number is ###-###-####
Congratulation N.,
I believe you do need to find a Dr. that you are comfortable with and one that is willing to do a vaginal delivery if there are no complications. If you find out that you do need to C-section, don't get too fearful and upset about it. You will recover. I have 14 year old twins and I needed a C-section because they were breach. Yes, it will be hard in the beginning and you will have to deal with some pain but make sure you get help and you should still be able to nurse them. You should feel a lot better after 3 weeks and much better after about 6 weeks. Take the help that is offered and you will be fine.
It has been a few years (5 or 6), but a friend had her twins (both were head down) vaginally with Dr. Betty Edwards who delivers at Methodist Willowbrook or Houston Northwest. Dr. Jonathan Hulme would probably be good, too, since he delivered two sets of his OWN twins vaginally. He, too, delivers at Houston Northwest. Am sure there are others; these are just the ones I know about.
Babies usually have to be both head down when starting labor for most physicians to consider a vaginal birth, and there is a chance that one will turn into an unfavorable position even during delivery, so they usually deliver in the operative delivery rooms where you only can have one support person with you. But it definitely can be done.
A. (doula and childbirth educator)
I had twins 17 years ago. It was also my first and I too felt so blessed. The Dr I had then, through Kelsey Sebold and still do, said wait and see. At 13 weeks it is hard to say what kind of delivery as their position could change. At four months both heads were down or the other way, but the Dr was hoping they would be positioned different. She said most likely they wouldn't change positions as I am 5 foot tall and was 104 pounds, then. The next 3-4 weeks my one son kicked & stretched the heck out of me. Sure enough on the next visit, he had turned himself. The Dr was very careful what she said when near my stomach LOL!! So it is hard to say at this point what delivery is "necessary". Stick to your guns about how you would like it providing there are no complications. I did have a vaginal birth, but they were 8 full weekds early. They ran out of room. Had they gone to full term they would have been 8/9+ pounds. They are fine & healthy today.
I also nursed and it is possible to nurse two at the same time. And easier at times. Get with a lactation consultant. They can really help. And of course there is always Mamasource for helpful, experienced tips & ideas. Many Blessings on your double JOY!!!
Hi N.-
Congratulations!! I don't have experience with twins, but it's worth a call to Women of The Woodlands. Dr. Richter-Werning delivered my son and I always found the entire staff to be wonderfully helpful and open and good about providing just the amount of care and intervention that I wanted. It's worth at least asking about their position on this.
http://www.womenofthewoodlands.com/index.html
Good luck!
K.
N.,
Congratulations on having twins! It's an amazing journey.
Having been right where you are, I can share a few things to keep in mind. First, I would suggest taking the multiple birth class at the Women's Hospital on Fannin. It is extremely helpful and you will see how delivering twins differs from delivering a singleton. I would also contact your local Mothers of Multiples group. You will receive the support and encouragement of moms just like me who have been down the same road.
As for your physician, if you don't have one, I'd highly recommend Shelly Leeds-Richter with Obstetrical and Gynecological Associates on Fannin. The Women's Hospital closed its Woodlands office, so you'll have to drive to see her. She's worth it. She's a graduate of Baylor, did her residency at Ben Taub with high risk pregnancies and is very meticulous and a good communicator. I, too, hoped for a vaginal delivery. She was willing to work with me.
One thing to keep in mind is that every pregnancy is different and you can't control the outcome. Being flexible and having healthy babies is more important than having the picture perfect delivery. Although I desperately wanted the natural delivery, one of my twins was in fetal distress and the other was breech at the onset of labor. I opted for an emergency c-section on the spot. We made it through the first year and now my sons are in first grade.
My number 1 piece of advice is "be flexible." I hope this helps. Good luck!
Most doctors do not PRESSURE you into having a C-Section. Is your doctor doing this or have you convinced yourself that is what will happen? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
You also have to be open to the possibility that a C-Section will be necessary. I had also planned to have a natural birth - a C-Section was not planned. However, when my daughter became stuck in the birth canal and it was a choice of having a C-Section or her dying I chose the C-Section even though I was scared out of my mind all the way to the operating room.
Discuss your options with your doctor. If your body is not going to properly prepare itself for a natural delivery, you should talk to family, friends, church members about helping with your 3yo and the twins once you come home from th hospital.
I haven't had twins, but I do know you need a Dr you are comfortable with, not one who isn't willing to explore other options. Keep looking around, after all, you wouldn't hire a nanny who would do things you don't agree with, and your OB/GYN is really the first caretaker of you and the babies.
That being said, you can't close yourself off to the possibility that it might become MEDICALLY neccessary to have a c-section. If yours, or the babies lives are in danger, you want a Dr who is willing to look at all the options, and take the neccessary action.
Also, breastfeeding is not out of the question with a c-section, or with twins. The football hold is perfect for keeping baby off the tummy, with the added bonus of being able to hold two at once, with a little help from Daddy! I would contact someone from the La Leche League for help/info.
Good luck, and congratulations!
N.: I am a little short on time this morning, but feel free to email me with specific questions. My boys are 3, and were born naturally. My doctor never entertained the idea of a section (unless medically necessary). My boys were not born here, but I a am dumb founded that a section would be mandated. Maybe the doctor is just afraid of being sued. My first was born head down, second breech. They literally just pulled him out feet first, knowing all along this is what position they were in. The first baby does all the work on your body, the second comes along for the ride! Keep looking, there has to be a confidant doctor in your area. Good luck.
