As I'm nearing the end of my twin pregnancy, I've been thinking about the birth a lot more. I know there are so many different aspects to think about depending on the babies position, when I go into labor, etc. Did any of you make a birth plan that included a range from low medical intervention to emergency c-section? What did you include? With DD, I had a pain med free hospital birth with a midwife. It was amazing because I felt like I was in control of the entire birthing process. I know my experience will be a lot different this time, which bothers me a little, but the ultimate goal is that all three of us are healthy and can go home after the delivery.
@feegan I'm also very type-A, but I'm open to being much more flexible and do whatever needs to be done. That said, I'm still hoping to avoid a c-section or double whammy!
For the last few months, A has been vertex and B has been breech. It seems like they're going to stay that way, but we'll see.
Birth PlansSept 10, 2016 15:05:48 GMT -5via mobile
Post by mc13 on Sept 10, 2016 15:05:48 GMT -5
I also had a midwife for my first and planned to go med free until labor stalled at 7cms when I got an epidural. But with a twin pregnancy I found that even with a very very midwife-like OB it was a very managed birth but it couldn't have gone better.
My plan this time around was to hope I go into labor on my own and labor at home until contractions were 5-7 mins apart but unfortunately/fortunately I made it to 37 weeks with no sign of labor so I was induced. I think talking about all the options and what could happen with my doctor beforehand really was important. My doctor also made it clear that even if Baby B was breech, she would do a breech extraction. *A lot of doctors aren't comfortable with that so I would make sure to talk that out.
I was 4cm dilated when I got to the hospital for my induction so I avoided any cytotec and foley bulb but couldn't avoid the pitocin since I needed something to start labor. My OB started me on the lowest possible dosage (2 drops per hour) and only upped it to 4 drops per hour, letting my body take over as much as it could.
Also, My OB had to fight the anastethiologist a bit because she was adamant that I needed to deliver in the operating room "just in case" but my OB advocated for what I wanted...to be in a regular delivery room with the lights dimmed BUT they had to make a compromise with the on staff OB and anastethiologist to be Ok with that - the deal was that I had to have an epidural.
So basically, no real birth plan was made but I talked everything out very clearly with my OB in the weeks before delivery. And with knowing that it was going to be a very managed labor and delivery, I got exactly what I wanted but it took a doctor that was an amazing advocate for me and believed that a vaginal delivery was the best option and for me to understand and accept how we would achieve a vaginal delivery together.
Birth PlansSept 10, 2016 21:06:51 GMT -5via mobile
Post by bocaburger on Sept 10, 2016 21:06:51 GMT -5
My biggest advice is to come to terms with the fact that the birth will likely not go as planned, and be ok with that - but also know that you can advocate for yourself throughout the process.
I had a failed induction (I stalled at 4cm because my uterus was too distended from the twins to contract effectively) that ended in a c-section. I so, so badly wanted to deliver vaginally. But I am actually very at peace with what happened because I was the one who made the final decision (as well as smaller decisions throughout the process). The doctors of course advised me but I never let anyone force me into a decision, and I was clear about my preferences and needs throughout. I know that the c-section was necessary and I feel that it was a moment of growth for me, to willingly sacrifice my own wants for my children.
My only birth plan was to safely deliver two healthy babies.
Both girls were breech, so I was scheduled for a C-section at 38w5d, but due to preeclampsia, I had my C-section at 37w6d - actually, I just call it 38 weeks (two hours shy of that midnight new day mark!). Never went into labor. New had my water break. Nothing. I went in for a routine ultrasound and NST and my blood pressure was too high for them to let me go home.
I had no birth plan. Of course, my babies came 8 weeks early, totally unexpectedly, so no time to make a birth plan, even if I wanted to. We had talked vaguely about the likelihood if a C-section, given the twin thing and my son's known complications (IUGR and renal disease). But when I went into spontaneous labor, both babies were head down and in position, so they agreed to let me try for a vaginal delivery with close monitoring of DS for any signs of distress. I did go with an epidural from the get-go, that way it would be in place in case they had to convert to C-section at a moment's notice. Overall, I couldn't have had a better experience under the circumstances -- even with close to 20 people in the room (delivery staff and my support team, plus two NICU teams waiting to whisk babies away). I believe if I had invested much time, emotion and expectation into a birthplan, I probably would have been sorely disappointed, given the way things turned out. But, as it was, I was able to go with the flow as needed. Having a good team is key. I got lucky there... I had never met the OB that delivered the twins until that day, but our personalities meshed well. I guess my point is, you can't always plan and control can be a bit of an illusion. So, a birth plan is fine, but don't get too invested in it in case things do not go according to plan.
Last Edit: Sept 11, 2016 7:31:57 GMT -5 by spring78
*************Siggy Warning.************ Me: 39, DH:39 Married 4/2010, TTC since 7/2011. Dx: Officially Unexplained 6 IUIs, all BFN IVF#1 March 2014 31R/21F, 1 transferred, 12 Frosties. BFN FET #1 May 2014. 2 transferred. BFP! MMC. D&C 8/1/14 FET #2 November 2014. 3 transferred. BFN IVF #2 w/PGS ER 1/23, 16R/8F + 4 NEF, 8 made it to blast & sent out for PGS. 4 Normals!!! FET #3 2 transferred 3/23/15. BFP! Betas 4/6: 1662! 4/13: 18775!! It's twins!!
Just want to echo what others have said re: not having a birth plan, or at least not a firm one. My pregnancy thus far has been almost ridiculously uncomplicated, but my blood pressure reading was high on Friday, I was admitted yesterday, and we're now just in a wait-and-see situation, with possible pre-e or gestational hypertension. Nobody is overly concerned because I'm at 36 weeks already, but I think the whole thing would have been *way* more stressful if I had (even weak) preferences about how I wanted things to go. As things stand, I can genuinely tell the doctors that they should just do what's best without having to fight any disappointment/anxiety/fear based on a preconceived plan.
As yet another Type-A personality, my advice would be what others have said in various forms: Don't bother with a birth plan, and if you must, definitely don't have a firm one. I'm aware of the very few strong preferences I have, and I will voice them if it comes down to it, but trusting my medical team has been 99% of my birth plan. I think that's important with a multiples pregnancy where they usually just really, really, really know more than us about what's best.
You've all made really good points about keeping an open mind and being flexible. Hopefully I can do that over the next few weeks. Thanks for your words of wisdom!
Post by hollyberry on Sept 11, 2016 22:48:33 GMT -5
Truthfully I asked for a CS. That was my secret birth plan. I was afraid of the double whammy and so just felt that a CS was my best option for my mental health. I had some major anxiety about giving birth vaginally and knew that going through the fear and trying vaginally anyway could be really hard on me and cue panic attacks. So I decided a CS was the best option for a healthy delivery for me and the babies. I do feel a bit of guilt for not trying it but knew I needed to be mentality strong for the babies aftet birth and felt this was the best way for me and us. In the long run I know I made the right choice. I have not delt with any ppd (other then the normal hormone crying) and feel like choosing the option I did helped me combat it.
Me: 36, DH 32 Bfp#1 June 2014 edd: Feb. 22, 2015,mmc: Aug. 5,2014,D&C Bfp#2 Feb. 2015 edd: Oct.12, 2015, mmc: Mar. 7,2015, D&C
DX: Me: slightly hypothyroid, taking meds DH: SA Showed all low levels, urologist appointment showed all was normal, so no reason why the levels were bad.
Plan: IUI #1 Aug. 25mg clomed, to help boost egg quality - BFN IUI #2 Sept. 25mg clomed, BFN IUI#3 Dec. BFP!! TWINS Edd: Aug. 22, 2016
My birth plan for the twins consisted of trusting my dr. and going with a planned C-section. My pregnancy was textbook and showed no signs of complications, but I also showed no signs of going into labor/delivery on my own at 38 weeks. I was terrified of a double whammy and just wanted my babies on the outside, safe and sound.
Then Comes Family, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.