Written by Editorial Team
Pregnancy with twins is generally a high-risk pregnancy. Doctors depend on C-sections when the pregnancy falls under “high risk”. As the delivery of the twins is more often preterm, it is essential to understand the delivery options. This will make you approach the delivery more confidently. Is a C – section inevitable if you carry twins? Let’s find out.
One point to remember is that at some point of vaginal delivery of the twins, the procedure may require instruments like forceps or suction cups (assisted birth) to make the delivery easier. Also, if the mother is heading for a vaginal birth, an epidural for pain is given, foreseeing the possibility of issues that may arise at any time during the twin delivery.
In This Article
Women with twin pregnancies, though not in the majority, can still give birth vaginally (around 40 %!). How a twin delivery is progressing or ends entirely depends on the position of the babies and the complication possessed by both mother and babies. The vaginal delivery of the second twin occurs, if all conditions are favorable, around twenty to forty minutes after the first delivery.
Three conditions that promote vaginal delivery are:
If the first twin is in a head-down position or both the twins are in a head-down position, then the situation can be said, to be favorable to vaginal birth.
After the first twin is born, the doctor will do a vaginal examination and if needed an ultrasound scan too. This will reveal the position of the second child. If the child is in a good position, an easy vaginal delivery through an already fully dilated cervix is possible. Even if the contraction stops, doctors restart it by introducing hormones through the drip.
Even if the second twin is not in a favorable position the doctor can turn the baby to a vertex position which can be a success in some cases
If the mother and her babies are free from the issues that make a C-section necessary and if the babies are older than 34 weeks, your doctor suggests trying a vaginal birth.
Some of the conditions that prevent vaginal delivery are:
When the first twin is in a breech or transverse position, the situation becomes unfavorable for a vaginal delivery. The doctor may be able to deliver a single breech baby vaginally, but definitely not the twins.
Monochorionic twins are identical twins sharing the same placenta. It is impossible to deliver monochorionic twins vaginally.
Identical twins that share the same amniotic sac inside the mother’s womb make the vaginal delivery risky.
When the umbilical cord falls into the birth canal ahead of the baby, the situation favors a C-section as a vaginal birth is impossible. Other situations during which C-section is the only option in a twin pregnancy are:
This is another procedure of delivery that happens in a twin pregnancy. Here, after giving birth to the first twin vaginally, the second twin is coming through a C-section. This is, in fact, quite a rare occurrence (around 2-3%). The causes can be:
As we always say, in the course of delivery, we can’t expect a 100% guarantee. The complication can appear at any point in the procedure. We can’t predict anything earlier. Now the only way that remains is to go for an immediate C-section to deliver the second baby. That is why choosing the hospital and obstetrician is very significant when carrying twins.
Always choose an obstetrician who is a master in delivering twins, both vaginally and through a C-section. Make sure the hospital you choose has facilities to take care of premature babies (neonatal intensive care unit). Also, no need to get too anxious if anyone or both of your babies has to get admit the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is fairly common among twin babies born with low birth weight.
Stay well-nourished, and well hydrated. Think positively. God blessed you with double joy. Think about it. Happy delivery!
With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.
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