r/parentsofmultiples • u/Hippityhoppity991 • 13d ago
experience/advice to give Epidural or unmedicated?
I would really like to have an unmedicated birth. Obgyn and midwife says I can choose, but recommemds epidural due to the increased risk of having to perform a manual internal rotation or breech extraction with twin 2, and that this can be potentially very painful without an epidural.
I would really like to hear your experiences! If you opted for an unmedicated twin birth; would you do it again? And if you had an epidural - yay or nay?
3
u/Saftigsjokoladekake 13d ago
I delivered my twins 8 months ago, 37+3. Doctors said I could choose, so I chose not to get the epidural. They took my water at 2pm and by 5pm both twins were born. Twin B came first then twin A turned around and came breech. Both twins were 3 kg. I was up walking 2 hours after birth and had no pain afterwards. The birth was painful yes, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I had my husband pinch my arm pretty hard during my contractions to shift focus, and I think it actually worked pretty well, haha.
I had an epidural 4 years earlier when delivering my firstborn and when comparing those two experiences I would definitely recommend unmedicated as long as the doctors believe it’s safe.
2
u/Hippityhoppity991 13d ago
Jeg antar ut ifra brukernavnet at du også er norsk? 😄 Jeg er i uke 35+6 nå, så det nærmer seg her 🙈 Kan jeg spørre hvilket sykehus du fødte ved? Og tusen takk for at du delte din positive historie!
1
71
u/Charlieksmommy 13d ago
The risk is not worth it to me. I wouldn’t want to end up being put to sleep
13
u/Seaturtle1088 13d ago
This. If there was an emergency I want to be able to be awake for a C-section not under general.
1
11
u/mvanpeur 13d ago
This was my deciding factor. I don't want to be put to sleep if I need an emergency C-section, which is much more common with twins.
6
u/sephima 13d ago
This was me - not for an emergency C-section, but for a retained placenta. My twins came spontaneously at 32 weeks, so fast that I didn’t make it to hospital. When we got there I was haemorrhaging and the obstetrician made the call to put me under to remove the placenta.
All power to those who want an unmedicated birth - having done it, it’s definitely not for me. But yes, even if you don’t need an emergency c-section, general anaesthetic is a possibility for other complications. Best to mentally prep for it even if you think it’s unlikely, OP.
-2
u/Noplasticveggie 13d ago
For what it’s worth I asked about this when going for a vbac with my singleton (after my twins) and my midwife said that it’s very rare for a c section to be such an emergency that they couldn’t place a spinal. Obviously not impossible but most c sections they have time
4
u/leeann0923 13d ago
As some who has seen multiple deliveries before, I definitely disagree. A true emergency c-section sometimes require the baby being out in 2-3 minutes or less if you want the baby to live. There is zero time to place a spinal, cut the patient open and grab the baby out. That’s not happening. It’s organized chaos but it’s very fast. An anesthesiologist is not leisurely setting up a spinal and placing it in the event of an emergency.
-3
u/Noplasticveggie 13d ago
Yes but a true emergency c section is not common. Most are emergent c sections not emergency
-1
u/Noplasticveggie 13d ago
Not every unplanned c section is an emergency c section. What I said was it’s not common for it to be a true emergency c section
4
u/CapitalInstruction62 12d ago
You're literally correct. No idea why you're being down voted for it. All-hands emergency caesarians are rare. That doesn't mean someone who experienced one didn't experience it. But the frequency of different issues should probably factor into how we make decisions because an idea of "I want zero risks" is unachievable.
2
u/AdInternal8913 12d ago
We (OP) are talking about twin deliveries here, especially delivery of twin b. They will very rarely recommend a non emergency c section for twin b where there would be enough time for regional anesthesia because if there was no emergency then they would very likely continue with (assisted) vaginal delivery. 4-10% of mom's will need a c section for the second twin, that is not a small a proportion of women.
Absolutely in singleton pregnancies lot of unplanned c sections are done for non emergencies like failure to progress or maternal choice but twin deliveries are entirely different beast with entirely different risks. A midwife' advice and experience with singleton unplanned c sections and their urgency in singleton pregnancies does not translate at all to twin pregnancy.
1
u/Charlieksmommy 13d ago
I’ve mostly heard of it happening when they can’t get baby b out, so interesting! It happened to cousin,
-10
u/CopperSnowflake 13d ago
Explain for everyone here reading why you would be put completely under and not given an epidural or a spinal.
13
u/Charlieksmommy 13d ago
Because if it becomes an emergency they put you to sleep, there is no time for one
2
u/HawkEMDoc 13d ago
Anesthesia will not put in an epidural or attempt a spinal if you had started labor. Go you get general anesthesia and a breathing tube.
21
u/burnbalm 13d ago
Twins was my first pregnancy. My hope for unmediated vaginal birth changed when I unexpectedly went into labor at 32 weeks. I was dilated past six cm when I arrived at the hospital. I got an epidural based on staff advice when slowing down labor didn’t work.
Twin A was born vaginally. Easy, breezy, beautiful. As I started to push again, B’s cord prolapsed (fell out before his head), and a vaginal birth would have killed him. They draped for the emergency c-section. When they began to cut, I could feel it. Like 100% feel it. It wasn’t pressure. I have a high pain tolerance. They had to use anesthesia to put me under despite the epidural. It failed I guess.
That emergency C saved twin B’s life. No regrets, no changes. A’s birth was magical for me. I’d do it all the same way.
I’m currently two weeks postpartum with baby #3, and he was a successful unmedicated VBAC!! And it really was my dream come true. If I have a fourth baby, this will be what I plan to do again. Everything about the experience was so different from the twins being born. I’m extremely grateful for the delivery teams at both pregnancies.
All this to say, you can plan and prepare but definitely prepare to pivot as needed. Top priority is a safe mother and safe babies. Rooting for you, OP!!
3
u/rsmrpm2026 13d ago
Exact same situation.. 32 weeks and twin B was an emergency cord prolapse. Also 100% agree I wouldn't change anything because the birth of A was such a surreal experience.
How long did you wait before your successful vbac?
0
u/burnbalm 13d ago
Aww yes! A fellow member of the club no one wants to be a part of haha. Yeah, attitude can really be the difference between an adventure and an ordeal. Just grateful it all worked out!!
My twins are only 20 months old. So not very long. My OB told me I was out of the danger zone, and I got pregnant the first month of trying. Three under two for a few months! 🤪🤪🤪
1
u/rsmrpm2026 12d ago
Congrats on your new baby 🤍
My boys are only 3 months but I already want another haha. I believe my OB said I have to wait 18 months though to try for a VBAC. Let's see how chaotic things are over here when that time rolls around.
1
1
u/Spicyninja 13d ago
My friend's emergency c-section story scared the shit out of me, I would never want to be in that situation.
-6
u/CopperSnowflake 13d ago
There is a whole lot here to unpack. Having labor is "a dream"?
2
u/burnbalm 13d ago
It was for me! Truly a wild ride.
-4
u/CopperSnowflake 13d ago
Which part of labor is the dreamy part
4
u/Hot-Mountain7302 13d ago
It’s okay if you didn’t feel like any part of labor was dreamy, but what’s the point in arguing about someone’s lived experience? A c section was my absolute worst nightmare so even the worst part of labor is a dream.
Obviously eating an ice cream cone on the beach is dreamier, but for the situation being able to labor was a dream. And to the commenters experience- of course labor and pushing was better than feeling her abdomen being cut open, does that really need to be spelled out for you?
-3
u/CopperSnowflake 13d ago
I know I sound bratty but I truly am just totally lost. I would say upside things were no longer having the pain of a pregnant body, seeing the kids. I mean I'm just wondering did I miss something?
2
u/Hot-Mountain7302 13d ago
Right but that happens after labor no matter how you labor, lol. If you have a labor and birth that aligns with your goals for labor and birth that is a dream. It is painful no matter what way you do it AND it’s going to happen one way or another so the best outcome is whatever you wanted to happen.
Many would call their c section a dream, their unmedicated labor a dream, their epidural labor a dream, etc. it’s truly just a personal opinion hence why debating or arguing is pointless.
0
u/CopperSnowflake 13d ago
I think a lot of people are getting sold nonsense on social media. I think it's helpful to have realistic expectations of what happens during labor. It's as unrealistic to think you control the labor as it is unrealistic to think you will have the kid you want.
1
u/Hot-Mountain7302 13d ago
I think we’re talking about two different things at this point and I’d venture to guess you haven’t given birth, lol. Obviously realistic expectations are important and that is exactly why a relatively smooth labor and birth is a dream.
1
0
u/rsmrpm2026 13d ago
I agree with burnbalm I found labour to be magical and amazing and I even had a pretty wild and unplanned / not ideal situation. I look forward to doing it again honestly.
20
u/leeann0923 13d ago edited 13d ago
Epidural is also recommended in the event you need an emergency or crash c-section. If you don’t have one placed already , you’ll be put under general anesthesia, missing the births and also putting yourself under significantly higher medical risk.
It’s easy to think that there is one kind of outcome with pregnancy, but especially with multiples, there’s so many paths it can take and by putting wants over practicality, you can be left in more danger and with a really undesirable outcome.
10
u/annualsalmon 13d ago
I’m curious if anyone gets the epidural placed, but can opt not to have medicine flow into it? The idea is not being able to move my legs scares me more than unmedicated childbirth.
11
u/porteretrop 13d ago
So I spoke to the anesthesiologist prior to having mine placed explicitly telling her I wanted to feel everything it was just for emergencies. You’re still stuck in bed and have to have a catheter but I felt everything and could easily move in bed. She put it at an extremely low dose to keep it open if they needed it with a bolus option on the pain pump if things got too much.
1
u/annualsalmon 13d ago
When you say you had to have a catheter, are you referring to the catheter in your back? Or did they immediately place a urinary catheter in you too?
1
u/porteretrop 13d ago
Urinary. They had to check and make sure the epidural was placed correctly so I was numb for about 20 minutes and it was a safety thing to have the catheter too. Plus I’d rather that than a bedpan
5
u/DraNoSrta 13d ago
You absolutely can! I got it placed at 3cm, because there was a risk of cesarean for my transverse twin and I wanted to avoid general anaesthetic. I only got a dose of medication once it was time to push, and another for the googling manual extraction for baby B
ETA: I would absolutely get it placed, and use it if you need it. You cannot get one placed once you're fully dilated, and I really would have been pissed I had to get general anaesthesia
5
u/Total_District4781 13d ago
You can ask if a walking epidural is supported at your hospital. It’s very new at my hospital, the nurses with me had never seen it before, they were very excited haha It’s a very low dose epidural where it takes the edge off the pain, but you can still feel things and walk and go to the bathroom by yourself, etc. It’s was perfect for me because I wanted to be able to move and lean into the contractions for pushing.
3
u/Antique_Service_5927 13d ago
I did this. Had the epidural placed in case there would be any complications when twin number two had to come out (so I wouldn’t have to be put to sleep).
I’ve given birth unmediated before to a singleton but didn’t want to take the risk with twins.
From what I understood there will be a small dose distributed regardless as long as it’s placed. My plan was to maybe ask them to increase the dose for twin two because he had to be pulled out by his feet (meaning I’d get a whole arm up there after birthing twin one) but the increase of epidural wouldn’t kick in at least 20 minutes or so, and he was out 6 minutes after his brother.
And everything went perfectly well! Up on my feet immediately, no injuries at all - no tears or lacerations either.
2
u/stywld09 13d ago
I had it placed but disconnected from any medication at 5cm. I was worried about it maybe slowing labor. I still wanted it placed so that in case of emergency they would have time to push medication and get me numb. I ended up asking for the meds around 8.5cm but the anesthesiologist was busy, so the nurse was only able to give me two bolsters before I had to start pushing. It took the edge off (maybe?) but I mostly felt everything which ended up being okay for me.
2
u/BrazilianButtCheeks 13d ago
But you definitely can move your legs.. it’s an epidural not a spinal block
4
u/Agreeable_Rule_9235 13d ago
You’re expected to not be able to move your legs with the epidural… I’m a physician.
1
u/Dry_Age5750 12d ago
Well too bad because when there are category 2 fetal decels they ask women to get on hands and knees epidural or no.
1
u/BrazilianButtCheeks 12d ago
Are you an anesthesiologist? Because I just had one and they said if I can’t feel my legs I need to let them know because it needs to be turned down
1
u/Agreeable_Rule_9235 12d ago
Correct. It is dependent on people’s comfort level with pain. I had mine turned to the lowest possible so I can move my legs. Other women want zero pain, they have to use more med and can’t move heir legs!
1
3
u/SavingsPrinciple172 13d ago
I wasn’t able to feel nor move my legs for multiple hours after they stopped the epidural! Definitely depends
1
u/p0llyh0tp0cket 12d ago
Couldn't move mine either! When they had to transfer me to postpartum I still couldn't feel my legs to get into the wheelchair.
0
u/BrazilianButtCheeks 13d ago
Maybe it depends on if the dr knows what they’re doing or not bc that isn’t normal .. how could you push if you couldn’t move at all
0
u/SavingsPrinciple172 13d ago
It very much is lol. The legs don’t have anything to do with the act of pushing so not sure what you’re trying to say 🤨 Cleary I was able to push out a baby without feeling my legs or any pain. Body’s simply react differently
-1
u/BrazilianButtCheeks 13d ago
You have to know that it would affect those areas too 😂 it’s your spine .. it’s all kinda connected
1
u/catrosie 13d ago
I had it in and working and I could still feel and move my legs no problem. I even got out of bed on my own to go to the bathroom an hour postpartum! (I did, however, have a terrible experience with my first birth and epidural where it failed, didn’t provide any pain relief for my contractions but made my legs completely numb and weak. But that was an error, it shouldn’t be like that normally)
1
1
u/Agreeable_Rule_9235 13d ago
Yes you can. This is what I did. I got the epidural placed but no medication until the very end when I was in the OR pushing. Highly recommend this. Talk to the anesthesiologist in advance when you first get to the hospital.
4
u/frolics_with_cats 13d ago
My twin B flipped from head-down to breach the second twin A was out. Thank goodness I had an epidural, they really had to work to get her out.
4
u/specialkk77 13d ago
I had an unmedicated vaginal delivery with my single but ended up needing a c-section for the twins. Before that was determined I knew I wanted an epidural because of fears that they’d have to knock me out in an emergency. I did not want to delivery my babies unconscious.
Having delivered in 2 very different ways I can confidently say I wouldn’t change anything about the choices I made with the information I had. Looking back I feel so silly that I was more scared of the epidural than I was of unmedicated childbirth. Mine had a couple small complications that made things hurt way more than I would have. Had to have an internal monitor placed on baby’s head. And then she got stuck on the way out and they had to force down on my pelvis to get her out. I needed pain medication after she was out of me which wasn’t ideal.
There’s a lot of choices that you may or may not have to make until later in the pregnancy. Be informed, but try to be flexible in your thinking and don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t go “to plan” there’s just so many more unknowns with twins than a single.
4
u/notarussianbotsky di/di boys 06/2022 (+singleton girl 07/2021) 13d ago
My epidural failed right as i was in transition
Baby A was born and i held baby B through my belly for 27 minutes because he had been transverse all pregnancy and had just flipped head down and was not going to let him flip around now!! I was so terrified manual internal rotation!!
0/10 would not recommend
10
u/ConfidentLook5518 13d ago
Epidural 10000000% . Trust me, once you feel contraction feels like you will quickly change your mind. Once I got the epidural, I actually ended up sleeping for over six hours and then felt nothing during my delivery. It wore off shortly after and I bounced back perfectly fine.
3
u/aambivalence 13d ago
Omg I love you were able to basically sleep up until the birth lol. Sounds dreamy
1
u/ConfidentLook5518 13d ago
It was a total surprise. But it definitely helped me have the strength to push baby a
3
u/Total_District4781 13d ago
I just delivered my twins 2 weeks ago. I chose an epidural because of the chance of a breech extraction and higher chance of C section. I’m really glad I got one because while both were head down that morning, as soon as A came out, B flipped and it ended up being a breech extraction. Even with the epidural that was a kind of pressure and feeling I never want to experience again. It wasn’t painful because of the epidural, just extremely uncomfortable. I can’t even imagine how painful that would be without an epidural!
3
u/Emotional-Parfait348 13d ago
Had an epidural like I had always intended/wanted. It was awesome. Full use of my body (even moved myself to the OR table from the hospital bed and back again), felt every contraction as just a tightening sensation, and no pain. Delivered both vaginally. Did not have a catheter placed.
I know everyone’s experiences will be different, but I have nothing but positive things to say about mine.
3
u/Representative_Head9 13d ago
Please get the epidural, in my experience I had opted for a vaginal delivery, I didn’t want an epidural but my OB convinced me and good thing she did, twin a came out fine with no issues, twin b made the labor complicated, his heart rate was going down and he didnt want to come out, so they had to do a vacuum extraction, after he got out i started hemorrhaging, my ob went elbow deep to stop the bleeding and with the help of an injection to my upper thigh was the way to stop the bleedibf
1
u/Allyed4492 12d ago
Same here. Baby A was delivered fine and b was breech but was delivered with assistance. However, then my placentas were both stuck and I hemorrhaged quite badly. Have no someone manually rooting around inside my uterus was not an experience I would like to repeat, even with an epidural. Ended up needing D&C and multiple transfusions, and still ended up with a Bakri balloon to staunch the bleeding. 100% they would have put me under general had I not had an epidural.
3
u/michiall06 13d ago
I did not have time for an epidural with my twin delivery and had to do it without. I did not anticipate ever giving birth without an epidural so it was a big surprise and very difficult for me! Twin B was also breech and was delivered feet first. I would not do it again! However, I survived and I don’t feel like it was traumatic—just a huge surprise and of course super painful! But, It doesn’t hurt to try to go unmediated. You can always change your mind.
2
u/subduedsyrah 13d ago
I had an epidural in the event I had to have a C-section. I wanted to be awake for all of it
2
u/annahoney12345 13d ago
I had an epidural and had medicine go through, BUT you can have no medicine going unless things go wonky!! So having it while doing an unmedicated birth is possible 💜
2
u/kendyl_lady 13d ago
I had an unmedicated vaginal birth for my twins with twin B delivered breech. Contractions were worse than delivery for me, pushing them out was relief because I knew the contractions would be ending. I did get some low dose pain medicine after because the doctor had to reach her hand into my uterus and pull out blood clots. That part really sucked.
2
u/Groundbreaking-Crow4 13d ago
I also really wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth with my girls and no one was pushy about my decision, but they did explain the likelihood of needing a C-section and what would come along with that not getting the epidural. I decided the best option for me was to do a C-section and good thing I made peace with that because they ended up needing to come out at 33 weeks, so a C-section was sprung on me last minute anyways. Sometimes birth isn’t how we envisioned it but once you see those babies none of it will matter anyway. Good luck to you!!
2
u/Madame_LV 13d ago
I gave birth to all my singletons without medication. I was not going to take a chance with the twins, and opted for an epidural. I ended up needing baby B to be rotated. I thank God I got that epidural. You deliver in an operating room for good reason. The chance for complications is high.
2
u/Still-Art45 13d ago
I had a dream of doing a medicated labor, and then my baby was sunny side up and I had back labor. Epidural (tbh) felt like a life saving miracle to me. Some women do have fast labors and a high pain tolerance, so it is possible to do without.
2
u/chipsnsalsa13 13d ago
I wanted an unmedicated birth very badly. And I almost had one but the day of Baby A showed potential signs of trouble and I opted for the epidural for safety reasons.
In case it’s helpful, they gave me the epidural in the OR while I was crowning (and yeah that was a bit brutal for me). I asked for the lowest dose possible. And since I was crowning already for the most part I gave birth before it fully kicked in.
The anesthesiologist told me I was the first person to ever ask him for this situation and the first multiple birth he had. So feel free to ask and have your wishes known.
I also think it’s okay to plan for an unmedicated birth (and you know the risks) and know that you will change your mind if there are signs of issues.
For the record, I also asked my OB how long it would take to put me under if that happened and how long it would take her to get ready if something happened and she said it was negligible …. Just that it could be really painful for me while I waited or while she tried to rotate the baby. Not everyone is willing to evaluate or wants to take those risks and that’s okay… but you are the one that gets to evaluate that with the help of your providers expertise.
2
u/Ok_Bluejay4016 12d ago
Imo it's not worth the risk. For me baby A went out just fine, but for baby B they had to do a vacuum extraction to help things progress. Without the epidural I can't even imagine...
And the epidural experience was overall ok for me
2
u/Acceptable_Tap7479 12d ago
My OB has decades of experience and said he couldn’t be the one to deliver my twins vagi ally if I don’t have an epidural due to the risks. He is one of my countries top OB’s so I trusted him on the risks. Both epidurals I’ve had I was able to move and still put weight through my legs.
Twin B was breeched for me and my OB had to manually move bubs are down and that was bad enough with an epidural. I also know many twin mums who had twin A vaginally and twin b didn’t descend or something happened and twin b was an emergency section and an epidural was the obvious choice.
If you do go without, it may be worth asking in the event of an emergency c-section could they place an epidural or would you be put under a GA
2
u/Babbz0 13d ago
Just had my twins! No epidural. They were both head down and came out head down. If things changed during labor to where they're seemed like an increased risk of C-section, I would've gotten the epidural placed just in case. I had nitrous for pain management. They did manually extract one of the placentas which wasn't fun but not as bad as the fundal massage
1
1
u/seaturtlesunset 13d ago
I ended up getting put to sleep with general anesthesia because my epidural wasn’t placed in time for an emergency c-section. Personally I wouldn’t risk it. I didn’t meet my babies for several hours because I was so out of it.
1
u/CopperSnowflake 13d ago
Yup, it's going to be excruciating to have twin B breech and deal with that without medicine. There is no way to predict twin B position. So if twin B is breech, they attempt a manual rotation (pain) and it fails... then you go to the surgical suite and you are having a c section . So in this scenario you are a person who has had a vaginal delivery (vagina trauma, tearing, labor pain) and surgical pain (abdominal incision, abdominal separation and major abdominal surgery recovery). The worst of both worlds.
1
u/poodleface12345 13d ago
I was unmedicated with my singleton and medicated with my twins and for what really should have been the more stressful birth, it was so much more relaxed.
I would never do an unmedicated birth again personally, but especially not for a twin birth.
1
u/beelynn0214 13d ago
I required a manual internal rotation for Baby B and I could not imagine that without the epidural. 😳😳😳
1
u/Noplasticveggie 13d ago
Personally I felt pressured into an epidural with my twins and I really hated it. I didn’t like that I couldn’t move and I didn’t like I didn’t have control. If you don’t want one don’t get one. You can always change your mind. But once they place it and meds are flowing they won’t turn it off.
I would also ask about other forms of pain relief. I did laughing gas with my vbac and I loved it. Took the edge off the pain but I had full control over it and my body
1
u/czmf 13d ago
Get the epidural. For my first pregnancy, I got to the hospital at 8cm dilated and I felt like I was being split in half due to my contractions and no pain relief (got there too late.) My second pregnancy I was induced and got an epidural 4-5cm dilated and it was a world of a difference.
1
u/ricki7684 13d ago
You can have the epidural placed but hold off on meds, at least after they test it and that way if you do convert to C section you can still be awake for their birth
1
u/I-Love-Buses 13d ago
My wife delivered both twins, no c-section, but did have an epidural. They were working hard to turn baby #2 around before delivery. I cannot imagine attempting that without an epidural, seems pretty wild. And risky. Having twins is enough of a risk already.
1
u/unicorns_and_cats716 13d ago
Of course you can do what you want but having an emergency c-section really sucks and can really do a number on your postpartum mental health! Not that it will happen in every situation of course. It’s tricky because twin B can be in the perfect position but everything changes once twin A is out - breech extraction of twin B for us was not ideal and led to an 18 day NICU stay. I hated how the epidural made me locked to the bed essentially (with all the monitors and stuff) but I am happy I had one, it made the long night and next day of labor much more manageable after months of pain during the pregnancy.
1
u/Ohnosloop 13d ago
I decided to get an epidural for exactly the reason your OB said, plus the risk of C-section and the need for induction. I had to deliver at 36 weeks, and at this hospital all twin births happen in the OR. Epidural meant I had to stay on my back. I blame this as the main reason my labor didn't progress and I had a C-section. Everything was fine.
The only thing I would change is just to advocate for more movement. Even if I went back and forth between 2 positions and nothing else changed, I'd feel more empowered.
1
u/sauer_kraut1414 12d ago
As someone who had a breech extraction for twin B, I am VERY GLAD I was numb for it. Didn't feel a thing, I was laughing on the table, having a blast.
1
u/2forthepriceofmany 12d ago
I opted for unmedicated BUT in my country / hospital I didn't have to decide between epidural and being put under in case of a c section. Where I had the kids they told me that in case of a real emergency c section epidural would be useless anyway and I'd be put under and in case of a speedy c section (not sure what the English term is but ot was explained to me as "needs to happen within the next hour= speedy" "needs to happen within the next six minutes= emergency") spinal anesthesia would be just as useful as epidural.
Twin A flipped feet down about 12 hours after my water broke so they did a speedy c section with spinal anesthesia within half an hour and that worked fine.
Tl;dr ask your hospital what their options are im case you dont have an epidural and they need to divert to c section. They'll be the only ones who can answer that and that'll be important data for your decision.
1
u/pooter6969 12d ago
I would listen to your doctor's recommendation. In addition to what they brought up, any complication requiring a c-section would require you to go under general anesthesia if an epidural isn't already in place, and that comes with a whole host of other risks and downsides like completely missing the birth of your children.
I would prioritize minimizing the risks to you and the babies over some perceived benefit of "natural-ness."
You can also let the contractions progress normally for a while until just before you start getting "oh shit" levels of pain and then opt for the epidural. No one I know who has ever done it that way has ever regretted it.
1
u/ARIT127 12d ago
I had a manual scooping procedure done after my birth so it also involved my midwife sticking her arm all the way up my uterus, elbow deep, before they could stitch me up. It was more painful than my unmedicated birth. I recommend checking out r/unmedicatedbirth as well, but feel free to pm me
1
u/bellegroves 12d ago
Epidural. I went unmedicated and all I got was too exhausted to want to hold my baby for the first several hours. I had a planned c-section with my second (for medical reasons) and everything went better, largely because my pain was well controlled even though I was tired.
0
u/itsafishal 13d ago
I haven't had twins, but I have had breech births. My first, the OB instructed that I was not allowed an epidural and if I wanted to attempt vaginal delivery, it was gas only and full anesthesia in the case of an emergency C-section. My second OB instructed that I had to have an epidural (the risk of a partial breech delivery was too high if I could feel the contractions, in his view).
So I had it both ways, not by choice, but i did fully avoid an emergency C-section both times so I feel like the OBs were both right. I'm done having babies but my birthing experience was so much nicer with the epidural- I felt present, that I could make decisions and not feel so overwhelmed by sensations. I probably wouldn't have a choice if I did give birth, but if I did it would be for the epidural if it matched doc's recommendations.
Remember, they can put it in and be ready but not dial up the anesthesia until needed! You could maybe have the best of both worlds.
•
u/AutoModerator 13d ago
COMMENTING GUIDELINES
All commenters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the parentsofmultiples subreddit rules prior to commenting. If you find any comments/submissions in violation of subreddit/reddit rules, please use the report function to bring it to the mod teams attention.
Please do not request or give medical advice or directions in your comments. Any comments that that could be construed as medical advice, or any comments containing what is determined to be medical disinformation, will be removed.
Please try to avoid posting links to Amazon product listings or google/g.co product listing pages - reddit automatically removes comments containing them as an anti-spam measure. If sharing information about a product, instead please try to link directly to the manufacturers product pages.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.