Birthing Twins

Labor and delivery can be a scary thing for most pregnant women to think about, especially if this is their first pregnancy. You might be a little concerned about the labor process yourself – after all, there are a lot of things to worry about, including pain, pain medications, episiotomies and cesarean sections. But what can you expect from labor and delivery if you are carrying twins or higher order multiples? Well here is all the information that you will need to know when it comes to giving birth to multiple babies!

Differences Between Single and Multiple Births
If you are about to welcome twins or higher-order multiples into the world, you may find that your labor and delivery experience is a lot different from women who have given birth to single babies. Everything from the location of your birth to the number of people present during your delivery can change with multiple child birth, so it is a good idea to know what differences to expect. Here are some of the more common differences to expect with twin and multiple births:

• Location: The location in which you actually give birth may be radically different from where you would have given birth had you had a single baby. Because of the high risk that multiple births involve, you will most likely have to give birth in hospital. You may also be required to give birth in an operating room, surrounded by lots of machines and lights, especially if you are experiencing labor complications. This is not to say you won’t be able to give birth to your twins at home or in a birthing center. However, you will find that most health care providers will advise you to give birth in hospital, in case of an emergency.
• Onlookers: You might also find that you have a lot more people with you in you delivery room than you ever had with any single birth. Because you are about to give birth to two babies, you will be required to have more people on hand to help care for the little ones once they are born. You may have up to two obstetricians and two midwives on hand for the delivery. You will also need to have an anesthetist, should you require a cesarean section. Your partner and birth coach will also be in the room, along with a pediatrician. Some hospitals also allow students to look on during multiple births, as long as you give it the okay.
• Medication: It is not unusual for health care providers to strongly encourage having an epidural instead of engaging in natural birth when it comes to birthing twins or multiples. Though you won’t feel anymore pain during a multiple birth than you would during a single birth, multiple births are more likely to be delivered via cesarean section. Should a c-section be required, an epidural will enable you to make the transition much more easily.

Vaginal Birth or Cesarean Section?

Women who are expecting twins or higher order multiples often wonder if they will be able to have a vaginal birth, or if they will be required to have a cesarean section. Well, as long as your labor is uncomplicated, it is entirely possible (and usually recommended) to deliver both babies vaginally. However, because multiple births can be so unpredictable, cesarean sections are often needed to help deliver twins and multiples safely. On average, about 50% of multiples are born vaginally, while the other 50% are born via cesarean section.