Multiple Births

From LoveToKnow Pregnancy

When you find out you're about to have a multiple birth, not only does your pregnancy change, but your expectations for birth change too.

pregnancy, multiple birth

What Can I Expect During my Multiple Birth?

  • Multiple births are considered higher risk than singleton births. You can expect more monitoring, more testing and more interventions. You will probably be unable to have a home birth or water birth; although, you can check with your care provider if you have your heart set on one of these births.
  • Your care provider might ask you to deliver in an operating room, just in case you need a quick cesarean, rather than a labor and delivery room.
  • You will probably have many hospital personnel at your multiple birth. There will be extra nurses and more doctors, including a pediatrician.
  • Your twins will probably be smaller than singleton babies, and may be easier to push out.
  • You may find the choice of an epidural pushed on you, just in case you need a quick cesarean. Remember that it is still your choice.
  • You have a much higher risk of a cesarean.

Cesarean and Multiple Births

On average, 50% of multiples are born via cesarean.

  • If your babies are not head down, you will probably need a scheduled cesarean. If you do need to schedule a cesarean, talk to your doctor about what you can expect and what you can do to make the experience as meaningful as possible.
  • Your chances are also higher of laboring for a while and then having a cesarean. If you can, most doctors will want you to try to deliver vaginally. Again, talk to your doctor before you go into labor to discuss what your chances are of delivering vaginally and what to expect if you do need a cesarean after laboring.

Can I Still Have a Natural Childbirth?

Yes! However you will have to work very hard to have a natural childbirth, probably harder than if you had a singleton birth.

  • You will have to learn everything you can about comfort techniques for labor, including breathing patterns, massage, aromatherapy and birthing positions. You will also need a supportive birthing partner to help you with comfort techniques.
  • You will want to learn about possible interventions and how they can affect your labor and multiple births. Talk with your care provider and birthing coach about what interventions you will may need for your birth and how to continue to aim for a natural childbirth.
  • You will need to go into your care provider around 30 or 32 weeks to discuss what you hope for your birth. Come up with a birth plan and go over every point with your doctor. Be prepared to compromise. For example, if you’re planning to be off the fetal monitor, and your doctor says it’s not possible—you have to be prepared to work around being on a fetal monitor.
  • Hire a doula to help you. She will have ideas to help you labor within the confines of the interventions you may have.
  • Be flexible and understanding if interventions become necessary for your births.
  • Be patient with your care provider. She does have you and your babies’ best interests in mind.

Preterm Labor

Nearly half of all twin pregnancies are born prematurely, meaning before 37 weeks, and the risk of preterm labor continues to go up with each higher-order multiples (triplets, quadruplets and more).

You will need to be on the alert for preterm labor symptoms. Preterm labor symptoms include:

  • Contractions that are more than ten minutes apart before 37 weeks
  • Rupture of your membranes
  • Increased pelvic pressure, backache, and/or discharge of bloody mucus.

If you see any of these signs before 37 weeks, contact your care provider immediately!

If you have premature babies, they might have to spend some time in the NICU, and you may not be able to take your babies home with you when you are discharged from the hospital. If you want to breastfeed, get as much help as you can from the NICU nurses and lactation counselors or consultants. Remember that your babies will be smaller and may have difficulty staying awake to eat, and they may have problems maintaining their body temperature.


 


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