Homebirth Twins?

[Nanette56]

So I live in Orlando, FL and when I went to the meet and greet with my M/W, I fell in love with her. I mentioned that I thought based on the betas that I may have twins in there, and she was skeptical. She also said that she doesn't do twin H/Bs, I guess because of liability or is it statutory? I have no idea. She said that she would still do my prenatal care, but wouldn't go to the hospital, I would need to hire a doula so that I could have my wishes respected in the hospital. In any case, I'm going back to see her tomorrow for my "Initial Appointment." A week ago, I went in for my last appointment with me RE who confirmed via sonogram at 7wks 4 days that there were two very healthy little beans growing away in there. What do I do now? Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm sad that I can't do an H/B.

[Gena 22]

Don't know much about birthing in FL except that it sounds tough.

Loved my twin homebirth, although I had to look long and hard for an experienced MW. Check out the Parenting Multiples forum here for natural twin birthing advice / stories / support.

Keep looking for an option that works for you, they're out there!

[HeatherB]

I would Google for midwifery laws in FL. I know the birthing atmosphere there is really awful, but I do know a couple of midwives there, too. I just don't know if it's a law thing or what. You can also ask the MW if it's HER comfort level, or a mandatory "no MWs at twin births" kind of thing.

[Hezzie]

My M/W told me she will do twin births with reservations (absolutely no breech presentation, for example) and has 2-3 other midwives in attendance (2 midwives per baby). It sounds like it's more of a comfort/experience thing than a legal issue, but it's best to ask her. I know you love her, but if she's not willing or unable to deliver twins at home, maybe find another midwife with experience?

[kcparker]

If she is really awesome, she may well know a good direction to point you - another midwife or team of them who do attend twins at home, a family practice doc or sympathetic, mellow OB...see what she advises you to do. And ask her in a clear-eyed way about your options. Does she actually have a good reason for saying no to twins at home? Experience, liability, litigation, state law?

If you have NO good options, I'd explore the Farm as an option. I know Tennessee is a good ways away from Orlando, but it's better than a mandatory c-section simply because you have twins. Try to stay open to the possibility of a hospital birth though. Depending on what sort of twins you have (mo-mo, mo-di, di-di), it actually might be an appropriate place to give birth. If that is your option, just scour the area for an OB who will not be draconian. There have to be a few of them out there!

[turnquia]

I have a team of homebirth midwives that will be attending our twin homebirth here in a few months.

In my state midwives are not regulated nor illegal, so definately look into your state and I 2nd finding an OB if possible. I have been super lucky to find an OB who is ok with the homebirth, but we are keep an eye out for issues that are quite common with twins. If I happen to go a little bit earlier than midwives comfort for home then he will deliver and has already agreed to being very hands off. If we homebirth and transfer he is ok with that and will back up my midwives (despite never meeting them).

It took a lot of searching around to find a set of providers that met our needs.. but it is possible!

Good luck!

[medicinemansgirl]

I am having a twin homebirth in about 7 or so weeks. I would definitely check into whether it is truly law or just a comfort thing. I had the most awful experience with OB care and delivery with our 1st set of twins that I would never go back to the medical comm unless something dangerous mandated it. Most OB's are completely limited by insurance red tape and hospital "policy". At 38 wks with our 1st set my care was terminated due to not consenting to a mandatory c/s. At 39 wks we found a dr that was completely comfy with a natural twin birth with A vertex and B breech and delivered them completely naturally....but the entire pregnancy was nothing but a huge stress factor due to all of the scare tactics used by my 1st dr. The way it ended was amazing but more than a little crazy and chaotic. I went into natural labor 4 days after mtg my new Ob that delivered them vertex/breech. He is the only one in the state that we found will do it. I knew immediately that if we ever had twins again I would do a homebirth. Between our 1st set and this set we have had 3 single homebirths. I was elated to find our 2nd set at our 21 wk u/s and know we could finally do our longed for twin homebirth. My midwife is newly licensed and not experienced with twins at all so she has called in a midwife with twin experience to be present during the birth along with 2 other midwives...one for me and one for each baby. The experienced twin midwife will be there as a charting person to help oversee and just be able to look at the overall bigger picture. I'm VERY excited!! It is entirely possible to homebirth twins..assuming they're not mo/mo...the only way all of the midwives will not deliver or even care for a twin pregnancy due to the risks. I clarified and made sure we were all on the same page about positions. Breech are fine...and that was my biggest concern. I didn't want to be taken by surprise towards the end of the pregnancy if one ended up breech and then find she was uncomfortable with it. Shop around and do all of the research you can. It is well worth the search!!

[almadianna]

when i first got pregnant i was having twins and i was going to have a HB. my midwife actually helped two twin mamas deliver in the month surrounding Kate's birth.

Check to see if it is a law for sure, I am sure that there are midwives out there who will deliver you... but it might not be easy to find them.

[mija y mijo]

Have you posted a thread in Finding Your Tribe? Hopefully some local mamas on here will know of a homebirth midwife who has experience with twins.

[almadianna]

Originally Posted by mija y mijo

Have you posted a thread in Finding Your Tribe? Hopefully some local mamas on here will know of a homebirth midwife who has experience with twins.

I second this!