How overdue would you UC with twins?

[medicinemansgirl]

Facing some issues here. I'm currently 39 wks 4 days and it's not looking like I'm going to have babies anytime in the near future at all. I contract heavily from 5 to midnight every night...enough to halt all of life....with no progress and then everything dies. I've been doing this for about 1 to 1.5 wks now and nothing ever comes of it. There's some concern that Baby A is not coming down on my cervix due to the steep turn to the right his body is taking, creating a "C" like position. Their strange position may be the reason for all of the starting and stopping of labor. Both babies are vertex with B being centered and higher up...A the lower one and on my right with his head in my pelvis. I honestly don't see having any babies before my due date on Thurs. I have thought so many times over the last week that I was in definite active labor only to have it stop. Dh is very concerned about overdue twins, meconium issues, bleeding from such a massive uterus size at this point, etc. It's also a great concern that we have no way to monitor babies or check on the wellbeing of them.

I desperately want a UC more than anything in the world but I also don't want my own desires to put babies at any risk. And I don't want to get so caught up in what I want that I start ignoring what is sensible and realize that other measures need to be taken.

So, how far over would you go?

[amyjeans]

wow- twins! that is so cool! It soulds like you are going through prodromal (warm-up) labor.
I'd guess your babies will be born between 5-12 (am or pm)! It just sounds so very much like my last 3 babies- prodromal labor for 2-3 weeks, at the exact same time each day, and they were born at that same time. Pretty wild.
I personally have gone 3 weeks, but that was with 1 baby- no twins here. I really can't have an opinion accept that with your history of babies- I think your body and mind communicate pretty well- enough to let you know when to make a move for the best. Kwim?

[Youngfrankenstein]

I guess you have to ask yourself what being attended or at a hospital will do for you. Are you concerned about health problems, or is this about inducing because you're concerned they aren't moving down?

My singleton didn't go anywhere near the cervix until during labor. You must go with your gut. Having never been pregnant with twins, I really can't put myself in your shoes and I'm sure you know way more than I do about it.

'
ETA: In "normal" circumstances, barring any other factors, I'd be willing to go at least to 42 weeks.

[Contrariety]

Have you seen a chiropractor? It's always good to be sure that your pelvis is optimally aligned for smooth birthing.

[dayiscoming2006]

If babies are seeming to be healthy to you - moving around and stuff, then I'd keep going to at least 42 weeks just like with a singleton.

Labor can happen just like that. I had my second at 39+4. I don't think that a twin pregnancy should be treated much different from a singleton - call me on it if I'm wrong, but I think just treat it like any pregnancy.

[medicinemansgirl]

Spent yesterday on the phone and doing alot of research. Talked to a few trusted midwives about all of the starting and stopping of contractions. Asked about concerns covering "overdue" babies and meconium issues along with hemorrhaging risk due to uterine size. All seems well at this point with everything being very much in the normal range even for twins. Nightly labor worthy contractions are nothing but prodromal labor. I tend to have one long drawn out labor so this is not the typical fashion to labor in but if it shortens the real deal up I certainly don't mind.

Babies are active and sounding good. Everything seems really well. So, decision has been made to carry on until 41 wks. We'll reasses the sitaution then if babies haven't arrived.

I do feel better after having talked to some midwives though and getting their feedback on it all. I'm excited!

[Mackenzie]

I'm glad you are feeling better about it now and very glad that you feel it is still a good choice for you

[southernmommie]

I'm so glad that you got a chance to talk to some midwives to ease your worries. Your babies sound just as stubborn as my singleton male. Lol. I also have prodromal labor for the past 2 weeks. Especially around dinner time until after I go to sleep. But nothing when I wake up. But this is normal for me. I know you are ready. Especially carrying around all that weight with 2 babies. And you're probably tired of hearing everyone tell you to hang in there. Just glad to know that what you are going through is still normal for twins. That's good to know!!

[southernmommie]

Oh yeah, meant to add... either way it goes... we will not be pregnant in another 2 weeks! One way or another our babies will be here.

[MsBlack]

Just wanted to add, in case your other mw-contacts didn't: baby-growth slows at 38ish weeks, and slows even more at 40wks and after. So it's doubtful that your babies will put on much weight in the next week or so--some, if they are healthy, but not enough to greatly effect the size of your uterus. The other thing is, it's not uncommon for Amniotic fluid levels to be dropping some, by now--and certainly a bit more as days advance.

Between those 2 factors, just saying that the potential for risks due to 'large uterus/great amt of fluid' aren't going to be in play the way you might think. At least, you can reasonably expect that you won't see ongoing expansion of your fundal height, and may even see it drop some in the coming days.

[southernmommie]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

Just wanted to add, in case your other mw-contacts didn't: baby-growth slows at 38ish weeks, and slows even more at 40wks and after. So it's doubtful that your babies will put on much weight in the next week or so--some, if they are healthy, but not enough to greatly effect the size of your uterus. The other thing is, it's not uncommon for Amniotic fluid levels to be dropping some, by now--and certainly a bit more as days advance.

Between those 2 factors, just saying that the potential for risks due to 'large uterus/great amt of fluid' aren't going to be in play the way you might think. At least, you can reasonably expect that you won't see ongoing expansion of your fundal height, and may even see it drop some in the coming days.

I'm so glad you posted this! I have a big baby and I have lots of amniotic fluid with all of my babies. And I feel as big as I possibly can get. I'm so glad that by Friday baby will slow down his growth yet more so I don't get any bigger! Whew!

[a-o-t-e]

well' your question has been answered medicinemansgirl and not that it matters, but I would go till atleast 2w over even with twins as both my babies were late (or dd should have been much later than she was!). I feel this time I may make it to 41w....dont know why....watch this space huh! and congrats again on your birth!