Please help...about to deliver twins and I'm terrified.... - Page 2

[Ahappymel]

My twins have their own sacs and their own placentas.

Because of the increased risk of hemmorhage, I have already decided to take a shot of pitocin intramuscularly as soon as my 2nd twin arrives (and that goes whether I am  home or in the hospital). My midwives also carry methergine if something stronger is needed.

I've spoken with two doctors at Kaiser now, the member services department and have researched differnt Kaiser hospitals online. I've spoken with OBGYN departments at two of the hospitals most local to me and no one is divulging ANYTHING that indicates that I would have support to vaginally birth at Kaiser. Ultimately, they can't force me to have a c-section, but I'd basically have to go there and fight to have a vaginal birth.

And now, after experiencing that nurse's fear tactics and feeling the pressure and stress and angst they bring up for me, I can't imagine having to fight for a vaginal birth in labor. That would be awful. It would be stressful even to hear my doula or husband doing that for me. For goodness sakes, a women needs peace in labor. Calm, peaceful, safe environment and support around her is a HUGE part of birthing naturally and safely.

I'm in a better place than when I wrote this original post.

I live 2 blocks from a hospital if there is a true emergency in homebirth. My midwives will monitor and also have a portable ultrasound.

I feel the safest place to give birth would be home...both for me and my babies. If I go to the hospital, I intuitively know what is going to happen and a million interventions will occur that will jeopardize and traumatize me and my babies.

[Ahappymel]

Oh, by the way....both midwives confirmed position of my 2nd twin and they do not agree with the Kaiser nurse's assessment that he is "transverse".

His head is under my ribs on my left side, his body is longitudinal and his buns/legs curve above his brother's head (which is below in my pelvis) and his legs are tickling me in my lower right side.

He is breech, which I feel comfortable with for a 2nd twin.

[Ahappymel]

As for the risk of turning multiples, for clarification, I wasn't talking about them trying to turn him while I'm pregnant with both of them. I wanted to know if they would attempt to turn him AFTER his brother is born first or attempt internal podalic version if he doesn't turn on his own. The answer I've gotten consistently: NO.

No 2nd twin breech delivery. No attempt to turn him externally after his brother is out. No attempts at internal podalic version.

If the 2nd twin isn't head down, they want to do a c-section. Period.

[BroodyWoodsgal]

Ahappymel.....you sound ship shape and ready to birth. I think you have the optimal situation for doing so at home, from your MWs and their equipment, to your proximity to the hospital all the way down to your excellent attitude and cautiously confident energy. They are in good positions, two sacks and two placentas....this all sounds really perfect. You know what you want and I think your process in figuring out if what you want is what's BEST has been really thorough.

I will be looking out for your birth story for sure, as I'm pretty convinced it's gonna be a really awesome read. (((((()))))) So many blessings upon your birth, babies and all the people attending/supporting you. You know what you're doing and this is going to be fine. Better than fine...GREAT.

[Ahappymel]

I keep looking for the "like" button LOL Too much Facebook for me, I guess

Thank you for those encouraging words, Broodywoodsgal, and to everyone for their feedback and honest opinions. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I will be sure to report back and let everyone know my birth story.

One recurring theme that has been the hardest to deal with this pregnancy is FEAR. Just when I thought I had homebirthing, breastfeeding, cosleeping all figured out, along come twins and I'm in new territory.

Which, from what I am reading, hearing and discovering from every mom of multiples I meet, is a given emotional response.

My midwife reminded me that part of homebirthing responsibility is remembering that if a complication comes up in the hospital, no one will blame you. If you go along with that model, the benefit is that protection. If you give birth at home and there is a complication, the world will shame/blame you. And that is an injustice that every homebirthing mom has to face. It was hard for to hear her say that again just a few days ago...but then I had to remind myself that it's true and was true when I gave birth to my last child at home. The difference is my fear.

There may be more risks this time around, but I was reminded that how I choose to birth these twins does come down to a paradigm for how I/my family choose to live. Do we live in fear mode and take every intervention possible for everything that could go wrong? Or do we do our research, expect things to function normally/healthfully and beautifully (especially as it applies to birth) and have a back-up plan if they don't?

The last months have really played a number on my head. I feel I've really had a struggle and journey with my decision-making. I feel I'm being taught a lesson by the Universe/God/whatever you want to call it. The message:  Have faith. Surrender. Expect things/my body systems to work as they are supposed to. Be prepared if they don't.

Let go.

[Spring Lily]

Originally Posted by Ahappymel 

I've spoken with two doctors at Kaiser now, the member services department and have researched differnt Kaiser hospitals online. I've spoken with OBGYN departments at two of the hospitals most local to me and no one is divulging ANYTHING that indicates that I would have support to vaginally birth at Kaiser. Ultimately, they can't force me to have a c-section, but I'd basically have to go there and fight to have a vaginal birth.
And now, after experiencing that nurse's fear tactics and feeling the pressure and stress and angst they bring up for me, I can't imagine having to fight for a vaginal birth in labor. That would be awful. It would be stressful even to hear my doula or husband doing that for me. For goodness sakes, a women needs peace in labor. Calm, peaceful, safe environment and support around her is a HUGE part of birthing naturally and safely.

I'm sorry to hear that. Even if you don't want to use the hospital, it is nice to know that you can trust them, should you for some reason end up there. Forcing you into an unnecessary c-section seems contrary to Kaiser's system--they're all about not pressuring doctors to do more intervention than is necessary. But it sounds like you have a good plan going into this and are feeling increasingly more comfortable with a home birth, and that's a big part of it. Best of luck to you!

I keep looking for the "like" button LOL Too much Facebook for me, I guess

But there *is* a like button! At the bottom right of each post.

[~Adorkable~]

Originally Posted by Ahappymel 
There may be more risks this time around, but I was reminded that how I choose to birth these twins does come down to a paradigm for how I/my family choose to live. Do we live in fear mode and take every intervention possible for everything that could go wrong? Or do we do our research, expect things to function normally/healthfully and beautifully (especially as it applies to birth) and have a back-up plan if they don't?

It sounds like you are a smart balanced woman looking honestly at your world, here is to you having a wonderful, smooth and uneventful birth. you have my heart going out to you and your twins for warmth and cheering.

[Ahappymel]

If I have to transfer, it's going to be for an emergency...in which case, I will support the measures that they are trained to use in emergencies. That is what they are good at.