IUGR and Labor- Decisions

[ThankfulMama]

 I am 33w with Dizygotic twins.  Baby B has IUGR and they have upped my monitoring to several times a week.  I have my next growth scan this week and the MFM will tell me if he feels it is safe/best for me to stay pregnant or whether I need to be induced/delivered.  I am pretty stressed about the situation because I had a beautiful natural birth with DD and was hoping to have the same with these two.  I have read about inductions and the various meds that are used, and am looking for input on the "best possible" way to be induced in the event that they feel that is what is safest for the babies.  I intend to say no cytotec, but I really don't know what all of the options are and what may be "easiest" on me and the babies.  Any help?

[gozal]

Oh no, sorry to hear about your situation! I am just at the beginning of my twin pg but unfortunately I was induced with DS. (I say unfortunately because the reason was low AFI (amniotic fluid) and I am still not at peace with whether we made the right choice consenting to an induction. OTOH, my birth experience was still incredibly meaningful to me and my son did have some signs of postmaturity.) In any case, my advice to you for an induction is to find out ahead of time exactly what the monitoring protcol is. IME that is the most significant limiting factor. In my case, they required an IV (not the kind you can disconnect from) and constant monitoring. The monitoring meant I had to lie on my back and could not move freely. Had I been able to move and birth not on my back, I am confident I would have been able to manage just fine even with the pitocin contractions. But I could not handle the pain lying on my back. As far as cytotec or similar goes, for me it actually started labor. They did give me pit but not nearly as much as I would have needed without the cytotec to start me off. Of course, I was at 41 weeks with a singleton so that is a completely different situation... I hope this helps a bit even though it is not in regards to twin induction.

[mylilmonkeys]

I was induced with my twins by breaking my bag of waters, but I was at 38 weeks.  I went into active labor about three hours after the rupture.  I'm not sure if it would work as well when you are not at term, but you can always ask to start that way and see if it progresses, and then augment with medicine later.  

I hope and pray that all this is moot and that your little twin will grow, grow, grow!  

[ThankfulMama]

Thanks!  I'm praying we get good news.  I am really saddened by the idea of having to deliver early and everything that comes with that so I am trying to figure out what requests may help, if that makes sense.   I'm feeling so out of control on many levels-- I want to avoid the surgical birth with babies whisked away nightmare. 

[lesliesara63]

When I was in labour with my trio it was constant monitoring. I really didn't argue b/c I was trying to avoid a surgical birth and was just trying to be cooperative other than my refusal of a section. Induction is a different ballgame though. <y babies were born at 32.6 & even though it was hard on everyone to not have them home right way, they did great.

[ThankfulMama]

Thanks!  I guess I didn't think of *constant* monitoring...that would make a huge difference.  I really need to be walking around and probably REALLY need to with an induction!  I guess I'd better add that to my list of questions.  Any other advice is greatly appreciated.