Were you forced to deliver your twins in an OR??

[Gindugirl]

I am 29 weeks pregnant with mono-di twin boys.  My OB says we have to move into the OR in my last stages of pushing baby A.  This did not make me happy.  But worse is that my sister and doula can't come, only my DH.  That's my support team and I am feeling this is a line I'm going to draw in the sand.  I don't want to look for a new doctor, but it may come to that if I find out this is his preference and not hospital policy.  But even if it is hospital policy, I'm going to ask to see it in writing.  Who was forced to deliver in an OR and if so, were you restricted to having only one person in the room?  Did you fight this?  What was the outcome?   I'm in NYC, delivering at Roosevelt Hospital.  Thanks!

[wendipauline]

I'm in Chicago, and it sounds as though I don't have a choice about this, either. I actually don't know if they will let me do ANY of my laboring in a regular room. I've asked around and it seems to be standard practice around here, but if all goes well with the babies and A is vertex I am going to negotiate as much as I can with my OB.
 

[rinap]

We had to be in the OR, but managed to keep the doula and my husband in the room (though they told us when we arrived that the doula would not be allowed...I almost walked out then and  there to have... I don't know, and unattended birth in the parking lot?

[mamalovex3]

I'm near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and the general "policy" around here is that at the very least, you need to be in an OR for Baby B.  Baby A is somewhat more negotiable. 

I have a friend who is 36 weeks pregnant with twins and is planning to refuse to go to the OR, period.  I am anxiously awaiting her birth story as she will be at the same hospital we will be at if we decide on a hospital birth.

For my last birth, I arrived at the hospital fully dilated and pushing, was taken to an examination room to check me (they did not value my midwife's opinion much) and then to a L&D room and then quickly to an OR.  My midwife (acting as a support person only) and my husband were both there.

[speedfunk]

Hi!  I had mono/di twins and also had to deliver in the OR.  The room was next door to the labor room, so they didn't wheel me into the OR until I was ready to push.  It was a dual setup - so a whole OR team was present just in case.  In addition to the extra hands needed for twins, there must have been close to 15 people.  DH was my only support person by choice, so I'm not sure if others would have been allowed in. 

My suggestion is that you request all the extra staff to either be out of the OR or behind you until (if!) they are needed.  There were some staff watching the "show" which was annoying.

It took me a long time to be OK with all the extra interventions/precautions because of twins.  In the end (minus a few minor changes I would have liked) it went as well as it could have.  I went into labor on my own, delivered vaginally (which included a breach baby B) and no NICU time for my girls.

Good luck!
 

[Gindugirl]

Speedfunk- I see you're in NY.  What hospital did you deliver at?

I'm negotiable on delivering in the OR, but I have decided that they must let my dh, sis and doula in with me.  I would be really pissed if they try to forbid them, and then I have residents and staff around for "the show," as speed funk said.  

Mamalove- I'm curious about your friend too.  Keep us posted!

[~Caitlyn~]

I just talked to my perinatologist about this, and they said it wasn't necessary for me to labor or deliver in the OR with my mono/di twins. 

They did *strongly recommend* that I have an epidural, in case a c/s was necessary... but, I don't think I'll take that recommendation.

[speedfunk]

Gindugirl I'm in upstate NY, no not to close to NYC if that's where you are.

[QMtwins]

Sometimes there can be more than one support person in the OR.  Often its up to the OB delivering who discusses it with the anesthesiologist (who will "run the show," if anesthesia is needed).  Perhaps a consult with anesthesia before birth would be good. 

[queenofchaos]

Not forced, but did deliver in an OR.  My DH was allowed with me.  I asked about this ahead of time and my Dr said I could have whoever I wanted in there with me.  I *think* it is up to the Dr and not anyone else, so I would talk to him/her about your concerns.  And then make sure they put notes in your chart so that there are no questions later.

I also got the rec that I should have an epi in place *just in case*, but my delivery happened sooo fast, that it wasn't an option (and not needed and not wanted anyway).  Things were so quick that the anthestiologist (sp?) was just placing an IV in my arm as Baby A was crowning. 

[annettemarie]

I was "allowed" (I hate that) to deliver in a regular room but they put me in the room closest to the operating suite. And I delivered both twins vaginally. I did get the epidural, but in retrospect that was a really good decision for me.

[Gindugirl]

Thanks ladies!  I'm going to really push for this one, cuz it's too important to me.  I meet with my Peri next week and I hope he's ok with it.

[DiannaK]

I delivered my mono-di boys in the OR, with Baby B being a breech extraction. It wasn't a huge deal -- except for being cold, and the effin stirrups. YUCK. 

[Gindugirl]

DiannaK- that's pretty much what my Peri wants to do.  He said I don't have to have stirrups with baby A, but with Baby B it's prob gonna be a breech extraction and he wants me in the stirrups- urrgg.  But at least I know he won't try to section me if baby B isn't vertex and I appreciate that.  

But question- did you have an epidural?  I'm doing it natural and I'm kinda nervous about his arm up my vajay vajay pulling baby b out.  Yikes!  How fast did that go for you?

[pammysue]

For me it is a hospital policy to deliver in the OR for twins.

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

lovebeingawife-

I have removed your post, as it's against the UA.  Do not post in this manner again.

[jdc]

Hi twin mama comrades,

I did deliver in the OR because I did a natural VBAC twin birth with my #2 and #3 babies.  I have a blog where I wrote about my birth experiences, and other adventures in parenting multiples.  You can find it here: http://www.multiplerealitiesblog.com/2012/08/the-natural-vbac-twin-birth.html

In case you don't read my birth story on the blog, I will say that for me, delivering naturally and in the OR was an AMAZING experience.  Yes, the OR sucked, but I was still so grateful after my previous C-section.

Good luck, all!

Jenn

[KnittingTigers]

Originally Posted by jdc 

Hi twin mama comrades,

I did deliver in the OR because I did a natural VBAC twin birth with my #2 and #3 babies.  I have a blog where I wrote about my birth experiences, and other adventures in parenting multiples.  You can find it here: http://www.multiplerealitiesblog.com/2012/08/the-natural-vbac-twin-birth.html

In case you don't read my birth story on the blog, I will say that for me, delivering naturally and in the OR was an AMAZING experience.  Yes, the OR sucked, but I was still so grateful after my previous C-section.

Good luck, all!

Jenn

Jenn, your story made me cry. Thanks for sharing. It was particularly meaningful for me because Mary delivered my DD four years ago, back when we lived in PVD. Now, we're in a much less birth-friendly place, I'm pregnant with twins, and wish more than anything that Mary could be there. Congrats on a beautiful birth, and a beautiful family!

[mamalovex3]

Just wanted to update... My friend ended up with an emergency c-section so was obviously in an OR but for my last birth (second set of twins) I argued and won (!!) to stay in the L&D room. I had my husband, two midwives, a resident, the on call OB and a nurse in the room.

[jdc]

Wow, just checking back on the mothering community... thanks for your nice words!  Glad my birth story touched you.  I am sorry that Mary's not close and I hope you find an excellent practitioner to deliver your twins!