Cords, Placentas, and Twins

[Henry's_Mamma]

So this might be a really dumb question but it has been troubling me for days so I might as well ask knowing one of you wise mamas will know the answer.

During a twin v/b, what happens to the cord of the first twin after the first twin has been birthed but the second twin hasn't? I guess I'm wondering if there are 2 placentas, does the 1st twin's placenta birth before the second twin births, or does the cord just remain in the birth canal while the second twin descends? What if there is only one placenta? How does that work?

I hope someone doesn't mind helping me with this. I'm really itching to know the answer ... Thanks!

[doctorjen]

The first cord is generally clamped and cut, then the second baby is born, then the placenta(s) is/are born. I've heard differing opinions on clamping/not clamping the first cord, but in hospitals it is pretty much always clamped. The placentas usually deliver after both babies, because the uterus contracting smaller after the babies are born helps shear the placenta from the uterine wall.