[farmers_wife]

Hi I am a BRAND new member and my friend suggested I visit here. I am a VERY crunchy girl who is 23 weeks pregnant with triplets (naturally in case anyone is wondering) It is our third pregnancy and I REALLY want to deliver naturally! Does anyone know if anyone who has done this? My Ob is open to the idea but is very cautious. He has been very hands off (as much as you can with a multiple pregnancy) and I have NO risk factors, no diabetes, I am far from overweight (about 98lbs pre-pregnancy) and my other two deliveries were completely drug free and natural and very short (less than 8 hours each time.) I am just wondering if anyone can direct me or give me some guidance. I am a realist and know with triplets things are a more higher risk, but I feel my babies (we don't know the sexes, wanna be surprised!!!!!!!!) should have the same beautiful opportunity to be born vaginal just like my other two girls were (they are 11 months apart.)
Thanks!

 

[Belle]

Welcome to MDC and congrats on your pregnancy. You may have more luck in the Parenting Multiples Forum. There are a lot of birth stories there regarding natural birth with multiples. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...play.php?f=158

 

[jeliphish]

Just keep collecting info for your OB. Try to find other vaginal triplet birth stories or doctors who are experienced with it. I think it's great that they are open to the option.

 

[Lisoula]

Welcome to MDC!!!! I just wanted to share that our hospital delivered a set of triplets vaginally last year, and the birth was attended by our maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

 

[Beccadoula]

I think it would be good to find a doula in your area...she can help you find the best care and will work with you during labor too.

Welcome!!!

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[farmers_wife]

Thanks mamas. I really really like my Ob and I really don't want to switch care. He is fantastic and has been my Ob forever and performed all my deliveries. He is very hands off and let my husband catch our first baby and I caught our second baby. I will keep researching my options. Is is possible to deliver a breech baby vaginally after the first has been delivered vertex? (Just in case that happens because the likelihood of them ALL being vertex is low I realize that)

 

[frontierpsych]

I think a lot of multiples are born that way. The first one kind of leads the way I guess, so it seems it would make it easier if a multiple was breech than a singleton (not 100% sure, I'm not a birth professional)

 

[Gena 22]

It is certainly possible to deliver a breech babe after a vertex, but that will depend on the ability of your OB. Is he (or she?) trained in breech births? If so, no problem. Also, if your first two are vertex, the Dr. could perform an external version on "Baby C", or the babe could turn on their own.

For twin moms worried about positioning, I've heard recommendations for "Spinning Babies" and a chiropractor. No experience with either, and not sure if these would work with a more crowded triplet mom. My girls flipped around until sometime around the 32nd week. Then both stayed vertex.

 

[wbg]

Congrats and welcome. i think you will get a lot of helpful advice in the multiples forum. I have not had experience with multiples but a search on google should find you some great links to positive birth experiences and advice.

 

[ShwarmaQueen]

I do think it's possible, I mean what would a woman who was carrying triplets 200 years ago do?? My only concern would be preterm delivery and at which point it's safe to deliver (as far as avoiding brain damage), kwim? I'd research that.

Congrats and welcome to MDC!!

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[Robinna]

welcome and congratulations!!!
A friend of mine who I trust felt the most important thing for getting her twins all the way to term (she wanted a homebirth but they needed to make 37 weeks) was very high protein intake. Like brewer diet protein, and then some more. A lot of safety for multiples is just in getting them far enough along still on teh inside, right? I imagine that's teh same for trips as for twins. Anywya, fwiw, that was one of her really big goals and it did work out for her...
Sounds like your OB rocks.

xo

 

[MommaLauraRN]

My husband is a triplet who was born vaginally...30 years ago though! He was born 1st, vertex....then 30 minutes later, his sister was born breech, then 4 minutes later his other sister was born vertex. They were 31.5 weekers and are all alive and well today! DH was 3-13 and the girls were each 2lb something. They are all fraternal...they were spontaneous triplets, first and last pregnancy for my MIL since they told her she had a high risk of future multiples! I don't think any of the OBs I work with would do a triplet vaginally delivery these days for viable babies, especially since multiples are more likely to be preterm. We do preterm vaginal deliveries of twins when both are cephalic, but mom is still always counseled on risk/benefits for her/babies for vaginal/c-section birth.

Additionally, my dad was an undiagnosed twin born at home 8 weeks early(gram's third baby, just didn't feel well and went to lie down, realized she was laboring and delivered my uncle...and felt her belly "flip-flop" and she said she realized, "OMG, there's ANOTHER one in there, and 5 minutes later came my dad...her fourth child!!!)...and he and my uncle did fine as well.

I don't think there's a lot of data on vaginally born multiples >twins...it's just doesn't happen much. Probably all you will find is anecdotal. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you!

 

[RoseDuperre]

I'm just going to throw it out as another option - you've already gotten great advice here. You could also go to the Farm and have your babies there, with Ina Mae & co. That's probably where you'd have the best odds in the world!

 

[farmers_wife]

Ok DUMB question here: What is the farm everyone keeps talking about? Maybe I just need to google it?

I will later when I have time. Thanks for the stories about vaginal deliveries for triplets. Wow, very inspiring. I have a set of identical twins and a "spare" I guess you say

So my biggest challenge is getting the twins out my Ob said. I went to my doc yesterday and I know it is early but baby A is vertex! Maybe if I tiptoe and don't make any sudden moves he or she (we don't know the sexes) won't turn..(just kidding!) Oh man, I still have to think of names too

Lots of work......

 

[ShwarmaQueen]

http://www.thefarmmidwives.org/

hth!

 

[GoBecGo]

The Farm is the legendary birthing centre run by Ina May Gaskin and her team of very wise women. They specialise in natural vaginal births and are probably the most important figures in Internationally visible maternity care in the world. Check out Spiritual Midwifery for a taste of the magic

There is a woman on CaringBridge whose triplets were born at home in water. She's on CB because her DD contracted meningitis (months later, totally unrelated to birth) and suffered global brain damage, but there's a link to their birth move there...let me get you the link...

 

[farmers_wife]

I am just now responding back to you all. I got violently ill to the point I got dehydrated from vomiting so I was admitted to the hospital. (I hated EVERY second of being there, by the way!) I had two IVs and a constant monitor placed on me to "keep track" of the babes. All of us are fine now and I am home, very tired but everyone is fine. I do have good news to share. My Ob gave me the go ahead to "plan" for a vaginal birth, BUT he said to be prepared to deliver in the OR just in case a section is needed. He is well versed in breech births and does allow them depending on a case by case basis so I am really relieved by that. Now I do is sit and wait for things to happen (hopefully not a while though

 

[farmers_wife]

The end of this made me cry! TRIPLETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ShwarmaQueen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmers_wife I am just now responding back to you all. I got violently ill to the point I got dehydrated from vomiting so I was admitted to the hospital. (I hated EVERY second of being there, by the way!) I had two IVs and a constant monitor placed on me to "keep track" of the babes. All of us are fine now and I am home, very tired but everyone is fine. I do have good news to share. My Ob gave me the go ahead to "plan" for a vaginal birth, BUT he said to be prepared to deliver in the OR just in case a section is needed. He is well versed in breech births and does allow them depending on a case by case basis so I am really relieved by that. Now I do is sit and wait for things to happen (hopefully not a while though

I'm sorry to hear about your dehydration but so glad that your OB is supportive of vag/breech delivery! Sounds like you got the best of both worlds!

 

[christyc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmers_wife The end of this made me cry! TRIPLETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you liked it! I found just over half of those moms on MDC.

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