one baby breech, the other vertex...how to deliver?

[jenniferrose86]

Baby A is vertex, and B is breech...I have been given 3 options for delivery.....c-section, vaginal, vaginal then c-section.....I'm so confused as to what to do!!!!!!!!!! I'm working on week 33....so Baby B most likely will not turn...

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jacindajada/

[SamBen]

This is just my opinion so you can take it or leave it...up to you....I had both of my boys vaginally. Luckily both had their heads down but the dr said that quite often the second baby turns after the first is delivered b/c of all of the extra room. If that were to happen we would have to do a c-section for the second. As I said, luckily we didn't have to do that. My suggestion is go for the vaginal. If it works, GREAT. If not they can always do a c-section. I just think the recovery from vaginal is a lot faster and easier than a c-section and you need all your strength once those babies come. Good luck.

[Sherrie]

My babies were positioned like yours (baby A vertex, baby B breech). I delivered vaginally with no problems. I'd recommend vaginal whenever possible. You don't have the risk of anesthesia and surgery, and like the other poster said, the recovery time is much better with vaginal. I can't imagine recovering from a c-section with newborn twins unless you have an unbelievable support system!

[twoinoven]

I am only 25 weeks and my babes are in same position as yours. My doc is confident that we can do vaginal. I have a friend who has 9 yo twin boys, one delivered head first vaginally, the other delivered breech vaginally, so even if baby b doesn't turn, breech can still come vaginally if everything goes okay. I am going to go for vaginal! I don't want to have major surgery, although I am definately open in case of emergency for the babes.

[Heather+2]

As far as your babies turning or not, my daughter turned from breech to vertex at 35 weeks and stayed that way. I did the exercises like hand and knees swaying and laying with my feet in the air on an ironing board. Good luck with whatever you and your doctor decide.

[Beo]

My girls were in the same position as yours and were delivered vaginally. Baby A came out head first and Baby B was extracted feet first. I think there are several women on this board who delivered vaginally under the same circumstances. So if that is what you want, it is definitely possible.

[twoinjune]

My babies were in the same position as yours for just about my entire pregnancy. I delivered both of them vaginally. My dr. said that is what we would attempt going into it. He said that if more than 20 minutes passed between deliveries he would do a c-section on baby B - but I was very lucky in that they were born just 6 minutes apart. I didn't do anything for Baby B - the dr. told me to push once for like a count of three and next thing you know she was out!

[brajohn1]

we talked about this in my childbirth class. the nurse said that if you have an experienced doctor (ie - one who has lots of experience delivering twins) go the vaginal route. once baby A is born, they will go in and pull out baby B by the feet...
so i'd ask your doc how many of these he or she has performed.
also, find out your hosptal's vaginal vs. c-section ratio. for example, my hosptal delivers twins vaginally 75% of the time, which is quite high. the docs are quite experienced with getting baby B out when he/she is not head down.
my babies are in the same position as yours right now (though i'm only 25 1/2 weeks so they could change) . i plan to go vaginally as long as baby A is vertex.
good luck!

[mommy2twins+2]

You have gotten some great advice. I would definately go for the vaginal birth. I had two breech babies at 34 weeks. EVERYONE said there was no way either would turn let alone both. I was hoping Baby A would turn so we could go vaginal. He DID! In fact at 36 weeks they were both vertex!!! When labor started just two days later they were still like that but our daughter (B) turned (breech) during the labor and was born that way. I think its best to talk with your Dr. and know how he or she feels about different outcomes. My Dr. didn't even try to turn her we just waited (45 minutes!!) to see what she would do. Her bottom came down and I delivered her (rather than an extraction). The recovery was great. I would ask lots of questions and know how your Dr. will handle various outcomes so there will be as few surprises as possible. Also inform yourself about breech birth because if helps to know what is going on. Hope it goes well.

[momto3]

We had a successful vaginal delivery of our twins, however our girls were in perfect position, no turning required. It sounds like a lot of people have had successful vaginaly deliveries with similar circumstances as yours. I just want to add that I had a c-section, with my first child. Although the recovery for a vaginal delivery is MUCH easier, a c-section isn't all that bad. I would definitely prefer vaginal though. I just don't want you to be scared about the prospect of a c-section. I was terrified! But it wasn't that bad. If your doctor is confident in the ability to have these babies born vaginally I would say go for it!

Good luck! :)

[LaurelJC]

I think it's great that so many were able to deliver their twins vaginally even though they were not in the perfect position.

I wanted to share another experience, though. My Baby A was vertex and Baby B breech as well. Baby B, however, measured much larger than Baby A - her head was huge in comparison. In addition, I developed pre-eclampsia at 34 weeks. Given these were my first kids and other factors, we went with the c-section. I am glad I did because Baby B did need oxygen owing to the magnesium sulfate I had to be on. The stress labor would have caused her could have had dire effects.

The recovery was tough, but, in my case, worth it. Personally, I also did not want to deliver one vaginally and then to have a c-section - the worst of both worlds to recover from in my opinion.

My recommendation is similar to previous posters. Ask lots and lots of questions. Consider your specific circumstances (size of babies/pre-eclamsia/other conditions). Go vaginal if you can but also recognize that the desired outcome is two healthy babies along with a healthy mom.

[twoeyNstlouey]

I am 38 weeks with G/G twins. I don't know how active your babies are, but mine have turned a number of times. They turned as recently as last week. I'm not saying they will turn, but they could. Mine are both head down now, and I'm going to really try for a vaginal delivery tomorrow!

Best of luck to you and your kids!

Renee

[truemagnolia]

I delivered vaginally too. Ellie(Baby A) was vertex and Abby(Baby B) was breech. I delivered Ellie, then the Dr reached in and pulled Abby out by her feet. I didn't feel a thing and I didn't even have an episiotomy(sp?) Recovery was hardly anything. If given the option again, I would do it the same. That's just my opinion! Good luck!!

[Devann69]

Hi, I am 31 weeks this week. Baby B is breech and Baby A is transverse right now.

my HMO 's policy is that as long as twin A's head is vertex, then it doesn't matter what position twin B's in. It's all about baby A's head position.

As of right now, I would need a C section, but the babies still have tim to turn.
The ultrasound techs said twins usually settle into position about 32 weeks and my doctor says it's more like 34-36 weeks they settle.


Devann due 1-07-2004 with ID g/g twins