When you’re expecting more than one baby, there will be a lot about your pregnancy experience that differs from a singleton pregnancy. And the labor and delivery experience is no different! Here are a few of the things you can expect when it comes to childbirth with multiples.
Your Chance of Having a C-Section Birth Is Higher
There are a lot of factors that can necessitate a C-section delivery at the end of any pregnancy, including: the position of the placenta, baby’s position in the uterus, and risk of complications for a vaginal delivery. And with multiples, there are even more factors at play. If a C-section is determined to be the safest option for you and your babies, you’ll often be scheduled between 36-39 weeks. If you go into labor naturally before then, you’ll still have a C-section upon arrival at the hospital.
Your chances of a successful vaginal delivery are much higher in a twin pregnancy. High-order multiples, meaning three or more babies, are always considered high-risk—which almost always means they will be delivered via C-section.
A Vaginal Childbirth Depends on the Position of Your Babies
If your twins are in the correct position at the end of your pregnancy, your provider may determine that a vaginal delivery is a safe option for you and both babies. In fact, about half of all twin pregnancies are delivered vaginally.
In almost 50 percent of twin pregnancies, both babies are positioned head down—or vertex/vertex—when it comes time for labor and delivery. Thirty percent of the time, the first baby (usually called Baby A) is head down, while Baby B is breech, or head up (vertex/breech). In either of these scenarios your provider may be comfortable attempting a vaginal delivery. If both babies are breech, a C-section is much more likely.
Labor Once, Push Twice
One of the great things about multiple pregnancy is that even though you’ll have two (or more) babies by the end of it, you’ll only have to go through the labor process once. In a twin vaginal delivery, each baby will have its own pushing stage. Typically the second baby is born more easily, with the average time between each baby’s birth clocking in at just over 15 minutes.
Each Baby Will Have Their Own Care Team at Birth
No matter what kind of birth you have, you can plan on a packed room, mama! Aside from your own labor and delivery team and your support people, each of your babies will have their own nurses and providers ready and waiting to welcome your little ones to the world. This ensures that should anyone—you, or any of your babies—need immediate medical care following the birth, a care team is ready to assist right away.
You’ll Likely Give Birth in an Operating Room
Some hospitals require that mamas of multiples give birth in an operating room, even if a C-section isn’t in the plans. The reason? Just in case an intervention is necessary.
If your provider determines that an emergency C-section is needed for one or more of your babies, your care team will be able to move quickly. It’s also common to have an epidural inserted early on in your labor. Even if no medicine is immediately pushed through, having an epidural placed helps your care team be able to administer anesthesia immediately if it becomes medically necessary.
As with any pregnancy, working with your provider to create a birth plan is important. Having a plan already in place when it comes time for childbirth will help you keep your focus on the important things: bringing your sweet babies into the world!