Vaginal twin birth and no epidural - possible?

[ATryingTime]

Hi all you wonderfully knowledgable people, I am here to pick brains!!

I am freaking out a bit, I had an appointment at the antenatal clinic this morning and still have to wait until next Wednesday to meet the OB who we are booked under for delivery (Also the only one who will let you try for a vaginal birth), however had a quick discussion with the guy I saw today and he seems to think that it should be fine, but that I will have to have an epidural. Apparently even though they are both head down, the second twin can move after the first is born and may need manual extraction - sounds great doesn't it?
My problem is I am terrified at the thought of an epidural and to be honest I am more scared of that than the thought of them 'going in' after the second twin.
Has anyone birthed both twins vaginally without an epidural?
For my previous births I had just gas with the first and then nothing with the second (it was very quick) - what are my chances? or am I just insane to even consider it?
Thanks in advance
Shell

[Trillian]

If you had such great births with your first two, there's no reason why you can't do it with a twin birth. Your body has proven to you that it knows what to do, and if anything an epidural can make it more difficult to birth - being able to move around and letting gravity help you is by far better than being stuck on your back on a bed, unable to move. If I were you, I would ask that the epidural only be given if the second twin does happen to move and need to be manually removed (which is an awful concept isn't it? It's a baby for pete's sake) - unless the second babe needs to come out ASAP, then I can't see there being an issue with waiting the little while until it works. But I have known women IRL who've had twins vaginally with no epidural - one even had her second babe as a frank breech. I think too if you are concerned about having the epidural in the first place, then that answers your question already in a way.

[BellyBelly]

I know an Ob in the city who will let you do it without if it's your second bub or more. Email me if you want more details my first name at bellybelly.com.au

I am working with a couple at the moment who are having twins, first preg and are now looking into a homebirth as no-one will let them do it without epidural. Its likely to be their only babies so they want a special experience.

ETA: Bah I should just type it: Nicola Bryan will be fine without the epi after first bub. All she wants is first bub head down doesn't care about 2nd twin.

[chocolatecatty]

ha, sounds funny 'doesn't care about the 2nd twin'.....I assume she means its position!!!

Good luck ATryingTime

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Can't remember who my mum had but she had her fourth pregnancy last year and because they were identical, and had T2TTS, plus the premness, they made her have an epi. She was told that if it weren't for the T2TTS she could have gone no epi at all.

[~ Mylitta ~]

My mum gave birth to twins vaginally AND without an epi and said it was the easiest birth of all 4 of her births (I was the hardest, lol!). Albeit this was 20 years ago now, but if woman could do it back then, then we can certainly do it now. Oh, and the first baby was breech too!

I wish you good luck!!!