Vaginal twin birth and no epidural - possible?

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? :rolleyes:
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

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.

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.

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

Good luck ATryingTime :)

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.

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!!! :)

I'm an identical twin & my mum birthed my sister & I vaginally without an epidural & I was breach (I was twin number 2) I also had the cord wrapped around my neck & my sister took the placenta with her so the doctor had to get me out quick!

So yes it can be done :) Good luck!

My mum was a twin - my nanna gave birth to them 52 years ago, it was her first pregnancy. Both were breech but mum (twin #2) was a footling presentation, they had to get right in there to help mum out and my nanna did it all with no pain relief and she had a slipped disc in her lower back!!!

Anything is possible :D

My mum also birthed me and my brother vaginally with no epi, just gas. This was 27 years ago. She told me back then they werent allowed to have epis when havnig twins because it slows down the labour!

It's funny because regardless of if they are both head down hospitals really want that epi in don't they?

I just want to say, good luck and stick to your guns! I am sure you will have an amazing birth :)

Hi ladies and thank you all for your responses.

It makes me frustrated to think that in this day and age we have less control over the way we want our bodies to birth our babies than we have in the past.

I will be seeing my OB next Wednesday and will be sticking to my guns. I'm not sure what will come of it, but I will just have to wait and see.
There is no way they can give me an epi without my consent, so I guess I have that on my side.

Kelly - I did look up the OB you recommended and I see that she delivers at the Womens. I am just wondering (in case things don't go well on Wednesday) whether you know if I am too far along to even get in under her. I am 34 weeks today. I guess I was naive and believed that as it's my body and my babies I would have some control, otherwise I may have worried about this sooner!

Thanks again all...I will keep you posted.

I'd be ringing as soon as I can to find out!!! You can sometimes get in last minute - plead your special case!!!

I just wanted to say all the best darl, I hope you get the birth you want (and deserve!) :)

Sorry Kelly - Do you know if she has seperate rooms, or do I just ring the Womens? Let me know if I need to email for this info.
Thanks again
Shelley

Dr Nicola Bryan-Yuen
(03) 9347 4336
Ste7/ 20 Flemington Rd
Parkville VIC 3052

My Nan had 2 sets of twins and back then there was no epidural lol. Sadly with the last set they were so premmie that one passed away but the surviving twin ended up in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest surviving baby for that time.

Hope you get to do what you want

Kim