VBAC with twins

[KatieKoo]

Hi, I'm 14.5 weeks pregnant with twins and am trying to find somewhere, someway to be supported to have a VBAC with twins.
I understand that no independant midwives do homebirths with twins and have been told by a couple of independant midwives that I'm going to have an uphill battle finding a public hospital (we don't have private insurance) that will support my desire for this VBAC. Even so far as being told that at best I would have to agree up front to an epidural, manual uterine manipulation for the second twin (ob reaching in to break waters and pulling baby out!), drip, electronic fetal monitoring and trying to birth on my back with legs in stirrups - all very daunting prospects and not the birth experience I'm looking for.
So, would anyone know of anyone anywhere in the public health system that might support my journey or point me in the right direction?
In appreciation, Kate.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hi Katie welcome to BB & congratulations on your pregnancy! Double the love, lucky you!!!

I can't offer much sound advice, but i will tell you what i do know...

Well, firstly, where are you situated? My mum recently (december) had a positive experience at the RWH Melbourne, but it was only twin birth - no VBAC, and she did still have to have the epi.

There are a lot of successful VBAC'ers on here that can probably point you in the right direction - hopefully they can help you out, but i'm not sure if we have had any with twins.

Are you identical or fraternal twins? Any problems so far? The hossy mum was at originally refused to let her have anything but a C/S because her identical twins developed the beginnings of twin2twinTS, but thats only for identical.

With a lot of twin births, i think you'll be hard pressed to find a hossy that won't force you to have the epidural. In terms of the epidural - the hossy says it is in your best interests - ouch if they end up needing to turn your second twin and if you need an emergency c/s for twin2 you'll also end up with a general and not get to hold your baby...

If you can get someone to support your twin VBAC - i highly suggest a doula. I think with a VBAC alone you need one, combined with the twins as well i think it's essential for you to havethe most positive birth experience you can! I myself haven't used one, but have a look around the forums and im sure you'll find some more info and great feedback. start with this article perhaps...
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...n-doulas-birth

Sorry i couldnt be of more assistance, hopefully someone else can shed some light on the situation fro you.

Good luck for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

[Jas]

Hi,

Where abouts are you?`I really hope you can find a hospital. After my 1st birth I am now thinking about the possiblity on a homebirth for number 2 (ttc in July) used to think it was VERY out there but now I think it's definitely a possibilty would you look at having a homebirth maybe?

[KatieKoo]

Don't know how this works - if this reply will go to both jas and ashnant?
I'm located in Clayton only 10 minute walk from Monash Medical Centre. I'm booked in there and have only had one midwife appt. so far. I need to feel them out as to how supporting they will be with twin VBAC. I plan on making an appt. with the head of obstetrics - straight to the top I say! I feel though that I won't be supported there due to how I was treated with my first baby who was 14 days 'overdue' - ended up being induced then emergency c-section.
My twins are about an 18% chance of being identical but most probably fraternal so no chance of twin to twin transfusion. There are definately 2 placentas and 2 sacs.
I won't be able to have a homebirth as no midwife in Victoria does homebirths with twins (as far as I know).
I went to a VBAC seminar this week and heard about a woman having twins vaginally at RWH - maybe it's the same woman?
Thanks so much for your responses.
Best wishes, KT.

[Jas]

Hi Katie,

Sorry I don't know the area so can't suggest any hospitals. You may have problems trying to get an appt. with the head of obstetrics. I wouold recommend calling all the hospitals in the area and asking to speak to the head of obstetrics and ask about their policy on twin VBAC. Also as I said I don't know the area but I think Kelly (the creator of BellyBelly) is inVic so you could ask her if she knows any midwives that will do home births with twins. You can email her at info@bellybelly.com

Goodluck!

[hannahfroodoo]

Hi Katie!

Congrats on your twins!! It's a totally different pregnancy experience from one baby!

I have had a similar problem to what you're facing. Although I had a vaginal birth with DD, I have been having a lot of problems trying to find somewhere that will support my decisions to have minimal interventions with my twins' birth. I have been in tears over the whole situation many times! At least you are getting it sorted early so you will have a better chance than me of finding someone to help you.

Like you say, most places will insist that you have an epidural 'just in case' twin 2 needs to be manually manipulated or you need a c-section (both highly likely if they make you lie on your back for the duration of your labour with an epidural and monitors... stupid doctors!!) as well as the drip, the continuous monitoring etc etc. And they will try and scare you with stories about the cervix starting to close once the first baby is born and twin 2's head getting stuck, they'll tell you about women who refused the epidural and lost the second baby... the list goes on - there's no end to the 'what could go wrong' scenarios they will present you with. As well as this, they'll want to insist on you being induced at 37 - 38 weeks.

Anyway, I highly doubt your chances of finding a hospital that will support what you want. But what you can do is hire a private midwife and give birth at a public hospital. I was put in touch with an independent midwife who made that recommendation. Your private midwife can do most of your antenatal care and will be there for the whole of your labour - at home and once you get to hospital. S/he can come with you to your appointments and argue your case and just generally support what you want - instead of what the doctors say you should want. I think this is what I'm going to do (still trying to convince DH that it's the best option!).

I think that would be your best bet at getting the birth you want. I know how you feel, I have been to 3 public hospitals and 3 private obstetricians who all treat me like I'm taking drastic and unnecessary risks just because I don't want to be lying on a bed hooked up to machines for my labour.

My other plan is to stay away from the hospital as long as possible - I'm not going near the place until I think I am at least 7cm dilated! You could always try that as a last resort!

Good luck! I hope you find someone to help you get the birth you want. And enjoy your pregnancy!

P.S I would also recommend checking out the Multiple Birth Association website and the group in your area. You might find someone there who can help!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I went to a VBAC seminar this week and heard about a woman having twins vaginally at RWH - maybe it's the same woman?

If it was a VBAC then no, not the same - but sounds promising - maybe its worth giving the head OB at RWH a call - they were really helpful to my mum, so crossed fingers they can help you out.

hannahfroodoo made some excellent suggestions - i hope you can get some more info too!

[SamanthaP]

Keep looking for an independent midwife. There is a fabulous one here in Adelaide who births at home with twins etc. She posts on here occasionally - Sirhokko. Maybe put a call out to her on the forum, she might have contacts in Vic.

[KatieKoo]

I do plan on having an independant midwife with me, as well as of my sister who is in her second year of midwifery studies.

On my to do list for next week are to call hospital to arrange some dialogue with the heads of obstetrics to feel them out about support for me and my babies. And contact the multiple birth association, all good suggestions - I'm learning lots!

Hannahfroodoo, have you seen the Davini Malcolm DVD on the lotus waterbirth of her twin boy & girl? It's really fantastic and inspiring. Have you considered homebirth? Maybe you'll have better luck than I would (considering mine is VBAC).

Don't get me started on hospital policy on what they want to do to us as a way of making life easier for them when it comes to the birth of OUR babies. I came across a stream of messages back and forth between obs and the way they were referring to a woman wanting a VBAC with her twins was astounding to say the least. It gave me some insight into what I was up against.
However, I'm feeling positive and inspired to stick to my guns.

Thanks so much everyone for your advise and thoughts. What a great site/forum this is!

[KatieKoo]

How on earth do I save my ticker that I've created? Have tried about 50 times but can't seem to get my head around the technology.

Hoping someone can help please.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hey KT -
When you're getting the ticker code make sure you get the BB CODE (i think that's what it's called) and not html.

You should be able to jsut go to User Profile > Edit Signature and drop it in there.

[KatieKoo]

OK, thanks. Think i've got it now.

Best regards,
KT.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hey KT

Have you had any luck yet WRT hospitals and VBAC & Twin Friendly OB's?

[KatieKoo]

Hi, had a great and positive appt with Ob at Monash the other week. She seemed very very supportive of what I want to do (provided babies are in good position and healthy etc - fair enough). Even said she'd be my advocate at meeting with head of Obs at the hospital.

Couldn't even get an appt at RWH so that's out and have an appt at Warrigul with David Simon in early May, but I'm told he's in and out on sabbatical for the year so may not be around when their birthday arrives. Still, think I'll go see him for his thoughts and see how that goes.

Need to just take one day at a time and focus on the healthy aspects of my pregnancy and remember that at the end of the day the buck stops with me. I'll keep doing my reading and getting informed and enjoy they next few months before we go from a family of 3 to 5 overnight!!! How exciting.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Wow that's excellent news!
Kelly posted a thread earlier this evening about a female Ob very supportive of VBAC etc i wonder if it is the same one?
Keep checking in here!

[KatieKoo]

Well after much deliberating, research, information gathering and talking to lots of people I've decided to birth my twins at home. I feel soooo much better for having made this decision and am really excited about the birth. We live so close to Monash Clayton (can sometimes walk there quicker than driving!) that a transfer is entirely possible if needed. I now have a GP/OB and 2 midwives as my caregivers who are all experienced in twins births, so I feel I'm in safe hands - as well as having a renewed confidence in my own body's ability to birth these precious ones. Hopefully everything will work out on the day/s to have this homebirth.

[Peace Angel]

Hi just been reading your thread.

Good on you for organising the care that gives your twins the greatest opportunity to be born normally.

I had a homebirth (first baby and only one child) and it was awesome!

Feel free to come and pop in the homebirth section

Sending great birthing vibes your way

[Naesy]

wow what a great decision youv'e made. Please let us know in september how it all turned out. (when you find the time)
I'm moving to Melbourne soon could you please tell me the name of the supportive female ob you saw at Monash. I have just finished an ivf cycle with two embryos put back So fingers crossed i'm going to pregnant with twins.If i am, i want all the hospital stuff taken care of long before the due date. Goodluck with your Birth and congrats on extending your family. Double the pleasure.
Thanks for your help
Renae