Vaginal Birth Vs. C-section??

C-sect longer overall recovery 6 wks; advantage is you will be setting the date so you can enlist help ahead of time, your p's, inlaws, sibs, anyone you can, especially the 1st few weeks. You will not be able to lift, drive, etc. You are not suppose to lift anything heavier than your baby, & you have the twins plus the 2 older children.

Get large ice-packs for your incision site and get your scripts filled before you go home. I'm not a pill popper, but I definitely needed the ibuprofen.

I've had an emergency C w/ my 1st and vaginal w/ #2... huge difference.

I haven't had a natural birth, but have had 5 c-sections. I won't lie. C-section recovery is very painful. My newest baby is 4 weeks old today and I still have pain inside where the incision was but it's only moderate at this point. It's the hardest for the first week after you go home from the hospital because the pain is still pretty intense and with no help from the nurses it can be difficult. Hopefully, you have a good support system in place at home around the clock because you'll need it. I would recommend buying a stomach support belt. It will take a lot of pressure off the incision during those first few weeks and it will also help get your muscles to attach back together faster. Good luck with your babies!

I had a very difficult vaginal delivery with my son and then a semi-emergency (unplanned) for my breech daughter. There are ups and downs to both. Most women recovery more quickly from vaginal, but I had so much tearing, it took a full 6 weeks before I was walking or sitting comfortably, so it was about the same for me with both! With the c-section, the incision hurt, of course, but sitting, going potty, and so on were all MUCH more comfortable. Whichever you must do, you'll find plusses and minuses. Good luck!

Hi A.,

I have had both...just like you, my first two were vaginal and then my daughter ended up breech and we did an emergency c-section (my water had broke, didn't know she was breech...). The delivery itself was way faster, but the recovery was longer. Comparing the two, I was a lot sorer from the c-section but was still able to get around. I would say it was probably a good month or even two after the surgery before I felt somewhat normal again. And something that nobody tells you is that in the area where you have your surgery, you will be forever numb. Not a bad or scary thing, just numb in a small area.

Congratulations on your babies. You will do great!

I haven't had a C-Section, and I would be quite scared to do so. You don't say why you might need a C-Section. Your body is made to have babies, and with two successful vaginal deliveries I would say that you should go for the natural delivery. (I will say "natural" because babies were never intended to be cut from the womb. Thank goodness we can save lives with that procedure when necessary, but it surely isn't "natural"!)

I know that my sister and two friends took much longer to be up and around after their C-Sections than after their previous vaginal deliveries, and with older children in the house they felt more pressure to be back up and around too soon. If you do end up needing a C-Section, be sure to remember to ask for and accept help and just lay in bed with your babies until you are healed and given the "all clear" from the doctor.

Blessings on your delivery!

Dear A. -

With my first child I had an emergency c section...then 4 vaginal births...and then twins via c section. I have to concur...vaginal is MUCH quicker in terms of recovery, but, you have to do what is safe for those babies!

One thing I did, as soon as I found out it was twins, was join a 'mothers of multiples' group in my area...they were not only a 'font' of wisdom in managing multiples...but I got a wonderful deal on a gently used double stroller etc.

I ended up on bedrest for a while...and they were a tremendous help in bringing meals etc during that time and following the birth!

I wish you well! And congrats on the twins...and for 'making' it to 36 weeks!

Take Care
michele/cat

I would encourage you to consider getting more opinions and looking for an attendant who has a lot of experience with vaginal multiple births (most OBs do not, since they almost always just do C-sections, as this is what they have learned). I would especially investigate the possibility of waterbirth, especially since if one or both babies are breech, waterbirth is much easier and safer. For example, Andaluz Waterbirth Center in Tualatin (waterbirth.net) has midwives who will attend twin and breech births at home. A C-section is major surgery, carries many risks for mother and babies, and always results in some degree of trauma. ICAN is another group that has lots of information. It is not too late to change providers. If you do still decide to stay with your plan, I would talk with the babies a lot in order to help prepare them, get lots of support, stay at home as long as you can, hire a good doula, and do a lot of reading. Wishing you the best.

I have only had a c-section, but would prefer a vaginal delivery with our next child. We had an emergency c-section, so natural delivery was not an option.

If you have a c-section, plan on not lifting anything heavier than the infants for two week and make sure that you have help at your house every day for at least a month. You will not be allowed to drive, climb stairs or do any heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks, more likely 6 following what is essentially abdominal surgery!

I have had both and I would take a V-Bac any day. The recovery time is so much less.

I've seen your update and my best recommendation is to hire a doula. She will be there to support your choices each step of the way and no matter how the births go, she's likely to help you be most comfortable with the outcome. Good luck and congrats!

Why do you need a C-section? Is it because your doctor is fearful of managing a twin birth? For thousands of years twins were born at home and survived. Is one baby in the transverse position?
If one baby is breech change the side of the bed you are sleeping on and it will turn to be head down. This is Native American wisdom I used in midwifery. It works. It takes about 3 weeks to turn a breech baby to head down using this method.
However, if you have to have a C-Section and it is scheduled take Arnica 30c the day before in the morning and immediately before surgery as this will keep the bleeding to a minimum. Take it again as soon after surgery as you can.
By the evening you can start to use Staphysagria 30c. This will make the healing of your incision go quickly and leave you scarless.
Also you want to ask your physician if he's giving you a bikini cut or the old fashion one up to the navel. With a bikini cut to the uterus you can have a V-back if you want another child.

One other thing. Twins are very different from having a singleton. You need all the help you can get even as an experienced mother. Call your local Mother of Twins chapter.

Updated

Why do you need a C-section? Is it because your doctor is fearful of managing a twin birth? For thousands of years twins were born at home and survived. Is one baby in the transverse position?
If one baby is breech change the side of the bed you are sleeping on and it will turn to be head down. This is Native American wisdom I used in midwifery. It works. It takes about 3 weeks to turn a breech baby to head down using this method.
However, if you have to have a C-Section and it is scheduled take Arnica 30c the day before in the morning and immediately before surgery as this will keep the bleeding to a minimum. Take it again as soon after surgery as you can.
By the evening you can start to use Staphysagria 30c. This will make the healing of your incision go quickly and leave you scarless.
Also you want to ask your physician if he's giving you a bikini cut or the old fashion one up to the navel. With a bikini cut to the uterus you can have a V-back if you want another child.

One other thing. Twins are very different from having a singleton. You need all the help you can get even as an experienced mother. Call your local Mother of Twins chapter.

Hello! I don't know about the c-section on its own, but I have 17-mo-old twins and I can tell you that you are going to need a lot of help those first months. The c-section will slow things down no matter how "easy" it is on you -- it's still a major surgery on top of childbirth. That's not said to discourage you, but if you know in advance, you can better prepare. I know lots of moms who had children before their twins and definitely had/needed a lot of family support, independent of the type of birth. Rally with your family, your church group, your husband's family, your friends, your kids' friends, etc. and plan on having as much help as possible for at least the first six weeks. And then you can connect with your new babies and recover and still feel your family's needs are met! Twins are a lot more work; but they are also a LOT of fun!

I have never had a vaginal birth (thank you for not calling it natural, its all natural). :)
However, I wanted to share one VERY IMPORTANT piece of advice with you. If you have a C-section: MAKE THEM GET YOU UP WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS!!!
I had 2 c-sections. They told me the first time that it was important for me to get up and get moving around...then I laid there (ignored mostly) for the next day and a half...I figured they knew what they were doing....Three weeks after baby was born, I still couldnt get from lying down to sitting up position by myself...
The second c-section, i insisted that they get me out of bed and they listened. I could move around so much better! Within the first week I could sit up by myself.
It is true that the 2nd is usually easier recovery than the 1st, but other friends did far better than me with their first also and it was because of those first 24 hours...Best of luck to you! You are blessed with a unique gift! Enjoy your babies, however they come out!

I have not had a vaginal birth but I have had two c-sections. The pro's are- you are in and out in an hour and a half, no labor and a baby with a beautiful head. Con's are- recovery time is about a good 6-8 weeks at least with your first (my second was much shorter)of course everyone is different. You will need that time to recover so inlist help. It is also aggrevating because the more you try to do and the more you push yourself (even if you feel great) the longer the recovery. When my son was born my daughter was 4 so she was a big help and my husband was able to take off some days to help. Dont pick anything other than baby up. I would set up a little station close to where you will be most of the time for easy changes and naps for baby. Also, take some of the heating pads and cold packs home from the hospital. You will experience some pain so dont be afraid to take the prescription medication they send you home with. Motrin really helped me.Another nice thing is that instead of being sent home in 24 hours you get about 3-5 days to recover. It was like a mini vacation for me haha other than the every hour blood pressure checks. Just take it slow and rest whenever you can. 4 babies is a lot of work on its own and you'll need to recover as quickly as possible so take all of the help you can get. Good luck!

I know some one already brought up Andaluz as a possible birthing center. i had my twins through them My testemonial is on their website. I get the feeling through your post that a c-section is not the most ideal for you in your mind. if it really isn't please look at your options. If you would like to call Andaluz ask for Jesica or Jenifer or KAtherine. They have been my midwives through both pregnancies I have had. I can't speak for a csection on personal experience. but i have watched friends go through it and they have been sore for weeks and unable to do everything tha tthey want/feel the ought to be doing. When you have twins they are extremely demanding those first couple of weeks. I had my gallbladder removed when my twins were 4 months old, this was less invasive than a c-section and it took me 6 months to get back to normal. I can't imagine how ling it would take for a c-section recovery.

S.

vaginal birth long wait until you deliver the baby ,walking next day

c section you have the baby in 1 hour recover in about 6-8 weeks no driving just small walks and painful the next week

I have had both Vaginal Birth and a C-Section. Recovery time from a C-section is definitely the hardest part. You can't lift anything other than your baby (babies) for 6-8 weeks, no driving, no housework especially vacuuming!, and you will need lots and lots of rest! So you'll have to recruit as much help as possible for your other kiddos. Be extra cautious of your incision area with too much movement it could tear very easily! Pros for c-section are theres no hard labor and pushing and your baby has a perfect round head and you wont have that period-like bleeding afterwards cause they clean you out after they take the baby. Keep up on your pain meds and don't over exert yourself. Just take it easy and you'll do great! Good luck and congrats on your babies!

Recovery from a c-section is going to vary wildly from person to person. I have not had a vaginal birth, but I did have 2 c-sections and had really easy recoveries. True, you are not supposed to lift much or drive for 2 weeks. By 2 weeks I felt completely fine, although I was still not supposed to exercise. The second recovery was a little harder only because I had a toddler at that point. With both, my longer recoveries were hampered by other issues not related to the c-sec.

So, if it makes you feel better, there is a good chance that your recovery won't be so bad.