Contents:
- Medical Video: Vaginal breech delivery and symphysiotomy
- Why are most twins premature?
- What is the difference between giving birth to twins with labor in general?
- The process of giving birth to twins
- Can giving birth to twins through normal delivery?
- Gives birth to twins by caesarean section
Medical Video: Vaginal breech delivery and symphysiotomy
Birth of twins may make you more nervous. This is natural, because prospective parents will welcome the presence of two babies at once. Therefore, you should pay close attention to sundries giving birth to twins below.
Why are most twins premature?
Experts estimate that half the cases of twins will be born prematurely, while triplets or more will usually be born sooner.
There are many reasons why many twins are premature. In some cases, delivery can no longer be delayed because the time has come. For example, because the uterus has contracted, the amniotic fluid has broken, or the cervix has opened. Pregnant twins do increase the risk of childbirth faster.
In other cases, complications occur or there are certain risks faced so that inevitably, twins must be born faster. For example due to high blood pressure during pregnancy (gestational hypertension), placental problems such as placenta previa and placental abruption, or because of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which is a condition in which one or more of your babies does not develop properly in the womb.
What is the difference between giving birth to twins with labor in general?
If you are pregnant with twins, discuss your delivery plan with your obstetrician and midwife immediately. Prospective parents will be encouraged to give birth to twins in a hospital or maternity clinic with adequate facilities, not at home. This is because the delivery of twins has a higher risk of complications than the delivery of one baby.
In most cases, the doctor and midwife may have planned and determined the date of your delivery in the third trimester. On the specified date, labor will be stimulated (induced) by the medical team. Discuss further with your doctor and midwife for details, because each person's condition and pregnancy are different.
The medical team that will assist you may also be more in the delivery of twins. Including one of your obstetricians, an anesthesiologist (if needed), midwife, nurse, and two pediatricians (one doctor for each child). If you give birth to triplets or more, the team might be even more.
The process of giving birth to twins
Basically, the process of giving birth to twins is almost similar to the process of giving birth to one baby. The doctor will attach a monitor to the mother's abdomen to monitor the condition of your babies in the womb.
After the membranes rupture, the doctor may attach fetal scalp clip on the head of the first baby to monitor the activity of the heart. No need to worry, this tool is safe for mother and baby.
Then, the baby will be born one by one, depending on the method of labor you choose along with the medical team. Mothers may be given a liquid infusion and medication to stimulate the next uterine contraction.
If all your babies have been born, the midwife and pediatrician will immediately check the condition of your babies. The medical team will then determine whether your baby is an identical twin or not through the placenta. Another way to check whether twins are identical is through genetic testing (DNA).
Can giving birth to twins through normal delivery?
Pregnant twins do not rule out the possibility of a normal (vaginal) delivery. In fact, four out of ten cases of twin labor are carried out through normal delivery.
Giving birth to twins through normal delivery is possible if you fulfill the following conditions.
- Your pregnancy is healthy
- You and babies are not at risk of complications
- Your babies are not identical (do not share the same placenta)
- The first baby is not breech
- All your babies are healthy and developing as they should
You may be given epidural anesthesia before giving birth. Then the doctor will guide you to push and give birth to the first baby. After the first baby is born, you can take a break while the doctor checks the position of the second baby and performs a vaginal examination.
Shortly after the birth of the first baby, your cervix will open again to make way for the next baby. However, if you do not experience contractions or openings, the doctor will give an infusion of hormone drugs. The drug is used to trigger contractions and openings.
You may also be given a special medication to prevent severe bleeding after the birth of the first and second baby.
If it turns out that the second (or third and fourth) baby is breeched, the doctor may have to justify his position before you give birth again. In very rare cases, the next baby must finally be born by caesarean section to reduce risk.
Gives birth to twins by caesarean section
Most twins are indeed born by caesarean section. You may be advised to give birth to twins by caesarean section if you and your baby have a risk of complications. For example because of the following things.
- Position of the first baby breech
- Your babies share one placenta
- Other problems in the placenta such as placenta previa
- You have had difficulty giving birth normally at a previous labor
- You have had a caesarean birth
- Fetal distress condition
- One, second, or third of your babies experience growth problems in the womb
- Preeclampsia that cannot be treated with drugs
- Umbilical cord prolapse
- The labor process has been going on for too long
You may only be given an epidural anesthesia which will numb your hips down. That way, you will still be awake as long as the doctor performs surgery.
In special and emergency cases, you can be given general anesthesia so that you are unconscious during labor.
Babies will be removed one by one in caesarean delivery. The order depends on the position and placenta of the baby in the womb.
