Are epidurals a REQUIREMENT with twins?

Julie - posted on 08/24/2011

I had one (and afterwards wondered if / how much my OB would have argued if I said I didn't want one) I guess, since I knew someone who had the emergency C-section with baby #2, she pointed out with the epidural she was awake the whole time, versus no epidural and would have had to be put under (if someone thinks that's not correct, just what she said) I didn't end up with the C, but the whole time there was a lot of concern for baby #2's heartrate and once her sister came out it really tanked so she was vacuumed out. I didn't even know that part until later (I got super sick after #1 was delivered)

Rebecca - posted on 08/18/2011

I would ask your doctor for clarification --- they can place the epidural catheder without inserting the medicine. That might be what he means. That way, the epidural is in place and they can add the meds if an emergency c-section is needed.



I agree with the prior poster that twin deliveries are complicated and anything can happen -- my labor at 40 wks 5 days started out with my water breaking. Both babies were head down (which was verified by ultrasound). I was also wanting a natural birth, but after 12 hours of contractions every 3 minutes and having unbearable pain in my back near my kidneys, I was exhausted and couldn't take it anymore. I had the epidural. Turns out, both babies turned and the first out was now butt down with the cord at his feet -- which means his cord could have prolapsed at any moment. The minute the doctors figured that out I was wheeled in for an emergency c-section. Because they already had an epidural, the surgery occurred less than 10 minutes later! IMHO, that epidural and careful ultrasound monitoring saved my son's life. At the beginning of my labor, no one could have predicated that two 8 pound, full term twins would have been able to turn and change positions during labor. But they did. Best of luck!

Noel - posted on 08/18/2011

Congrats on your first natural birth. I understand your desire to deliver naturally, but remember that multiple pregnancies are riskier and the most important thing is that they are delivered healthily, even if that means things dont go exactly as you would like them to. If you are early enough in your pregnancy, find another OB that is more open to doing things your way (most wont take a new patient that is past 26 weeks). Even if both twins are in the right position, sometimes after the first one is born, your body will try to deliver the placenta before the second one, which would require a c-section. Do you really want to risk complications so you can do things your way?



edit: This didnt come out as intended. Teach me to post during 4am feedings. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, if you can, find a doctor that is open to doing things your way but also be open yourself that the birth of your twins may not go as you would like it to

Katrina - posted on 08/17/2011

congratz i have almost 6 month old twin girls which i deliverd natural at 33 weeks with no pain killers at all i asked mt doc about all the drugs i could get they where my 7th and 8th baby's so i new what was ahead of me as i had them all natrual my doc told me just wait and see what happens if you need one then we will give you one none of the doc i talked to told me i had to have one, baby A was always in breach so i thought the whole time i was having a c-section even when i went to the hospital i told the nurse i had to have one as baby A was breach they done ultrasound and she had turned all the way around and her head was fully down so i had no choice but to do natrual she wasent waiting any longer but baby B was still right at the back and wasent ready at all (think she enjoyed giving me all the pain the whole preg lol) they had to move her down and turn her and that was painful and she was born 20 mins later that was the longest 20 mins i have ever had but i wouldent have done it any other way they where healthy abby jean was 5 lbs 1 oz and nakita rose was 4 lbs 1oz only had to stay in hospital for almost 3 weeks due to abby having infection which is why i went into pre turm labour and they dident drink form a bottle ever feed and had to be tube feed they are now very healthy and weigh abby 6.56 kg and nakita 7 kg and they are growing very well. go along with what you wont and dont let anyone try and tell you any differnt its your body not theres you no what is best and you would choose whats best for you and your babys goodluck its the best joy in having 2 little one's i hope everything goes well for you and you 2 little one's

Cynthia - posted on 06/18/2010

I am like a walking time bomb right now, almost done with 39 weeks. I had to change OB as well since the first one told us to either schedule a C-section or get induced at 38 weeks and we didn't want to do that. My current OB is so much nicer and supportive with a natural birth and he's fine with me going full 40 weeks, and he agreed that I don't have to go into OR if everything goes smoothly and our strategy is not to use epidural. Although my OB said if Baby B turns (now he's head down just like his brother) after Baby A is out, it will be very painful if he needs to turn him manually and I don't have epidural in. However, the midwife we hired as a doula will help stablize Baby B. We will see how things go. I think the reason they "require" you to have epidural doesn't make sense, even though most hospital nurses will pressure you into it - it's one of the main revenue for them. If there's an emergency, they can give you the gas and put you under when it comes down to it. I hope that you don't have to struggle too much to get the birth you desire.

Marlo - posted on 06/18/2010

Congrats to you I had a natural birth for my twins daughters, If you did it once you definetly can go through it again2. I must say it was a very painful experience

that is not true about the epideral though, cause i was not required to take the epidural, it wa a choice for me and I decided to late.

Dalia - posted on 06/18/2010

I took it but really the delivering become very exciting no pain and you can see every thing espically if your doctor is cooperative I advice you to take it and good luck

Gail - posted on 06/17/2010

I live in Alberta, Canada but yes, here I was told an epidural was required in case I needed an emergency C-section. I did deliver vaginally with twin B being breech and all went well.

Quilty - posted on 06/11/2010

When my doctor told me that it was "hospital policy" for all twins to be delivered by cesarian AND SCHEDULED, I changed doctors and hospitals. [How do you schedule a c-section when twins so often are preemies??]



I found a doctor 70 miles away who "allowed" me to deliver my twins naturally, even though the last baby I had before them had been a c-section (she weighed 10 lbs!).



I delivered the first one breech, and the second one followed right behind her brother about 15 minutes later. It was WONDERFUL.



The way to change such arbitrary policies is for pregnant women to convince, fight with, bribe their doctors to get the kind of birth they want -- assuming no emergencies, of course.

Tanya - posted on 06/11/2010

First off, Congratulations, mama! :0)) My twins are now 11 and it's been a joyous ride. When we found out we were having twins, I didn't want an epidural. I had a natural birth w/ my first daughter and I wanted to have a natural birth w/ my twins, too. My initial OB told me that I would have to have an epidural and a c-section. I DID NOT want that, so I went to the hospital where I was going to deliver and talked to a few OB nurses. That's how I got the recommendations of my OB. I scheduled an interview with him and made my wishes known. He was in agreement as long as my health was not endangered. So, when it came time to deliever, the nurses were very upset since I refused to sign the paperwork for an epidural. They told me that it was mandatory just in case a c-section was needed, especially since baby B was breeched. I refused and the nurse kept at me through my labor then she tried to convince my husband to sign the paperwork. I was furious that she went over my head and I let my husband know it. The RN told me that I was putting my babies at risk because every second counted, etc. I realized that but i wasn't having it so I told her that if it came down to it, give me something to bite down on and cut away. She tried to get the OB involved but I refused and he went w/ it. I delievered in the OR, naturally, with my twins two minutes apart. Baby B flipped in eutero and everything was fine. Please understand, I was 24 y.o. at the time and I admit now, was risky. I heard on NPR radio that a lot of Dr's won't take on a patient that will not agree to a c-section due to an insurance liability, in which an epidural is required. BTW, I did receive an anesthesiologist bill some weeks later. When I called about it, I was told that I was paying for his time to be there, "just in case". So, be aware of that. IDK if this is helpful but I think your health, the risk factors, etc should determine your decision. Good luck! :0))

Kristi - posted on 06/11/2010

I had an epi with my twin sons. They like to give you one. On a just in case basis. With twins they chances of emergency C-sects are slim but they can and do happen. I had both with no complications during birth. So its nothing to be worried about. Your doctor is just looking out for the health of you and your twins. Good Doctor! :)

Caroline - posted on 06/11/2010

My doctor told me they suggest having an epidural but it was my choice. Because they said it was safer especially for the second twin I eventually decided to have it. This was a hard decision as I had my first baby with just gas and my second with no pain relief in the bath. So I was really disappointed to make this decision.
As it turns out on the day they said that the babies were in really good positions so I didn't have to have it if I didn't want it. I then couldn't get my head around not having it so I asked for it. But I didn't have time (I am glad about it now). And I delivered both babies (induced) but no pain relief safely.
Good Luck with making your decision.

Donna - posted on 06/11/2010

My twin girls are now 20 months old i have a son at 3 when i had him i had pethadine, with the twins i was never told what to have i was asked when i was in labour what i wanted i asked for an epidural, simply because i did not like the pethadine and i wanted some kind of pain relief with the twins, but good on you for having a pain free labour the first time, and if that is your wish for this time too make your voice heard, i am sure if the doctors feel u need one they will sit u down and discuss why they think this is the best thing, like the other post the most important thing is that u have 2 beautiful and well babys at the end =)

Rachel - posted on 06/09/2010

Doctors usually want you to have an epidural in case they have to do an emergency C-section on the second twin. If you don't have the epidural they may just put you under. However, my twin labor went so fast they only got the test dose of a spinal into me. I didn't have any pain relief with twin A; it kicked in before twin B arrived. I was just happy to avoid a C-section because twin B kept turning and was breech half the time. The main thing is getting two healthy babies to take home. :)

Ciera - posted on 06/09/2010

It is not usually a "requirement". Your doctor may have a policy in place for it but if you want to deliver with no meds, tell him that u refuse to take them or see about a different doctor delivering. I have heard of a few different people who did that. U might want to be careful though because there is always a good possibility of being rushed in for emergency cesarean and if the epidural is not in place, that will just cause for more complications. But this is YOUR delivery so it should be what you want it to be. Just make sure what you want is really what you want because in the end it's all about the safety of the babies even more than our experience. I had a cesarean which turned out great! GL!

Melanie - posted on 06/09/2010

i was told i had to have a epidural with my twin boys but i know of another friend who has twin boys and said she delivered to babies before that and had no pain relief so would the twins that way and she did with no complications.I just got a little scared if the second twin got stuck.