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When did you realize you were really in labor?
I went to my doctor for my 37 week appointment, and had protein in my urine and elevated blood pressure. This was the first time these problems had come up during my pregnancy but since j had reached 37 weeks with twins my OB sent me to the hospital to be monitored. I was having contractions at the hospital, but because baby B was breech and baby A was not descended or engaged I was prepped for a c-section.
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What was the most challenging thing about going natural?
I had planned through the pregnancy to have a vaginal delivery, and did so much to try to make that happen (exercises, saw a chiropractor, saw an acupuncturist at the end and tried moxa burning). If I wasn't considered high risk with twins I would have liked to deliver in a birthing center. So the hardest part was letting go of all that planning and all the thought I had put into having a natural delivery when it was time for a the c-section.
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What was the most helpful thing you did to prepare for childbirth?
Read so many birth stories. I don't think there is a twin birth story on the Internet that I haven't read. I wanted to be prepared and aware of lots of different possible outcomes and possibilities. I also really focused on my diet and resting to prevent early labor and complications that often come up in a twin pregnancy.
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What surprised you about your birth?
That it was a c-section! I delivered my daughter vaginally, with an epidural and vacuum extraction after being induced and pushing for 3 hours so I was surprised that a c-section was not that much more difficult to recover from than the vaginal delivery. The most difficult part was the side effects of the magnesium drip to treat pre-eclampsia for 24 hours after delivery.
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Be prepared and work for the birth you want, but also be prepared for some alternatives especially if you are having twins! And however your baby is born, take some time to process your feelings about the birth then move on and focus on the joy of parenting your little one. Delivery is such a small part of our job as mothers, you can still be a natural mama no matter what kind of birth you have!
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What pain relief strategies worked best?
Since I had a c-section I was numb and was diligent about taking pain medication afterwards.
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What position did you end up delivering in?
On operating table.
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How did it feel to hold your baby for the first time?
As soon as they pulled the first baby out I immediately felt lighter, and so elated. He screamed right away and was put on my chest almost immediately. When the 2nd baby came out I was so relieved they were both here and healthy.
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What advice can you give to other mamas who want to go natural?
Be prepared and work for the birth you want, but also be prepared for some alternatives especially if you are having twins! And however your baby is born, take some time to process your feelings about the birth then move on and focus on the joy of parenting your little one. Delivery is such a small part of our job as mothers, you can still be a natural mama no matter what kind of birth you have!
