Hi Diane, i passed this on to a dear friend of mine who is mum to twin girls and is very involved in the multiples association. This was her response. Note: her description of the OB reaching in to grab the presenting part of the second twin was done to her without an epi as she refused drugs, so it may be important for your client to get very clear with the OB about him not managing the birth of the second twin. It is possible that he will automatically do this with or without an epi. All the best Jo
hey jojo, i feel for this couple, being in a position where they want to do this beautifully, but have very little support from the hospital. i have never heard that twins usually arrive in around 4 hours (mine did though!!), and whilst i believe that it's not unusual for the cervix to dilate considerably during late (ish) pregnancy for multiples, i really don't think he's any more likely to guess the duration of a multiple birth than he could a singleton. i would strongly recommend that she has someone with her to speak for her ~ and be strong ~ and insist against the forceps, especially for the second twin. induce because they are too big???!!!! how ridiculous! my OB wanted to induce at 37 weeks (not for size, just because that's how they like twins to be born there, but i think they'll use almost any excuse), but i held out for another three and a half, they can't MAKE her do it, which is really important for her to remember. equally important, is that she doesn't have to have an epi. i am wondering if both of her babies are head down? i think that OBs much prefer multiple birth women to have the epi because it is then easier for the OB to "manage" the birth, particularly of the second twin. i don't know if you will pass this on, and know that it is not pleasant to think of, but will say it because i think she has a right to know. the epi comes in handy when Twin A is born, for the OB to reach inside, rupture membranes, fish around for and grab hold of a presenting part, and pull it into the birth canal (i can still hear the squeak of my OBs glove on my little girls head), without the mother feeling the pain of what is being done to her. the gap between births makes OBs very nervous, here they choose how the baby is presenting, and they ensure that the baby is within forceps reach if the heart rate drops. it hurts, A LOT, and is extremely invasive. i really hope they achieve the birth they are hoping for, they will have to be very strong! sorry - just noticing how i have rambled! bern ----- Original Message ----- From: "Diane Gardner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 10:30 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Thanks > Just want to thank you all once again for your help with my twins mum. > > Up until Monday getting her relaxed for her HypnoBirthing classes was easy > and she was so loking forward to a natural birth but then after visiting the > Ob she was a mess. I sent her all the options you gave and she is much more > relaxed and more than anything else it has reinforced the fact that she DOES > have choices. > > Claire, the birth story on the UK site was really good and very positive. It > is good to have sites like that to reference. It had some great links to > other sites as well. Wouldn't it be good to have a register of really good > sites to visit. That'd be a good job for one of you organised Virgos. > > Seriously though I only hope that they are strong enough to stand up for > their rights because I think they thought they had been so violated and no > choices. It was so sneaky that the Ob deliberately has avoided all > discussion of the birth until my client AND her husband were determined to > raise it on Monday. > > Anyway I will keep you informed on her progress and a VERY positive birth > outcome. > > regards > Diane > > > > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
