Re: [ozmidwifery] Encouraging twins into a good presentation.

[Gloria Lemay]

I've been told that once the first twin is birthed, the second attendant should stand behind the mother and press attendants' hands firmly against the sides of the uterus from the back to encourage the second one to be a longitudinal lies.  Has anyone on this list done this?  I have virtually no experience with twins.   There is an absolutely beautiful DVD of twins born unassisted at home that has come onto the market here in N. A.  It is the birth of full term 7 lb babies and the mother is so cool.  When she realizes the 2nd one is coming footling breech, she say "Oh shit, it's a foot".  Her husband, who is holding the first born twin and the 2 y.o. as well as videotaping, says "What do you want me to do?"  She replies "Keep videotaping!"  The film is a real gift in a world gone mad. Gloria ----- Original Message ----- From: Lindsay & Yvette To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 3:57 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Encouraging twins into a good presentation. Thanks Gloria.  It's encouraging that you reckon it's very unlikely they'll stay transverse.  My friend is currently 36 weeks with same kind of twins, & hers have been both head down for ages, & now the higher one is transverse.  I gather if at least the lower one gets her head lined up nicely the other one could do anything even after the first one is born (if they give her a chance).   If they were still transverse at 38 weeks I suppose there's no chance of them moving around at that stage?   My lower baby currently has her head closer to the cervix than her bum, so I suppose it could be ok.  They're growing really fast now.   Yvette 39 yo mother of 3 (all normal births) pg with monochorionic diamniotic twin girls. Melbourne Australia     ----- Original Message ----- From: Gloria Lemay To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2005 10:25 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Encouraging twins into a good presentation. Hi Yvette,  I hate to see someone worried about position  at 34 weeks.  Certainly if the baby is clearly a breech presentation in a singleton, 34 weeks is a good time to get going on encouraging a turn around.  The thing that's different with twins is that you're not going to do a version for breech anyway.  Remember that your lovely uterus is ovoid in shape.  As these babies get bigger, the shape of the uterus will press them into a longitudinal lie, either cephalic or breech but not transverse.  It's simply a matter of letting nature take it's course.  Be patient, acknowledge yourself for carrying these babies past 32 weeks and let them do what they're going to do.  It would be extremely unusual if they persist in being in odd positions past 36 weeks.  Even the tightenings of the birth process will press the head or bum towards the bony pelvis. I'm excited to hear the news of their arrival.  Best regards, Gloria ----- Original Message ----- From: Lindsay & Yvette To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 3:47 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Encouraging twins into a good presentation. Hi, I've posted here before about my twins pregnancy.  I'm now 34 weeks pregnant, and the babies are top to tail transverse, & have been this way for about a month now.  I'm starting to get worried about their presentation & the hospital has booked me in for C-section at 38 weeks in case they stay transverse.   I'm trying to spend time on hands and knees, and sit on a birth ball, and I'm seeing the hospital physio about a brace on Monday for SPD, which I've read might help (I'm having lots of ligament pain).   Any suggestions or comments about encouraging twins into a good presentation?  The babies are now 2315g & 2972g (5lb 2 & 6lb 9).  The smaller baby was always head down at the bottom, but they've switched now & the heavier one is lower.   Yvette 39 yo mother of 3 (all normal births) pg with monochorionic diamniotic twin girls. Melbourne Australia