Re: [ozmidwifery] twins labour/birth

[Susan Cudlipp]

Hi Kristen Yes you can do EFM for twins. Most machines will record 2 heartbeats,  commonly a scalp electrode is placed on twin 1 and external monitor on twin 2. How long between twins?  In hospital situations it is usual to see fairly rapid delivery (extraction) of twin 2 after no. 1 usually only a few minutes- Obs seem to be very uncomfortable with waiting :-) It is usually baby, baby then both placentae together - there should be no attempt to deliver the placenta by CCT until both babies are born, and if physiological 3rd stage happening the placentae would normally come together after both bubs. They are often fused or joined. I have never seen ECV used for twin 2 - most obs will reach in and perform a breech extraction - i.e. grasp a leg - without waiting to see if bub is going to descend head or bum first.  The attendant should palpate the abdomen to ascertain the lie of twin 2 following first birth. In hospital twin births the woman would be given epidural this is mainly to allow for 'manipulation' of twin 2.   Hope this helps - this is not normal physiological birth of twins but rather 'normal' hospital management - if they 'allow' vaginal birth in the first place!  And I cannot imagine any ob of my long aquaintance 'allowing' physiological 3rd stage with twins :-)   Justines twin birth story - now there's an entirely different matter - tell her Justine! Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: Kristin Beckedahl To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 3:57 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] twins labour/birth I have a couple of questions re twins: Can you do EFM with twins ?  Or are they usually monitored with the doppler? How long is is typically between twins birth? Is it usually baby-placenta, baby-placenta or can it be baby-baby-placenta-placenta? If ECV is needed to help Twin 2 - does the mother need any medication for this? Big thanks, Kristin See The Killers in the UK. Download mobile stuff to win! -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit to subscribe or unsubscribe. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.18/506 - Release Date: 30/10/2006