Most expecting moms deliver their babies vaginally. These moms still have to make choices about getting an epidural or how they want to deliver their baby, but they mostly know what is going to happen.
However, when you're pregnant with twins, it's a whole different ball game. Although many women do go on to deliver their twins vaginally, there are some extra concerns moms need to be aware of before they simply decide to try a vaginal delivery. In fact, there are many added risks that come with vaginally delivering twins, including the 10 examples mentioned below.
10 Slow Progression of Labor
Sometimes moms carrying twins experience severe stretching of the uterus. This can weaken mom's contractions to the point that it takes longer for her to reach full dilation. If that happens, then labor takes much longer. This can leave mom feeling exhausted and unable to make it through pushing both babies.
9 Higher Likelihood of Needing Epidural
If you are delivering twins vaginally, chances are you'll end up with an epidural even if you didn't want one. In fact, many hospitals and practitioners actually require mothers who are delivering twins vaginally to get an epidural. They do this because labor for multiples can be more intense and because this makes it easier to provide instant relief if doctors need to switch to a caesarian delivery part of the way through.
8 High Blood Pressure For Mother
According to the team at Verywell Family, mothers carrying twins are at a much higher risk for conditions like preeclampsia, which can cause elevated blood pressure both before and during delivery. This can be dangerous for the babies and for mom, since it puts her at a higher risk for heart disease or stroke. This is why blood pressure is monitored very closely during delivery.
7 Contractions May Stop After One Delivery
Sometimes, moms experience a stop in labor after delivering the first twin. The National Health Service says doctors can try to restart contractions through IV medications. However, if this doesn't work, then the other baby will have to be delivered via C-section since it's not healthy to labor for over 24 hours.
6 Complications May Arise From Assisted Birth
The use of tools like forceps or a vacuum is much more common during twin deliveries, especially when it comes time to deliver the second twin. However, studies show that assisted birth can cause serious issues, including scalp lacerations, subgaleal hematomas, hyperbilirubinemia, intracranial hemorrhage, cephalohematomas, facial nerve palsies, and retinal hemorrhage. These can lead to infant mortality.
5 Placental Abruption
Placental abruptions are a serious pregnancy complication. Although they are rare, they are more likely to happen when delivering twins. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association says placental abruption is three times more likely to occur when delivering multiples. Although it can happen for a variety of reasons, it's most likely to occur after the successful delivery of the first baby. This puts the second twin at risk.
4 Increased Risk of Anoxia
Hypoxia occurs when the body doesn't get enough oxygen. Severe hypoxia, also known as anoxia, is a complication that can occur during childbirth. Although it's rare, it is more likely to happen with the second delivery in a twin pregnancy than it is during a singleton delivery. This can be deadly for the baby, which is why twin vaginal deliveries must be monitored closely and doctors usually check on the second twin once the first one is delivered.
3 Fetal Distress
Fetal distress happens when a baby doesn't receive enough oxygen through the placenta. It can quickly lead to other issues if not treated. What's more, it's more likely during twin deliveries since the process can take longer and be more taxing on mom and the babies. Babies who are delivered vaginally while experiencing fetal distress may have a hard time breathing or stop breathing entirely.
2 Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Umbilical cord prolapse is something that happens during delivery where the baby's umbilical cord gets compressed between the fetal and the cervix. When an umbilical cord prolapse happens during delivery, it can fall into the birth canal before the baby and lead to loss of oxygen for the baby or even a stillbirth. According to Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby, it's more likely to happen when delivering twins.
1 Delivery Becomes C-Section Anyway
Even if none of the above-listed complications happen, there are many other risk factors that can increase a mom's odds of delivering their babies via caesarian even if they started out delivering them vaginally. Regardless of the reasoning why, though, things go much more smoothly if the mom delivering the babies trusts the doctor's judgment on all this.
Vaginal delivery of twins is entirely possible. However, it does come with increased risks, such as the ones listed above.
Sources: Verywell Family, National Health Service, American Pregnancy Association, Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby