During my third trimester, my appointments increased and I visited the hospital once a month. The high-risk doctors felt that I needed to go in and have a check-up and were concerned about my size and the girls arriving earlier than scheduled. It would come to the point where every visit included the common question of, “what is your twin birth plan?” I would respond, “to get them out.”
What Is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is an outline of how you want to deliver your twins. Nothing is permanent, as the plan needs to be flexible. Keep it to a minimum, with the understanding that it may not go exactly as you intend.
What Should Your Twin Birth Plan Include?
Include your doctor’s name, the location of where you want to deliver, and the person that you want to have in the room with you. The doctor will be in the room, along with a team for each baby. If you are wanting another person to be in the room with you, there may not be enough room. Ask your doctor, so you may plan accordingly.
Think of what you would like to do that day. Do you prefer to walk around, sit or lay down? How bright do you want the room to be? Will there be pictures or videos taken? Do you want to play music?
Medication should be discussed with your doctor, so your doctor knows your preference on whether you want an epidural or not. Massages are an option, too. Or, if you prefer no medication. Find out details of a c-section as this is quite common when delivering multiples.
Plan out your preference for the aftercare will be addressed. Do you plan on breastfeeding? Bottle feeding? Or, both? Is it okay for the staff to give your newborns a pacifier?
My Personal Birthing Plan
I had my doctors name and number programmed into my cell. I knew which floor of the hospital that labor and delivery were on. I had a handful of friends and extended family that had recently given birth to singletons. Their birthing plans did not go their way, which made me a bit more carefree with mine.
Everything from the women outlining a natural and medicine free birthing plan, to delivering early and having to have a c-section. I jokingly said that at 26 weeks, the girls were going to receive an eviction notice. I wanted to sign-up for a c-section, but I was athletic and remained in shape through walking and yoga. My doctor felt that if I delivered close to my due date, then a c-section would be less likely.
My Birthing Story
That 26-week mark came and went, all the way up to week 38. I woke up to use the bathroom, then I felt a ‘glug, glug, gush’ and that was when my water broke. My poor husband was working the graveyard shift and was showering when it all happened. He started rushing around and I was the one to go downstairs to fix myself a breakfast.
I called my mom and my grandma, who rushed over to the hospital. We met them there, while I was chatting away. I was so excited to finally meet the girls. I remained active on my social media accounts and posting about the big day. My doctor arrived and 10 hours after my water broke, I was ready to push. Here was the kicker, which I knew that it was coming, was that I would not have the cute and cozy delivery room to have the girls in. I was wheeled into the operating room (OR), transferred onto an operating table, and began pushing. This was the only time that I felt scared.
The medical team for “baby a” was in the OR, and my doctor had the heart monitors on my belly. Every time I pushed, my husband and I could see the girls moving. When “baby a” was coming out, she created a vortex effect that pulled “baby b” down and the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. The medical team for “baby a”/Charlotte quickly left with her, and the team for “baby b” stepped in.
The monitor was turned away from me at this point and my husband knew that something was wrong. My doctor had to perform an episiotomy, and use the clamps, to get “baby b”/Shelby out. As soon as she was out, my doctor had to quickly resuscitate her, and she has been fine since then.
It took me eleven hours, from the time that my water broke until Shelby arrived. Having a more carefree attitude towards a twin birthing plan helped to calm my anxiety. The most important thing, on the day of your delivery, if the safety of you and your twins.
