When it comes to writing up a birth plan for twins, mothers-to-be who have never had multiples before may believe that the process is the same as it would be when writing a birth plan for singleton babies. However, given that multiples births are at higher risk, and the chances of the pregnancy making it to 40 weeks are slim, pregnant women need to make their wishes known well ahead of time so that the birth plan is ready to go when it comes time. for delivery. Things can change in the blink of an eye when carrying twins. And the more that doctors and hospital staff are privy to before babies start making their way into the world, the better. This is why it is so important to have a birth plan when expecting twins.
Women carrying twins should begin to formulate their birth plans earlier than those who are carrying a single baby. This is because, according to Twins & More, many mothers are offered to be induced around 37 weeks. Studies have shown, per the publication, that this is the length of time that most expecting women should go when pregnant with twins in order to reduce the risk of complications as much as possible.
But ultimately, the choice is up to pregnant women on how they want to proceed with the pregnancy. And if waiting to get as close to 40 weeks as possible is their wish, then it shall be.
Here is how to create a birth plan when expecting twins.
What Is A Birth Plan Anyway?
A birth plan is an opportunity for pregnant women to have a voice and make their wishes known regarding how they want their pregnancies to go. By having a plan in place, there is something for doctors and hospital staff to review and any hiccups that crop up along the way can be discussed immediately based upon said wishes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, women who create birth plans become privy to what their rights and options are when in the delivery room. This allows them to make the best decisions for themselves and their unborn babies when it comes time to welcome them into the world.
As new information about pregnancy is discovered at prenatal visits, the birth plan can be adjusted appropriately. This is a flexible document that can be changed as few or as many times as women would like.
What To Include In A Birth Plan
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While there are some similarities between what to include in a birth plan for singleton and twin babies, there is a bit more to consider when it comes to a birth plan for twins.
According to What To Expect, there are several things to consider and make wishes known about when it comes to twin births. Those things include:
- Basic contact information
- Who the support team is
- Preferences when it comes to the hospital room atmosphere
- Preferences when women go into labor such as being able to walk around, use an exercise ball, etc.
- Preferences for pain management
- Desire to have an episiotomy or naturally tear
- Medical interventions include how to monitor babies, whether to rupture membranes, use of a catheter, taking oxytocin to make contractions begin, use of medical tools to help birth babies, etc.
- Deliver via C-section, vaginally, or a combination of the two
- Newborn care of babies including skin-to-skin time, if possible, whether to administer vaccines, etc.
Women will also want to note what their wishes are if an emergency-C section is necessary. They may also want to let doctors know if they want to be advised before a procedure is done during said emergency so that they can give permission or if doctors can use their discretion to give the best quality care possible when fitting for the twins’ or mother’s lives.
C-Section Versus Vaginal Delivery
The position that twins are in will determine if it is safe to deliver vaginally or if a C-section is necessary. However, whether moms want a vaginal birth or a C-section should be included in the birth plan as well.
According to PregnancyBirth & Baby, one-third of women carrying twins will be able to deliver vaginally. But with less than half of all twin pregnancies making it to 37 weeks gestation, women should be prepared to go into labor as the date gets closer to that time.
If women prefer to have a C-section, that may be something that is scheduled. This is because with twins, two-thirds of the time one baby is breech or transverse, per publication. And this can make it difficult for the other baby to be born vaginally. As such, the majority of multiples births wind up being born via C-section, regardless of what mothers were hoping to do.
Prepare For The Unexpected
Women will need to be prepared that despite what they want to happen during delivery, there is a great chance that unexpected things will happen. Babies have a mind of their own. And when dealing with delivering two, it can make the process just that much more chaotic.
This is why having a birth plan in place is so important so that doctors know which steps to take to keep mothers and their multiple babies healthy and safe. And ensuring that partners are savvy on what the details of the plan are so that any questions can be answered and that someone can monitor what is happening to ensure the mother’s wishes are being met when it comes to birthing twins.
Source: Twins & More, Mayo Clinic, What To Expect, PregnancyBirth & Baby