So now that things are starting to go a little more like normal pregnancy, I feel there is not much to share on here, but here's the latest... Since my last post Beau and I spent the first weekend of May in Vegas with some good friends. It was a blast, but I think between the crazy amount of walking, the heat and the loads of crappy (meaning expensive and tasted good, but not good for you) food I reverted a bit in the pain department. Ovaries have continued to lay low, but hemorrhoids were in full effect again.
For the week after we got home I stayed with the natural regiment that my neighbor had given me, which I do believe was targeting the source of the pain, but the symptoms were becoming too much to mentally and physically handle. I finally asked Beau and our friend Dave to give me a priesthood blessing and in it I was told that relief was coming soon. I had made a doctor's appointment for the following morning and was instructed to put a cream on my "hole" (for lack of better description) twice/day and drink 8 oz of prune juice every morning. Two days later and since then I have been feeling pretty good. I am grateful the Lord has blessed us with the ability to cure ourselves naturally and, if needed, get a little quick relief from modern medicine.
At my last appointment (2 days ago) I heard the heartbeats of both boys and both are in the "good" range. Maverick has a 150 bpm and Zayden has 140 bpm. The doctor also measured my belly and I am the size of a 25 week singleton pregnancy (reminder I am only 18.5 weeks!!! Holy stretching and FAST). I have also officially gained about 13-15 lbs according to the doctor scale. I don't know the exact amount because sometimes I have more clothes and my shoes on than other times.
Lastly, I am still debating mentioning this as I am writing it, but here goes... I talked with my acupuncturist, Sue, and she suggested that if I am able to do a vaginal delivery that I do it naturally and let her "guide" me essentially. I consider this woman a miracle worker for what she has already done for my health and I seriously trust her with my life, so I am considering the idea. She is the mother of 10 and she delivered them in a variety of ways. She has also guided/coached many of her children's deliveries. She is holistic and strong LDS, so for my peace of mind I like that combo. I am kind of curious to know people's thoughts and yet at the same time I don't care because the final decision is between me, Beau and the Lord... but opinions/thoughts may open a train of thought or research I may have overlooked, so comment away...YIKES. If there is need for medical intervention I am completely open to that assuming I do decide to try natural...whatever gets these boys out and into the world the safest :)
My daughter just delivered naturally a week ago today, and she and her husband went to a hypo-birthing class. She did marvelously, even stayed the course naturally when they had to use pitocin to get her contractions moving along. (My first two were natural, as well.). I think you heal quicker, and whatever means you use to help you through the process is great! (Within reason, Of course!)
ReplyDeleteI would say go naturally as long as possible. I remember hearing that sometimes you "tear" and it is better if the doctor gives you the episiotomy. But I think you do heal tons quicker if you can deliver vaginally. I would make sure you are in the hospital so that if things go wrong and you need to have the C-section you are there. (I don't have twins, so I don't know all the complications that can occur with that.) A lot will depend on how long you are able to carry the twins before you start/end up with labor pains. Listen to your body, which I think you are really good at.
ReplyDeleteI delivered both naturally in a hospital. It worked for me and felt like it was the best of both worlds. I used some hypnobirthing techniques and Bradley method techniques. You can buy books off amazon for pretty cheap. I actually believe strongly in visualizing the birth and how you want it to be. Honestly both babies came exactly how I envisioned them coming. Good luck no matter what you do!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, here is my 2 cents. I had both my 2 babies naturally...but if I am to have another baby, I will for sure do it medicated. Yes is it empowering to have a baby naturally, but even with doing hypnobirthing successfully, it was excruciating, I had 2nd degree tears with both, roids galore, and I it took 3 months to heal with both of mine. Yes I would do it all again because I love my children. I have a high pain tolerance and I wanted to prove that I could do it, but bringing children into the world is the main goal...not necessarily how you do it. But why would I do it medicated next time??? Because you are no less of a mom if you labor naturally or medicated. Your kids will love you the exact same. My opinion is that you do not need to prove anything by natural childbirth. Leslie, you have already endured so much emotional and physical pain than most women...why put yourself thorough more if you can help it? If I were you, I would graciously accept a little break in the pain and allow yourself to really focus on welcoming your babies into this world, and not your labor. But that is just my opinion :) Obviously it is a very prayerful choice between you and your husband...but either way you will have 2 beautiful boys in your arms!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Mandy on this one. She put it all so well!
ReplyDelete(I chose epiderals with both Logan and Lexi and the deliveries were great (better on the second one) and the recoveries were just fine, too.)
Good luck with whatever you choose!
Of course it is up to you, but having delivered both single babies and twins I can tell you it is a completey different experience. This is something you should talk to your doctor about too and see if he will allow it. When you deliver twins you don't deliver in the delivery room you actually deliver in the operating room because they need to be ready for an emergency c-section. With me I was able to deliver baby a with her head down, but baby be was breach so my doctor actually had to put his arm up inside and grab both her legs and pull her out. I had an epidural but could still feel it and it was horrible enough. I can only imagine how it would be without the epidural. My sister-in-law had twins recently too and baby b turned side ways after baby a was born. They had to push extremely hard on both sides of her tummy to turn the baby. Her doctor also reached up inside her and pulled the baby out by her legs. It was extremely painful even though she had the epidural. I think it would be awesome if you could do it without an epidural, but if I remember correctly they want you to have an epidural when having twins so that you will be numb and ready for an emergency c-section since the delivery is higher risk. I don't think they even allow a vaginal delivery if you're having triplets or more. I think they require a c-section. Good luck with your decision. I hope I helped. I am so excited for you! ;)
ReplyDeleteI went as long as I could without an epideral and lasted about 8 or 9 of the 17 hours of labor but after the water brakes its a whole new ball game!!! I got the epideral soon after that and was able to enjoy my birth experience so much more! I tore a little too but didn't feel it so I was luck not to have to have an episiotomy so tell them to help stretch you out you don't want an episiotomy the recovery from those is way worse. I say make your own plan but leave yourself room to change if you need to or want to. The most important thing I learned about delivering a baby is that you have to be flexible. I was told that I had a really high chance of having to have a c-section because Jr wasn't dropping and then the fluid was low and there were all kinds of things that came up at the last minute. Flexibility is the key because you just never know what will happen and every baby, mom and delivery is sooooo different. That's just what I think anyways :o) We are so exited for both you and Beau to be able to experience the great adventure known as parenthood!! :o)
ReplyDeleteI delivered twins naturally--you can absolutely do it. That said, it takes preparation and practice--you will have a much better experience if you put in the study time and prep. There are SO many reasons to deliver naturally (and it's very rarely about proving anything at all)--and a LOT of side effects that a medicated birth carries with it. Do your research, read about the effects of each type of birth, and when you decide--don't let anyone else's opinions or experiences change your mind. This is your body, and your babies. You are the best one to make the right decision for you. If you've got questions, message me. I'm happy to tell you some of the twin specifics. I haven't met many other twin mamas who have delivered vaginally and naturally.
ReplyDeleteI know a handful of ladies who have delivered twins vaginally & naturally. While most of them chose home births for their singletons, they all opted for natural hospital/birthing center deliveries for their twins (because of the increased chance of needing medical intervention). Each of them had a wonderful experience, and I know you can also! That said, I don't think having a rigid "birth plan" is a good idea. Deliveries usually offer some sort of surprise, and I found that I enjoyed the process much more when I simply had "birth preferences" and allowed myself to go with the flow when necessary changes popped up. Your OB will obviously also have input about what will be best for your health as you get closer. Either way, you'll be holding those beautiful boys in your arms, and whatever you went through in the meantime will be worthwhile. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 2 boys. I am so excited for you and I really like the names you have chosen.
I thought I would deliver Kayta naturally - but had an emergency c-section. The boys came v-bac but with an epidural. And secretly I was really happy that choice was taken from me {dr's usually wont do a v-bac without an epidural} because contractions hurt like HELL and I cant imagine tearing or getting stitched up with out medicine. My last was another emergency c-section and I was grateful to be already numb or else they would have had to put me totally under. My sisters deliver naturally and I am a very holistic/homeopathic no medicine girl but I am grateful for the epidural. My point is, have a plan of what you would like but keep an open mind. It was a huge shocker when we had Kayta and I had a reaction to some of the medicine and the experience was pretty terrible. I think I could have prepped a little better by keeping an open mind as to what might happen.
I dont really take the pain meds after birth. With my c-sections I took Ibuprofen in the hospital and then 1 or 2 after I got home because I don't like the meds. But I do feel like having a time period of being numb afterwards really helped me to relax, enjoy my babies and heal. When I am in a lot of pain I cant enjoy the amazing miracle that has just taken place. What ever you choose Im wishing you the best of luck. xo
p.s. dont do a home birth though. Tanner always hears and has been on calls of home births gone wrong. Its terrifying.
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