Expecting twins and thinking through your birth plan? Here are some things to know before you finalize your birth plan for twins!
Whether you’ve thought through it or not yet, when it comes to giving birth to twins, there are likely a few major pieces you’ll want to decide on ahead of time.
So as you delve into creating your birth plan for twins, here are some things to keep in mind based on the experiences of other twin parents who’ve been there.
We recently asked twin parents:
What was the most important thing you put on your birth plan for twins?
And here’s what they shared…
“Delayed cord clamping if possible and tubal ligation. I got both wishes honored.” — Ginni
“That they were delivered safely and that my tubes were tied.” — Christine
“Natural, drug-free birth and I got it! Both twins were breech too.” — Emma
“The plan was to keep them in as long as possible! Preterm labor started at 23 weeks, they made it to 33!” — Kelley
“I didn’t want to have a emergency C-section after a vaginal delivery, so if the change of that happening is high, please schedule a C-section from the start. I wanted the doctors to explain what is happening and why things need to be done, so I’m informed. Without disclosing it in my birth plan, the hospital provided skin-to-skin right away (in the OR and recovery!) My husband was able to cut the umbilical cord (in a sterile way). They photographed everything for us. And I was the one who was the one to give the babies their name.” — Vera
Looking for a twin birth plan template? Check this one out!
My twin birth plan was flexible…
“I’m a registered nurse and when I was making my birth plan, I noticed a lot of stuff they make you choose from aren’t even actual choices you get to make during delivery. Some were physicians’ preferences, hospital protocol/policy, etc. So before you go into making your birth plan, I would just prepare yourself to ask the most questions you can, because in some cases the options they give you aren’t even options.” — Jessica
“Be prepared for sudden changes when your birth plan goes out the window because they decide to come early!” — Crysta
“My birth plan was left blank. I had no idea how it would go so wanted to go with the flow. Worked well for me!” — Sarah
“Being flexible to changes in the plan.” — Michelle
“The various contingencies plans which unfortunately all were exhausted.” — Christa
“Whatever needs to be done to keep us all alive.” — Natasha
Birth preferences…
“I didn’t have a birth plan but I had birth preferences. My preference was for vaginal birth, delayed cord clamping and for support with breastfeeding. I didn’t get delayed clamping with twin A as she was born quickly and had to be taken away to be checked. I was open to changes happening during birth which definitely helped.” — Collene
“I had a birth “wish list!” It took the pressure off me, and gave the delivery team a chance to meet the list without the obligation should things change! Big ones were “vaginal birth” and “breastfeeding.” — Jenah
“Wanted to have vaginal birth only, or c section only not one of each! Dr did great to make it happen!” — Cathie
C-section stipulations…
“I didn’t have it on my list because I had not idea, but after my C-section I had so many people asking me at all hours if I had farted yet. If I had known, I would have made a sign so they wouldn’t bug me. Also I heard you can ask that they cluster care so that the people that need to come arrange to do it together for less interruptions.” – Sarah
“I had a scheduled c-section. I let everyone know that I would not be having visitors until the following day.” – Michelle
“I didn’t want a c-section as long as both babies could be delivered safely. If not then it was in my doctors hands. She explained everything she would do and all the possible outcomes so I was completely comfortable with her choices.” — Ashley
“About six months in my doctor said my babies were both breach and incredibly unlikely to be able to move. So we scheduled a c-section. A couple weeks before that date I started having preeclampsia. Doctor came by and said he would stop by on his way home after rounds to deliver my babies. That was the whole plan and it worked out.” — Laura
To be close to the NICU…
“When it was clear they’d be early, I wanted to deliver at the hospital with the NICU. I didn’t want to have them in our hometown and then have them flown there after the fact. Our first baby was born in our town and had to be flown unexpectedly. I was left to walk off my C-section by myself because we wanted Dad to be with the baby. I had to stay behind for 2 nights. So, when we found out we were having twins, we knew we wanted to have the babies where the NICU was if it was at all possible. I was ultimately airlifted because my health took a turn. I had the babies at the hospital with the NICU, but I had to lay flat with a magnesium drip for 24 hours, so I couldn’t see them anyway. Our local hospital hadn’t checked my urine protein when I went in not feeling well, so I ended up with pretty advanced preeclampsia by the time they were born. It’s irritating because it shouldn’t have had to happen that way. I should have asked them to check. ADVOCATE, Mamas!” — Emily
I didn’t have a birth plan for my twins…
“To not have a birth plan. As long as we’re all happy, healthy and safe…do what you gotta do. I must say my midwives/doctors looked happily shocked and relieved when I said this; I’m guessing people put all sorts on them. I’ve had 2 pregnancies/births and neither went to ‘plan’ so I don’t really see the point.” — Kim
“Nothing I wanted went to plan except that they were born healthy and safe, and I was safe and had my tubal done. I have little regrets about it, but sometimes I feel a little sad. They are nearly 11 and are wonderful.” — Melissa
“That everyone lived.” — Kelly
“3/3 of us stay alive.” — Adrienne
“My birth plan was just, give birth.” — Brianna
Want to read more articles about birth plans for twins and twin deliveries? Read through these articles too:
- Twin Birth Story 35 Weeks: Trusting My Gut When Plans Went Awry
- A Twin Birth Plan: 3 Simple Things to Keep in Mind
- Preparing for Birth: 11 Things to Do Before Your Twins’ Delivery
