A woman pregnant with breech twins emailed saying her physician recommended signing up for surgery. He predicted that they weren’t going to flip head down. Yet, she was less than 32 weeks pregnant!
The direction a twin lies in is determined by the same things that determines a single baby’s direction. Plus one more thing, the other twin.
While they are still little, helping the mother with her soft tissue symmetry can help them both be head down. The ideal time to work on this is before or during the 2nd trimester. Yet, twins still have a good chance of turning head down when they are but 32 weeks.
As the pregnancy passes the 30 week mark, some body work and maternal activities will help reduce any possible twist in the lower uterine segment or pelvic misalignment that might prevent head down positions. See the 3 Principles of Spinning Babies. And, while you are there, read the Pregnant with twins article.
When your uterus is symmetrical the babies can more readily turn head down with gravity.
We all might consider that a doctor who is setting a woman up for a cesarean this early in pregnancy will find other ways to arrange a cesarean after the babies turn head down. Predicting a cesarean two months before the babies are due is more of a sign of our litigation society and the profit motive of hospitals than a reflection of a physician’s intuition or grasp of the nature of birth.
If, at any point, you agree to a scheduled cesarean, then ask if there is any responsible motive to add prematurity to the surgical risks.
A woman would have to stand her ground to have your surgery at full term, 40 weeks or after labor begins.
The March of Dimes is concerned with “late prematurity” and the increase in infant mortality caused by induction or scheduled cesareans that are unintentionally early
.
This sounds like a strong opinion, but is a summary of the data.
Furthermore, read Dr. Brewer for info on a healthy diet that is wonderful for twin pregnancy.
The twin link is broken. I am desperate for help spinning one of my twins. A is breech so of course the OB has said the vaginal delivery I am committed to might not be an option. (He chose his words carefully as I boo hoo’d in his exam room.)
Please help me spin this baby!! I can not find any info out there about spinning twins.
Melissa,
I’m sorry for the broken link.
I’ll try to restore it. Meanwhile, please see if you can get some body work, a sacral release, an abdominal release, and a pelvic floor release.
A myofascial or craniosacral therapist will know these techniques!
Spinning Babies Lady,
Thanks for your reply. I look forward to checking out the link once you fix it.
I live in Birmingham, AL where my resources are limited. Where/how do you think I could find a myofascial or craniosacral therapist? I began seeing a chiropractor last week for adjustments. She practices the Webster Method (although she said it was too early for that) and is well versed in spinning babies. I felt the best I have felt in weeks after my visit. Yay! I am 27 weeks and working to be proactive. Once I get this baby back into her proper vertex position should I continue with the same course of action or stop? What do I do if B flips? Maybe some of this is covered in the link you will be restoring?
Thank you for your guidance website and blog.
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Hi, Melissa,
The links are fixed. See the Pregnant with twins article on Spinning Babies Website. Let me know if you need any clarification.