Expect the whole procedure to take a few hours. Maybe two or three, with a few hours on either side for check ups and aftercare.
The actual length of time for the surgery varies. The hospital stay after giving birth to twins varies as well, but it usually starts at 3-4 days. The stay can be longer if there were complications before or after birthing twins. It is important to remember that a c-section is major surgery.
Cesarean Birth of Twins
If you give birth by cesarean prior to labor, the date will most likely be set between 37 and 40 weeks. If you go into labor prior to the scheduled date, your cesarean will likely happen then. The post-cesarean recovery period with twins is generally the same as with a singleton birth.
(A few women even deliver one twin vaginally and the second via C-section.) If the lowest twin is in breech position, for instance, then a C-section may be necessary for both babies, according to Baby Center. In general, the infants are still delivered in the order of Baby A followed by Baby B.
Incision pain.
If you had a C-section with your twins, triplets or other multiples, the stomach cut you received may take up to six weeks to heal. Some numbing and itching at the site is also normal.
For twins, the average stay is nine to 25 days. For triplets it's 11 days to up to three months.
While C-sections are more common when you're expecting two babies, vaginal delivery may still be possible. Just remember, multiple births mean more variables — and surprises.
The Night Before Your C-section
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning.
Many authorities recommend that monoamniotic twin pregnancies be delivered by elective cesarean as early as 32 to 34 weeks of gestation due to the risk fetal demise secondary to cord entanglement. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring of both fetuses is required throughout labor and delivery.
While 40 weeks is the full gestation period of the average pregnancy, most twin pregnancies are delivered at approximately 36 weeks (range 32-38 weeks depending on the type of twin pregnancy).
The average gestational age for twins at birth is 36 weeks. Their lungs are well developed by 34 weeks, and all body systems are now functioning.
Twins = twice as much baby and therefore more weight gain during pregnancy. This added weight may increase the chance of a C-section. Twins = twice as much placenta, so twin moms will often have more lochia (bleeding) as the detachment site heals.
Most twin, triplet or more babies will be slightly different in size, but sometimes one baby is significantly smaller than the other/s. This is called 'selective' growth restriction (sFGR).
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots.
At first you may be asked to only eat ice chips or take sips of water, at least until your provider is certain you are not likely to have very heavy bleeding. Most likely, you will be able to eat a light diet 8 hours after your C-section.
Under most circumstances, undergoing a c-section via Spinal Anesthesia or Epidural Anesthesia (rather than General Anesthesia) is preferred since it involves less risk and has the advantage of allowing you to be awake during your baby's birth.
In twin pregnancies, it took an average of 12.7 hours for the cervix to progress from 4 centimeters to fully dilated, at 10 centimeters. In singleton pregnancies, this took an average of 9.6 hours.
You shouldn't share the same bed with your twins because it increases the risk of SIDS. But the AAP does recommend that you room-share — having your twins sleep in your room, each in their own bassinet or crib — ideally for the first six months.
For women born 1870-1899, moms of twins averaged reproductive spans of 14 years 11 months versus 14 years for singleton moms. Both results were statistically significant. Moms of twins also were older at the time of their last birth.
These standard charts may not describe optimal weight gain patterns because recommended delivery gestational age for twins is between 37 and 42 weeks with average twin birth weights ≥2500 g to reduce mortality and morbidity.
Expect around nine to 25 days after birth if your twins need to spend some time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). But remember, that not all twins need time in the NICU. Let's talk about the first ideal situation, which is when your twins are born, they're super healthy and they're ready to go home.
The lungs are the last major organ to finish developing. When fully mature, they produce a chemical that affects the hormones in your body.
A new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics indicates that the optimal time of birth for twins is at 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Twins are now being born more often because of an increase in the use of assisted reproductive techniques, in which almost a quarter result in twinning.