Quick update, particularly for those who might be in a similar situation as I am and may be rattled by commenters who think my rational desire to find a doc who would be happy to plan for a vaginal delivery is absurd: I’ve now met with 3 OBs with full knowledge of my medical history. The first volunteered, before I even brought it up, that there’s no reason not to expect a vaginal delivery and that she’s never had to perform a c-section on twins if Baby A is head down when labor begins, barring some other emergency issue. The second is happy to plan for and encourage a vaginal, but notes that not all docs in her practice feel similarly, and you don’t know who you’ll get on delivery day. The 3rd was similarly supportive and noted that Fairfax tends to have enough OBs available on any given day that if you run into a doc not comfortable with vaginal and babies are well positioned, you should speak up and ask for another because there’s probably one available who can get it done.

All that to say, don’t let ppl make you think this isn’t a reasonable option. Emergencies happen, and contingency plans are there for a reason- birth doesn’t always go as we plan. But there’s no reason you can’t have a comfortable plan going in. I didn’t talk to one doctor who encouraged me to plan for a C-section based on twins, age or post-partum pre-e history. In fact, 2 out of the 3 made the point that if pp pre-e occurs twice it is typically less severe the 2nd time and prenatal preventive measures usually reduce risk significantly. All 3 made the point that history of successful vaginal delivery is statistically more important to potential to achieve another one than maternal age or pre-e history alone.

Don’t be scared.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Scheduled C section delivery was a walk in the park compared to my bad vaginal delivery, relatively speaking. YMMV.

This. Good luck finding an OB who will try vaginal with pre-e past. The risk is too great.

I missed this. Yeesh. With this history I am sure most providers would rightly steer you to a scheduled C to minimize risks to your babies and to you. I also had PP pre-eclampsia and loved my C section for my second birth. My first vaginal birth was such a tough recovery. Not going into labor and having to endure labor made such a huge difference for me, and also not tearing horribly. Consider the big picture OP.

Anonymous wrote:I’m assuming di-di? (Two placentas?) Most practices will be able to handle you, and lots will be willing to try a vaginal delivery.

If by any chance you’re mo-di, you should be going to a maternal-fetal medicine practice to be checked regularly for TTTS and TAPS, and a c-section is more likely to be needed.

Yes- they’re di-di with their own placentas. Thanks!

I’m assuming di-di? (Two placentas?) Most practices will be able to handle you, and lots will be willing to try a vaginal delivery.

If by any chance you’re mo-di, you should be going to a maternal-fetal medicine practice to be checked regularly for TTTS and TAPS, and a c-section is more likely to be needed.

Wally5 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I delivered twins vaginally (with no pressure for a C, though they were well positioned / both head down) at VHC. I was with Northern VA Physicians to Women.

Thanks for this rec! Have heard good things about Dr. Prather at Nothern VA Physicians to Women.

Prather delivered my twins vaginally.

Anonymous wrote:Scheduled C section delivery was a walk in the park compared to my bad vaginal delivery, relatively speaking. YMMV.

This. Good luck finding an OB who will try vaginal with pre-e past. The risk is too great.