Category Archives: Childbirth Concerns

Evidence supports vaginal twin births

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Twin baby breechAfter our last post Breech Baby Resources, we were asked if we had any information regarding the delivery of twins, when twin A is head down.

What a great question! Many twin moms are facing this situation…Here is our answer.

It is important that women expecting twins receive evidence-based information and be fully informed regarding having their babies delivered vaginally or by cesarean surgery.

Access the largest twin study from your library or purchase it. See link: The Twin Birth Study: a multicenter RCT of planned cesarean section (CS) and planned vaginal birth (VB) for twin pregnancies (CLICK HERE!)

Read these articles:

In healthy pregnant women, when the first baby is presenting down, evidence shows that no outstanding risks exists for vaginal birth.  However, since the cesarean rate has rapidly increased in the United States in the last 30 years, delivering twins vaginally has become controversial.

Women expecting twins are not always encouraged to consider the benefits of vaginal birth, and are sometimes scheduled for cesareans before having the chance at a trial vaginal birth.

As well, physicians are losing the necessary skills to deliver twins when one is head down and the other is in a breech position.

The evidence simply does not support that cesarean birth is the best option for twins when the first is head down.  The decision to give birth to twins vaginally or by cesarean should be made with the mother being completely informed by the evidence, understanding both the benefits and risks.

Breech Baby Resources

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breech babyIt is important to share evidence-based information and resources with pregnant women about breech birth.

Historically, breech babies have been turned or delivered vaginally by the skill of midwives and doctors. In the 1970′s, the United States cesarean rate began to increase from 5.5% to it’s current high of about 33% (see chart). Although, the top two reasons for cesarean births are failure to progress, and fetal distress, breech babies do account for a portion of the 1 in 3 women now giving birth by cesarean.

Delivery of a breech baby by cesarean birth is only one option of many others to ensure healthy outcomes for both babies and mothers. Unfortunately, for women giving birth, the necessary training and skills to deliver a breech baby vaginally are being taught less and less as we delve deeper into this millennium.  Some physicians leave medical school never having witnessed or performed a vaginal cesarean birth. When firsthand knowledge and practice of breech management skills are not strong, then it is difficult for physicians and other care providers to suggest and try them first, before scheduling a cesarean.

It is really important for childbirth professionals to educate pregnant women and pass on evidence-based information and resources regarding the breech position, ways to turn a breech baby, and vaginal breech birth.  Pregnant women should also be fully informed about the benefits and risks of cesarean birth. (download info sheet)

Cesareans are an important option when it comes to the health management of babies in the breech position. However, other options should not unnecessarily be overlooked. Otherwise, how can the mother be an informed patient participating in the health care for herself and her baby.

Resources for breech babies

Documentaries

Breech workshops and classes

Video of a Doctor turning a breech baby successfully

Teach Prenatal Yoga

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As a childbirth professional have you considered teaching prenatal yoga techniques?

Prenatal yoga has many benefits:

  • Decreases overall fear
  • Decreases pregnancy discomforts
  • Decreases labor pain
  • Decreases need for medication
  • Decreases cesarean birth
  • Increases confidence
  • Increases enjoyment of pregnancy
  • Increases satisfaction with birth experience
  • Increases bonding with baby

Doulas, childbirth educators, midwives and other birth professionals can share simple yoga techniques with the pregnant women they work with. In Sanskrit, an ancient language of India, the word yoga means union.

Yoga helps achieve union of the forces within one’s self. The joining of mind, body, and spirit. Understanding how to build this inner self connection is incredibly valuable for women on the path to motherhood.

Connection

A simple way to teach connection is to have a pregnant woman sit in easy pose. Easy pose is to sit in the floor with your legs crossed.

Easy Pose

Next, have the expecting mother bring her right hand to her heart and her left hand to her baby. Now, have her to close her eyes and just take a few minutes seated like this to connect to her body, connect to her baby, and connect to her breath.

Prenatal Yoga

While in this position encourage her to do one of the following:

  • Release doubts and fears
  • Celebrate pregnancy progress
  • Whisper kinds words to her baby
  • Reflect on the strength and power of her body

This simple yoga is a fabulous way to start or end an appointment or class with the pregnant moms that you serve.  It is a technique they can take away and practice daily.

Learn more at: Body Awareness Birth™ Yoga workshop