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.
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 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.
1 day later: You'll be encouraged to walk around within the first 12 hours after delivery to help relieve gas buildup in the abdomen, and to eat something light as soon as you feel able.
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.
How long you should wait before driving. As a general rule, if you're recovering from a C-section, you shouldn't drive for at least 2 weeks from the day you delivered.
The process of labour is more or less the same as for 1 baby, but your maternity team will usually advise you to have your babies electronically monitored because of the higher risk of complications. This means attaching belts with sensors (1 for each twin) to your bump.
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.
This difference was apparent only in nulliparous women. No statistical difference was noted in the mean length of the second stage of labor (0.8 +/- 0.5 hour for twins and 0.7 +/- 0.6 hour for singletons). Conclusion: Twin gestations have a significantly shorter first stage of labor than do singleton gestations.
In most c-sections, the bladder and intestines are moved aside so the ob-gyn can keep them safely out of the way while delivering the baby and repairing the uterine incision. Those organs won't be moved outside the body, though.
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.
You may like to sleep your twins in their own Moses baskets or cots from birth, or you may decide to co-bed them in the early weeks and months. Co-bedding means siblings share the same sleep surface during any sleep period, for example by being in the same cot together.
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.
The classic back sleeping position
While back sleeping isn't recommended once you're more than 20 weeks pregnant, this position is recommended for those recovering from surgery. It places the least amount of strain and pressure on your incision site and ensures that your body is aligned in a neutral position.
After a C-section, she recommends women take eight weeks off and to avoid heavy activity to prevent complications.