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Home › Articles › Multiples › Planning for the Big Day

Planning for the Big Day

Birth Plans for Multiples

By Teri Brown

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I'm sure by now you've heard of a birth plan: a set of written preferences on how you would like your birth to proceed if you were to get your dream labor and birth (which few of us ever do). A birth plan is also a good way for you and your partner to discuss important decisions regarding birthing methods and medical interventions before you're actually in labor.

But what if you're pregnant with multiples? How can you make a birth plan considering the fact that the delivery of multiples is never routine?

Nancy Bowers, R.N., and author of the book, The Multiple Pregnancy Sourcebook (McGraw Hill/Contemporary Books, 2001), warns that a singleton pregnancy birth plan and a multiples pregnancy birth plan are very, very different.

"The greatest difference between a singleton birth plan and a multiples birth plan is the need for expectant parents to BE FLEXIBLE!" Bowers says. "Multiple babies mean multiple chances for things to change."

The Differences in a Multiple Birth
The first thing expectant parents need to understand is that multiple birth is high-risk. Even when there are no known complications, the events of labor, delivery and recovery can change very quickly.

"This is why having a home birth or delivering in a freestanding birth center without surgical facilities is never a wise choice for multiples, even for twins," Bowers says. "However, being high-risk does not preclude having options. There are just different options for different situations."

Treatments or interventions that might be optional with a singleton are sometimes required with multiples. Singleton mothers are allowed to walk during labor. But with multiples, the position of the babies and their umbilical cords in the uterus can change as labor progresses, making some maternal activities, such as walking, not possible.


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