Twins born at 41 weeks

Author: Rachael Dalton

These were our 4th and 5th babies after three boys. They were DCDA twins, with Twin A cephalic and Twin B complete breech, their sexes unknown. I was 41 weeks pregnant with twins and went into spontaneous labour.

Trigger warning: This birth story contains a brief mention of twin b needing some breathing support and oxygen immediately after birth. Both babies are thriving and needed no special care or NICU time! 

41 weeks pregnant with twins

My husband Reuben and I were supported by our midwife Sasha, who had encouraged us to complete the Breech Without Borders course. I was under the care of the obstetrics team at Caboolture Hospital, with my private midwife, a breech birth educator, attending as a support person as she was not endorsed to deliver there.

I woke on Monday morning at about 4:45 am. I was exactly 41 weeks and had been experiencing weeks of prodromal labour in the evenings. I felt that things might go from nothing to something quite quickly. We had a few false alarms in the previous weeks where I thought something was beginning, only for it to fizzle out. I was ready for it to be nothing again, but I knew it had to happen sooner or later.

I had a dream that the twins were arriving

I had a dream that the twins were arriving, and that woke me up. I did not feel much different in terms of cramping, but there was far more pressure in my bum. The sensations were familiar, but energetically I felt a shift, as though something could be happening. The cramps were about a two out of ten in intensity.

Reuben was sleeping downstairs with our toddler, so I texted him to say something could be happening but that I would keep him posted. After my shower, I gathered the last-minute things for the hospital so I could take them downstairs. I got dressed and texted my midwife around 6 am to say today could be the day.

When I came downstairs, Reuben was already up and excited. He started making breakfast for our toddler and our two older boys. My dad was visiting to look after them while we had the twins and had been on standby for the previous three weeks. I texted him upstairs to say I thought today was the day and asked for his car keys so we could put River’s car seat in his car.

Labour when 41 weeks pregnant with twins

We installed the seat, packed the car, and did a few other things. By then it was getting close to 7 am. I did not feel like eating or drinking anything except water, and I still wondered if it was a false alarm. I could not stay inside during contractions and had to go outside under the trees. This should have been a sign it was real, but I still thought it was early labour.

At this point, contractions were 3 to 4 minutes apart and lasted 20 to 40 seconds. Around 7:15 am, Reuben said he thought we needed to head to the hospital. I called my midwife, and she agreed, saying things might slow down and we could be there for a while, but settling in would help.

The only reason I agreed to go was because it was a public holiday and all the kids were home from school. I knew I would not be able to concentrate at home for much longer even though the contractions were completely manageable.

Leaving to go to the hospital to give birth to twins

We set off for the 20 minute drive. My midwife called ahead to birth suite. On the way, things slowed down. I had only two mild contractions. I told Reuben I thought it was too early, and he reassured me that nothing was set in stone. He said we could stop at a nice nature reserve and hang out, tell Sasha, and it would be fine, even if we went back home. He reminded me I did not need to do anything to please anyone else, that it was my birth and they were there to support me. His words were so sweet and helped me drop into my body.

I liked the idea of stopping in nature, so I tried to call my midwife, who was driving past us on the motorway, but my phone would not dial out. After two failed attempts, I decided we should keep going.

We met Sasha in the car park and walked into the birth suite. We got into the room around 8:15 am, put on our playlist, and Sasha rubbed some oil, including clary sage, on my tummy. My contractions were regular but still only 20 to 40 seconds long. I thought it would be hours away because they did not feel strong enough.

Giving birth to twins at 41 weeks

I went to the bathroom to wee and also needed to poop. I decided to stay in my underwear. After a couple more contractions, I felt nauseated. Sasha gave me a vomit bag, I dry retched, and then felt something in my vagina. The hospital midwife, Rachel, looked and saw the bag of waters. I could not believe it. Until then I still thought it could be a false alarm.

The midwives grabbed towels. I leaned over the side of the bed, breathing easily through contractions. I thought it was too easy, that I did not feel close to giving birth. I had not yet entered the deep, spiritual place I reached in my previous labours before birth.

The obstetrics team were doing morning rounds, and the midwife team leader asked if they could come in to say hi. After three or four more contractions, things ramped up. I began instinctively squatting and lunging during contractions, and guttural sounds emerged. This was where I crossed the veil into the place where surrender was the only option, giving myself to the power my body and my babies were creating.

Twins born at 41 weeks: The birth of Twin A

At 9:03 am, Twin A was born en caul. It was an incredible arrival. The hospital midwife used a hook to break the waters, and I scooped the baby up without knowing the sex. Reuben and I soaked in those first moments before I looked and discovered we had a girl. The look on Reuben’s face will be forever imprinted in my heart.

The obstetrician asked if we could scan to see Twin B’s position, but I knew I would need to surrender again because the baby was ready. I told them I did not think a scan was needed, that the baby would be here in a minute. Twin A’s cord was clamped and cut after delayed clamping, and she went to Reuben for skin to skin.

Twins born at 41 weeks: The birth of Twin B

I returned to a squat-lunge position. After two or three more contractions, I felt Twin B descend and my waters broke. Another couple of contractions brought one foot out, then rumping. The second foot followed. Reuben gently reminded me I might not get more contractions and would need to push and not wait.

I looked underneath to see legs and check for tummy crunches, a sign of vigour in breech babies. I saw a small one, but I knew the baby needed to be born quickly. Without fear, I listened to my baby. With encouragement from Sasha and Reuben, I changed position. Another small tummy crunch came, and then the obstetrician, still in the room from “saying hi,” asked me to get on the bed so they could perform a manoeuvre. With that and my pushing, Twin B was born at 9:36 am, just 33 minutes after their sibling. They asked permission to clamp and cut early and took the baby for some oxygen. I was not scared. I knew the baby was okay, and thanks to our training with Sasha, we were prepared for them to be a little flat at birth.

After oxygen, Twin B took a breath and came back to me to regulate. This was when we discovered we had another girl!!

I declined syntocinon for the placenta and birthed it about 10 minutes later with a gentle push. I had a second degree tear, likely from the breech manoeuvre, and chose to have it stitched with gas and air and local anaesthetic.

Breastfeeding twins

The girls had their first tandem feed around 10:30 am, and we soaked in the love and joy, which has not stopped since. I chose to stay one night on the ward as Reuben was able to stay too and I wasn’t quite ready to go home as a mother of 5 haha. The next day we introduced the girls to their brothers, who were over the moon to have sisters.

The birth was amazing. I was respected, my wishes and birth plan were honoured, and any “no” I gave was heard and not questioned. I would not change anything. I am so grateful to Sasha, my midwife, and my beautiful husband Reuben for the support and safe container he held during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I feel so lucky to have so much love in my life.

To add, twin a – Billie was 3.75kg and twin b Isla was 4.15kg!

Note from Twinfo: This birth story of twins born at 41 weeks has been written by a parent sharing her personal experience of twins born at 41 weeks. It is not medical advice. Please do your own research and consult qualified health professionals for guidance specific to your situation.

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