Many women are surprised (and perhaps relieved) to find out that the labour and birth process for having twins naturally can be very similar to women having one baby. Labour contractions are not more painful and you don't need to go through labour twice, but you will need to push out two babies - one after the other. If the pregnancy has progressed normally, the twins are well and in a good position, your need for intervention should also be similar to singleton births.
Induction and augmentation
Pain relief
Monitoring
The labour and birth
People in the room
The 2nd twin is not head down
ECV and IPV
Induction and augmentation
Induction
Augmentation
Induction. The reasons for induction of labour are similar for women having single babies, as are the various methods that can be used to induce labour. Reasons can include high blood pressure, going overdue, diabetes, cholestasis, or one or both of the babies not growing as expected. Because most women having twins start labouring a little earlier, around 37 to 39 weeks, induction is not usually necessary.
For the few women who go to 40 weeks or beyond, it may be that feeling 'over the pregnancy' is a reason to consider inducing the labour. Be aware that induction can help in medical circumstances where it is needed and is then worth the possible risks involved. If you are choosing to induce the labour electively (for social reasons) then you should be aware that this could set you up for further interventions. This is discussed in depth in
induction.
Some caregivers are more likely to suggest induction before 40 weeks with twin pregnancies, especially if they feel the babies are big enough, rather than wait for labour to start spontaneously (this also eliminates that chances of having the babies on a weekend or during the night!)
Augmentation.