My Twin Birth Story: Trusting My Body, My Prep, and My Plan

One of our clients, Celie Degasse, was gracious enough to share her twin birth story publicly on her Instagram page. She has given us permission to publish it below. We are so grateful to this family for choosing Buddha Belly Doulas to support them through this very special birth experience!

Pregnancy is transformative in every sense, but carrying twins brought an extra layer of complexity, preparation, and intention. From the very beginning, I made it my goal to stay informed and empowered, knowing that my choices would shape my birth experience. While things didn’t unfold exactly as I imagined, I’m incredibly grateful for the way it all turned out.

Preparing for Birth with Twins

Throughout my pregnancy, I immersed myself in education. I took the Mama Natural online birth class, hired a supportive doula from Buddha Belly Doulas, and devoured books on hypnobirthing and breastfeeding. I also listened to countless podcasts (I especially loved Pain Free Birth) that helped me visualize what I wanted my birth to be.

Though I hoped for a low-intervention experience, I chose a hospital birth, knowing the added considerations that come with twins. I also knew that hospital births often follow a medicalized model of care, so it was important to enter with a clear, confident plan and a team who understood my goals.

The Surprise Recommendation

At 36 weeks, we encountered a surprise. Baby A was measuring small and labeled with Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR). His placenta still showed strong blood flow, and everything else was healthy, but the diagnosis shifted how the doctors viewed my pregnancy. They recommended an immediate induction.

The suggestion caught me completely off guard. I was asked whether I could check in “right now” or if I needed to go home first. Nothing had changed about my health or the babies’ health except one new measurement. I felt scared, confused, and in need of space to make a decision.

Making an Informed Decision

One of the most valuable tools I learned during my pregnancy was the B.R.A.I.N. acronym: Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and Nothing. It helped guide conversations with my care team. I asked questions, discussed options, and requested more monitoring instead of jumping straight into induction.

After a series of phone calls and discussions, I decided to move forward with the induction, but on my own timeline. With frequent monitoring in place, I scheduled the induction for March 19 at 5:30 a.m., giving the babies more time to grow.

Induction Day

When I arrived, the midwife discovered I was already in early labor. My contractions were too frequent for Cytotec, the usual cervical softening medication, so we waited to see if my body would slow down. I even asked whether I could go home to let labor continue naturally, but the doctors strongly advised I stay.

Eventually, my contractions slowed enough to receive Cytotec. I moved my body and waited, but hours later, I had only progressed slightly. The care team began recommending Pitocin and other interventions. While I understood that induction comes with a certain protocol, I also knew my body was progressing naturally—and I wanted to give it time.

Holding the Line

This part of the process required constant advocacy. My husband described it as feeling like we were negotiating with a used car salesperson—lots of pressure, lots of pushing. Still, with the support of my doula and my commitment to my birth plan, we stood our ground.

A shift change brought a new doctor who was much more receptive to my approach, even though she still recommended Pitocin. I asked to stay the night and continue monitoring my progress. She agreed, and for the first time all day, I felt relief and reassurance.

Labor Begins

At 12:50 a.m., I woke to the sound of a balloon popping. At first, I thought it was one of the monitors snapping. Then I felt it, a real contraction. When I got up to use the bathroom, I saw my mucus plug and, moments later, my water released.

I labored for the next three hours and reached 9 cm. Although I hadn’t initially planned on getting an epidural, I agreed to one at that point. If Baby B had flipped breech, the doctors said they might need to manually extract him, and an epidural would be necessary. And in  the case of an emergency c-section, I didn’t want to be put under general anesthesia and miss the births.

Delivery

Soon after the epidural, the urge to push came fast and strong. I was wheeled down the hall to the operating room and moved onto the delivery table (twins are required to birth in the OR). With just a few pushes, Baby A -Finn was born. Fifteen minutes later, Baby B-Sawyer followed, both head down and both delivered vaginally.

Reflecting on the Experience

Although my birth included interventions I hadn’t originally planned, I’m deeply grateful for the way everything unfolded. I had the birth I hoped for – safe, empowering, and true to my values. Afterward, the doctor even commented on how impressed she was that I listened to my body and stood by my plan.

What made the difference was preparation, support, and the space to trust my intuition. I’m thankful to my husband, doula, and care team for helping me hold that space and bring my boys into the world on our terms.

Written by: Celie Dagesse

Also check out: A Doula For Twins and What To Expect When You’re Expecting Twins and Newborn Twin Nursery Set Up & Essentials