S7 EP196: Lauren Balsillie: Five Births, Six Babies - Three Hospital Births / Homebirth / MCDA Identical Twin Waterbirth

On today’s episode I’m joined by Lauren, a doula and mother of six, who takes us through the births of all of her children - from three positive hospital births and a beautiful homebirth, to the birth of her identical twin boys.

After having four children close together, Lauren and her partner waited several years before deciding to have another baby. To their surprise, it was identical twins. Despite having already supported nine vaginal twin births as a doula, Lauren speaks honestly about the anxiety and physical intensity of carrying two babies, along with the additional monitoring that came with an MCDA twin pregnancy.

Although her plans for another homebirth had to shift, Lauren was able to keep the continuity of care she valued, with her private midwife helping create a supportive hospital birth team around her. At 37 weeks and six days, Lauren chose an induction and went on to birth both of her boys in the water, just six minutes apart - with Twin B being born en caul.

This is such an inspiring journey, and one very close to my heart as a twin mother.

In this episode we discuss:

Lauren’s journey through five births, from hospital birth to homebirth and twinsDiscovering she was carrying identical MCDA twinsThe anxiety and physical intensity of twin pregnancyWhy continuity of care became so important to LaurenCreating a homebirth-like experience within a hospital settingChoosing induction at 37 weeks and 6 daysMaking informed decisions around monitoring, intervention and delayed cord clampingBirthing both twins in the water, just six minutes apartTwin B being born en caul and choosing a physiological third stageLauren’s biggest advice for twin mothers: choose your care team wisely

Resources + Mentions

Instagram: @lauren.may.doula

Lauren's Doula Support HERE.

Podcasts + Education

Birth Time Documentary

The Holistic Guide to Twin Pregnancy