discovered we're probably having twins

[jubles]

I have read a lot on here, but have hardly ever posted anything. We have three girls (6, 4, and nearly 2). We had already decided we'd like to try for a fourth child, but ended up with a surprise pregnancy a few months earlier than we planned. That was OK, though.

A week ago, I went to see the OB to see what anti-malarials would be suitable for pregnancy (we're Brits working in Africa, though would be back in the UK for the birth and some months after). She did an early scan, and there were two sacs. I was only about 6 weeks at the time, and she said they were measuring right for my dates. Didn't see much else, which I didn't really expect that early. Also, we are somewhere where the quality of the ultrasound machine isn't as good as it would be if we were in the UK. She wants us to come back on 13th to confirm, but put "probably multiple pregnancy" in my notes.

After the initial shock of realising that we could suddenly be thrust from 3 to 5 children, my main concern has been that one of them might not make it. Rates of vanishing twin syndrome seem high (20-30%), though I don't know if they are the same in "natural" and IVF multiple pregnancies. Although I've never had a strong desire for twins (unlike my sister!) we just really want them both to be OK.

Anyway, I guess I'm just really looking for people with similar experiences, and this seemed a good place. I've read so many threads here over the last few days! I am utterly exhausted, hungry all the time (yet not liking much that is available), and desperately trying not to google things about vanishing twins.

All this is normal, right?

[slightlyinsane]

Completely normal and if you continue with a twin pregnancy it's only the start of the stress.

I had dds 8+5 & ds3 when our no4 was actually 4&5. That feeling of shock comes and goes all the way through.
My best advice for now is to stay away from Google it's not your friend yet.
Vanishing twin does happen and can't be prevented mostly happens without people knowing as early scans aren't standard. I found out at 12 wk scan.
Unfortunately I can't help with the exhaustion and hunger but can tell you I was exactly the same. I'd never felt so tired ever before.
The important thing to find out at your next scan is what type of twins you're having, 2 sacs is good but you need to know if they share a placenta as this will determine the care you need during the pregnancy. Mine were identical girls.

Ask any questions there's always someone on here who can help.

[slightlyinsane]

Oh and congratulations, twins are hard work but amazing xx

[Preciousbabies]

Sounds like a normal twin preg what u are experiencing. I felt soooo sick and tired the while time. Mine was a natural pg (my first however). I nearly fell off my chair when I found out. babies are now nearly 2 now. I've only ever met ivf twin mums. I too was concerned about vanishing twin syndrome. I ended up at the early pg unit having scans as I was convinced that 1 had vanished (he hadn't) but I must have looked v batty. I don't think the anxiety will go away until you are further along. I think just take it a day at a time and don't google as it drives you mad.

[andadietcoke]

I wish I'd never heard of vanishing twin syndrome. I was absolutely 100% convinced that one would have gone by the time we had another scan and ended up paying for a private scan at 10w. I was very very anxious throughout my pregnancy and it was all fine in the end.

Congratulations. Let us know how you get on on the 13th.

[parallax80]

Same here, I had an early scan to confirm an intra-uterine pregnancy at about 6 weeks as I needed to start medication and there were 2 sacs with heartbeats. I was so convinced that one of them wouldn't have made it that I forgot to mention it at my booking appoinment! However, there were still 2 of them at 12 weeks then 20 weeks and they are now snuggled on my knee feeding again my god how much milk can 2 small babies get through I did stay pretty nervous all the way through the pregnancy though especially towards the end as I couldn't always reliably tell which was moving so wasn't reassured by feeling movements. But then I was very anxious through my singleton pregnancy too.

[AlpacaLypse]

I'm another one who had a very early scan, the sonographer explained at the time that when she did these very early scans the number of multiple pregnancies was incredible and that we shouldn't be at all surprised if later there proved to be only one. She was very kind but matter of fact about it.

I just kept telling myself 'What will be will be' which I have always thought is the best way to keep calm during the worries of pregnancy.

Best wishes.

[jubles]

Thanks everyone. We have a scan on Thursday, so only a couple more days to see how everything is going. Pretty exhausted, and just starting to get quite sick now around 8 weeks, so not too bad. All normal stuff. If it's still looking like twins on Thursday, I plan to email an American ob that we know (he works here, but is currently out of country) and get his advice about when we should travel back to the UK. With a singleton we would have waited until around the 30 - 32 week point, but will definitely want to travel back earlier with twins.

[jubles]

Had scan a day early, but second sac doesn't seem to have developed. The larger one (in which we saw the baby with a strong heartbeat) was measuring at 7w3, but the second sac was measuring at 4w5 and seemed to be empty. They want me back in two weeks to check the viability of the second sac, but I have no expectation that anything will change. Thanks for welcoming me during my brief time on the multiples board.

[waithorse]