identical twins

[tye]

so im 17weeks pregnant with identical twins and bloody petrified of this twin to twin fusion syndrome people keep mentioning. anybody know much about this?

also would appreciate your advice on the side by side twin puschairs wich ones did you find useful and did you have many problems fitting through shop doors?

[tye]

also as my bmi is a little over the consultant said he was going to offer me something and for the life of me cant remember what its called any ideas and what is it and what does it do?

[matso]

Hello Tye
I have 3 year old identical twin girls and i was monitored all through for twin to twin but all was ok try not to be so worried if you have a good team looking after you they will spot any signs. I was scanned regularly until 24 weeks then after that when the Consultant felt it necessary i had great care and although they were born early at 31 weeks because i had a short cervix (nothing to do with twin to twin) they were both very well and were home after 3 weeks in SBCU. And i was considered an older first time mum (at 39 years) and a little overweight but all turned out ok in the end!! By the way my care was at Kings College in London. Good Luck and take it easy, Twins bring all different kinds of pleasures and tribulations but now I am finding it ok hard a the start.

[tryingtosleep]

hi tye
im 25 weeks pregnant with identicals - i was petrified too for a while - and am still feeling anxious about it!

but... i've been scanned every 2 weeks and so far (cross fingers) - its been ok - so although there's still the risk - i'm starting to feel slightly more positive!

as far as i could work out as long as they're keeping a close eye on you - there's nothing else you can do

when i told the midwife how anxious i was she said not to worry as if there is a problem - they'll just get them out early

when was your last scan?
as far as i know if the 20 wk one is ok - then you're much less likely to develop it seriously....
sorry hope that makes you feel a tiny bit better??!!!

good luck!!!!
and try and enjoy your pregnancy as much as you can!

[tye]

my last scan was wednesday because ive bled a few times. ive been to see my consultant and he says i will be scanned atv 20 weeks 24weeks then every two weeks does that sound ok to you twin mummies. dont trust the midwife as she only wants to see me every 6weeks wich i feel is a little long with the bleeding i keep getting.

[HelenTwinMum]

Hi there,

My twins are 9 months old now and happy chubby little girls.
Throughout my pregnancy they were almost identical in size with only a pound or two between them. I was feeling pretty pleased with the whole pregnancy and was therefore very shocked when they were born and the midwife came over and said "do you see the colour difference between them? They need to go to special care to be checked out". My second twin had a blood transfusion and was in special care for a day. My first twin was monitored in case she needed blood removed but was fine.
All the way through my pregnancy things were ok - it was only during the last 2 weeks that it all happened, in between my final scan and labour.
Unfortunately TTTS can happen at any time and there is very little you can do about it. The scans every month should reassure you butr make sure you keep aware of your bump and try to recognise any signs. In my last 2 weeks of pregnancy I noticed my second twin seemed a lot more still than usual and the left side of my bump where twin 1 was seemed bigger, I was lopsided.. I went for a foetal heart scan and all was ok but looking back at it my second twin must have been a bit weak.
If you are in any doubt ask for a scan in the early stages of labour if you are planning a normal delivery. I didnt and had a natural birth but probably should have had a c section if they had known they had TTTS (as pushing can excaccerbate it).
This isn't meant to scare you and I hope I havent, just wanted to tell you my story - my girls are doing very well now and are at the top of the weight chart.
Just try your best to relax and just try to be aware. Remember that TTTS is still very rare so it is unlikely you will have any problems.
Good luck,
Helen

[matso]

Hello Tye
It sounds ok to me I was scanned every 2 weeks until 24 weeks then after that every 2-3 weeks or more if the consultant wanted it that way. If your not happy with your midwife or ar concerned at all speak to someone on your consultants team for reassurance I bled at 18 weeks and was very worried my local team said 'Oh well can't do much '!!! but i rang the Consultant who saw me immediately for a scan and to simply reassure me! And yes after 20 weeks you are less likey to develop twin to twin ( that is what i was told). Try to stay calm (hard i know) but i spent my pregnancy in a complete state of panic and consequently suffered badly after the birth emotionally wished i had just tried harder not to worry!
My consultant was always honest with me and told me that if he got me to 32 weeks he would be happy because i also had short cervix so all in all i listened to him and hey all went ok.. they were early but they managed well and were reasonably healthy and a good weight when they decided they wanted to see the big world...So take a deep breath and relax and the best of luck for the next weeks ahead fingrs and toes crossed all goes well for you!

[throckenholt]

I have id twins - was lucky didn't have ttts - but I know exactly what you mean about being scary.

I think something like only 1/3 of id twins have any sort of problems. Keep that in mind - it does help.

Make sure your consultant is a twin specialist - if not ask to be referred to one. You should be having fortnightly scans.

As them about AAAs (aterio-arterial anastamoses I think) - they are by pass blood vessels in the placenta that pretty much get rid of the risk of ttts - if they can spot them (difficult and certainly not before about 20 weeks if I remember) it is great because you can relax and forget about TTTS.

No idea about the bmi thing - but I was overweight too - never had a great problem with it when pregnant.

[throckenholt]

by the way - severe TTTS tends to start early - if you have that is may start to show now (eg fluid discrepancy most likely) - even if you do get that there is a lot they can do about it - but that is why you need to have confidence that your consultant knows what they are talking about - it is really reassuring if they know what they are watching for - and what they would propose to do about it (if you are that way inclined you might want to ask them about the possible routes - otherwise stay in blissful ignorance and trust that they have seen it all many times before).

Mine are 5 now - born at 35 weeks because one had stopped growing - 3lb 13 and 5lb 5 - one day in special care, a night or so under lights for jaundice, then just needed feeding little and often.

Otherwise no health problems at all - and great to have if exhausting at times

[MarsLady]

I heard you Throck!

[throckenholt]

[MarsLady]

You don't have to keep up Throck....just POST!!!!!!!!!!!! [stern look]

[throckenholt]

[MarsLady]

I expect to see daily posts young lady. DAILY!!!!!!!!!!

[tye]

thanx everyone its reasuring to hear from people that have had the same worries as myself.

[Fifi1985]

I've just found out we are having id twins at our scan. We are 13 weeks. My partner and I are in shock. I have a 8 month year old baby and my bf already has two children from a previous marriage. He is gutted as he didn't want more than 3 children but I really wanted one more. Now we have two on the way. He's worries sick of how we are going to afford it. We need a new 7 seater car and a new house 🙈 I'm worried sick of how I'm going to cope with twins at a 13 month old baby. I become an emotional mess with no sleep.

Do you have any twin suggestions for prams, cots and cribs. As I was told by the midwife to put the twins together. I kniw having Id twins is higher risk I just hope they both survive.

Many thanks


Fiona