Twins - 7 weeks pregnant

[CC81]

Hello, does anyone have any experience or knowledge of twin pregnancy?

I had an early scan today (7 weeks) and there were TWO in there. I really wasn't expecting it!

I'm 39 and have a low ovarian reserve, so wasn't expecting to get pregnant... let alone with two.

Had my first child three years ago and it was straightforward (although the birth was a c-section at nearly 42 weeks). She was a very large baby (literally twice the weight of our friend's baby, born the same day). So it appears I have 'form' for carrying extra weight. But I don't know if this is a good thing!

Feeling scared

[WalkingMeAway]

Wow how exciting ! I bet that was a shock? Do you have heightened symptoms ?

No direct experience. Did they say whether they were in the same sac, or separate ? I believe that has quite a difference with extra risks involved etc.

[littlecrayon]

you are so lucky I would love twins

[Amelia891]

Congrats @CC81 !!

I am 17 weeks pregnant with twins so I remember that shocked feeling of finding out!

Not entirely sure what you would like to know, but so far my twin pregnancy has been easier than with my DD. I’m showing a lot faster and have a big bump already but the sickness and tiredness weren’t as bad for me this time around.

You’ll find out a lot more after your 12 week scan. They will tell you what type of twins they are (DCDA, MCDA or MCMA) and depending on what type they are will determine how much extra care/ extra scans you have. Mine are MCDA (separate sacs but sharing a placenta) and therefore I have scans with the consultant every 2 weeks.

One of the big things that freaked me out was the cost of everything for 2 but it’s easy to get a lot of nice things second hand.

Any questions let me know!

[CC81]

Thanks @Amelia891 - that's really encouraging! I'm trying not to look at all the online scare stories and focus more on cases like yours 

@WalkingMeAway - Nothing severe so far. Just a bit of nausea and tiredness last week. The funny thing is, I had a scan today because my symptoms seemed to go away over the weekend (so I panicked). I was at least half-positive there'd be nothing there. Feeling a bit sick again now, but it might just be anxiety/shock!

They appear to be in different sacs, from the scan.

@littlecrayon - I used to (naively) say it'd be convenient to have twins in a first pregnancy, as if you just want two, you're all done!

[Isolemnlyscare]

Congratulations, you've got some lovely and exciting times ahead. My twins are 10 now, i have no pregnancy horror stories except having to wear my DH slippers coz my feet swelled up in the last couple of weeks. Was induced at 39 weeks, both delivered naturally 6 minutes apart and weighed 6.5lb each. Only advice for now is start buying nappies because you will soon get through them. Wishing you and amelia891 all the best.

[WalkingMeAway]

That’s so lovely. Wishing you all the best!! I’m on the July thread with you so will keep up with your journey

[MuchTooTired]

Ooooh, congratulations! Twins are brilliant! Especially when they’re asleep

I was scanned every 4 weeks and saw the consultant afterwards when I was pregnant with mine (they’re nearly 3 now). Other than hating pregnancy and being absolutely gigantic, I had a healthy pregnancy and delivered them by surprise elcs at 36+5 due to severe pe. They weighed 6.6lb and 7.3lb.

Good luck @Amelia891 and @CC81 you’ve got some brilliant times ahead 😊

[emma911030]

Hi @CC81 I am 34+5 with MCDA twins. (Identical different sacks but share the placenta) I found out at a scan at my dating scan 10+6 it was a huge shock to say the least!! Lol
I was showing much earlier this time round. I have a little boy already (21 months)
As @Amelia891 said above you'll find out at 12 week scan what sort of twins you are carrying, hopefully you'll have a sonographer who won't then begin to tell you how high risk and scary twin pregnancies can be! I found her to be very insensitive! I have had scans fortnightly since my first scan more or less you get used to going to the hospital and everyone starts to recognise you .. to the receptionist at my antenatal clinic knows me as 'the twin lady' lol
Currently laying in bed trying to decide if my contractions are Braxton hicks getting stronger or actual contractions, I've been to the DAU twice in the last 3 weeks and don't want to be wasting everyone time again 🤦🏼‍♀️
As nervous as I am to have them and have 3 babies (all boys 🤦🏼‍♀️) under 2 I'm so so excited to meet them. I've started to really pull my finger out my arse at home and get things ready for them.
I think the only real worry I have now is making sure they're ok post birth and also not being kicked off post natal before I'm ready because of I suspect them not wanting people hanging around too long in the hospital.. massive good luck and keep us all posted! - and @Amelia891 x

[Amelia891]

Thanks for all the wishes of good luck everyone :)

Yes @CC81 do not google! I did early on and got myself in a right state, but now I just try to focus on positive stories (like the ones on this thread!) and my own scans/appointments. Each positive fortnightly scan is another milestone ticked off and that makes it less scary! How are you feeling? Have you got a date for your 12 week scan yet? x

[Itmaybeus]

Congratulations.
My first was over 9lb I then went on to have twins four years later both over 6lb (induced at 37 weeks). They are now 11.
There will be more monitoring but you still have choices.
I was the size of a full term pregnancy by 20 weeks and was admitted to hospital 10 days before birth as I was in slow labour.
I was able to have a natural birth and definitely a better birth than my singleton.
You don't need to buy two of everything - mine shared a moses basket then a cot until they went into separate beds. Breast-feeding pillows didn't work feeding two. The biggest cost to me was childcare and why I took full maternity leave.
The shock wont last, I remember getting up one morning and thinking right just got to get on with this.
You'll devise different ways of doing things a sling in the house was great as I could have one in sling, one in my arm and still cook dc1 tea.
Routine early was the big thing for me (one that fitted around dc1).
I breastfed for a year and expressed for when we were out (tandem feeding isn't discreet especially when they get bigger) but to me felt better then making endless bottles!
A midwife who had twins told me you'll have to do everything differently to a mother of a singleton - find a way that works for you and don't listen to other people's views you'll do the best for your family.

[tofuschnitzel]

Congratulations! I am nearing the end of my first trimester with twins. I had some early scans due to some very worrying symptoms, and I found out I was expecting twins nearly six weeks ago now. It will take time for it to sink in, and it's ok to have a bit of a panic about it! I certainly did.

I think that you will be under consultant care due to your twin pregnancy. That will mean a few extra appointments, but it is reassuring to know that they are keeping a close eye on you.

[NewlyGranny]

You will have more monitoring, as they can't just run a tape measure over the bump to guarantee growth. You are in a good place, as the earlier you know it's twins, the bigger they are at birth. Your body is working extra hard, so try to put your feet up or even have a nap after lunch every day. Let everything else go that you can to do this as the babies grow while you're resting. Take all the help you are offered with your older child in order to get the rest. Eat little and often as you grow, and make every mouthful count nutritionally. You won't have space for anything that isn't worthwhile!

Buy extra pillows. I went into week 39 with twins and needed five pillows to get comfy by the end. You've had one child, so you'll become aware how much less room twins have to move about later in the pregnancy. It's fun when they're fighting for space or one is trying to turn late on - not.

Mine were born 3kg and 3.1kg (6lb10oz and 6lb13oz) and towards the end there wasn't much room in there for my organs like bladder, stomach or even lungs.

Congratulations, and don't listen to horror stories.

[NewlyGranny]

Does the NHS still offer free chiropody? You won't be able to cut your own toenails at all easily later on. Oh, and breastfeeding two babies is the greatest weight loss diet on the planet.

[Lizziejayne13]

Congratulations!!! Im currently 17 weeks pregnant with MCDA twin girls! Im still slightly shocked, but hospital have me in every fortnight for monitoring and scans which is reassuring....

[CC81]

Hi all, thanks so much for your kind words 

@Amelia891 - Got my booking in apt tomorrow, then private scan (with a specialist) at 9 weeks, then NIPT at 10 weeks - should get results literally a few days before Xmas. Eeek. Feeling sick and weary!!!

@Itmaybeus - My first baby was big (over 11lbs!!!), so I'm hoping that stands me in good stead. My biggest fear is whether they're healthy, as I'm 39. First pregnancy was straightforward and I breastfed for a year afterwards - bottles were refused, which was a nightmare!

@tofuschnitzel - Yeah, had a c-section last time, so now I have double the reason for consultant care! Hope things have got easier for you.

@NewlyGranny - Great advice, thank you. As I've said above, first baby was really big, so my body has a bit of practice... but I'm three years older! :/

@Lizziejayne13 - Do your twins share a placenta? I don't know yet what type mine are, but they looked very 'separate' on the scan.

[Lizziejayne13]

@CC81 yes mine are MCDA so they share a placenta, i learned I was having twins at 7 weeks and they looked pretty much in the same sac at that time so we kind of knew early on they were gonna be identical as they very very close together but it is not confirmed until 12 week dating scan .... im classed as high risk due to my age (43) and im being very well looked after by the team at my hospital-

[NewlyGranny]

Mine didn't share a placenta - they are a pigeon pair - but their placentas had fused. After they were born, a load of doctors and students popped in to see the babies because they'd been shown the placentas! "Normal" delivery with both babies headfirst. 👍

[Emma301091]

@CC81 @Amelia891 how are you both? My twins are nearly 4 months now. It's hard but do amazing and worth the sleepless nights!

[CC81]

@Emma301091 and @NewlyGranny - Belated congratulations! I'm now 25+5 and all ok so far 🤞

Twins are Di-Di (DCDA), so entirely separate and therefore lower risk.

Due to have a planned c-section at 37 weeks! Hope we get there - I'm still a bit anxious about the whole thing.