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One twin demise

14 replies

Adele10 · 22/11/2018 23:24

Hi everyone I'm 33 weeks pregnant, sadly lost one twin when I was 19 weeks.my twins were identical. Since then and all the consultants at hospital told me that baby needs to be delivered early at 37 weeks as she will always be treated as a twin. At my last appointment the consultant said that he doesn't agree with that and I should wait for spontaneous labour. Has any one been through this? And can share experience? I would appreciate it.
Thanks

OP posts:
WrongSideOfHistory · 23/11/2018 00:46

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's my understanding that they'd want you to deliver by 37w as your baby who has died is still there and there may not be enough room for your surviving twin to grow. I know someone who delivered at 35w for this reason.

It may be that tamba has some advice on this too.

Hope all goes smoothly

GloGirl · 23/11/2018 00:48

Hi Adele,

I lost one of my twins when I was 16 weeks pregnant, I had an early scan around 7 weeks pregnant and they could see 2 eggs had been released so definitely not identical twins and we did not need to worry about them sharing a sac etc.

My consultant told me early on that the pregnancy would carry on as if I only had a single baby but that they had expected they would need to induce labour primarily due to "stress" - ie mentally how I would be coping. As it happens at 38 weeks I started to show signs of early pre-eclampsia and they induced me at 38+2.

So on the face of it I sort of agree with your consultant, but I am very wary that this is a difficult trauma and perhaps, uncertainty towards the end is one thing too many on top of everything else.

I believe TAMBA the twin association has a twin loss support page, I had a bit of difficulty accessing it so I'm not in there, but you can write them an email and ask about how to gain access to see what other support there is.

One thing I didn't know, but read recently is that you're allowed to register the birth and death of the twin as if it was a still born loss. I think somehow this would be easier for us as a family ongoing as it would make it more of a "baby" to help the surviving twin learn to understand the loss. An early loss is a weird bubble to be living in, I did feel a little bit like I was supposed to just carry on and accept it as a miscarriage. But it was different.

I carried both babies in my womb for 9 months. One did not grow but was not with me any less.

Lots of love to you.

GloGirl · 23/11/2018 00:50

Sorry I mean to say the TAMBA support page is a Facebook page but hidden and very private so needs a personal invitation.

Isittimeforbed · 23/11/2018 01:07

I’ve been through this with fraternal twins. I had different consultants with different views about when to deliver, but the final consensus was to be induced at 37 weeks as the placentas would have implanted as twin placentas and so it was felt it should be treated as a twin pregnancy. Given yours are identical twins I would think that would be even more relevant. I’m so sorry for the loss of your baby, if you want to join the Tamba Bereavement group and need any help finding it please PM me.

Adele10 · 23/11/2018 11:28

I had an early scan too when I was 6 weeks pregnant, that was due to bleeding. So found out that am carrying twins very early. The death of the baby was completely unexpected as they didn't show any sign of TTTS.
As my twins were identical once the surviving one arrives I will get to know how the other one would've looked like.

We have decided to tell the baby that she had a twin quite early.

OP posts:
Adele10 · 23/11/2018 11:42

Thank you very much for all the replies. I'm having an appointment this Friday and will definitly discuss the idea of placenta being implanted as twins placenta.
forgot to add that after the death of the baby I had an appointment at fetal medicine centre and the consultant there has advised in his report that the hospital should aim for delivery at 37-38 weeks. So not sure if they are obligated to follow his advice or not. I hope they will take the right decision as my baby has fought too many battles so far to be with us.
Lots of love to you all.

OP posts:
SpottingTheZebras · 23/11/2018 11:47

I’m sorry for the loss of your twin. Flowers Have you contacted your local SANDS charity for support? Please don’t underestimate how devastating you might find things for a long time yet.

I don’t know why your consultant has said this but I wonder if it is because going into spontaneous labour helps your baby’s lungs, even if they are premature. Steroids can be given to help do an artificial equivalent though, although not quite as effective, but in your situation I would opting for them and an early delivery.

I hope your next appointment gives you more reassurance.

Adele10 · 23/11/2018 12:24

I havent contacted them but I think I should as I'm very nervous about how I will be feeling after baby arrives. My partner has managed to get over the death of the other baby and has put all his attention for positive thoughts to the surviving twin.
I'm feeling very gratefully but at the same time can't control my emotions and cry each time I think about what has happened.

OP posts:
SpottingTheZebras · 23/11/2018 17:07

I’ve lost a baby and really do find them so supportive, and I frequently go to meetings with other parents who understand. It might be your partner has just suppressed those emotions and could also do with their assistance.

Adele10 · 24/01/2019 18:43

I would like to thank every one who has replied to my post and shared experience as this really helped me to bo totally convinced about early delivery. I would also like to tell you that I was induced at 37 weeks my baby girl is 5 weeks old now.

OP posts:
ForgivenessIsDivine · 24/01/2019 18:52

FlowersFlowersFlowers for you and your babies. How are you all doing?

GloGirl · 24/01/2019 19:32

Congratulations, a lovely update. How are you feeling? Flowers

MollyHuaCha · 24/01/2019 19:38

Congratulations OP. Smile

Unknown123qw · 21/11/2021 16:06

Just wondering how u got on and hows ur baby girl now was evrythin ok with her after birth xx

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