anyone else expecting twins?!?!?

[tabbycat76]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I recently found out on an early dating scan (like, very early, 5+ weeks) that we are expecting twins. We're being re scanned in 2 weeks time to confirm, but I'm wondering if anyone else is expecting twins. It's our first pregnancy so we're abit in awe of the thought, but wouldn't it be good to start a thread on twins so we could exchange advice, support etc. Looking forward to hearing from you! x

I ha ny 18 week scan yesterday and all was well although they couldn't tell the sex as babies are very close together, heads down, feet up and all legs and hands touching! like they are little friends already!

I haven't bought anything yet, still a bit nervous to buy anything before 24 weeks!

tabby I would double check about the combined test. My consultant was very clear. The bloods part is pretty much worthless when dealing with a twin pregnancy as they cannot tell which baby it relates to. I suppose it could be different with identicals though,thinking about it. Am I right that yours are non identical, ie separate sacs? Sorry to sounds like I'm nagging you! I did a lot of research about the screening for twin pregnancies and my community mw was completely clueless about what our area offered and why.

lavita glad to hear scan went well. Know what you mean about buying anything but am sure that the next few weeks will fly by!

smokeybacon you have me wondering now! Your thoughts are the same as mine, worthless doing a blood test on twins to find a risk factor! Mine are as you've remembered, fraternal so two different sacs. I did quiz her on this tho and she promptly got on the phine to someone or other at the hospital to find out and they confirmed, a blood test with a Nuchal scan. High risk equals a trip to Cambridge but all seems a waste of time (the blood test I mean) given it's twins. I'm not quite sure what to do now. No cvs unless high risk. It's mad really because if I remember correctly from my midwifery days, older women could choose to go straight for an ammnio and bi pass the blood tests so whats the difference? I'm not late 30's but still my risk is greater than that of a 20 old year old. Hmmm....

Lavitabella - glad to hear your scan went well. Did you want to know the sexes then?? No surprises??? ;) Doubt I'll be buying anything yet for quite a while yet but I can not wait to start!!!

tabby will you get a full consultant referral with your pg? Round our way, that seems to be the norm and surely they would know what they were doing. I think the screening offered varies from PCT to PCT. I do know that ours, when the combined testing was brought in in April DID do the combined tests for twin pgs. For about 2 weeks, before it was realised that it was worthless. They wouldn't offer maternal choice invasive tests for a singleton pg, but as mine is a twin pg, they agreed that it was right I should have the CVS if I wanted it. Would your move take you to a new PCT?

Bumping for newbies!

Hi, i'm a newbie. Well to here anyway. Been on the sept 10 thread for a while. I'm 31+5 weeks pregnant with fraternal twins (they think) -they can see only 1 placenta- but they think it is fused with the other. I don't know the sexes; cos i want a surprise. Unfortunately with all the extra scans you need to have with twins the chances of knowing are greatly increased. (At every scan i blurt out that i don't want to know, before they even start!)
It's not been the most straightforward pregnancy (i won't bore you) but recent developments are; babies are measuring off the scale (both of them!!!!!) sent for GTT test-was positive. No-one thinks i will make it to term (because of the size of me) and everyone i meet ie, all the different midwifes and doctors, make it sound like any time from now. So newest development is talk of steroid injections. Have my 32 week scan on thurs and they will be deciding from that.
I haven't read all the posts yet, so can't comment, but will try to tomorrow to catch up and join in.

Welcome Sassy & jjkm!

Sassy good luck with holding on for a few more weeks. I met a couple with year old twins who were born at 30 weeks and they were completely gorgeous and doing very well.

jjkm I've been told I'll have a c section at 36 weeks but I'm worried I'll be early but will just have to wait and see.

Flatpack Any news?

Morning everyone and welcome to the newbies!

smokey - yes I'll be referred to Consultant led care but my first appt with him is 2 weeks after my scan to plan my frequency of antenatal appts and scans so by that time I'll have already had it. We are moving to a different PCT but not maybe for another 7 weeks or so by which time I'll be 15 weeks ish. I'm not quite sure what to do. It's very good you have the choice of invasive screening or not, I wish we had the choice. The mw yesterday told me it's pointless worrying about what to do until the results are through from the scan and bloods but that just seems crazy, you have to at least discussed it with your partner and come to a mutual decision what to do in the 'what if' scenario! You just never know do you!

As for chocolate - my husband bought me a bar of toblerone in the throws of my ms - I'd sent him out with a list bless him and that was an added extra. But amazingly it's still in the fridge! Haven't touched chocolate since I found out I was pregnant which is unusual for me. Just don't seem to fancy it right now, either that or I'll have it and want more!!!!!

sassy - hope your scan goes ok tomorrow - what a nerve wracking time to think you could deliever early! It hadn't even occured to me delivering at that gestation! I thought it'd be around 36-38 weeks. Hope you get the decision you want to hear.

Question for everybody - I'm off work until next thursday, work in the NHS on the wards, still suffering with nasuea tho not as bad as it was admittedly. What would people do re going back to work? It's a 'on your feet for the full shift' pretty much, job, pretty full on. I don't want to take advantage and take more time off unnecessarily but though I'm improving, I'm not quite sure I'm still ready. My walk yesterday confirmed that and then last night I felt terrible again. The thought of popping out to Tescos even to doa shop scares me incase I need to just sit down or lay down. Do you think i should discuss with my GP next week or try a shift to see how I get on or stay home?? I'm confused at the mo and would appreciate any thoughts. I have been told to keep reminding myself, I'm carrying twins not a singleton, it's high risk!!!!!

Hi, is it too late to join?! I'm 14 weeks with id twins. We found out at the 11 week scan and have just about recovered from the shock! Already have a daughter who is 23 months so she'll be about 2 and a half when twins are born. Think we'll try and keep the sex a surprise, but it'll be hard with so many scans to come!

I'm quite worried at mo as last couple of days I've had some spotting. I had an emergency scan yesterday and the consultant was pretty sure she could see everything was fine but she was just using a portable scanner and she seemed more used to scanning women who are less than 14 weeks pg. Hmmm. Next scan is due in 2 weeks, but should I get advice if I keep spotting in the meantime? No one has told me too much! However, one baby did do a somersault during the scan so I know that at least one seems to be doing fine!

Congratulations to everyone on their twin pregnancies, whatever stage you are at!!

Hi to all the twin mummies another newbie here....

I am 16+4 with DC/DA twins. So far the preg has not been particulary straightforward- this is my 10th week off work

I have had hyperemsis and 5 hospital admissons up until 11 + weeks and then managed at homw for another couple of weeks on cyclizine injestions- DH a nurse (v. romantic having jab in the bum every morning!!) Am now managing on one tablet each of cyclizine and metaclopromide. Am also on aspirin as had pre-eclampsia in last preg (DD now 4 1/2 and fine!) and severe growth restriction.

Further complication is that one twin has increased NT- 3.2mm- downs risk 1:42. We have opted to wait for an amnio which is this fri as I was not overly concerned (I am - 'speaks in hushed tones' a sonographer - so am used to sputing out stats and usually all is more often that not fine!) Am a bit nervous re the 'needle' tho- thanks for your posts smokeybacon it has been reassurring to hear your expereinces.

Hope everyones sickness improves soon. I am feeling a lot better but can't manage without meds I have to say.

BTW EDD is 25th Dec! But have been assured by consultant that this will not be the case (was iinduced last time at 36/40 anyway!)

Sorry for long post!

Hi mumlovesmusic , I haven't had any spotting but have read many threads about how common it is in pregnancy. I would call your midwife/GP if you are worried though. Definitely a good sign though if you are seeing somersaults though! mine are very active and woke me up at 1am as they were wriggling so much

Hi Elizabethsmum Good luck with your amnio on friday. So did they give you the NT measurement for both twins and only 1 was high risk? It's all very confusing isn't it. Hope it all goes well for you.

Tabby I take it that you have told work about your pregnancy? I work as a restaurant manager so know what you mean about being on your feet all the time. My company were great, moved me to a much quieter unit closer to home and have been very supportive. I have always trained new managers coming into the company but I have one with me all the time now so i can take rests. I would call your immediate boss, explain your concerns and ask if you could come in to do your risk assessment whilst off sick. It would be a good opportunity to get out of the house and see how you feel. You can't assume they won't be helpful until you ask.

I promise you do start to feel better, I cooked dinner last night and remembered it was only a month ago I was going to bed at 6pm every night. Make sure you are eating enough and drinking enough water. Let me know how you get on.

Hi Lavita,
Thanks for your message. I keep reading how common it is which should reassure me, but I think if it's still happening tomorrow I'll give the antenatal clinic at the hospital a phone. When it started I went through NHS Direct, then to A&E who sent me to the early pregnancy assessment unit but the antenatal clinic might tell me to go and see them directly. Think I need just a bit more reassurance before I relax!

It looks like you're about 4 weeks ahead of me, I'm glad your 18 week scan went well. I can't wait for the next one, it's so exciting seeing two babies, isn't it??!

Wow, what a lot a new names! Hello everyone. So lovely that there are a few of us going through this at the same time.

elizabethsmum hope the amnio goes well on Friday.. How soon will you get the results?

mumlovesmusic am sure its nothing to worry about especially as you had a scan yesterday but go and get it checked again. Can you self refer to the early preg unit?

sassy cross your legs ! Sounds like you are being well looked after though and the hospital are on top of things.

My sickness eased off at about 16 weeks. I was lucky and never was actually sick but had constant nausea. Was glad to see the back of it. So tabby hang on in there! And it sounds like you need to take more time off if you feel woozy even going to the shops.

Without doubt a twin pg is much harder than a single one. The tiredness for me is the main thing and now the bump is getting bigger, my back is killing me and it feels like I am the size of a 30 week single pg. I keep meaning to do a bump pic so will try to do this in the next few days. Anyone else fancy a comparison pic competition??????!!!

smokey I've headr mention of previous threads, talk of a toilet paper weekly measurement to see how you progress! Any takers? I'm no good with computers and cameras at the same time!

Thanks for your advice lavita re work - unfortunately the NHS are a bit crap at risk assessments and I don't think there's anywhere else they could put me to ease my duties. My friend suggest going to Occupational Health next week to see what they say so I may do that. My immediate ward manager and line manager know I'm pregnant but are unaware it's twins so they may be more forgiving to my situation once they know. My husbands told me to stop worrying and to concentrate on looking after our kiddies but I just hate letting people down that's all.

elizabethsmum - really wishing you loads of luck for Friday - how daunting! I've seen a few being done and it amazed me how the women didn't even flinch during the procedure! Hope you don't have to wait too long for the results. Thinking of you.

Just gone through my Bounty pack - lots of freebies - esp loving the free changing bag worth £30 quid when you buy a pack of pampers! Fab! Just a shame we miss out on that 'health in pregnancy grant' or whatever it's termed at 25 weeks as the Govt have stopped it by the time I turn 25 weeks. Damn! £190 would have gone far with nappies that's for sure!!!

tabby the HIP is going from April next year so you should still get it.

Toilet paper measuring!! Will do this in the morning.

I'll do the toilet paper measurement tomorrow! I have gone from having a fairly flat stomach at 14 weeks to being very pregnant looking, I seem to grow overnight! Apparently you look 9 months pregnant at 6 with twins!

I need to pick up my bounty pack, thanks for that Tabby. Risk assesment is a legal requirement, I'm shocked that the NHS of all places don't do it properly

smokeybacon i have thought about putting my photo on. I'm huge!!!

Lavitabella I did indeed look 9 months at 6 months. I'm now just over 7 months and i look like i'm defying gravity.

7 and a half toilet paper squares! I was a size 10 before.

Haha you lot are carcking me up with your toilet paper measuring!! I've yet to do it but fear it may not be worthwhile just yet! 7 and a half toilet squares lavitabella?!?! Are you that petite?!? That sounds hardly any to me... hmm, may well have to go upstairs soon and measure myself!

Well I've popped to the local shop today (courtesy of mother and her car) and bought some sea bands. Figured I'd give them a go and see. They claim to work in 2-5 minutes of wearing them... we'll see how they go. I'll try anything to try and get back to work. 1 more week off before I have to decide what to do.

So the HIP is going from next April??!?? I'm sure my mw said it'll have stopped by the time I reach 25 weeks. Well fingers crossed for me. Yay! How do you go applying for it when you hit 25 weeks?

I'm having a weird kind of day today. There's been nothing now for three weeks to distract my mind so I'm constantly thinking abou this pregnancy, and today for some reason I'm starting to worry my bump isn't growing! Mad really! I'm so impatient and I'm sure there'll be a time when I wish I wasn't quite so heavily pregnant so that I could carry on doing things! Crazy woman I am! Does anyone else have weird little irrational worries?!

Just looked up online re the HIP. the Govt are looking to abolish it in Jan 2011 so I should be entitled to it! Whohoooooo! It'll certainly make things abit easier financially - twins don't come cheap!

Glad we'll get the HIP, anything's a help also child benefit you get £20 a week for your first child and then £13 for the second.

Your bump won't start growing for a few week yet Tabby how many weeks are you 8/9? babies are about 2cm long and weigh as much as 2 grapes! don't wish yourself big just yet!

I'm worried about being a mother and my life completely changing. DP is quite oblivious to it all and doesn't think anything will change - HELLO! What if I'm rubbish?

lavitabella my husband said when we found out twins... well it suits me perfectly!! Well Yeah sure it would, you'll be at bloody work all day!! Duh! It's a massive life changing experience but I can not wait - so long as the mothers don't interefere!!!

Yeah I'm only 8+3 so still very early... patience isn't my strong point unfortunately!

I'm wondering if flatpackdiva has had news... we've not heard from him in quite a while now!!!

Yes excellent news about the HIP and the child benefit... does that mean we'd get £33 a week given two babies?!? Wow, it's sounding even better!!!

I'm 10 squares! I was a size 10 too. Boo! ha.
tabby I thought flatpackdiva was a female partner?