Found out expecting identical twins yesterday!!!

[flowerygirl]

Freaking out to say the least! Currently only 6 weeks so very early days! Did anyone else find out this early? How did you deal with the news? I'm convinced something is wrong!

@Kgbfw - thank you so much for that info. I 'M definitely under a fetal consultant already (I've had 4 losses previously, so I'm closely monitored here) and currently I'm being scanned by the fetal specialist and she was very thorough in explaining about mcda twins today as well as going into detail about what she was checking on the scan, so currently I feel well cared for. I'll certainly bear the other doctor in mind if anything changes.

I'm also on the look out for any other symptoms as she explained those today as well and told me not to delay if I thought anything had changed.

Thank you so much for your email address above, I'll certainly be in touch if need be but again thank you for your posts, they've really helped me xx

@S1234P
The group for TTTS is well worth asking any question on, and joining because you have ID twins, its to prevent others from taking missteps in ID pregnancies not just a post experiencing TTTs forum.

people can be flippant and say everyone knows about TtTS, my experience wasn’t that, many midwife’s didn’t, a scanner minimised it, a consultant didn’t spot it. I knew but was dismissed when I had warning signs like a belly that became rock hard from fluid, so yes people might know, but it’s a 1 in 4 chance. So you can know but be under informed about what you should expect monitoring wise in terms of the NIcE guidelines, so thanks for the dismissive comment I didn’t intend distress, I intend to inform, information is key not something to be silenced or Dismissed as ‘this is a happy forum where we don’t want people to mention the stats or their experience.

that is your opinion, I hope it all goes so well, but for the large percentage of people who have an issue in ID pregnancy, I’d rather put first hand experience and a warning out there than unicorn dust.

I found a lot of my ‘is this?’ Questions were met with ‘probably because you’re carrying twins.’ Dismissive answers not based on a quick check that could have been done.

so be aware when your asking ‘is this??’ You’re worried and wanting an answer that is based on fact - like the consultant who specialises in ID twins measuring your belly then scanning you. I was actually saying ‘I’m concerned about’ so be your own advocate, mothers always know best. My sister is a GP and says rightly don’t sleep on a worry when pregnant, go in get checked.
if someone is dismissive it could be their issue that day with something else, not that you have raised a fear, you just raised it a person who might not know the answer so chooses not to triple check just to keep things moving. The majority of NHS people to do with ID twin pregnancies are amazing but you know, you just know, when you’ve got one of those checking your babies. Don’t ignore when small things like - the person who scans you and doesn’t correct how your name is spelt wrong when you point it out - that person doesn’t care enough. Run from those. I wish I had.

The greatest risk of developing TTTS is in monochorionicity, and it is more common in MCDA twins than MCMA twin gestations

Different types of twinsFor medical purposes, there are 3 types of twins. These apply to triplets too, although a triplet pregnancy will be more complex than a twin one.
The 3 types are:

• dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twins – each has their own separate placenta and separate sac
• monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins – share a single placenta but have their own separate sacs
• monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins – share both a placenta and a sac – this is a much rarer type of pregnancy

All non-identical twins are DCDA. Most identical twins are MCDA, but some will be DCDA. Very rarely identical twins can be MCMA

informed is always an advantage
’Google isn’t your friend’, we’re intelligent women who can read and understand the stats better to be informed but we differ there. ID twins are rare, so there are less studies, specialists and opportunities for healthcare professionals to experience first hand what is and isn’t ‘normal’.

why I would urge all ID mums to Google, and self monitor daily, check in with themselves.
never ignore a pain, if you think ‘I’m not sure…’ pop in, your prioritised and scanned quickly usually. And no one should ever downplay that you checked. When I went in ‘just to check’ I was reassured always.

NICE guidelines are ID twins need a minimum , minimum of a scan every two weeks.
ask for more than the minimum, ID twins are called a high risk pregnancy for good reason. So prioritise your care.
it is also your right to request the SHO opinion who’s on duty that night, said my ex SHO sister who encourages not sleeping on a ‘I’m not sure but’.

head in the sand works for some. I’m more information is informed. 25% risk of TTTS is worth googling symptoms for. I think it’s in reality more 30% risk and under documented

Brilliant, that scanner sounds like they are taking their time to make sure you feel cared for, have the best information and the reassurance that you SHOULD hurry in to check sounds like you’ve got a great scanner there. I’m so pleased she realises you need that hand hold and extra time and checking after all you’ve been though. They sound great.
so sorry you’ve been through child loss before it is so heartbreaking.
my surviving daughter is 10 now. (3 babies, 2 losses) Pregnancy is a very short time in terms of you being a mother, you are already caring for that child brilliantly, but look after you. think if I had a friend pregnant with twins would I push her to ….. (insert whatever you are telling yourself that you know isn’t really prioritising you, working late, not going to that antenatal class because you’d miss work - you’re legally allowed to for a reason because it is time to prioritize you)

omega DHA is fantastic, I saw a Fetal brain specialist and asked her if taking double the dose was ok, she said absolutely fine you just pee out what you don’t absorb. I found when I ate more fish daily and had the double dose of Omega pill, that my baby brain was reduced, same post pregnancy. The babies basically a parasite is what the Fetal brain scanner said, they get all the minerals and vitamins first, if they aren’t getting enough, they deplete yours. So pregnancy supplements are important.

i asked her what could I do to help my daughters brain whilst in the womb, she said the omega but studies showed just talking, any talking to your baby is the biggest factor in brain development. She said from what she had read it wasn’t Harvard educated vs no qualifications or social economic factors it was jabber away to them in the buggy, for the most impact on a baby’s brain.

pregnancy yoga, I found that essential for my back throughout
there’s no medal for how you have your baby, no right way, your experience will not be the same as anyone else’s.
an ‘ideally’ rather than fixed birth plan is a good mindset. embrace modern medicine, you have ID twins make sure the hospital where you will have them has a NICU, I’d say that’s a must for ID
mums but ask the scanner if in doubt.

beetroot juiced is great - so many blood benefits I feel like that made me less fatigued.
I found a Fetal acupuncturist a great person to see, and I didn’t believe in acupuncture until I went to
https://www.emmacannon.co.uk/
not any old reflexologist or acupuncturist in pregnancy. Someone pregnancy specialising.

the nausea was way worse with twins, I had to carry around a food flask of ice cubes to suck, nothing else minimised it.

good luck, so happy for you.