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When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Original poster

Not good news - do not read if hormonal

85 replies

charleymouse · 25/11/2006 18:43

Hi Ladies
Thanks for all your kind words on the "do you ever thread" I didn't want to post on there and spoil it for eveyone. I had my nuchal scan last night and discovered that twin 1 has a nuchal score of 3.8 and a risk of some form of chromosone problem of 1/3, he/she also has an exomphalos (hernia where his bowel & liver are outside his abdominal cavity).
Twin 2 has nuchal of 2.4 and appears visually okay at the moment and Downs risk of 1/ 204 and other trisonomy risk of 1/768.
I am going to see a consultant next week and hopefully T1 will only have this hernia which should be operable after birth. Obviously there may be other things as well but I am clinging to the 70% chance that they might not have chromosone problems.
Trying to be positive but may not be around much over next few days as have lots of people to see and things to get my head round. I am at my local EPU on Monday, seeing my midwife Tuesday/Wednesday and hopefully a consultant on Thursday.
I have to sit tight until 15 weeks to wait for an amniocentesis to check them both out. I have already been offered a termination of one or both babies but also advised to have an amnio to see if one is going to be viable. My best case at the moment is one healthy baby and one baby which will need an op after birth. Worst case is the poorly baby doesn't make it takes the healthy one with it.
Sorry if I spoil Saturday night just needed to get this off my chest.

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Piffle · 01/12/2006 11:27

charley really hope the amnio provides you with more good news
FWIW my dd was born with some heart problems and via Great Ormond Street and Southampton (spec paed cardiac unit) we were looked after superbly and saw many new babies who had had surgery in and out of the womb, who were doing great
REally amazing what they can do these days
But hopefully your twins will be fine, I really hope so
xz

katyjo · 01/12/2006 11:46

Hi Charleymouse
Glad you had soon good news, I know it is not much comfort to you but I was really good friends with a set of twins when I was at school (boy and girl) the boy, christopher had been born with an exomphalos and although he had to have a few ops to correct it when he was very small it never affected him or his life, I think he went on to be a doctor. I only know he had it because he used to love to show us his scar at any oppotunity!!
Thinking about you and your little ones.
XXX

katyjo · 01/12/2006 11:47

supposed to say opportunity! Sorry x

Kelly1978GotRunOverByAReindeer · 01/12/2006 12:12

hello charleymouse, glad to hear you had some good news and hope the amnio brings more. [amile]

Kelly1978GotRunOverByAReindeer · 01/12/2006 12:13
Smile
MarsLady · 01/12/2006 20:28

Hurrah! So glad to hear it.

Will continue to pray.

leogaela · 02/12/2006 16:10

This is really positive news Charleymouse !

The rest is important so get as much help with your dd as possible.

DeckthehallswithFrumpyGrumpy · 02/12/2006 17:03

So far so good charleymouse, don't worry too much about crying in front of your dd. Its no bad thing for her to learn sometimes we all get sad and that we then can be happy again xx.

DeckthehallswithFrumpyGrumpy · 02/12/2006 17:04

That sounded a bit short didn't it . I am pleased for your news!

Judy1234 · 02/12/2006 17:06

I would not have had amnio for twins by the way. Do you really need and feel you want to have it? Obviously it's your decision.

Original poster
charleymouse · 03/12/2006 14:37

Hi Xenia
Can I ask why you ask about amnio? I have been advised altho is my choice to have it due to high risks of T1 having further problems as well as exomphalos. I know there is a risk associated with this but the consultant says he will have a look but if he feels he can't do it then he won't.
I think I just need to know what to expect. Initially my ideas behind the NTS was to get armed with as much info as possible to try and get a normal birth (pos a home one) and have all this info about how everything was straightforward and it should be possible. No way did I ever expect to get the results I did. I think with what I know now it just means I can make sure DTs get the best care they need. If it turns out I find out T1 will not make it to term or will not be around for long after at least I will not have the constant reminder of a double buggy/twin cots/new car and multiple car seats in my face immediatley after the birth.

OP posts:
leogaela · 03/12/2006 19:55

Charleymouse, its a very personal choice. With ds i had really bad blood test results (didn't know about nuchal scans then and wasn't offered one), and had an amnio because I wanted to know what I was dealing with and I definitely understand where you are coming from in wanting one. With the twins I was persuaded by the doctor to have an amnio which in hindsight was completely unecessary and I wouldn't do it again if I cold go back (long story about doctor who I think put his pay cheque rather than my best interests first). Some people would prefer to not have the amnio and just deal with whatever happens as it happens, however I think your case is very special as you have 2 babies to think about in addition to helping you prepare for whatever you may be faced with and as you say the knowledge could save the lives of one or both babies. The risk of the amnio really depends very much on who does it, it sounds as if you have a sensible experienced doctor. Do what you feel is right knowing all the facts of your situation and having discussed it with your doctor.

Original poster
charleymouse · 04/12/2006 11:56

Thanks saggarmakersbottomknocker re the heart issues, we are trying to take one step at a time and will probably know about the heart in early January. I may take you up on your offer then, cheers.

Leogaela, I really am winging it and have no idea what I should or shouldn't do. I think you are right this is a special situation with complicated options all along the way. I am just going with what I think is best for the babies, my DH and my DD. It may turn out with hindsight that the decisions I make have been the wrong ones. I will have to live with that if that is the case.

Thank you all for your positive messages, it really is reassuring when you know others who have gone through something similar, I just think we have one of those nobody talks about until it happens situations. I am trying to get back to normal and deal with each step as it happens, otherwise my mind will just get so bogged down in details and what ifs.

I know I know I haven't got my Christmas name sorted it is top of my list of things to do. Honest

OP posts:
Overrunderthemistletoe · 04/12/2006 19:49

Hello again, just wanted to say that I am thinking of you, and the difficult decisions you are having to face.
For what it is worth, and lets face it, it is a totally subjective thing. I think in your situation I would have an amnio, so don't think the choices you are making are unusual in a twin mum

wewishyouamerrychristmouse · 19/12/2006 10:21

Morning
I had the amnio yesterday and am just waiting for my MW to check me over this morning. No cramps/pains or anything untoward seems to be happening but not sure when I will be out of the woods. Am currently having a few days off work and taking it easy. DH is being a sweetie and really looking after me.

It was not as bad as I thought and the needles weren't as scary as I anticipated. Both babes looked to have grown - well they would have wouldn't they but they are both little wrigglers and hopefully this is a good sign. I am feeling quite positive at the moment just waiting for the call re the results.

I should get the results tomorrow afternoon so will keep you informed. Thank you for all the support you have given me.

pindy · 19/12/2006 10:52

Good luck with the results - thinking of you. X

glamourbadger · 19/12/2006 12:41

Hope you receive some positive news - would be the best Christmas present ever. Amnio not really that bad is it? I invisaged some terrifying procedure but these things are never as bad as you think. Having steriod injections in the bottom with my twins was much worse - had to sit in the car on one cheek!

Lots of positive vibes coming your way...let us know how you get on

wewishyouamerrychristmouse · 19/12/2006 17:15

Okay guess who had an early visit from Santa?

At 3:52 Lindsay rang from QMC and said BOTH babies normal! Obviously still got exomphalos to deal with and 20 week scan due to possible heart problems but am currently floating on cloud 9 and wanting to shout it from the rooftops.

Oh my goodness it looks as if I will definitely have twins now! Help! I am now just so pleased they are healthy I don't care how much hard work it might seem and how much it might cost I am just grateful I have two healthy babies.

FrumpytheGrumpyreindeer · 19/12/2006 20:21

I have just gone all goosebumps reading this for you!!! How fantastic!!! Keep us posted, for now, I am very pleased for you. Keep joining in our thread......I am infamously grumpy atm but don't let that put you off .

twinkletwinklelittletracy · 19/12/2006 20:25

goosebumps here as well . Fantastic news.

dingdonglapinroseonhigh · 19/12/2006 20:47

FAB news so pleased for you goosebumps here too!!!

leomincepiesandbrandybutter · 20/12/2006 08:43

That is wonderful! Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!

thankyoupoppetunderthetree · 20/12/2006 10:20

been watching this thread, am so pleased for you, it's amazing news. x

glamourbadger · 20/12/2006 14:03

Brilliant news - so pleased for you!

When you go through an experience like this it really does make you appreciate your babies so much, they are all little miracles .

glamourbadger · 20/12/2006 14:04

Mine have just started howling their heads off upstairs so I take it all back .