Expecting MCMA twins

[DestinyB]

I have just found out I am having MCMA twins, by having a private scan, I am exactly 6 weeks (one of the twins is measuring a day behind), both with heartbeats.

The sonographer was very quick to tell me about all the risks of monochorionic twins, which has really worried me. She did say although they were in the same sac, they had implanted quite far apart, which was apparently a good thing?

She mentioned the pregnancy will be classed as high risk and the NHS highly monitor this type of pregnancy, also that the babies will need to be delivered early by Caesarean section at around 32 weeks to reduce complications?

I have tried to research the sort of antenatal extra care required for MCMA twins, however can only really find information from America.

I have my booking appointment with the midwife at the end of the month, I have read that many hospitals have never even come across these pregnancies and may not necessarily know how to deal with them? I live in London.

I would be really grateful if somebody could provide some information on the extra NHS care, such as what is to be expected, also what to mention to my midwife to ensure I do get the correct care?

Thank you!

I've found the NHS link for you, which has a bit of information, but not a huge amount.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/antenatal-care-twins/

You'll be under consultant care, and you'll have frequent scans as well. Unfortunately it is more risky, which is why they need to be delivered so early.

I'm sure someone will be along with a bit more info.

I have MCMA twins. I had scans every fortnight from 16 week onwards. They were born at 37.5 weeks and I didn't have any other problems (other than their ridiculous positions - one breech and one transverse) I had a planned c-section.

We used to go to a twins club and there were three sets of MCMA twins of almost exactly the same age (including mine) Of the three sets, only one set were born early because of MCMA issues - they had twin to twin transfusion syndrome and were born around 30 weeks.

All are 13 going on 14 now and none had any ongoing health issues.

Congratulations on your twins - it's fantastic being a twin parent.

I was told at a private scan that my twins were Mcma too but later at the nhs scan a membrane was detected separating them, which was too fine to see at the first scan. Like you I too was really worried but everything turned out alright in the end, despite them being born prematurely at 30 weeks. The good news is you'll be scanned every two weeks so any complications will be picked up straight away. Congratulations on your twins. It's frightening during the pregnancy but so amazing when they are finally here

I am very surprised that a sonoggrapher would be so quick to tell you the negatives of this type of twin pregnancy. 6 weeks is very very early on and the likelihood of finding the dividing membrane is high as the weeks go by. A very small percentage of twin pregnancies are mcma and are often discovered to be mcda as time goes on.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Thank you for all of your experiences. Was any of you based in London at all? I've discovered going to a hospital that has experience is very important. I've also been advised that some midwifes and local hospitals have never come across these twins. I have been advised that UCLH is the best for London?

"I am very surprised that a sonoggrapher would be so quick to tell you the negatives of this type of twin pregnancy. 6 weeks is very very early on and the likelihood of finding the dividing membrane is high as the weeks go by"

Agree with this. Try not to be too worried yet. Hopefully they'll see a membrane on your next scan

@DestinyB i think it is too early for them to say either way. My twins looked like MCMA at 7weeks scan but sonographer said its too early to tell. At 12 weeks NHS scan found a thin membrane between them so they are in fact MCDA. I still get scanned every 2 weeks from 24weeks onwards and considered high risk but the twins have been growing really well (i am now 33+4).

Although i am from essex i went to UCLH three times for scans as the fetal medicine consultant wasnt available at my local hospital. I found UCLH really good (although they always ran really late!) and was told to go there as they have a specialist team for multiple pregnancies. I even joined their twin research study (dont have to do anything they just collect the data from my scans).

I was told mine were MCMA at an early reassurance scan (7.5 weeks). FMC confirmed they were MCDA at 12 weeks. I wouldn't panic yet.

I have MCMA twins. It’s a scary pregnancy but not always doom and gloom. I had my babies at 34+2 and they were only in SCBU for 2 days (then transitional care for 5 more days then home). Had fortnightly scans from about 16 weeks.

If they are far apart in the sac there’s a good chance a membrane will be found later and they’re actually MCDA. MCMA twins seem to often be right next to each other (it seems to be common to think they may be conjoined initially).

We had initial scans at UCLH and they seem to be very experienced in this kind of pregnancy.

There’s a UK MCMA twin group on Facebook you might find useful.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck with everything. Twins are amazing!

They couldn't confirm whether mine were MCMA or MCDA until 16 weeks so I'm really surprised they've told you MCMA at a scan that early. A fellow MCDA twin Mum I know didn't have it confirmed until 20 weeks.

Hi @DestinyB.

After my first round of IVF, I've just found out today at an early scan (7+3 weeks) that I'm having MCMA twins too. The twins were really close together in the sac so the doctor scanning me did say there was a risk of conjoined twins. I'm having a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks' time to have this checked, and am rather worried about it as you can imagine.

Just wondered how you were getting on in your pregnancy and if you or any others with MCMA experience have come across this risk of conjoined twins before, and how the initial assessment developed.

@SEtwins they thought mine were conjoined at the early scans too. It was very stressful! Have you had another scan since and have they confirmed? Hope they have put your mind at rest.

@Brogeliodelavega, thank you for being kind and checking in. I've had a few scans since and it turns out my twins are MCDA as they saw a membrane at around 9 weeks. I'm just through my first trimester now so fingers crossed it all continues smoothly.

@SEtwins that’s great news! Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.

Hey ladies, hope you don't mind me jumping on this thread. Today I went to the EPU as I was having some cramps and pink spotting. To my joy and disbelief they told me that everything was fine, and that there was not only one heartbeat, but TWO!! Shocked isn't even the word!! And also, they told me they are MCMA twins, which had obviously worried me a little after doing some googling 😬. I wondered how you were getting on in your pregnancies? I'm hoping they'll discover later on that they're actually MCDA twins. @DestinyB @SEtwins and I assume you've had yours now @Wishing56? I hope the birth went okay!!

Forgot to add - I thought I was 6+3 and they both measured 6 weeks.

@MilsCookie Congratulations! What an exciting time for you. How are you feeling?

Yes i had my girls on 30th Jan at 36+4. They are now just over 15weeks old. Being a twin mum is amazing (and tiring). My girls have started to interact with each other and seeing their bond develop is really special xx

@Wishing56 sorry - we're messaging on two threads haha! Aww wow, seeing that relationship between them must just be so so special. How lucky to have two gorgeous babies!! Great to hear they're doing well . Hope you are too (if not a bit tired!) x

@MilsCookie Congratulations!! How are you doing?

Sorry for the late reply. Twins are still growing well, thankfully. My obstetrician tells me that chorionicity can often not be confirmed until around 11 weeks, so don't take the diagnosis at face value just yet. How far along are you?

@SEtwins so sorry for the late reply! Somehow I missed this?! I had my nhs scan today and both babies were measuring 2 days ahead so I'm now 11+4 AND they found the dividing membrane! So they're actually MCDA not MCMA. The sonographer seemed annoyed on my behalf that they'd told me they were mcma so early because she said it's impossible to see the membrane that early, so almost ALL identical twins would look like mcma at that stage!! I'm so relieved, even though I know they're still high risk. How are you getting on? How far are you now?

@MilsCookie That's great news and sounds very similar to my experience! Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly :)

I'm about 19 weeks now, still very aware of the risks of MCDA twins, and will hopefully begin to relax in a few weeks' time if all goes well.

@SEtwins thank you!! How frequent have your scans been? I assume all is looking good so far? 😊

@MilsCookie So after my nuchal scan at 12+3, I've had follow up scans at 16 weeks and 18 weeks. Next will be my anomaly scan at just over 20 weeks. I've also had multiple other hospital trips for suspected cholestasis, low iron levels, etc., but the checks are more out of an abundance of caution rather than anything else and it is reassuring to see they are being thorough and on top of it! So far so good (touchwood).

Have you been told when you will be scanned going forwards? Hope you have been placed under consultant care and that you're being well looked after. Which hospital are you at?

I'm so pleased that everything is going well for you!! Fingers crossed it stays that way 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

I've got my first consultant appointment tomorrow so hopefully they will explain everything in a bit more detail. But I'm hoping at 16 weeks and then every 2 weeks!

I'll be based in Oxford at the JR. What about you?

I'm in London at St Thomas. Thank you and sending all good thoughts to you too :)