Monochorionic Monoamniotic Twins 7 wk scan

[GingerBrummie]

Hi all,
I had a 7week early pregnancy scan yesterday & the sonographer saw 2 heartbeats & believes they are Monochorionic Monoamniotic twins but I should know more at the 12wk scan. When I googled it, its the rarest type of twins & in fact very high risk due to the possibility of the umbilical cords getting wrapped up. Also a c-section is the only possibility. Anyone else been in this situation?
Thanks for any advice

Hi I was in this position a few weeks ago, again at 7 weeks found out 2 babies which was a shock as a scan at 6 weeks only saw one! I had another scan at 10 weeks to determine what type of twins and a thin membrane was there so they are mobochorionic diamniotic, which is high risk but not quite as much as momo twins. The membrane can be really difficult to spot so early on, at your 12 week scan everything will be much clearer. Hopefully there will be the membrane present when you go.

@misstilly thanks for replying & Im glad your membrane was found. Ive booked a private 10 week scan where I will have NIPT testing & hopefully they will have a better view then, if not then I also have a 12 week scan booked. They told me if its momo twins I would need fortnightly scans! Are you have regular scans?

I'm having scans every 2 weeks from 16 weeks. There was a small difference in size at 12 weeks but twin a was being particularly difficult to get measurements of so they think it was just that. I'm having to take aspirin and will be on clexane injections from 28 weeks as I'm older. I've had the 12 week screening which I should get the results soon for. Hopefully you'll see a membrane at the next scan.

Hi @GingerBrummie basically you are too early to see a membrane so you'll have to wait to find out if they share a sack or are in separate ones. It's really rare for them to share a sack so chances are they will find a membrane at 12 weeks. Both types are high risk, even if there is a membrane you should have scans every 2 weeks the whole pregnancy! Ours then went up to weekly because one of the babies was measuring small.

Agree, with above posters. Our 7 week scan showed no membrane, private scan at 11 weeks also couldn’t find a membrane. NHS scan at 12 weeks (and 3 people checking) eventually found a membrane. I was very worried so totally understand how you’re feeling. It was still a c-section and fortnightly scanning but otherwise an uneventful pregnancy and healthy ID twins in the end.

Thanks all, I feel a little more relieved now. @RosettaR did you also have a c-section?

I was told that I had Momo twins at both my 7 week and 12 weeks scan. They ended up finding a membrane at 18 weeks which was a relief. I was terrified too having read all the information about Momo twins online. It is super rare so the likely hood is they will find a membrane.

I too was told "suspected monoamniotic" at 7 weeks, then had 5 weeks of worrying before the membrane was found at 12 weeks! It's highly likely that they'll find a membrane. Like a PP said, it is still a high risk pregnancy but less so than monoamniotic. Make sure you are still offered fortnightly scans, and do your research about the pros and cons of vaginal birth vs C-section with this pregnancy type. Congratulations, being a twin parent is honestly wonderful despite being hard work!

I had DCDA twins (lowest risk) and was on a 4 weekly scan rota but I ended up having more frequent scans, sometimes I’d be at the hospital every week. Just be prepared for lots of hospital visits.
As PPs said the odds are your twins are more likely to be MCDA and I know some twin mums who delivered vaginally even though the babies shared a placenta. Your consultant will weigh up the risks and facts and make a recommendation based on that.
Congratulations and good luck for your next scan.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate all your comments x

@GingerBrummie yes I had a planned c section, it was early at 34 weeks because we had sIUGR. There are a lot of additional risks with a natural birth when they share a placenta, like acute TTTS, or the placenta can detach while one of the babies is still inside. Plus one of my babies' cords was velamentous which increases the risk of haemorrhage so for us it was quite an easy decision. Also, if you go for a vaginal birth it's likely to be an induction unless you go into labour early, and they have a reputation for being really gruelling!

Thanks @RosettaR and Im glad everything worked out well for you in the end.