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Multiple births

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

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Original poster

My sister's having twins and some1 told her full term for twins is 33 weeks!!??

43 replies

Mumblesmummy · 21/12/2007 11:31

Is that true???

I'm pregnant too, but I'm having only one baby so I've no idea about twins, and obviously intend to carry my little one until 40 weeks.

Really surprised me that someone has told her 33 weeks for twins... is that normal? She's having a C section by the way.

She's clueless in every possible way and usually comes to me to ask me questions as I'm further on than her.. but I'm stumped this time.

Any opinions are very welcome and TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

DarrellRivers · 21/12/2007 11:34

Often Twin pregnancies are slightly more risky so sometimes they do tend to deliver earlier either as a result of premature labour or problems re growth, but as a general rule they will aim to keep the twins in-utero until 38 weeks at least.
33 weeks is not the general rule

Original poster

Mumblesmummy · 21/12/2007 11:38

Oh good, I was just thinking that twins will be tiny anyway let alone if they came out at 33 weeks, they'd be titchy!!... the concept worried me a little.

Thanks darrellrivers

OP posts:

Sidge · 21/12/2007 12:07

Haven't got twins but tell her about TAMBA

Original poster

Mumblesmummy · 21/12/2007 12:12

oooh fantastic. I'll tell her. Thank you!!

OP posts:

ChopsterRoastingOnAnOpenFire · 21/12/2007 12:18

38 weeks is the date they aim to get you to, but you can still go to 40 weeks or slightly more with twins. I had mine via elective cesarean at 38+5. They won't necessarily be small neither - mine were 6lb and 6lb7 - respectable weights. Tell your friend to come and join us on the dya threads in the multiple births topics.

FrumpytheGrumpyreindeer · 21/12/2007 14:58

I had mine at almost 41 weeks!

C-sections are needed in some cases but its not a given and, IMHO, if she wants to try to birth vaginally (provided theres no problems) then she needs to ditch her consultant and find another who will support her. Plenty midwives are experienced in twin births and doulas too.

FrumpytheGrumpyreindeer · 21/12/2007 15:00

Like Kelly (Chopster) mine were good weights. 5lb 15oz and 6lb 13oz. Healthy, kicking, screaming and less stiches for me than my first pg.

throckenholt · 21/12/2007 15:02

37 weeks is said to be term for twins - but many come after that - nearer 40 weeks.

Mine (ID) were induced at 35 weeks because one stopped growing.

Most probably make is past 35 weeks I think. Id ones tend to be more risky and maybe have a higher proportion of early births.

FrumpytheGrumpyreindeer · 21/12/2007 15:03

Hi throck! Hope life is good in your camp.

Egg · 21/12/2007 15:08

I am 34 weeks pg with twins, and they don't seem to be on their way out. I think, having just seen your other thread involving your sis, that she seems to have her head in the clouds a bit (no offence intended, you seem to think the same!). I think I was told / read that 37 weeks is often considered "term" for twins. 33 weeks is pretty early, although unless they have any growth problems they should be a reasonable size by then.

throckenholt · 21/12/2007 15:15

devondoris · 23/12/2007 09:06

No, no, no! Not 33 weeks!

I had mine at 41+ weeks because I doctored my LMP on the maternity records. They were fine and growing happily and were perfectly comfortable until they wanted to come out. I had non-id, separate sacs, placentas, etc, so it was the safest kind of twin pg you can get. But definitely get a different consultant, and get reading everything you can about the pg that she's got so she can go armed with info about what she wants to do. And mine were 7lb 1oz and 8lb 8oz. They fed well afterwards, slept well and were generally happy. The bigger the baby (up to a point!! ) the easier it is afterwards.

I'll get off the soap box now!

Original poster

Mumblesmummy · 23/12/2007 10:22

I'm glad to hear everyone's having healthy twin pregnancies, and that some can stay snuggled up in there for nmuch longer than 33 weeks. She's definately set on a 37 week cesarean. Each to their own I guess.

Egg- Yep. Problem after problem. (I've sort of given up with it all now as you can imagine, so I'm uninvolving myself with it).

OP posts:

SantasUnderGodzillasBumcheek · 23/12/2007 10:39

Maybe it's a good idea to warn her they might be early - but they aren't actually due any earlier i'm afraid - mine arrived a day over the 40 week due date, and good 'n' large (well, for twins, anyway) to boot.

MerryBiglipsmas · 23/12/2007 10:42

one of my ex-employee carried her twins to 38 weeks both were over 7lb each!!

MarsyChristmas · 23/12/2007 11:34

Blardy ridiculous! Term is term! 37-42 weeks.

Why is she having a c-birth?

Point her in the direction of the d'y ever threads in multiples. We'll put her straight lol

Jambuttie · 24/12/2007 10:42

My best friend is currently 34 weeks with twins, they are approx 5lb each at the mo

coldtits · 24/12/2007 10:47

My frien's mum went to 39 weeks with her and her brother - they were 8lb EACH!!!

FrostytheSnowNorris · 24/12/2007 10:47

Another one here whose twins didn't arrive until 37+3 (elective c-section). I'm convinced left alone they would have stayed in there longer. Thank goodness they didn't though-6lb 8oz & 7lb 3oz as it was

BibiThree · 01/01/2008 17:50

I was told 37 weeks was considered term when I was having my girls, booked in for an elective c-section at 38 weeks. Ended up having them evicted at 35 weeks due to one not growing. They were 5lb 4oz and 4lb 15oz and narrowly missed going into special care, had to be tube fed for a while though.

ellenbadger · 07/01/2008 09:37

I was induced with my twins at 36+4. They weren't that bad weights. R was 4lb 6 and G was 5lb 2. didn't have to go to special care but we stayed in transitional care for a week.

FioFio · 07/01/2008 09:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

onlyjoking9329 · 07/01/2008 09:43

ours we were 34 weeks and were 4.8 & 4.14 has a CS cos i had kidney stones and twin one was struggling a bit.

floppyhat · 08/01/2008 19:23

I was led to believe that 50% of twin pregnancies deliver at around 34/35 weeks but what will be will be. I can't praise my consultant enough for his honesty and supporting me throughout. i went to 36+4 had a planned CS due to second twin being breach but that was my choice. As the first twin was head engaged their was no reason I couldn't have trial by labour and all medical/midwifery staff supported my decision what ever is was. Just tell her to have in informed choice. My decision was based on the fear of an emergency section for the second twin and going through both vaginal and CS birth. It turned out the planned section on the exact day was an emergency section due to poor blood work and it was a good job i listened to my consultant and delivered early (never mind method) but all turned out well and my twin girls are beautiful but very hard work. Just tell her to never turn down help, people wouldn't offer if they didn't mean it. It might be half an hour it might be a cooked meal brought round by a neighbour but everything turns out for the best.

Nicola10 · 24/01/2008 21:11

I went into natural labour at 32 weeks. My boys were born at 3lbs 2.5oz and 3lb 2 oz and were in SCBU for a month. That was eight years ago and there has been no ill effects.

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