very bad stitch like pain 26 weeks pregnant with MCDA twins, normal?

[Nellstar]

I am 26 weeks pregnant with MCDA twins and have had terrible stitch like pain across my whole abdomen the last two days. I don't think I ever had this with DS1. I am only worried as the consultant told me to look out for pain with TTTS. I had worried that they weren't moving as much yesterday but they are still moving. I had a scan two days ago which was fine. I suspect this is muscular but wondered if anyone else had had similar? I am debating whether to go and face the 3 hour wait for a scan at the hospital when all could be fine, and there's noone to look after DS1. Sorry for long winded post...

Am 36 weeks pg (not with twins though) and had something similar sounding last week - quite severe and debilitating stitch-like pain followed by soreness, but just on one side of the abdomen. It didn't last as long as yours though (probably a couple of hours for the pain then overnight for the soreness). Was a bit worried as like you I hadn't experienced it in my previous pregnancy, the pain seemed to be located where I think my placenta is and the baby seemed to be moving less afterwards. Mentioned it at a routine appt a couple of days later and though they weren't overly concerned they said I'd better get it checked out. They didn't do a scan but monitored the baby for a while and everything was fine.

Not sure what to suggest for you though - is there a midwife's helpline at your hospital? Actually if you ring them I'm sure they'll suggest coming down to be on the safe side, and if it's going to reassure you then you may as well. Is it starting to ease off at all or is it just as bad as when it started?

Thanks pdwarf, I did as you suggested and rang the midwives at the scanning unit. They know it's a 3 hour minimum wait so she was pretty pragmatic. She said I should take a paracetamol and see if it goes. If it were serious it wouldn't apparently. She thinks it's likely I've pulled something by constantly hoiking my toddler up and down which I suspect is likely. She said if the twins stop moving to come down immediately. I think it could be because I'm being stretched to pieces by this pregnancy, it feels muscular, as if my stomach muscles are being ripped apart a bit - was it like that with you? i'ts not constant, just when I try to walk, do things etc..bit nervous of the paracetomal as haven't taken anything this pregnancy but think I probably should. Did yours just go away?

Nellstar, I had this 2 weeks ago when I was also 26 weeks. The pain reduced me to tears. I ended up going to the hospital 2 days later as there was no movement from the twins. It turned out that twin 1 had shoved himself right over on to twin 2's side of the uterus. Twin 1 was head down and his head was being sat on my twin 2 who was beech. After alot of prodding and poking, twin 1 moved back to his side and all the pains went away and the kicking and punching resumed. I hope this helps but I really think that if you're worried then you should go and get checked out for your piece of mind.

When I had TTTS in my pregnancy it felt like I was being stabbed with a knife. I wasnt aware it was due to TTTS until I went for a routine scan. Luckily everything settled in a few weeks and I ended up being induced at 37 weeks. I know I was very lucky as the consultant didnt expect me to reach 30 weeks.

Thank you both so much for your messages. Really helpful. I wondered whether it might be positions as the doctor was pretty violent with her scanner on Wednesday and left me with a pain in my ribs, I almost think she may have frightened one baby into moving into a more uncomfortable position. But I think it is more likely to be muscular as if I'm sat still it doesn't hurt - it only hurts when I move. My DH says this is a good sign. Coochybottom, I'm so glad all turned out well for you, did you have knife stabbing pain when still ie was it constant or just when you moved?

It was over 6 years ago now so hard to remember. I think it was intermitant as in I never knew when it would strike. I wondered also if yours could be due to your stomach muscles separating which also happened to me but this may have been due to sudden increase in fluid from the TTTS. I also found scans uncomfortable as I found I could only lie on my side. Let us know how things go.

I had stitch regularly from about 30 weeks to term. Bloody painful!!!!!!!

Hi Nellstar,

Feeling any better?

In answer to your question I'm not sure if it felt muscular exactly but it did feel close to the surface of the bump, and yes it just went away on its own.

I've never had twins but I've had a stitch type pain in all 3 of my pregnancies. It turned out to be caused by a combination of my ligaments softening and having a twisted pelvis which put pressure on my abdomen. I got it sorted out with an osteopath.

Thank you all for your messages - DS1 ill hence late reply. Was just about to write that all was well when I got it again last night, but for the most part it is gone. And they are kicking fine again so I suspect it may have been positions although the stomach muscles separating sounds likely too given the pressure. Cannot believe that I am only 27 weeks and simply don't understand how on earth I will manage to get bigger. Feel like I did at 37 weeks with DS1. Relieved that they seem to be ok though. Thanks all.