34+3 with Twins and the Consultant left me in tears yesterday.

[Sophie2008]

I am hoping that someone out there is able to help me or just to simply put my mind at rest.
I am now 34+3 with Boy/Girl Twins. I had a growth scan and a consultants appointment yesterday which left me in tears and very upset. The scan went well despite my belly being so sensitive. They have estimated the weights to be around 6lb 4oz for Twin 1 and 6lb for Twin 2. Twin 1 is Breech and Twin 2 is transverse.

I didn?t actually see my consultant but one of his doctors. I found him to be quite rude. I was in a bit of pain after my scan, as i was getting a sharp stabbing pain in my left hand side. It probably had something to do with walking across the hospital to get to maternity. (The furthest i have walked in weeks). The Doctor just dismissed the pain i was having.

As the DT?s are still breech and have not changed position at all during this pregnancy i asked about having a C-Section as from what i have read is my only option considering their positions. He said that i would be seen in two weeks for another scan (I?ll be 36+2) and then a decision will be made and they like to deliver twins at 37 - 38 weeks. He refused point blank to give me a date for a C-Section.

As I was the last appointment of the day and they were running very late, he seemed more interested in getting home than listening to anything i had to say. I can barely walk, my back really hurts (had sciatica with DD), I am struggling to look after my 19 month old, (I have no family near me), I can?t sleep, my hips get really painful , my belly really itches even though i moisturise, my belly is very tight and sensitive which the midwife seemed concerned about on Monday but this doctor completely dismissed. When he asked if i had any questions, he started to get up and open peg the door open as though it was a big hint to leave. Anyway he left , not evening writing down my concerns in my notes.

A Nurse/ HCA came in and i just burst into tears. Anyway, as i could not walk due to my back and over doing it on the walk to maternity they ordered me a wheelchair to get me back to the main entrance.

I guess what i am trying to ask is, is it normal to make me wait until over 36 weeks for a c section date to even be given, despite DT?s being breech and myself being in agony with my back and basically being housebound now?

My DH wants me to call my midwife later and tell her what went on and see what she thinks of what the doctor said to me yesterday.

I would really appreciate some advice or just reassurance. Many thanks

I have never had twins but yes I think you should speak to your mw today and talk to her about your worries/concerns/problems.

I really feel for you, I know exactly how you feel. It is really tough at the end.

It is normal for you to have to wait though. I ended up hospitalised towards the end of my pg with a collapsed lung, but I still didn't have them until 38+5. I felt the same as you, desperate to get them out.

I think they can be very dismissive of the pain, but they are doing the right thing really. I do think it would maybe help to be told that yes, it can be bloody painful and that can be normal for a twin pg.

You relaly do jsut have to hang on in there. The babies need those few more weeks, and tbh especially with twins, you don't really want to be having them any earlier than necessary. I really noticed a difference in how much harder they were to care for, and how much more frequently they fed with mine, even though they were good weights jsut because they were 2-3lbs smaller than my older two who were both big babies. Lookign back I was glad I did wait.

Is there anywhere you can get any support from? Don't be afraid to ask neightbours, friends, anybody. Don't feel guilty if all you can do for now is plonk your 19mnth old in front of the tv for a bit of the day. Get your dh to make lunch for you both before he goes to work. Just do whatever you can to make things easier for yourself.

for your hips, have you tried putting lots of pillows inbetween your legs? I had a v shaped pillow that went inbetween my legs, and under my bump. I also found spending time on all fours with my bum up in the air eased it.

Thank you so much for your replies.

Londonlottie the doctor didn?t check the length of my cervix, i was half expecting them too, but he didn?t. I am really pleased with their estimated weights, i think when the sonographer told me them i went into a bit of a shock, as my daughter was born at 7lb 10oz and could not believe these two may be just as big by the end.

Chopstheduck, I?ve calmed down a bit since yesterday now. I think i was just having a couple of bad days and then the consultant doctor didn?t help matters and i just cracked. I am just going to take one day at a time. DH is off over Easter so i will get lots of rest. I have a pillow between my legs at night, but it is really uncomfortable to have one under my bump.

I think sometimes i just like to plan things as i really want DH to be with me, but we would have no one to look after DD if it?s a last minute emergency or a short time to an elective C Section Date.

Oh Sophie I hope you're feeling a bit better? Have you managed to get any sleep?

Yes, I'd ring the mw this morning and discuss your concerns. Hopefully she will be supportive. I found some of my consultant appointments very frustrating - I don't think I saw the same one twice and they were so quick and often dismissive.

I had my b/g DTs spontaneously and naturally at 34+5 and they needed 2 weeks in neonatal care. Their actual weights (4lb 13 and 4lb 15) were lower than estimated. We'd moved house two weeks previously [idiot emoticon] and I had a 23 month old DS to chase around after. I'm convinced that if I'd put my feet up they would have stayed in there a few weeks more and wouldn't have needed special care (which was absoluely first-rate by the way but I would have preferred to have them at home more quickly). I suppose I'm saying hang on in there a bit longer!

Of course, it's a lot easier said than done, especially when it's so damn uncomfortable to just sit/lie down.

Oh...and big congrats on twins. They're ace once they're out

Sophie just wanted to send solidarity. Being dismissed by doctors is so hurtful - reading your post I felt like going up to that man and saying "Well YOU try being pregnant with twins, you MAN you, what do you know about how this feels?" Rah! Am 13 wks pg with twins so no clue about early sections or anything really...but hope you manage to get support from nice mw. Hang in there, it'll not be long now. and cups of tea to you.

You poor thing. I haven't experience myself but my sister had boy/girl twins at Xmas time - also one breech and one transverse.

She was also very uncomfortable and panicking about being in hosp over Xmas - she has 3 other children. She had also been given good weights for both. I was amazed that they were making her wait. Her due date was 7 January and they gave her for a c-section on 29 December. They really do like you to keep those babies in as long as possible.

In the end she went early. Had contractions on 18th Dec which stopped but started up again the next morning. Went in and they did a c-section. In the end both babies were fine but the weights were way out - boy was 6 lb something as predicted but the girl was only 4lbs 11 I think.

If I were you I would talk to the midwife and see what she says.

Congratulations on twins!
you have all my sympathy. I had an auwful consultants appt at 34 wks where i was told my babies were big & both breach but wouldn't be booked for a c/section til 38wks as apparently they could still turn - i demanded to be given a date so i could arrange childcare for my now 20month old & eventually i got 1. but as i knew would happen i went into spontanious labour at 35 wks & had an emergency c/section, my babies were 6lb12 & 5lb8 and both ok.
i really dont understand the 38 wk date as thats the point of having a planned c/section with a singleton too but with twins you're much more likely to go into labour earlier.

Was incredibly uncomfortable to sleep - was waking just to turn over! & as for the itchy belly i had that too - had a phone consult with a dermatologist about it & was due to see her the day i had my babies, she advised a mild antihistamine to take to help me to sleep to stop the itching- can't remember which 1 so if you think it would help i'd ask your gp which 1 is safest as i remember it was hard to get the 1 i needed in dec! also used a plain aqueous cream, was very thick & soothing & about £3 for a massive tub in boots. At night i used to put a wet cloth on my bump too, that helped for a bit.

As for keeping my dd entertained we discovered crayons! something she really enjoys & i could sit still & do with her found playgroup a big help too - was painful to get there but it meant dd could run around for 2hrs, i could just sit & once we got home we could both take a nap

hope any of that helps & you're feeling ok.

Hi Sophie. I had my twins at 38 weeks and like you I endured weeks of agony. My baby girl was breech and my baby boy was transerve.

I begged the consultant to do my c-section when I was taken into hospital at 36 weeks (couldn't walk or doing anything but cry and eat!). She refused to do a section at 36 weeks as she said so many babies born at this time have breathing problems.

Sorry to hear that the doctor was rude to you, it doesn't help when you already have so many worries!

Best of Luck x

Hi Sophie, I'm sorry to hear you've been in so much pain. My twin girls were breech and transverse from about 27 weeks and they didn't budge until I had my c-section at 38+1 weeks. I was booked to have a section at 38+2 wks, but my waters broke the day before. The consultant wouldn't give me a date until I was 36 wks - I think they like to leave it as long as poss. I also had a 2 year old toddler to run round after. We did watch a lot of cbeebies!!

Hi Sophie, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It sounds like he lacks any sort of bedside manner, but in terms of the delivery part I think what he says is pretty standard. If its any consolation we saw one registrar who pretty much just said "so, twins! That's two babies". DH said afterwards that he'd had to bite his tongue as he had wanted to ask the guy if he could tell us something that we couldn't find the answer to on Google...

I am 39 + 2 now with mine, the last 4 weeks have been very tough physically and emotionally - you are not alone though I feel your pain! Thought it might help to share my experience with you.

From a practical point of view not sure if any of this would work as well for you but I've found that as others have said, lots of pillows are needed to help get any sleep (to keep legs apart and hips level otherwise they just seize up during the night). I have to lay on my left side and then DH helps put the pillows in the right place. Normally half way through night though I have to move and try and sleep propped up as at least one leg will have gone numb. I've used E45 shower cream on the belly to stop the itch, and any sort of base massage oil seems to help. I am also quite careful about what type of fabric goes next to the skin. The worst thing is that I have very bad swelling in both legs now (up to my hips) but I get DH to massage my legs every night which is painful but does help a bit. It has meant though that for the last 3 weeks I have been pretty much unable to bend my knees at all, so I need help getting dressed, drying my feet etc. I can't wear socks and only have one pair of shoes that fit (size 10 mens emergency purchase by DH) but as I can't stand for long it is kind of irrelevant. Its all pretty unpleasant though and I have had days where I could just sit and cry in frustration at being so immobile and housebound.

I have heard of people getting acupuncture for pelvis problems - is this something you could consider? Maybe your midwife could suggest some alternative therapies that might also provide some help? It may be that you have SPD and they should be helping you with this, that is definitely NOT something you should have to grin and bear. Also there is an organisation called Homestart I think who may be able to give you a hand with some of the practical stuff?

In terms of delivery, I think because everyone talks about 37 weeks as the magic number with twins, that is when you expect them (if not before!). At my 36 week scan twin 1 was cephalic and the other breech and although I had expected someone to talk about delivery with me, no-one did. This sent me into a bit of a panic as I felt like I had no idea what was going on; I'd heard sections were usually booked for week 37. This sent my BP up so my midwife demanded that I be seen again by the consultant to discuss delivery (the hospital was trying to fob her off with an appt in two weeks' time). This was brilliant because I got a proper consultation and it turned out that twin 2 had moved and so now I am hoping to give birth vaginally, as BP is in fact fine.

Anyway, I think the point is that the last month of twin pregnancy is pretty hellish, but the longer you can keep them in, (if all is healthy) the better. The doctors seem pretty reluctant to do anything too early because things can, and do change quite late, and they generally won't want to get them out until the last minute as this gives them the best chance of being healthy. It is really hard, but I know of lot of people who have had premmie twins and it is really, really hard for them. So I just try and focus on the fact that it will be worth it (I hope) in the end.

Hi Sophie,

I'm sorry to hear about your unhelpful appointment and I hope that you're feeling a little bit better now.

I also sympathise with the horrid pain of this stage of pregnancy. My twins were born at 37+3 by elective section as they were also breech (Twin1) and transverse (Twin 2). They had been in those positions from approx 20 weeks onwards. I felt (and consultant agreed) that they were very unlikely to have been able to move from 34 wks onwards. Certainly not Twin 1 from breech to cephalic anyway.

I thought that a lot of the pain in my case was from the pressure of Twin 2's head in my ribs. To give you some comfort this pain did strangely lessen after about 35 weeks and the last 2 weeks for me were much more bearable than the 33/34 week stage.

Also I agree with what he other ladies have said:

• weights can be a wild overestimate (mine were)
• every additional day inside at this stage REALLY does matter to the babies in terms of breathing, ability to feed and avoiding special care,

So I guess just try and take each day at a time and congratulate yourself for having got through one more day.

Try having as many long warm baths as you can manage. I used blutack to block up the overflow so that I could get the water high enough! It did help relax everything.

Good luck and hang on in there
xxx

Hi Sophie

New here but been lurking for a while!

My b/g twins are now 7 but I remember this stage well. My twins were also breech/transverse from 30 weeks and didn't move position at all. I left work on the Friday at 36 weeks and had an appointment with the consultant on Tuesday at 36+3. He booked me in for an elective at 38+3 - and all went according to this plan.I think it helps when you have booked the time and date - as you know you are not going to go past this date, and have only 2 weeks to go until your babies are here. He also told me my twins would be big - which terrified me as I was imagining 2 x 7 or 8 pound babies ! They were 6lb and 5.12 lb when they were born - which is a reasonable /large size for twins.I remember every day drags at this stage but I think the consultants just want you to hang on for as long as possible as every extra day just helps the babies.The pain you are having may be SPD ? I didn't have it with my twins but did have it from 20 weeks with my next pregnancy - which I was told by my midwife could have been caused by the strain of the twin pregnancy previously.
Just try and get through a day at a time and the best of luck

Thanks again for all the replies.

Bumblingalong ? I was hoping for a c section date for just over 37 weeks, so then at least I would be able to make childcare arrangements and family can also arrange to take time off work to come up and help out. The itchy belly drives me nuts, but I will try the wet cloth on the belly, as it does feel quite hot at times.

Superbean ? wow 39 +2 that?s amazing! Your poor thing with what you are going through. I feel like I should shut up. I?ve had to move into the DT?s room on the sofa bed as I was keeping DH up, plus our mattress was too hard and I think that was making the pain in my legs worse.
When the Doctor didn?t seem interested I panicked as I?ve too felt I?ve got no idea what is going on or what to even expect with a c section.

CharlieKat ? I was in shock when they said they thought the DT?s will be around 6lb each at the minute. I can?t see it if I think about it, as only two weeks ago they told me they were estimated at 4lb each. A 2lb weight gain each in two weeks?? Not sure about that. I?ll be well happy if they come out at 37+ weeks at 6lb each. I wish I could have a bath; I can?t fit in it as it?s small.

Ihatebeingfrugal ? I think if they did give me a date, even for 38 weeks I would have been a lot happier, at least then like you say, I know I won?t go past that date.

I am feeling a lot better about things, and I am now counting each day as a blessing that they are still cooking away.

Hi Sophie,

I'm afraid I don't have much advice to add, but just wanted to say I'm sorry you are feeling neglected by the consultant. I think they forget that what is routine to them is a one off/first experience for us.

I can only second what others have said that try not to get too worked up, and speak to someone about how you feel, don't bottle it up. I was really wound up and felt unsupported with DD1 in the last overdue fortnight, and it resulted in me being exhausted (emotionally and physically) before I was even in labour, and meant the whole thing was much more taxing and medicalised than I wanted it to be. Try to be as "zen" as possible!

BTW Sophie, just wanted to add that my boy/girl twins were 7.11 and 6.14 when they were born at 38 weeks - I was told they would be around 5lbs each

Look forward to hearing your announcement.

LouMacca you have trumped me! (7.6 and 6.12)

I was just going to say something similar - Sophie it was sooo hard at the end (I didn't get a date for my section until 37 weeks) but once they were born at such great weights, cried straight away so I knew they were OK, breastfed well at less than an hour old, it made those final weeks feel really worthwhile and I was really grateful not to have the additional worry and hard work of looking after premies.

Hang in there and look after yourself

Thanks again for all your comments and advice.
Landed myself in hospital at the weekend, as was rather bunged up I ended up staying in over night as i did myself a bit of damage. But all it almost back to normal. Lactulose is my new best friend.

I couldn't sleep a wink in the hospital, i was listening to all the babies crying and was thinking about everything all at once.

Anyhows it made me realise even more how lucky i am to have got as far as i have with carrying the DT's. Roll on the next couple of weeks!!

hi, im 36+4 weeks pregnant with twins and i have a c-section booked in for next week. the first twin is breech but my doc only decided to do a c-section yesterday, was told that they would keep me going up to 38 weeks if they could. they both slowed down with weight gain so i have no idea how big they are now and was very worried when they said. i thought being breech i would have had them before now but still hanging on. the back pain, hip pain and all your other symptoms are all to familiar and being completely uncomfortable is really starting to get me down and im finding it hard to look after my 2 other children especially as i have no help as my husband is in the army and away for 6 months.i have also been told to completely rest which is very difficult. i know exactly how you feel. hang in there everything will work out for you. good luck!!! (smile)

I'm 37 weeks today and I am still going!
Got an appointment tomorrow at the hospital where i have been told i will be given a date as T1 is still breech and T2 Transverse.

I am hoping that it'll be later this week or very early next as their weights are estimated at 7.5 to 8lb each!
It will be interesting to see what they actually do weigh when they finally arrive!

yea doctors really annoy me! they left me for ages when i was pregnant with my twins! i was on crutches because i had pelvic girldle pain used to be called symphis pubis dysfunction! i had a 2 year old to look after and do you know what frankly they didnt care that i couldnt walk and i couldnt hardly get out of bed and was in tears becauses of the pain! they give me a date for my section at 36 weeks and told me they couldnt fit me in at 38 weeks because the theatres are fully booked so i would have to wait until 39 weeks! of course i went by myself at 38 weeks and therefore had to have an emergency c section! so i really didnt understand them leaving me so long! i seen a different consultant every time i went who each told me something different from what the other one said! frankly i was discusted with my care by the doctors in my twin pregnancy! so i really understand how you feel! answer to your question! according to their policies its normal to leave you that long but according to your human rights! i doubt it!