My sister is having twins and someone told her full term for twins is 33 weeks??!! Anyone know about this?

[Mumblesmummy]

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 somewhere between 38-42 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 (and I go to mumsnet )as I'm further on than her.. but I'm really stumped this time.

If they're born at 33 weeks, there'll only be 1-4 weeks between our babies!!!

Any opinions are very welcome and TIA

see your other thread

I put it in both as she's so impatient when it comes to anything baby-related

Well, I think they tell you to be ready to go into labour at any time after that - one of my work colleagues just had twins and I think that was what they told her.

sorry its 36 weeks unless she is struggling to carry them!

As a midwife I can tell you term is the same for one baby or six!

Term is 37-42 weeks.

Twin babies are often born preterm because labour starts early with 3 babies in there.

If all was well with the pregnancy, it would be best that she does not have a C/S before 38-39 weeks.

36 weeks sounds a little better than 33... 33 weeks just sounds like they'll be so small and fragile. I hope she manages to carry them for a little longer.

mears, what type of twin pregnancy has 3 babies ?

I think your sister needs to stop listening to people pronto and read a biology book.

Full term is 40 weeks, even if there's 5 of them. Multiples more likely to be earlier but still not full term.

woops - some midwife me

Oops, cross posted with mears who knows wayyyyyy more than anyone us.

And I refered to 5 twins in post, arguably.

Thanks Mears, that sounds much more hopeful. I'll let her know. I think that will definately put her mind at rest. She's still early on (ten weeks) so she doesn't know the ins and outs yet.

Phew, it all sounds good. I'm glad I asked.
It was a lady with twins who had said it to her but she's one of these gossipy drama queen people so i suspected she was talking rubbish about the 33 weeks things.

If she is only 10 weeks, why would she know she would have a C/S. Has she had one before?

No, she tried for a baby for nearly 8 years and had IVF so her consultant said she will need a C/S (apparently partly to do with the twins being none identical?)... I'm baffled by the whole thing. Her pregnancy gets treated VERY differently from mine. Particularly by the consultant (we have the same one).. and she also got specially booked in with him before xmas (without having to request it) because of the IVF... and she has to have lots of scans too (because of it being twins).

I'm not having a normal pregnancy (had bleeding and things) so i've had to have anti-d injections and a few scans. But overall I'm expecting a fairly normal ride compared to hers.

IVF twins isn't a medical reason for C/S but perhaps that is the way they both prefer to go.

My sis is expecting IVF twins and to be honest, I said that if she doesn't labour on her own, she would be better to have C/S instead of being induced, which can cause problems. If first baby is head down and the pregnancy is progressing well, there would be no reason not to try labour if it happened naturally.

I've just spoken to her again and she said she's getting booked in for a c/s at 37 weeks... which is good I suppose.

I feel very sorry for her because I am most looking forward to giving birth (yes, I am weird like that) but she won't get the opportunity now. I don't think she wanted to give birth anyway as she doesn't really trust her body after the IVF. It's such a shame.

I don't know why doctors still do this. I hope my sisters doctor will plan for 38 weeks - they assume that labour will start early so they intervene early. It may be that labour would not start and babies born at 37 weeks are more likely to need to go to special care with feeding and breathing problems.

It's such a shame isn't it? I hope your sister gets to 38 weeks, and she's very lucky to have you as you really know your stuff!!

My sister said she was told they will 'try to get' her to '37 weeks'. I can't imagine any1 can try to get you to anything as they'll probably come when they're cooked.

Dear MM
15% of twins arrive before end of week 32!
I run my multiple birth antenatal classes for expectant parents starting from about week 22. I spend all my time talking with expectant parents about identical/non, ivf expected due dates steroids scans etc
striaightforward birth v c/s.
If it helps I would be happy to chat by e mail with your sister if she wishes
[email protected]
I agree with mears that if baby 1 is head down there is good chance of normal birth.
Other person good for twin info is mars lady. She is in london and I am in reading
hth

Thanks galaxy, that's great, I'll mention it to her. She doesn't get on the internet too much but hopefully she'll jump at the opportunity. i must warn you tho, she's scared of pregnancy I think and she sort of burries her head in the sand at anything about it at all.

It is early days for her yet. Things probably a bit daunting for her she may perk up after 12 week scan .
Perhaps she is worried and wont get excited until things seem more real and the time where things still could go wrong has passed.
IVF can be stressful

I do hope so. She's had quite a few scans and things but I'm hoping she'll feel better at 12 weeks.