URGENT- my sister's twins have to be delivered tonight- 27 weeks- 1 twin is potentially dying-worried sick- please help with any advice

[mumblesmummy]

Little bit of background of what's going on:

I'm nearly 38 weeks pregnant, my sister is nearly 28 weeks pregnantwith twins. We row soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much but absolutely adore each other in reality. We're a very close family.

At the moment we've got a lot of stress. Our nana is in intensive care (I've written about it on 'relationships') and my DP is in a hospital 80 miles away having surgery right now. So the family are all trying to pull together for each other.

Today my sister went for a routine scan and found that one baby hadn't grown in 4 weeks. Her BP has been sky high so she has foetal monitoring every week, and it has been fine. However, the scan showed that one baby isn't getting oxygen through the cord, and so tonight, she's being taken to another hospital and the babies are being taken out (c section). She has been given a steroid injection to mature the babies lungs today. Both have heartbeats, but obviously they BOTH have to be born even though it's only one that's poorly. Therefore they're both in trouble.

What are the chances of the babies surviving? She's had IVF and she's been terrified all pregnancy. Now this. Please can someone offer any help/advice/opinions/anything at all.

Just a quickie, thinking of your sister loads... My DS was born at 30 weeks due to pre-eclampsia, with v little warning (only time for 1 of the 2 steroid injections) and he did really well.... It was terrifying to start with and he spent 8 weeks in SCBU but 3 years down the line no one would ever guess he was early. It is great that they are giving your sister both steroid injections as it really does make a huge difference to their lungs and possible complications. I really recommend the Bliss (premature baby society) forum as I found this a great source of support & advice- see: www.blissmessageboard.org.uk/index.php

I wish your sister and her babes all the luck in the world. Survival at 27 weeks gestation is now very good but it will be a rollercoaster ride in SCBU and she'll need all the support you can offer her. Thinking of you all xxxx

Oh, Mummbles... I am so sorry.

You've really been up against it.

I don't have any advice, but I'm thinking of your sis and her twins.

YCBS x

HI,

I had my twins at 26+6 7 years ago. I had one shot of steroids less than an hour before giving birth. I doubt they had any effect.

At that time the chances of survival were about 70% for 27wkers. BUT things will have improved hopefully.

OTOH the babies are poorly already. which will affect survival rates.

Is there a reason for the twin not growing? Is it TTTS (Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome)? where 1 twins is getting all of hte blood and the other not getting much. If this is the case then you need to be aware than over the next few days the twin that is happy inside mum - could actually end up more poorly (either inside or outside) because his heart is working harder whilst inside. I have heard that with TTTS the small twin tends to thrive after birth as they get the oxygen they desperately need. If it is not TTTS then all of that is obviously irrelevant.

FIngers crossed.

It is a case of wait and see I think.

sounds like youre all having awful time!-remember to look after yourself!
no advice-think positive.the babies will be in best place.

slightly madsweet were your twins ok?

Yes my twins did OK. There were babies that had a smoother run. There were also babies that had a much tougher time.

They had ups and downs as all babies do on NNU. They came home about a week before due date.

They are now top of the class and physically fit. There is no eveidence of any problems whatsoever as a result of their early medical history.

I can't comment on your sister's predicament although I do of course send my best wishes and hope that everything turns out well .

I hope that you are OK because I know how it feels to be pregnant and have a partner who is undergoing surgery. Good luck to you and hopefully things will soon get better.

fantastic scientist - what a positive outcome!

mumblesmum you are really having a rough ride- i do hope the twins are ok thinking of you!

Thinking of you and your sister at this horribly difficult time. I delevered my LO at 31 weeks and only had time for 1 steriod injection but she was fine with her breathing from day one.

Apparently if the baby has IUGR (Slow growth) this puts them under stress but this is good for their lungs as they have to mature quicker.

Hope all goes well x

I'm so sorry. Twins have been born this early before. They'll spend a fair time in special care.

I wish her well and I wish the babies safety and health!

Thinking of you MM, you have so much on your plate at the moment.

Wishing your sister and her lo's lots of love and luck.

My god daughter was delivered at 27+5 by emergency c-section. She had had the steroid injection to boost the lungs a couple of days earlier and that def helped.

She was in special care for about 2.5 months and had to have an operation on her eyes but apart from that she just got bigger and stronger. It wasn't easy and there were some scary moments but she is absolutely fine now. She is really dainty and it will probably take a while for her to catch up in size/weight but apart from possibly needing glassses later there are no probs.

Incidently, i also teach an 18 year old who was born at 27 weeks (18 years ago - obvioulsly) and she is really clever and about to go to university. They probably knew much less medically then and she has done brilliantly.

Good luck and thinking about your sister

Dear God MM - as if you didn't have enough going on!

No experience but as always on MN lots of other people have! Glad to see some positive stories for you and your sister.

Will be thinking of you today and hoping that your DH has is op and is home soon, that your Nana is OK and that your sis delivers healthy twins and that you don't go into labour with all the stress. Look after yourself. Get lots of rest if you can.

Thinking of you again today xxx

just checking in for an update. our prayers are still coming your way.

Sending love and a hug from sunny Bolton.

Everything I have is crossed for your family xx

thinking of your family tonight - i do hope all is ok x

Thinking of you all.

How things?

I've followed this and your other thread. You poor soul, you've got it coming from all directions at the moment. I really pray for you and your family to have the strength to see you through these difficult and challenging times.

thinkiing of you

update here

Looks like twins are likely to be delivered today.