16 weeks with twins. Curious about chances of losing one in the second trimester....

[SammyKay]

We had a miscarriage and then immediately fell pregnant and found out a week ago that it is twins! Very exciting! They have their own sacs and placentas and were measuring a day apart and right on the 15 week mark which is right on schedule! They were moving and had strong heartbeats. Nothing was wrong or out of the ordinary. My Dr laughed and said well i can tell you your 15 weeks and you can keep treating this like a normal pregnancy, we will talk more at 20 weeks.

So that is all and well. But I am still sortof freaked about our last MC and I'm so excited about these little babies, I just can't stop thinking about losing one.

Anybody actually have that happen? I mean I know there are chances.... I guess I've read too many horror stories.

Thanks!

[~Adorkable~]

at 15 weeks with di di twins you can start to feel pretty good about things. grab news that they are measuring the same and on track.

there are a few good books to read right away that will help you with the nutria demand of this pregnancy. gaining a good amount of weight in a healthy way early is one of the best things you can do. near the end the babies will be growing so fast it will be hard to keep up!

here are two of the best books:

first one is very heavy on the nutrition of pregnancy, good info.

http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327203315&sr=8-1

second one is great book from the la leche league and covers tons about everything including breastfeeding and post birth issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Mothering-Multiples-Breastfeeding-Caring-International/dp/0976896931/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1327203339&sr=8-20

and most of all , congrats! and welcome to Mothering.com!!!

[SammyKay]

Thanks, I couldn't find many stories about di di twins. I have been poking around and can feel one of them. :) renting a fetal Doppler to keep my negative thoughts it check. I started this pregnancy about 60 lbs overweight and I've lost two pounds. I keep reading about gaining weight being so important in the second trimester. I assume if I am eating healthy I should be ok?

[BansheeTaco]

I actually experienced the loss of a twin at 20 weeks. But from what our doctor told us, it is not very common at that stage. It is much more common for it to happen early in the first trimester if it is going to happen at all. So the fact that you are already to 15 weeks is a very very good sign.

With ours, the one we ended up losing was never much of a mover. We used to joke that we already could tell what their personalities were going to be like because one was always moving and doing flips on the ultrasounds and the other one was always kind of chill. In retrospect though, I wonder if maybe the one we lost was just never as healthy and strong as out surviving little guy. The fact that both your little guys are moving around and have strong heartbeats is another good sign that they are healthy and strong.

Also, we did IVF, so our twins weren't a natural occurrence. I'm not sure why, but I think it tends to happen more with IVF multiples than with naturally occurring twins.

I'm so sorry you experienced the miscarriage previously. Was that in the first trimester? I think a late term loss is a very different event biologically than an early miscarriage. What I mean is, I don't think you should have any reason to suspect that because you've had a miscarriage before that it would make you more likely to possibly have a loss later in pregnancy. Does that make sense? Would it help maybe to talk to your doctor about your fears? I know they can't give you guarantees, but it may help to hear from a professional that your odds of losing one is very low.

I totally understand your fear though. Once we lost the twin, I had a lot of fear for our remaining little guy. I was so afraid of losing him too. But he is now 9 months old and is as healthy and happy as can be. I still miss our lost twin sometimes, or miss what could have been, but mainly I just feel so overwhelmingly blessed to have our beautiful little boy in our lives. And I feel like he will always have his own little guardian angel spirit watching over him in some way. 

I hope my story doesn't add to your fears. The main thing I wanted to convey is that it sounds like yours are thriving and doing wonderfully and that your chances are much less now that you're into your second trimester. I know it's hard when you've had a previous loss, but try to picture holding those 2 beautiful babies in your arms when this is all over. Congratulations! I'm sending you lots of hugs and support! :)

[queenofchaos]

I just wanted to add a note of reassurance about movement...just because you can't seem to feel one moving, or one baby doesn't seem to move much, is really not a good indicator of health.  Due to the location of the placenta, I rarely felt one of my twins move.  And when she did, how can you *really* be sure it's one vs. the other?  Even with a single pg, the placenta can interfere with how much movement you feel.  Movement is important, but it has to be considered in light of fetal and placental position.  Otherwise, you can get a freaked out mama.  I know.

[~Adorkable~]

also i had one twin moved constantly and one was very still, she is now such a go getter! and never holds still and is a amazing healthy 1 year old. (the one that never sat still in the womb is now my laid back boy that is more than happy to have the world come to him.)  

so movement or lack there of is usually only a issue if it is extreme

[BansheeTaco]

Those are great points about movement. Sorry, I didn't intend to scare the OP with my story regarding movement. I was just trying to say it sounded like a positive that hers were both seen moving on the last ultrasound. I hope I didn't add to her fears, my intent was actually the opposite.

[queenofchaos]

Originally Posted by BansheeTaco 

Those are great points about movement. Sorry, I didn't intend to scare the OP with my story regarding movement. I was just trying to say it sounded like a positive that hers were both seen moving on the last ultrasound. I hope I didn't add to her fears, my intent was actually the opposite.

I don't think anyone took you that way.  I think your experience is valid.  And fetal movement is generally accepted as a sign of well being.  I often got freaked out because I couldn't feel baby(ies) move.  Then someone mentioned about placenta and fetal positioning interfering with some of the movement we feel. 

I am so sorry for your loss.  When I was pg w/ my twins it was a constant fear.  I can't imagine how devestated you were.

Oh,  and if you get an ultrasound, pay attention to how often baby moves and whether or not you feel it. You will be shocked at how little you are actually feeling.

[BansheeTaco]

Originally Posted by queenofchaos 

I don't think anyone took you that way.  I think your experience is valid.  And fetal movement is generally accepted as a sign of well being.  I often got freaked out because I couldn't feel baby(ies) move.  Then someone mentioned about placenta and fetal positioning interfering with some of the movement we feel. 

I am so sorry for your loss.  When I was pg w/ my twins it was a constant fear.  I can't imagine how devestated you were.

Oh,  and if you get an ultrasound, pay attention to how often baby moves and whether or not you feel it. You will be shocked at how little you are actually feeling.

Thanks queenofchaos! That's very sweet of you! :)

[SammyKay]

I have been a ball of nerves this whole pregnancy. I went into the hospital one night with what i called braxton hicks that would not stop for over 2 hours, even after i had sat down and drank a bottle of water and  sharp pain in my ribs and low ache.

They did an ultrasound and everything was cool but the DR saw a black spot on baby b's placenta and said it could be a bleed and booked me to have another ultrasound the next day.

I of course googled the heck out of it and was so freaked that the placenta was coming away from the wall etc. Ultrasound tech showed me two healthy moving babies but could not tell me about the bleed ( if there was one or not) as that was the radiologists job and they would contact my DR who would  contact me.

>:( i was not happy! So after two days of crying, googling and calling non-stop to get ahold of my DR. I finally get told "ultrasound was completely normal"

No explanation of black spot. *shrug* i have to wait until Feb9th when i can see my DR.

So cool, i relaxed and went back to normal living with my 3.5yr old and almost 2 yr old.

In the last four days ( i am now 18 weeks) i have noticed a weird change. My boobs don't hurt as much and my vajayjay isn't as swollen and achey AND my stomach has been softer, and easier to bend over.

I know symptoms can subside in the second trimester but I'm freaked that my stomach - which was expanding everyday very painfully has stopped and i can now bed straight over a couple of times without really any discomfort. ( i was measuring 25 weeks the last time they checked)

I want to go into the DR but i know i will have to see a walk in DR and he will roll his eyes at me. I can't find anything online about this and i'm FREAKED that i've lost one and its being absorbed or dehydrated ( thus the smaller, less firm belly)

I know this is long ...

I'm just looking for support.

Thanks!

[rinap]

Scary. And some times you just go with your gut and let them laugh if they want to laugh. If you feel like something might be wrong, sometimes you just have to trust that feeling and talk to a doctor. You could call rather than going in.

That said, there was a point in my pregnancy when I switched over from being bloated to the tummy being all baby. Which was definitely a change.

[mylilmonkeys]

How many weeks are you now?  I would be thinking it may just be a major change of position in one or both of the babes.  If you had one floating high, who moved head down and lower, that could account for your feelings of change in your belly.  But definitely call or go in and get checked out.  It's not good to stress yourself out!  And update us with what you find out.  

[SammyKay]

I went into the clinic and heard both heartbeats. The dr herself had twins so she was sympathetic and told me not to worry so much. And not to google too much ;) I also rented a Doppler, which should get here by Friday hopefully. :) 

Thank you for all the support.

[AImom]

I have had to see a fertility specialist for my pregnancies. I have not had to do IVF but had to do the medications, shots, etc. My first pregnancy resulted in a "vanishing twin" which disappeared at around 10 weeks (so I guess technically my 3yo daughter was almost a twin!) Three years later I got pregnant and that pregnancy lasted about 15 days. This pregnancy is going strong at 38 weeks exactly with twins. I am so glad my Dr told me our hospital has a strict NO-INDUCE policy for les than 39 weeks for anyone with a normal pregnancy. I want these buns to stay in as long as they can go.

As for the movements .. I have had a few issues. The most interesting thing I found out is that my boy (I have B/G twins) is presenting and on the far outer shell of my belly and my girl is on the inside more (closer to my muscles). I have alot of numbness in my belly around the belly button (because he;s pushing so hard on the nerves there) and around it so sometimes I can SEE him moving wildly but can't feel it. This is opposed to feeling EVERY movement of my girl who is laying along my muscles and tickling me greatly.

Any Dr that mocks you for having a concern is a JOKE. Mine always has a nice smile for me and makes me feel calm and lets me know these are all very common complaints she has heard and had herself (she's got a little baby right now, too). Hang in there and yes, stay away from Google :P

[~Adorkable~]

Originally Posted by AImom  I am so glad my Dr told me our hospital has a strict NO-INDUCE policy for les than 39 weeks for anyone with a normal pregnancy. I want these buns to stay in as long as they can go.

that is great to hear! every hospital should have this, it crazy the elective inductions that i have been hearing about recently and way more disturbing is how early the doctor "recommended" ones are for a lot of twins, but when they ask why they usually here "well most ladies just like that so we offer" yikes!!!

[AImom]

Here's another thing: what week did your Dr calculate your due date at? Mine was 40 weeks? Did anyone else get a sooner date because it was assumed you would not make it to 40 - 42 weeks?

[SammyKay]

I wanted to come back and update! After getting to 20 weeks I felt much better, less freaked out and everything progressed great! I got bigger, bigger, huger, ginormous! I measured 54 weeks at the end! I had no complications other than size and and tiredness. I made it all the way to 38+1! I had to have several discussions with my twin dr because they wanted to put in an epidural "just in case" I refused. I had to deliver in an OR on a flat table with my legs up in styrups, which was beyond horrible compared to my other deliveries.. But I did it! Baby a was a girl 7lbs5oz and an very very veeeery long hour later with some help of pitocin, baby b was delivered breach, one leg up, one down! Ouch and was 6lbs 13oz! But I did it. Drug free and csection free! I could not walk or sit up for three days after. I slept with babies on my chest. I breast fed and cloth diapered from day one and here we are and Sadie and Kiefer are 5 months old and starting to roll around! Good luck twin mamas out there!!

[Emelee]

That's awesome!! Great job to you on your pregnancy and birth!! I waited to CD until the girls were 3 months but it saves soooo much money I wish I had done it earlier. It's not as hard as I had anticipated.

[mylilmonkeys]

Congratulations!!  My oldest dd is a Sadie, too. ;)

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by SammyKay 

I wanted to come back and update! After getting to 20 weeks I felt much better, less freaked out and everything progressed great! I got bigger, bigger, huger, ginormous! I measured 54 weeks at the end! I had no complications other than size and and tiredness. I made it all the way to 38+1! I had to have several discussions with my twin dr because they wanted to put in an epidural "just in case" I refused. I had to deliver in an OR on a flat table with my legs up in styrups, which was beyond horrible compared to my other deliveries.. But I did it! Baby a was a girl 7lbs5oz and an very very veeeery long hour later with some help of pitocin, baby b was delivered breach, one leg up, one down! Ouch and was 6lbs 13oz! But I did it. Drug free and csection free! I could not walk or sit up for three days after. I slept with babies on my chest. I breast fed and cloth diapered from day one and here we are and Sadie and Kiefer are 5 months old and starting to roll around! Good luck twin mamas out there!!

Ahhhh...oh my god....ouch. 54 weeks?