The easy, breezy twin pregnancy was too good to last . . .

Ah well, I guess I should be glad that I made it this far with no problems and worries but now I'm really bummed and nervous about my little boy (twin A). At our 32 week growth scan, the fetal medicine specialist noticed that there was starting to be some discordance between him and his sister. She was 4lbs 8 oz and in about the 50th percentile and he was 4lbs 1 oz, lagging a bit behind, but nothing serious. As fraternal twins, some difference is obviously expected and ok. Well at the 34 week scan this week, it appears that baby A has fallen even further behind and his growth is really starting to look restricted. He only gained 3 oz in the two week period compared to his sister's 13 oz growth. She's now nearly up to the 60th percentile and he has dropped way down to like the 16th percentile overall, and his little abdomen is measuring in the 3d percentile. Fetal medicine and my OB both say that his fluid levels look good, that his cord flow is ok and that although they're slipping a bit, his doppler numbers are all ok. But the doctor definitely thinks that his placenta is starting to wear out. The only other area of concern is the blood flow through his brain, which seems to be slowing down. They want to do another high level scan at fetal medicine on Tuesday the 29th to check his growth again. If there's no improvement, then they will take them at that point. In the meantime I'll see the OB next week and he'll take a peek to make sure they're moving well and that the fluid levels are holding out.

I'm sad because I really wanted them to go at least 37 weeks, and its just so hard to think that one of my babies is not thriving in there. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry but thats about the world's biggest joke. Of course I'm worried about my little man. :mellow:

 

You're doing great to be at 35 weeks! One of mine had problems growing from the time she was 25 weeks. I did make it to 38 weeks, and she was only 5.7 then, but feisty as all get-out! They both came home 2 days later with me. NO problems. She's still the smallest kid I have had. Some babies are just smaller naturally! They're gonna be fine, I'm sure.

 

:hug: I know it's hard not to worry, but please try so you don't get yourself too worked up. My two weren't close to each other in weight and it was due to how baby A was positioned. They were off by two lbs on my ds (baby A). Sending alot of positive thoughts your way and keep us updated. :grouphug:

 

Sorry you have to worry. :sorry: I'm actually kind of there with you. Last Fri we had a growth u/s and my baby A's (girl for me) growth had slowed way down also, 12 oz in 3 weeks. Both babies had been measuring ahead all along and my boy baby still is, but she's down to 30th %tile or so. My dr wasn't concerned either b/c of the fluid level and cord flow, and the discordance was still ok, but still I don't like it and of course I'm worried also. It was her abdomen that was bringing it down too...although I forget the details now. I'm trying to focus on the fact that u/s are often off, and that while it's not my first choice they'll be fine if they're born at this point. Keep us posted and hang in there!

 

Awwwww, :hug: to you too Mama. Its not easy is it? You want them to be in there eating up all the groceries and growing big and strong. It sucks to think that one or both of them is struggling. My husband and I keep joking about our greedy girl -- she's been taking up all the space and eating all the food from her brother. He's going to get her back when he gets out here . . . .

 

:hug: I'm sorry you are worrying about this. I hope things go well at your appt. next week goes well. :hug:

 

Im in the same exact boat as you. At my 32 week scan, Baby A measured 3lb 11oz & baby B 4lb 4oz. Then at my 34 week scan baby A only measured 4lbs even & baby B measured 5lb 4oz. Baby A only gained 5oz in two weeks. When I went for my 35 week check I had them measure baby A again, although they are pretty adamant about weighing them every two weeks, she did it off the records for me, Baby A gained 7 oz in the one week which is about what they should be gaining. My peri was not concerned either and said the same thing, the fluid levels are great and so is the cord. He did however, told me at my 34 week appt, to rest 2 times a day for 2 hours each and to increase my fluid levels because that will/can help with their weight gain since the blood/oxygen will go to their placentas. So I dont know if my activity level slowing down helped like the dr suggested or if baby A just had a slow couple of weeks prior to that. But all in all, the dr wasnt really concerned about it.

 

You have done great to get as far as you have!!! I hated to read that things seem to be slowing down a bit, but am glad that you have good doctors watching you closely so that they can keep both babies healthy. My last u/s (36 weeks) showed almost a 1 lb difference between Kendall and Ethan, but they were born only 3 ounces apart. The position of baby A made it difficult to accurately measure the size of the stomach, which I believe can make a significant difference in estimating weights. I will check back often and look forward to seeing your update. You and your LOs are in our thoughts and prayers!

 

Good luck at your next appointment!! I am sure things will go well. :hug: Mine LO were about a pound lighter than their u/s measurements so maybe that's all it is, let's think positive. Please keep us updated momma!!! Try not to worry too much!

 

Hang in there!!!!!!!!!

 

Haha let's hope. I just got back from an OB appt and am even more worried now! The u/s tech wouldn't measure since it'd only been a week, and when we met with the dr we learned that the baby girl's fluid and flow are now just barely outside normal ranges. Yeah not helping! If I knew that in w/ the tech I would've insisted on measurements. OB wasn't real concerned, just wants me back Tues rather than Fri to re-check. I've been so spoiled by things going so well that I am not dealing well with bad news/stress at all.

 

Yeah, my OB said the same thing actually. He said that they don't measure too frequently because of the risk of error when the time period is too short. He's spacing the growth ultrasounds out two weeks but he will check the fluid levels next week in his office.

 

Thanks ladies for all your encouragement. It makes me feel much better to have my TS support network!!

 

do remember that closer to the end of the pregnancy it's harder to get accurate weight measurements so they could be as much as 1lb off :hug: It wouldn't be terribly bad to have them now of need be

 

...and like I posted a couple days ago, the tech didn't want to remeasure baby A for me since its only been a week but I begged her & she made me promise that I wouldn't freak out if there was no weight gain since its only been one week.