Newbie and I would love your opinion

Hi. I'm new here and it's very evident you ladies are full of good advice. So, I thought I would ask your opinion about my situation. Here goes.....First of all, I have a midwife that comes to my home and my 1st visit with her wasn't until 18 weeks and some odd days. (We differed in that area.)All along I've noticed my uterus has been growing at a quicker rate than my past 4 pregnancies. At 16 weeks my fundal height was at my belly button. At 18 weeks I mesured 22. Now at 21 weeks I'm measuring over 25. In the past my measurements have been right on. So in light of that it makes me wonder if it could be twins (I haven't had a u/s yet). I have only had one visit with the midwife and she didn't try to look for twins. She didn't use a doppler just a fetoscope so what HB she did hear was very faint. I have felt movement since around week 13 and have been able to see movememnt since before week 16. The movement is very strong and frequent. I feel movement sitting. standing, walking, laying down etc. I have had no swelling and other than being sick for several weeks with m/s and being extremely tired I have had no complications. I started this pregnany at 106.0 and I'm currently 123.0 at 21 weeks. My next apt is the 17th of Dec. and if I'm still measuring several weeks ahead I plan on asking her to check further for twins. Although I know it's a possibility, I just can't fathom it. I have felt around and feel body parts here and there but since I'm far from knowledgable in that area it seems senseless. lol

 

It is quite possible that there are 2 in there. The only way to be certain though is by ultrasound. Are you planning on having one? If not you may get the surprise of a lifetime when you deliever. COngrats on your pregnancy

 

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Thanks for the response. I can go to an independent imaging center anytime but I really only want to have a u/s if the midwife thinks I should. I'm "trying" to be patient but the not knowing is starting to make me not so patient!

 

The not knowing would drive me insane as well. The measuring ahead makes me wonder, but this is also your 5th pregnancy, so it could be totally normal. Movement as well, the fact you felt it so early on, and also movement so strong that it made your belly move so early on. But again this is also baby #5 or baby #5-6. Thing is if you have a suspicion that it is twins, I would get the ultrasound done, only to make sure that everyting is good with the baby(ies). There are so many potential complications with twin pregnancies, it's better to be prepared in that regard. Let us know what you decide to do. Would love to know if your suspicions are right.

 

I have thought about the fact that it's my 5th pregnancy and it's a possiblity but so many things are at this point. My close friend just had her 5th baby 4 weeks ago and she measured behind with him. I know we're all just guessing and surmising at this point but I can't stop wondering about it. I still enjoy the input. TY.

I will definitely update one way or another when I have some sort of confirmation. I hate it when people don't respond back to their own questions.

If twins do come into the picture there will def. be a u/s I have read too many things about it and how so many factors can play into it.

 

With my twins I NEVER measured ahead. I always measured as if I were pregnant with a singleton.

 

WOW! That is amazing! Did you have any symptoms of carrying twins?

 

I'm short, like really short, so I'm measuring 7 weeks ahead already. I'm scared to imagine what I'll look like when it's time to deliver! Good luck, I hope you find out. I think if there is a question about it then an ultrasound to check and see would be needed.

 

Sorry I tried to post a pic but the link is to a forum and it wouldn't allow it.

 

lol. I think I've read that you are 4' 10". I'm not REALLY short but 5' 2" is not on the tall side of life. I have always carried my babies very out front like a big ball. But I have never been this round this early. Even when I lay down my tummy stays round. I don't think I'd be as curious if I wasn't measuring 4 weeks ahead. Right now I notice every little thing. I want to clarify I'm not at all worried about the possibility of twins. If it's twins fine. If it's not twins fine. I'm just VERY curious at this point.

GL with your twins!

 

I never had M/S, was just really really tired, and I had bleeding in my frist tri, which is how I found out it was twins. Thought I was miscarrying and they did an ultrasound, and SURPRISE two thumping little beans. I only gained 20lbs my whole pregnancy.

 

Did your midwife mention anything about your fundal height measuring larger at your appt? I don't think its odd at all to be measuring so large on 5th pg, I have many friends that measure quite large in subsequent pregnancy's. I guess you never know! Will you be getting a u/s at all? Did you discuss your concerns at all with your midwife. I am impressed you were able to feel body parts at 21 weeks, I always thought the drs said you couldn't feel that till much later!

 

Welcome to TS and congrats on your pregnancy!
I agree with pp that 5th pregnancy its not too uncommon to be measuring ahead, I would suggest checking in to a U/S if you are suspecting twins, but that's me.
Take care and keep us posted.

 

I've had the m/s (it started around 5 weeks the worst of it was over around 16 weeks) I'm still very tired but hello I have four kids (thankfully they are all in school. Bleeding is always scary I had an early miscarriage between my first and second pregnancies. I'm glad yours turned out well! You're a lucky duck! I wish I only gained 20 lbs. I have always gained 35-40 lbs.

 

I was on bedrest too from 24 weeks. I dont know how I do it, but I never gain much during pregnancy. With my oldest I only gained 13lbs.

 

I did mention my fundal height being larger but she only stated that I could be carrying higher rather than lower. Although that is not the case. I am carrying pretty much right in the middle neither high or low at this point.She didn't feel around much at all. She did say she may have felt a back to my left side about halfway up but she thought the HB she got there was mine. She did find a faint HB right above the pubic area with a fetoscope.

Having a u/s is totally up to me at this point. I can get one anytime at an indpendent imaging center. I'm just trying to be patient at this point (I'm only 21 weeks). If I'm still measuring a month ahead next appointment we will definitely be discussing things further.

I can totally feel body parts. I also have been able to see movement since 15 weeks (but I started out very thin). I have been tempted to video since it's so cute! I can gently manipulate the body parts with my hands and get them to move. I tried to get my mom to feel them yesterday but she was happy just to watch the show.

 

Sry. got a double post somehow.

 

At 14 weeks, I was measuring 20 weeks so they suspected twins and sent me for an ultrasound. It was confirmed that yes there was 2. I didn't even realize I was measuring bigger. I had no suspicions of 2 at all. My morning sickness was horrible but I just chalked it up to a different gender of baby than my first. Honestly, if you even suspect a little bit that you may be having 2, go find out for sure.

 

I think bedrest would be so hard.
13 lb weight gain...awesome!

 

I've only gained 9 pounds so far but I'm eating a lot... I'm honestly surprised it's not more just from the double cheeseburgers I keep craving! Weight is depending on so many other factors.

 

Were you 14 weeks when you found out?

 

Nine lbs. is great! If I ate cheeseburgers everyday I'd weigh a ton!! lol

 

Congratulations!! We have 4 also and found out we were having twins at an ultrasound at 19+ weeks. I had wondered. I was measuring 19-20 weeks at 16 weeks. My midwife wasn't too concerned about it either. I hadn't gained much weight at all which is normal for me until 19-20 weeks. My m/s was "normal" so no other real signs of twins and was surprised when I texted her with "twins!" I am 27 weeks now and they take a bit of time picking up 2 heartbeats; we use 2 dopplers. I really doubt you could find 2 easily with a fetascope .


I can feel one baby on the right side, head or bum up near my ribs, back along the side. The other baby is a bit harder to palpate. I am 27 weeks measuring 35! I have gained maybe 20 lbs even with eating alot; I am not hungry though. I try to get 140-150+ of protein a day.

 

Yes, thinking back now, I am sure they were trying to find 2 heartbeats. We heard a heartbeat and then the dr. started moving to different spots on my stomach with a funny grin on his face. Still, it never dawned on me what they were looking for. Then off to an ultrasound I went.

 

Congratulations to you too!!! TSM for sharing this! It seems so much like my experience at this stage (other than the weight gain). I have another appointment with my midwife next week. It will be interesting to see what I'm measuring. At this point I will be surprised if it is twins and then on the other hand, I won't be surprised if it is. My kids are hoping for twins. DD who is 12 wants b/g twins. I will be fine either way. I just have never measured big like this. With the other kids I always measured dead on or a week under (when I got towards the end). So my mind is very curious as to why. I have a lot of friends who have had 5 kids and they never measured big even though they had multiple pregnancies. But one never knows.

As far as movement goes. I feel a lot of activity and body parts. It's just impossible for me to distinguish by palpating. For one, I'm inexperienced and two, the babe/s are still pretty small at 21 weeks. My midwife and I have discussed at random how they check twin HB's. She uses two people as well. It is almost impossible for one person to distinguish two HB's (three counting the moms). Hopefully we can find out within a month or so. Thanks again for your input!

 

How sweet! Was it your first u/s? (sorry if it's a repeat ?)

 

I know this doesn't confirm anything but I've been getting mouth dropping responses from people I know that haven't seen me in a couple weeks or so. They can't believe how big my tummy is and how far it's sticking out. They are like, "can you really go as far as you still need to and be ok" lol

Also, a woman at school is having twins and although we are carrying different I looked bigger than her. She told me someone saw her and told her I was as big as she was but she didin't believe them. But after seeing me she said "you are as big as I am." I am getting very anxious for my next appointment on Thursday. It can't get here soon enough !

 

I cant wait for your appointment either! I am so curious now to see if you are having twins!

 

If you are carrying twins, being patient is not wise (IMHO). If you were pregnant with twins and they were identical, you need very close monitoring and frequent u/s. This is the time frame where TTTS appears. Even if they were fraternal, you need to know placental positions, how the babies are positioned, growth rate, etc. While lots of us have uneventful twin pregnancies, the risks are just higher.

In your position, I would pay out of pocket for the ultrasound.

 

I appreciate your opinon and I understand where you are coming from. I've read multiple articles about medical complications that can arise with twins. As well as the differences between frats, identicals, momos etc. However at 21 weeks there isn't much they could do even if there was a complication. The babies would not be considered viable at this point (24 weeks is considered viable). On the other hand, if I was having contractions I would seek medical attention because they would be able to give me something to counteract the contractions and stop labor. I definitely plan on getting an u/s if I am measuring several weeks ahead like I was last time. Even it is not twins there is a reason and I will be finding out why.

 

I forgot to mention in my first post that twins run on my moms side of the family. I have first cousins that are girl frats on my moms side. Her oldest sister was surprised when they were born!! But that was 40 yrs ago. And supposedly, one of the twins has miscarried twins and trips in the past.

 

Just a quick update.....I have a m/w appointment on Thursday(16th)and a u/s scheduled for Monday(20th).

 

I am excited for Monday now! GOod luck

 

lol...me too!