Twin to Twin after 28 weeks?

I am nearly 28 weeks along with Mono/Di twin girls. I was recently told that if they haven't developed twin to twin transfusion by 28 weeks, than it is very unlikely that they would develop it. Has anyone here had it happen after 28 weeks? Also, is it possible to pick it up on our home doppler with lets say a wide gap between their heart rates... I'm just curious. Thank you... : )

 

I believe it can happen any time. My boys started to show a bit of discordance at around 31 weeks and when they were born at 35 w 5d, they were about 1/2 lb apart and showing signs of TTTS. It wasn't severe and my boys were born healthy but it might have been if I hadn't gone into labour. Your best bet is to keep going to your appointments for monitoring and call your doctor if you suspect anything is wrong.

As for the home doppler, my doctor advised me against using one because with twins they tend to induce more worry. Heart rates can be variable from time to time and you can never be really sure if you're not getting your own heartbeat in there as well.

 

Our little guys developed it at 27 weeks 4 days and our high risk OB had said they can even develop it during delivery. The great news is that you are already 28 weeks and hopefully you will just keep cruising along without problems I agree to keep up with all the appointments and ultrasounds. My biggest suggestion is to listen to your body - I had a normal USG one day (equal fluids, equal sizes) and overnight I started having contractions and felt terrible, by the morning the USG showed TTTS and I was in the hospital. Best of luck and the odds are in your favor!

 

Thank you both for sharing your stories with me and your words of encouragement. Yes, I will continue with the appointments as I actually look forward to them. They are reassuring. I'll keep paying attention to anything funny with stomach pain, etc... and other things I've read. Thanks again! : )

 

I had fortnightly monitoring after 26 weeks and at my routine antenatal visit at 37.1 weeks, I just felt weird, no contractions or anything, just didn't feel right, so I went to the birthing unit and it turned out that twin A had a flat heart rate, which they think could have been the beginning of ttts. (we are now part of a study with the hospital for ttts survivors).

I agree so much with listening to your body and I liked the appointments too... It was nice to lie on my back for a change lol!

 

Unfortunately, you can develop it at any time, including during delivery. I was perfectly fine during my 25th week. The day I turned 26 weeks, things started to change. I knew something was wrong, I just didn't know what. I was diagnosed with acute, rapid TTTS and delivered the same day at 26w5d. This is rare. Just pay attention to your body and continue with frequent monitoring.

No, you cannot reliably pick up TTTS on a home doppler.

Btw, my boys are perfectly healthy miracles!!

Good luck!!

 

All I know is that I hope you won't have to deal with it!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your babies!!!