18 week peri appt....quick U/S

We had an appointment with the peri today, and it didn't go quite like I expected.

The ultrasound was much shorter than I thought it would be. I thought they would take all the measurements to come up with weights, but they didn't! She measured their heads and abdomens: One head measurement was 4.25 cm diameter and the other was between 4.29 and 4.35 cm. Abdomens were 13.65 and 13.23 circumference. I guess because the measurements are so close they feel the babies are growing concordantly and that's all they're concerned with for now. I wanted to know what their weights were, but as long as they are growing at the same rate, I guess we're doing good. We will have full measurements done there in two weeks. Bladders looked good on both girls, and fluid levels looked normal also. We have an OB appointment in one week.

I've gained 20.5 pounds already...at 18.5 weeks, so I'm doing fine in that department...I guess. I'm feeling huge!

I wish I wasn't in such a rural area and had more options as far as our care, but there really aren't any other choices. We're doing the best we can. Any insight into the above information??

 

We had an appointment with the peri today, and it didn't go quite like I expected.

The ultrasound was much shorter than I thought it would be. I thought they would take all the measurements to come up with weights, but they didn't! She measured their heads and abdomens: One head measurement was 4.25 cm diameter and the other was between 4.29 and 4.35 cm. Abdomens were 13.65 and 13.23 circumference. I guess because the measurements are so close they feel the babies are growing concordantly and that's all they're concerned with for now. I wanted to know what their weights were, but as long as they are growing at the same rate, I guess we're doing good. We will have full measurements done there in two weeks. Bladders looked good on both girls, and fluid levels looked normal also. We have an OB appointment in one week.

I've gained 20.5 pounds already...at 18.5 weeks, so I'm doing fine in that department...I guess. I'm feeling huge!

I wish I wasn't in such a rural area and had more options as far as our care, but there really aren't any other choices. We're doing the best we can. Any insight into the above information??

 

No insight, but if they seem to be growing well together, at this point, that's all that they want to be sure about!

So glad you have another one in two weeks!

HUGS!

 

Hmm...

Now, I had an U/S at every appt... but they didn't estimate their weights everytime. The only thing they checked everytime was their heartbeats, and make sure they looked like they were getting bigger.

They est. measurement 3-4 times I think...

They did what you were saying also a few times... I think by doing the head circumference and the abdomen measurement, they can tell they are growing and by seeing that, they know they are growing.

 

I've only had one peri appt (a consult) and the U/S they did was REALLY fast and anti-climatic. I'm not saying they weren't thorough, cuz they were; but they were so fast that we felt a little short-changed. I really love going to our regular U/S place instead of the peri.

HTH,
Laura

 

At 18 weeks I had not had a single U/S yet and did not even know I was having twins. I think you are getting great care! Once it was found I was having twins I had detailed estimates done every 4 weeks until 30 weeks when I went to every 2 weeks.

 

I guess I just want to clarify...I thought we would get more frequent weight checks because of what the TTTS foundation told me about ANY monochorionic twin pregnancy. I didn't have very good care last time when I lost my girls...my TTTS was obviously overlooked, but I wasn't sure what kind of care I WOULD/Should get this time. Because my girls share a placenta (and because of my past history), we obviously get frequent ultrasounds. I guess what's most important (besides fluid levels) is that so far they are growing concordantly. I found a chart on Abdomen circumference, and, for that measurement, they are right where they should be. Just remember...things are a bit different for monochorionic twins than for dichorionic. Thanks for your support, ladies!

 

quote:
Just remember...things are a bit different for monochorionic twins than for dichorionic.
and I guess you need to know there are two babies in there too . I was merely trying to point out the difference in care in terms of you already knowing there were two babies, already having measurements etc. I guess since my twins are only fraternal I should have refrained from posting. Sorry about that!

 

No worries, Dianne. I appreciate any support and advice from anyone.

 

I can understand why you would want to know the weights each time, but it sounds like they are gaining well and are very close in size - so that's GREAT!!

Mine were 7oz each at 17 weeks (I don't know what the average is) I feel so behind in weight gain. I have only gained maybe 8-9lbs so far and I am worried that it's not enough.

 

they think mine are mono as well but they said at this stage they only do all the measurements once a month as long as everything is going well, I see a peri and an OB, the peri does all the measurements and the OB just does a quicky. the OB said just the few quick measurement gives them an idea how they are doing and if there are any concerns they would immediately do all the measurements.

 

I can partially understand your wanting more in depth and informational u/s after the tragic loss of your other set of ID twins. I too lost ID twin girls at 19w due to TTTS. Knowing my 2nd pg was a singleton helped me relax a little after I made it to 20 weeks with her. But after a loss it is hard to think beyond that mark in your pg. Fast forward to my twin boys pg. They did lots of u/s early on to make sure they were not sharing anything (and they were not). But it was STILL hard to relax knowing a loss could happen at any time since we have BTDT unfortunately.

That being said, it sounds like they are doing all they can for you and your babies at this time. You might want and need more information which is very understandable but the drs must feel ok with their quick measurements taken.

Does that make any sense?

Tracy
mommy to twin iD girl angels in heaven 1/20/99
dd almost 7
twin boys 22 months

 

Thanks, Tracy. I basically take things a day at a time and look forward to my appointments. I'm so sorry for the loss of your little girls. I know you probably understand some of my doubts and worries... we DO feel like we're getting much better care than we had last time. Thanks for the encouragement.