Growth disparity between the babies

I swear if I'm not worrying about one thing, then I am worrying about another!!! One more question. Our babies are about 5 days apart in gestation. I am 14 weeks 4 days and Baby A is measuring 15 weeks 2 days and Baby B is measuring 14 weeks 4 days. I know this is common, but how common is it? When does it actually become a problem? Baby B is always curled up in a tiny ball, so sometimes the u/s tech will say it's difficult to get a good read on her/him, so sometimes I wonder if that is part of the disparity. I just want my little ones to be healthy!!!! Thank you!!!!!

 

From what I know it doesn't really matter what the difference is between the two babies, it's what each baby is measuring in the "normal" range for their gestation. Does that make sense? So it doesn't really matter if one is ahead or behind or both are ahead and behind, so long as your doctor sees that they are both falling within the normal growth patterns. One of your babies could be 30% and the other could be 90% of average during the whole pregnancy and that would be fine

 

I am not sure if I can add much information, but I think it is pretty common for some disparity in the gestation. Our babies are also a couple days off. One thing I have read and talked with a nurse about it that there is always room for error in the u/s readings. Our tech always tells us that both babies are in a hard position that they can't get a good measurement on them, sounds like a broken record to me now. One advantage of twins is that we have had tons to u/s and I guess one thing to keep in mind is that you want to see your babies growing from on u/s to the other. Use the u/s as a directional measurement and as long as it is going up that is great. I let go of seeing our babies in terms of weeks and days and if they added up to where I was in the pregnancy, it was easier to focus on their weight and I just wanted to see it increase which it has been. Another thing that was difficult for me to do was to trust the doctor that they would let us know if something was not right. All along they have been happy about their growth and I just have to learn to take their word for it, although sometime I am still skeptical of what they say. Just focus on eating right, getting good rest and exercise (if permitted) and always think happy thoughts! Your little ones will be healthy as long as you are! Hope this helped some.

 

I wouldn't get to fixated on the numbers they give you. They are not 100% acurate it is usually just a close gestimate. It also depends on the tech as some do their measurements a little differently. As long as your twins keep growing every week than that is a good sign. Best wishes

 

I agree, as long as they keep growing at an appropriate rate that's what really matters. Mine have measured anywhere from 2-5 days apart, but always nearly a week ahead. I keep saying bigger is better. Keep up the good work, and try not to focus on the actual numbers but on the big picture of their growth.

 

Yup at this point they are still doing lots of growth spurts. I do know at the end of my pregnancy they did not want my boys to go more than 25% difference between them before they would do more test to see if something was wrong. Good luck!

 

Just out of curiousity- what kinds of things are they looking for if there is a 25% discrepency in sizes??

 

Size difference could be as simple as fraternal twins being different size or as complex as them being I'd and having twin to twin. It could be iugr or they could have been conceived on different days. At this point with the baby constantly in tight fetal it maybe just a bad reading. If your doc isn't worried I wouldn't be either.

 

Yes what PP said I should mention I was told that during later u/s where they could get an estimate on the babies' weights. I actually didn't get an u/s from 7w3d (confirming twins) until 18wks (1st growth scan).

 

Are your twins fraternal (di-di)? If they are - then it doesn't matter how they compare to each other at all. You are having 2 separate babies - you just happen to be having them at the same time. If they are mono-di or mono-mono - then it matters how they compare to each other, because they are sharing a placenta and with mono-mono, they are also sharing the yolk sac.

 

My twins are fraternal and I talked to my ob and she said there is a rare chance that fraternal twins could develop twin to twin transfusion.. so, right now they are both growing. She just said the amniotic sac for twin b is smaller than twin a.. which I guess is okay. Just praying for good growth for both babies!

 

My twins are fraternal. So, there wasn't a worry of twin to twin, however, all U/S measurements showed a size difference of LESS than a pound. At birth they were TWO pounds different! Now, at three months, they are three pounds different. Don't worry too much about the size, as long as they are growing and doing well, they will be ok.

 

I agree with this 100%!! :good:

My two measured different days until the end (and we knew exactly the date of conception). As long as the doctor isn't worried, sit back and enjoy your pregnancy. :hug: I know that is MUCH easier said then done.

 

It is common. It can be due to U/S measurement error or fetal positioning. Regardless, my OB stated that concordance v. discordance in sizing is simply monitored through Week 30 (not sure if others have heard this?). Once you reach Week 30, actions can be taken to address disparity, depending on the percentage difference.

 

True. However, I don't think OB's pay enough attention to the discordance of fraternals. Once past 32 weeks, each time my OB did an U/S, he measured stomach size...not much else. So, in the guessing games of US sizing, he thought they were within a 1 pound range difference, when in fact, mine were two pounds difference and my smaller one had a failing placenta. NOT trying to freak anyone out, but I know discordance is common. I have read many threads reflecting this.

 

Good to know. I am 22 weeks with dizygotic twins. I think I've decided to regularly see my peri in addition to my OB to ensure careful measurement as well as the health of the placentas.