How common is TTTS?

Just a quick question..Of my triplets, 2 are in the same sac. I dont know yet all the details on them as I havent been to my next app but I want to be prepared. (I am almost 12w now) How commom is TTTS with identicals? I cannot find any stats on it. Also, on the TTTS website, it says that drinking Boost Plus once your diagnosed with TTTS can help it stay in Stage 1. Is it possible to start drinking Boost NOW as a preventative measure? Would that help or would it not matter? It says to drink 3 a day but would drinking 1 or 2 a day matter?
Thanks!

 

I'm sure someone else here has more info, but I think the chances of TTTS is pretty slim- like 10% or so... Good luck!

 

Hi Nikki,

Here is our page on TTTS, in the Heath Issues forum. It has info and links, hope it helps!

 

Personally I think with triplets you should be drinking it regardless. We have a family friend who had triplets...all fraternal...and she was put on it...and her babies came at 26 weeks so she was very glad to have the opportunity to try to help them gain weight while she could.... I'm surprised your doctors haven't put you on it already.

 

I think that drinking Boost definitely will not hurt - I think the reason they tell you to drink it is that a lot of moms who have TTTS have low protein/iron, I think.

And, I think that 10-15% of identical twins have issue with TTTS, I think. And, as far as I know, the majority of those are mono/di. So, if your twins are in the same amniotic sac, I think the chances are lower of getting TTTS, because they share fluid, however, it's still possible. If they are in different amniotic sacs, then I think they'll watch for it, the first sign being size discrepancy or low fluid. The boost will certainly not hurt - so if you want to start it early, I would go for it!

I may not be right on all that stuff, I'm learning myself, as we may be struggling with it! I'm on bedrest and boost right now!

Jenny

 

QUOTE(ferfischer @ Jul 9 2007, 09:35 AM) [snapback]322848[/snapback]
I think that drinking Boost definitely will not hurt - I think the reason they tell you to drink it is that a lot of moms who have TTTS have low protein/iron, I think.

And, I think that 10-15% of identical twins have issue with TTTS, I think. And, as far as I know, the majority of those are mono/di. So, if your twins are in the same amniotic sac, I think the chances are lower of getting TTTS, because they share fluid, however, it's still possible. If they are in different amniotic sacs, then I think they'll watch for it, the first sign being size discrepancy or low fluid. The boost will certainly not hurt - so if you want to start it early, I would go for it!

I may not be right on all that stuff, I'm learning myself, as we may be struggling with it! I'm on bedrest and boost right now!

Jenny


They are in teh same sac but we arent sure if there is a separating membrane or not yet. I have another us on Wednesday. I have been drinking one Boost a day but I think I will up it.

 

QUOTE(Susanna+3 @ Jul 9 2007, 09:34 AM) [snapback]322846[/snapback]
Personally I think with triplets you should be drinking it regardless. We have a family friend who had triplets...all fraternal...and she was put on it...and her babies came at 26 weeks so she was very glad to have the opportunity to try to help them gain weight while she could.... I'm surprised your doctors haven't put you on it already.



My Dr. is being VERY relaxed. Im not too happy. I mean, I dont want him overly concerned but just a little would be good. My next app is Wed. Im hoping he is being this way just because it is so early, but I am going to ask for a referral to a peri. Im just so glad that I found this forum so I can start doing things right before he tells me. IF he tells me.

 

So now im confused. TTTS can happend with momo twins right? Doesnt that mean that they share a sac? Or is that not necessarily that but that they share a placenta?

 

With mo/mo twins, you can still get TTTS, but it's not as common. It's most common in mo/di twins, so they are sharing a placenta but have their own amniotic sac (so there IS a dividing membrane). Mo/mo twins are pretty rare, in itself, I think only 10% of identical twins share an amniotic sac.

I think twins have to be sharing a placenta to get TTTS.

Does that help?
Jenny

 

QUOTE(ferfischer @ Jul 9 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]322972[/snapback]
With mo/mo twins, you can still get TTTS, but it's not as common. It's most common in mo/di twins, so they are sharing a placenta but have their own amniotic sac (so there IS a dividing membrane). Mo/mo twins are pretty rare, in itself, I think only 10% of identical twins share an amniotic sac.

I think twins have to be sharing a placenta to get TTTS.

Does that help?
Jenny



It does help. Thanks. Hopefully I will get lots more info at my next us. But probably not since it will still be the Dr's office one. I just need a Peri!

 

good luck with your appointment -

If they are in the same sac then they are mono twins - I was diagnosied with mono twins when I was 22 weeks pregnant - It is a very high risk and stressful pregancny. I hope they find the membrane but if they don't - your pregnancy is still doable. I spent 6 weeks in the hospital hooked up 24/7 and delivered via a scheduled c-section at 32 weeks. My girls were 4.2 lbs and 3.8 lbs and are now 14 months old and doing wonderful!!

Please let us know what happens on Wed -

 

You do need a peri! If you are not comfortable with your doc, find someone that you are comfortable with. Also, just because he is not being cautious, it doesn't mean that you can't be! You know what your body needs more than anyone, go with your instincts! I was drinking 3 Boosts a day with the twins from 28 weeks on. They can't hurt in my opinion!! :hug99: Let us know how your appointment goes!!

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Jul 9 2007, 12:08 PM) [snapback]323139[/snapback]
You do need a peri! If you are not comfortable with your doc, find someone that you are comfortable with. Also, just because he is not being cautious, it doesn't mean that you can't be! You know what your body needs more than anyone, go with your instincts! I was drinking 3 Boosts a day with the twins from 28 weeks on. They can't hurt in my opinion!! :hug99: Let us know how your appointment goes!!



Is it too early to start drinking them now? Im eating good and all but I really wanna pack the weight on these babies NOW.

 

Hey there. I am sorry but I don't know about TTTS. BUT - I wanted to share some protien drink info. I found a drink and it is delish!! It is called Bolthouse Farms ( here is the website ) It has a lot of protien and can help break up the monotany of the same ole boost drink. My favorite it the Vanilla Chai. I also drink the Ensure with protein to get extra. I try to drink at least one a day...if not more.

 

I don't think it's too early to start drinking the protein drinks - at all! You probably need it anyway, with triplets.

Also, they didn't find a dividing membrane until 16 weeks for us. It may take some time - ours was very hard to find. Obviously, ours are in the same chorionic sac, but with different amniotic sacs. They may find a dividing membrane after all!

Jenny

 

QUOTE(ferfischer @ Jul 9 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]323206[/snapback]
I don't think it's too early to start drinking the protein drinks - at all! You probably need it anyway, with triplets.

Also, they didn't find a dividing membrane until 16 weeks for us. It may take some time - ours was very hard to find. Obviously, ours are in the same chorionic sac, but with different amniotic sacs. They may find a dividing membrane after all!

Jenny



Ok. So I think I get it now. If there is a dividing membrane, they have their OWN amniotic sacs but share the chrionic sac? So what I need to try to find out is if they share a placenta? Is that right? Wow, I stil lhave alot to learn on twinning...

 

yes - you have it right now. Whether they share a plcaenta or not is the main question now.

to confuse you more, it IS possible for them to share a chorionic sac, but have different placentas.

good luck and keep us posted!

jenny

 

QUOTE(ferfischer @ Jul 9 2007, 02:01 PM) [snapback]323318[/snapback]
yes - you have it right now. Whether they share a plcaenta or not is the main question now.

to confuse you more, it IS possible for them to share a chorionic sac, but have different placentas.

good luck and keep us posted!

jenny


So in an ideal situation, I need there to be a dividing membrane, and them to each have their own placentas. Correct? That would mean that they have their own amniotic sacs and there own placentas but share the chrionic sac? So if I see them both in the same sac now, that means all we know so far is that they have their own chronic sacs? Does this mean they are identical or not necessarily? I need a good informational "learning the basics" website.

 

Since you have three in there I would start drinking boost anyway - even if they all had their own placenta. It takes a lot of energy to make three babies - you need all you can get.

 

Hi,
Congrats on your triplets. With monochorionic twins/multiples, ttts is now up to 20% (more cases are diagnosed because more doctors are aware of the disease). We have suffered the most severe stage of ttts with our twins, stage 4(stage 5 is death) and our babies HAD to be born at 24 weeks. They are survivors---but only because of different people and different circumstances working together.
1.) I had a very good perinatologist who identified a monochorionic pregnancy with a very, very thin dividing membrane (very alarming as the membrane becomes thinner and thinner the later the egg of ID twins splits, they share more the later they split). He also diagnosed us as "approaching stage 1" at 20 weeks. (By 22 weeks we were stage 4 with the recipient in heart failure). It can progress very fast....
2.) A wonderful website called tttsfoundation.org. The founder will send free brochures to afflicted or worried parents and the message board will answer a lot of questions as well.
3.) Dr. De Lia, the founder of laser surgery (which separates blood vessels connecting the twins within their shared placenta). Please contact him via email or phone, you can find his info on the tttsfoundation.org website. You can also call me at 410-698-1234 for more details or email me at [email protected].

Sharing a chorion (or outter sac) always means that the babies are monochorionic (sharing a placenta). A thin membrane and a t-shape sign at the top of the chorion always indicates this. All monochorionic babies share blood vessels but "only" up to 20% will develop a "diagnosable" ttts condition. Once a monochorionic pregnancy is diagnosed, frequent ultrasound monitoring is essential as ttts can occur anywhere in the pregnancy (even showing up for the first time during delivery, called "acute ttts", killing thousands of babies each year).

It is important that you drink 3-4 Boost or Ensure Plus drinks a day, slowly sipping them inbetween meals. It is also important that you gain 36 pounds by 24 weeks to ensure your babies' placentae build adequately to support them later in pregnancy and to fatten up the babies in case of an early delivery. (My babies were sick 24 weekers but made it because I gained more than the adequate weight, giving them a great weight for the week).

Bedrest is also very important. Try to stay horizontally as much as possible, mostly on your left side to encourage bloodflow to the placenta(e).

Last but not least: Good luck to you!