Identical Twins

Hello,

I'm new to the board. I am almost 19 weeks pregnant with identical twins. I'm excited and scared. I feel
so much more pressure on my tummy compared to my 1st child. I don't see to many Mom's with identical
twins, there are mostly fraternal and I hear identical has more complications. All is fine right now, but I have
had a few scares. My Ob and specialist say to take it easy. Anyone out there having identical twins? What are
you going through? My girls are sharing the same placenta and have a membrane that splits them. They are
watching me closly for the Twin to Twin Syndrome, no signs right now. But I hear it could happen at any time.
I'm just a little frightened with everything going on and taking care of a 2 year old. I'm trying to rest as much
as possible. I would love to hear any advice or information about identical twins. Thanks!!

Tina

 

Hi,
I am 31 wks (tomorrow) and am also expecting identical twin girls. My girls also share the same placenta and are in there own sac (which is good). One sac can be dangerous. My twins have been growing at a steady pattern with the most difference being 6 oz. I also have a 13 mo old little boy. I have not been told to take it easy except for a few wks ago when I had the flu and discovered my cervix was 1 cm and 30 %, but so far it has remained the same and I only do what I can handle.

angie

 

Identical boys here. I was diagnosed with TTTS @ 15wks and had the laser surgery with Dr. Quintero @ 17wks. So far so good. It's been a scary ride and we aren't even close to the finish line!! Insist on being closely monitored with ultrasounds. You are correct, it can change quickly. I woudn't wish anyone to have to go through the emotional ride of TTTS. Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

Hi Tine, welcome to Twinstuff! :sign0016:
I have ID twin girls who just turned one. I've got a lot of blog entries on their Babysite website below -- although I haven't updated anything since they were 6 mos! LOL -- too busy!

Try not to freak out too much about potential complications unless any arise. Many many women on this board give birth to healthy ID twins with no problems whatsoever.

We're glad yo ufound us and Congratulations on your little ones!

 

Welcome to TS and congratulations!!!

Dianna

 

HI :sign0016:

I have ID boys… I was told to take it easy as well… BUT I have had PTL drama… but I had that with my son as well, he was born at 35 w (but no NICU) so I don’t think my PTL drama has anything to do being prego with twins… my boys share a placenta and have a membrane that separates them… they have had a contestant 10% difference between them… but they are both measured further along than I am. I was at the Peri yesterday and one boy was 5 days further the other 7 days further… so I just go back in 3 weeks to make sure it stays that way…

Good luck ( :drinks: I hope you have an uneventful pregnancy)
Elizabeth

 

Congrats on your ID twins! My ID twin girls are now a month old, and I delivered them at 38w4d! We did get diagnosed with TTTS, but with bedrest and protein drinks we were able to keep things stable and avoid the laser surgery. Since they are sharing the same placenta, make sure they monitor you closely, rest as much as you can, drink lots of water and eat enough (true for anyone!). Also, if you start to feel your eblly tightening or lots of pressure or anything, call your OB, as that could be a sign of excess amniotic fluid in one twin (sign of TTTS) and they should check it out - because it is treatable if found!

Hugs to you - and PM me anytime if you have questions about TTTS!
Jenny

 

I don't know if it's any comfort...but I'm an identical twin. Born 28 years ago...same placenta, same sac...and the docs told my mom she was having one BIG boy!! So she didn't even know we were twins in there. (well, she suspected but the docs refused to listen to her suspicions. ) Anyway, the story just illustrates that even prior to u/s id. twins can turn out just fine. And you live during a time when the docs can keep you monitored closely to make sure everything is going fine. Hopefully that is reassuring to you.

 

Hi Tina,
Welcome to Twinstuff! Congrats on your twins.

 

QUOTE(DblOsbornes @ Dec 27 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]547363[/snapback]
Identical boys here. I was diagnosed with TTTS @ 15wks and had the laser surgery with Dr. Quintero @ 17wks. So far so good. It's been a scary ride and we aren't even close to the finish line!! Insist on being closely monitored with ultrasounds. You are correct, it can change quickly. I woudn't wish anyone to have to go through the emotional ride of TTTS. Good luck and keep us posted!!


Wow, sorry your going through all this. It has been an emotional ride. You try to be happy about the pregnancy
but I'm always worried. But ya know, it can be like that with a single pregnancy. I'm actually in Atlanta, my peri
has triplets so I feel comfortable so far with him. I had bleeding 4 weeks ago and that was scary, but all seems to be
fine. I go to the OB tomorrow. You must be going every week now or more because of the TTTS? Are you on
bed rest? How does it feel? I've read you can feel the difference when one baby has more fluid/blood than the other-
Sorry I'm bombarding you with questions. We must be very close with our due dates! My actual due date is May 26,
but that won't happen of coarse. My Dr. said he would be happy if we delivered May 12 or so. I've been emotional
too, I was told in the beggining that the twins were monoamniotic. That was scary thinking that for a week. Turns out
the nurse mis-diagnosed me! I was real mad at first because I thought she didn't have her facts together and the Dr.
didn't tell me that. For a month I was told I had complete placenta previa and now they say I don't. So anyway,
I'm just trying my best to take it easy. My 2 year can be challenging at times. I try to put my feet up as much as
possible. Please keep me posted too! Feel free to vent to me My lap top is always close by....

 

I am 24 weeks pregnant with identical boys. They of course, share the placenta and do have a membrane seperating them. So far so good for me. I run a bed and breakfast and we are getting into the busy ski season here, so the next few weeks will be challenging for me. I try to rest as much as I can and drink lots of water and of course eat lots. So far, I have gained 19 lbs, but am sure at my next weigh in I will have gained lots more since I am still trying hard to finish all Christmas cookies I see!!! Good luck to you and keep us posted.

 

QUOTE(ferfischer @ Dec 27 2007, 12:28 PM) [snapback]547571[/snapback]
Congrats on your ID twins! My ID twin girls are now a month old, and I delivered them at 38w4d! We did get diagnosed with TTTS, but with bedrest and protein drinks we were able to keep things stable and avoid the laser surgery. Since they are sharing the same placenta, make sure they monitor you closely, rest as much as you can, drink lots of water and eat enough (true for anyone!). Also, if you start to feel your eblly tightening or lots of pressure or anything, call your OB, as that could be a sign of excess amniotic fluid in one twin (sign of TTTS) and they should check it out - because it is treatable if found!

Hugs to you - and PM me anytime if you have questions about TTTS!
Jenny


Hi Jenny! Thanks for the info! I'm so glad I found this site. I've been hearing about the protein shakes. Wow, you
did well- 38w and 4 days is great! You must be on over load right now!

The pressure I feel is usally at the end of the day. I'm thinking from all the food and just whatever I'm doing
builds up and I just need to lay down. And you know whats crazy??? When I take in a big yawn sometimes,
I feel one of the babies jump up! It's very intense?! It doesn't happen to often, but when it does it freaks me out?
Have you every had any weird experiances like that?

Thanks again for your support!

 

QUOTE(Cynthia502 @ Dec 27 2007, 03:54 PM) [snapback]547864[/snapback]
I am 24 weeks pregnant with identical boys. They of course, share the placenta and do have a membrane seperating them. So far so good for me. I run a bed and breakfast and we are getting into the busy ski season here, so the next few weeks will be challenging for me. I try to rest as much as I can and drink lots of water and of course eat lots. So far, I have gained 19 lbs, but am sure at my next weigh in I will have gained lots more since I am still trying hard to finish all Christmas cookies I see!!! Good luck to you and keep us posted.


Hi Cynthia! Take it easy running a bed and breakfast. I'm a stay at home Mom. Thank goodness my 2 year old
likes to watch Dora as I chill on the coach. You sound like your doing great! I hope it continues!! I've been eating
something sweet every day! I'm a pretty good eater too . Enjoy it now.

 

QUOTE(e mauro @ Dec 27 2007, 10:50 AM) [snapback]547463[/snapback]
HI :sign0016:

I have ID boys… I was told to take it easy as well… BUT I have had PTL drama… but I had that with my son as well, he was born at 35 w (but no NICU) so I don’t think my PTL drama has anything to do being prego with twins… my boys share a placenta and have a membrane that separates them… they have had a contestant 10% difference between them… but they are both measured further along than I am. I was at the Peri yesterday and one boy was 5 days further the other 7 days further… so I just go back in 3 weeks to make sure it stays that way…

Good luck ( :drinks: I hope you have an uneventful pregnancy)
Elizabeth


Hello Elizabeth! Thanks for your support! Tomorrow I have to get a progestrone shot since I delivered my daughter
at 341/2 weeks. I'll be taking a shot once a week. Do you have to do this as well since you delivered your boy early?
As of a few weeks ago the girls were only an oz appart. We'll see what the OB says tomorrow. I like the peri visits
better because they are more advanced. That's next week- I'll keep you guys posted!

 

QUOTE(Tina ezzell @ Dec 27 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]548112[/snapback]
Hello Elizabeth! Thanks for your support! Tomorrow I have to get a progestrone shot since I delivered my daughter
at 341/2 weeks. I'll be taking a shot once a week. Do you have to do this as well since you delivered your boy early?
As of a few weeks ago the girls were only an oz appart. We'll see what the OB says tomorrow. I like the peri visits
better because they are more advanced. That's next week- I'll keep you guys posted!


I was on a vaginal insert form of that Rx (boy THAT was fun )… but I got a cerclage put in last Friday and so far it has helped… my cervix has doubled and my contractions have slowed to one an hour (maybe 2). I love the peri appointments too, you get to see so much… I feel I have really got to know them seeing them so often…

Let me know what the OB says tomorrow… GL

 

QUOTE(e mauro @ Dec 27 2007, 11:03 PM) [snapback]548379[/snapback]
I was on a vaginal insert form of that Rx (boy THAT was fun )… but I got a cerclage put in last Friday and so far it has helped… my cervix has doubled and my contractions have slowed to one an hour (maybe 2). I love the peri appointments too, you get to see so much… I feel I have really got to know them seeing them so often…

Let me know what the OB says tomorrow… GL


Hey there!

I had my OB appt. yesterday and it was chatoic... I was not pleased. Everything seems fine, but the Dr.
was not very informative and very short mannnered. I didn't meet with my regular Dr. who I like, he was not there.
We did my shot which was fine. The Dr. I met with was like "ok, see babies heart beats, their moving and see ya
in 2 weeks". I'm like aren't you going to check me for other stuff??? I don't think he even looked at my report
clearly? Because I came in with in the last 2 visits with previa problems and some bleeding I had. Asked nothing
about that. I think they were backed up. He said if I was concerned to go to the specialist downstairs. I already
have an appt. next week with them, that will be more informative. I know it's good to know all your Dr.s, but
I don't like it too much. So many different styles of personalities. Over all the babies seemed fine, but I really
wanted them to look into things more. Well just wanted to let you know how it went.

 

QUOTE(Tina ezzell @ Dec 29 2007, 10:20 AM) [snapback]549786[/snapback]
Hey there!

I had my OB appt. yesterday and it was chatoic... I was not pleased. Everything seems fine, but the Dr.
was not very informative and very short mannnered. I didn't meet with my regular Dr. who I like, he was not there.
We did my shot which was fine. The Dr. I met with was like "ok, see babies heart beats, their moving and see ya
in 2 weeks". I'm like aren't you going to check me for other stuff??? I don't think he even looked at my report
clearly? Because I came in with in the last 2 visits with previa problems and some bleeding I had. Asked nothing
about that. I think they were backed up. He said if I was concerned to go to the specialist downstairs. I already
have an appt. next week with them, that will be more informative. I know it's good to know all your Dr.s, but
I don't like it too much. So many different styles of personalities. Over all the babies seemed fine, but I really
wanted them to look into things more. Well just wanted to let you know how it went.

I’m sorry you didn’t have a great appointment; it must be in the air
I had a peri appointment on the 26th, and my reg peri was on vacation and he didn’t want me to wait until he got back to get checked… so he said see Dr so and so… and I walked in the Dr didn’t even introduce himself to me… just barked orders… and let me tell you, I feel for his wife (if he has one)… when he check my cervix… I jumped up on the table … my DH gave him the dirtiest look… but he even said I don’t have time to show you more then I need to look at as I’m backed up… and my husband said, “that’s OUR problem?”... we do not have maternity insurance so these all are out of pocket… and if I’m paying $200-$400 he’s gonna show me what I want to see… I think the Dr was shocked at my husband’s reply (I know I was as I have never heard him speak to someone like that).. so he took 60 sec to show us h/b, money shots (the boy bits) and let us watch them kick each other a couple times…

GL next time... but i take it all is well and thats what is really the important thing...

 

congratulations tina! i have identical twin boys born at 35 weeks 6 days. we were diagnosed with ttts on the saturday before father's day and i was scheduled for a c-section for that coming tuesday. i followed my intutition and made them deliver on father's day. after the surgery, the doctor told me that it was the best decision i could have ever made because their fluids were changing rapidly. this story is not to scare you any more than i'm sure you already are. it's to tell you not to feel crazy or be intimidated by doctors. i had to have an on call doctor set up my surgery and she basically told me i had no medical reason not to wait until my scheduked date 3 days later and that i was just being paranoid. she was very condescending and i almost let myself be intimidated into waiting. had i done that, my babies may not be the healthy happy babies they are today. these are your children and those doctors are at your service. get any and all information that you feel necessary to help you sleep at night.

other advice (as previously mentioned)...protein, water, water, and more water. so much water you feel like you can't breathe . another thing, people stress the importance of physical rest which of course is a must, but don't forget emotional stress. when i entered the hospital for ptl at 20 weeks, my mom and i were in a huge disagreement about something. i was not released from the hospital for another 8 days due to contractions that mysteriously came and went according to whether or not i had talked to my mom. the nurse came in during one of my phone calls andf monitored me. she actually forbode me to answer her calls if i had any hopes of leaving the hospital. try to relax as much as you can.

as for bed rest, it's what you make of it. if you face each day as "another day of health for my babies", it's much easier. and looking back on it, i feel so proud that i actually stuck to the rules of bed rest and have these beautiful babies to show for it. it's very rewarding. if you do go on bed rest, make sure you set mini-goals and actually celebrate them with cake (made with a shot of protein powder ), candles, whatever. towards the end, i would make a big deal out of doctor's appointments. i would wear something as close to cute as i could get with my freakishly large stomach, put on makeup, paint my nails, etc. it felt good to be out and looking like a normal human being, not one that lies in bed all day every day.

i hope this has been some help to you. good luck. you can do it! you can read some of my journal entries in the earlier part of my blog in my signature. take care and welcome to ts!

 

QUOTE(serranoboys @ Dec 29 2007, 11:16 AM) [snapback]549850[/snapback]
congratulations tina! i have identical twin boys born at 35 weeks 6 days. we were diagnosed with ttts on the saturday before father's day and i was scheduled for a c-section for that coming tuesday. i followed my intutition and made them deliver on father's day. after the surgery, the doctor told me that it was the best decision i could have ever made because their fluids were changing rapidly. this story is not to scare you any more than i'm sure you already are. it's to tell you not to feel crazy or be intimidated by doctors. i had to have an on call doctor set up my surgery and she basically told me i had no medical reason not to wait until my scheduked date 3 days later and that i was just being paranoid. she was very condescending and i almost let myself be intimidated into waiting. had i done that, my babies may not be the healthy happy babies they are today. these are your children and those doctors are at your service. get any and all information that you feel necessary to help you sleep at night.

other advice (as previously mentioned)...protein, water, water, and more water. so much water you feel like you can't breathe . another thing, people stress the importance of physical rest which of course is a must, but don't forget emotional stress. when i entered the hospital for ptl at 20 weeks, my mom and i were in a huge disagreement about something. i was not released from the hospital for another 8 days due to contractions that mysteriously came and went according to whether or not i had talked to my mom. the nurse came in during one of my phone calls andf monitored me. she actually forbode me to answer her calls if i had any hopes of leaving the hospital. try to relax as much as you can.

as for bed rest, it's what you make of it. if you face each day as "another day of health for my babies", it's much easier. and looking back on it, i feel so proud that i actually stuck to the rules of bed rest and have these beautiful babies to show for it. it's very rewarding. if you do go on bed rest, make sure you set mini-goals and actually celebrate them with cake (made with a shot of protein powder ), candles, whatever. towards the end, i would make a big deal out of doctor's appointments. i would wear something as close to cute as i could get with my freakishly large stomach, put on makeup, paint my nails, etc. it felt good to be out and looking like a normal human being, not one that lies in bed all day every day.

i hope this has been some help to you. good luck. you can do it! you can read some of my journal entries in the earlier part of my blog in my signature. take care and welcome to ts!

Thanks for all your info! That's wild that you got TTTS so far in the pregnancy! You did it though!!! Congrats!!!

 

Just wanted to say congratulations on your twins! I have 7.5 month old identical boys and they are just perfect. I had a pretty normal pregnancy and never experienced any problems the entire time. Mine also shared a placenta but had separate amniotic sacs. There are lots of moms on here that have had experience with TTTS thankfully I didn't have to go through that. My boys were born at 37 weeks and had no problems and didn't spend any time in the NICU! Congratulations again.

 

QUOTE(Ericka B @ Dec 30 2007, 08:24 AM) [snapback]550616[/snapback]
Just wanted to say congratulations on your twins! I have 7.5 month old identical boys and they are just perfect. I had a pretty normal pregnancy and never experienced any problems the entire time. Mine also shared a placenta but had separate amniotic sacs. There are lots of moms on here that have had experience with TTTS thankfully I didn't have to go through that. My boys were born at 37 weeks and had no problems and didn't spend any time in the NICU! Congratulations again.


WOW!!! Oh I pray that happens to me! That's awesome. Good for you! So good to know- thanks for the positive feedback. I'll keep ya posted-

 

Congratulations on your twins! The fact that they are monitoring you for TTTS is wonderful as quite a few doctors don't even know it exists. You should be getting ultrasounds at least every two weeks. Don't put too much worry into the syndrome though because you have an 85-90% chance of not having to deal with it. We were diagnosed at our first u/s at 18 weeks and with two amnioreductions, a lot of food, a lot of water, rest, and frequent monitoring we made it all the way to 35.3 weeks. Feel free to ask any questions you may have here on the board because there are lots of great ladies who are happy to help. Congrats again and welcome to TS!

 

Just wanted to say hello. I'm 18 weeks with ID twin boys. So far everything looks good. They checked the fluid levels at my last u/s on the 17th and all went well. I have a level 2 us tomorrow so I"ll have another update then. This site has been very helpful I've been resting drinking plenty of water and starting drinking the protein shakes! I hope everything goes well for you and everything else!

 

QUOTE(skovarik @ Dec 30 2007, 03:55 PM) [snapback]551038[/snapback]
Just wanted to say hello. I'm 18 weeks with ID twin boys. So far everything looks good. They checked the fluid levels at my last u/s on the 17th and all went well. I have a level 2 us tomorrow so I"ll have another update then. This site has been very helpful I've been resting drinking plenty of water and starting drinking the protein shakes! I hope everything goes well for you and everything else!


Hey there- looks like you and I are on the same page at this time! I have an appt. this week with the peri. I'm starting
to feel a lot more more movement which is cool. Yes, this website is helpful! Please keep me posted on how things
are going. I've been resting, drinking water and starting to drink protein shakes too. The OB couldn't look at
my fluid levels last week, so I'm looking forward to the peri visit this week. Right now, I go every 2 weeks. Are you starting to figure out when to get things ready? I have to order a few things that take 8 weeks or so to come in. I think I'll do it in a few weeks. I have a few things from have another baby, but not double of stuff!

 

Welcome and congrats! I have 7.5 month old ID twin boys -- we learned they were ID twins at our first OB appt when I was just 6w along. You've gotten a lot of good advice already, but what I would say is to watch yourself closely, to learn/read as much as you can, and to not hesitate to call your doc if you are unsure of something. I had a rough (but by no means terrible, compared to others) pregnancy. My highlights: a PTL scare (and week-long stay in the hospital on mag) at 24w5d, terb pump at 25w5d, delivery at 34w1d due to pre-e (and my liver, which was starting to fail to function) followed by a short 6-day NICU stay for my teeny tiny babies. But I never ended up on bedrest and my cervix held up pretty darn well. Today the babies are big for their actual age, eating like champs, and absolutely perfect. Hang in there - it's scary to learn you're having twins, but it's SO incredibly rewarding when you finally meet them. Good luck!