new here, just found out uncertain news

Ok, I just found out I was having twins last Sunday at 13 weeks. Today I found out that the twins share both the placenta and a sac. I'm now 14 weeks. Someone else told me this is called mono mono twins? Is that right. I have no idea what to expect at all and I'm a bit scared and worried. The friend that told me the mono mono thing gave me the link here and said I might find others that have dealt with this and can tell me what to expect.
We already have 2 little ones and this was to be our last pregnancy. The shock that we were having twins and all the changes it will bring was just starting to get less and now this. I'm so overwhelmed. We live in a very small town in the middle of nowhere NY and the nearest specialist for this is over an hour away. My OB hasn't dealt with this situation in a few years. The last patient she had was put in the hospital at 23 weeks and monitored there. But she doesn't know what protocol is now.
Any information you might be able to tell me would help. I just want to know what I'm getting into. The office will be scheduling my appt with the specialist later this week when that worker is back in the office. I'm hoping for an appt next week so I know more of what to expect. But even next week seems so far away right now.

 

:hi: Welcome to Twinstuff. I will let the experts talk but many people have this exact situation and everything turns out fine. I hope that is the case for you. :hug99: The internet is a great resource, but it can also scare the bejeeves out of you too!

 

Yeah, I haven't looked online for any information. I just posted here because I figured these stories would be real ones.

 

Welcome to Twinstuff and Congratulations! This forum will provide you with great information and it's a great support group. Hopefully you can find an OB with the experience that you need.

:sign0016:

 

You're going to want a Perinatologist to monitor you immediately. You are in a very high risk situation there and need someone who knows A LOT about MOMO twins!! I'd start making phone calls right away.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Congratulations and :sign0016: to TS!

 

Welcome to TS :sign0016:
There are a number of moms on here who have successfully delivered momo twins. My dd was thought to have them but a very thin membrane was found about 14 weeks. The best source for momo information is located at
http://www.monoamniotic.org/public/welcome.shtml Until you have had a level II ultrasound there is a high probability that they will find a membrane..

 

:wavey: and welcome to Twinstuff. I'm sorry I don't have any information to share with you on mono/mono twins. I hope others chime in that do have experience. You have definately come to a great place for it. :hug99:

Congrats on your twins! :Clap:

 

Hi - I am also going thru the same situation as you. I am 7 to 8 weeks and I was 'diagnosed' at week 7 with a level 3 ultrasound. I have been told it is still too early to be 100% but my doctor is convinced. We have scheduled a 2nd opinion with a periontolist at 9 weeks and we are praying for better news. Have you had a level 2 or 3 ultrasound. I would go to monoamniotic.org and read the posts as I got a lot of information from this site. If you have not had a high level US I would not worry to much at this point.

 

We were told at 8 & 10 weeks that we were having MOMO twins. We went for another ultrasound at 14 weeks and they saw a membrane- just barely visable. Each ultrasound they really had to look for the membrane because it was so thin but each time it was there! I hope this is the case for you. Are you seeing a Peri?

 

HI!!! and :sign0016: to TS!!!!!

 

HI there! Congrats on your twins!
I know you will find this community super helpful & hopefully some of the other mo/mo mom's will have some great advice for you.

 

we didn't see a membrane between my girls until 16 weeks. my twins were mo/di, but they thought they were mo/mo until then. mine shared a placenta, but had their own sacs. did they each have their own yolk sac? if so, then they probably have their own amniotic sac too.

either way you should see a peri, be monitored for ttts and if you are mo/mo, then a bunch of other stuff too.

what kind of u/s are you having, and are they looking on really good machines? my membrane we only saw for a split second at 16 weeks with a good machine! if your dr doesn't have much experience and doesn't have a great machine, find someone who does!

 

Congratulations on your twins and welcome to TS!

You will definitely want to be seeing a perinatologist during this pregnancy. Momo is the most high risk of twin pregnancies and usually delivers early to reduce the chance of the babies getting tangled in each other's cords. Like the others have said though, there is a still a very good chance of finding a membrane between the babies though. Momo twins are not very common and many are diagnosed only to find that elusive membrane a few weeks later.

Even if you do find a membrane, you will be seeing the perinatologist at least every 2 weeks for an ultrasound to watch for TTTS. This is because your twins still share a placenta (these twins are called di/mo). In the simplest terms, TTTS occurs when the blood vessels of the babies get connected in the placenta and one baby ends up pumping blood to the other. This imbalance causes problems and needs to be treated immediately. TTTS only happens in 10-15% of di/mo pregnancies so don't get too worried about it but it can happen rapidly so you need to be monitored closely to watch for symptoms.

Sorry about the drive you are going to have to make every 1-2 weeks but seeing a specialist will help give you the best chance of delivering two healthy babies. Congratulations again!

 

My Dr's office is setting up an appt with the perinatologist hopefully next week. I'm guessing they'll do a better u/s and such up there? There aren't any better OB's right here for twins. Mine has the most experience which is why I switched to her. I really can't wait to go to the perinatologist because I'm a person that likes a game plan. I like to know what's happening and what to expect. Only the lady that does all the referrals at my OB's office is on vacation today so I have to wait till at least tomorrow. If I don't here from her tomorrow I'm going to have to call them on Thursday. I'm not sure how fast things work at this office, but I know if I call it will speed them along.
Thanks for the friendly welcome and the replies.

 

Try not to stress to much - I delivered at 32 weeks, healthy but small MoMo girls! They are now 2. I was hospitalized at 26 weeks for 24/7 monitoring. Unfortunatly other than monitoring, there really isn't anything you can do to prevent the tangling of the cords. Hoping they find your membrane soon.

 

If there is a dividing membrane, it can be EXTREMELY difficult to see. I had several u/s before it finally showed itself. The u/s waves have to hit it just right for it to be visible. The babies' movement also affects the visibility. It is best to be prepared, but many early diagnosed momo's turn out to be mono-di. Either way, there is a lot of information here from people who have been through it and you sound as though you are already receiving excellent care.

 

Congratulations on your twins and I just wanted to second what others have said about the membrane being VERY difficult to find- it is possible that it exists but depending on the quality of the ultrasound equipment, it may not have have been visible. My ob thought I had mo/mo twins, too, but we found the membrane at around 8 weeks. It was always very tough to find and it was only ever found at the peri's office (never at my ob's.) However, if you are given a mo/mo diagnosis, there are plenty of success stories, so try not to worry! Good luck and keep us posted!

 

:hug99:

WELCOME!!!

I was told at 16 weeks I was having Momo twins. No membrane here. Its not too late they may still find a membrane. Lots of women here have had healthy Momo's. There is also another site listed before www.monoamniotic.org Its a GREAT resource too!

Generally with Momo's you enter inpatient around the 26th week some go earlier at the 24th and later at the 28th for monitoring. Momo's are generally born at or before the 34th week. Momo's are less likely to have issues with TTS but there are some cases. Its best to see a Perinatologist soon, so they can determine if you are infact having momo's (with level 2 ultrasound) and so they can start the in-depth process of caring for you and your babies!

I know it can be a overwhelming experience learning this type of news. Momo’s are rare, but a true blessing. Taking one day at a time is getting me and my husband through our experience. We enjoy small milestones and try to not focus on some of the statistics out there. GOOD LUCK!

 

Welcome to TS! I am so glad you have found this site so early on. There are so many women on here who have had mo/mo twins, I am sure you will hear more stories. Nothing will set your mind at ease like knowing your own circumstance, you are still early on and like others have said it is so difficult to see that membrane. Just relax as much as you can, do some research but keep in mind your situation will be completely different. I will pray that you find the perfect specialist for you and your babes!

 

I was told at 7 weeks that my twins were momos, but my peri found a very thin (and barely visible) membrane last Monday at 12 weeks. As someone already said, the number of yolk saks can be a great indication of the number of amniotic saks as well. As for your visit to the peri, don't let it overwhelm you (which is easier said than done). Make sure you go in with a list of any questions you may have and take your partner or a friend with you because you won't remember everything they tell you. Keep in mind that it's their job to tell you all the scary stuff, so you have to keep a positive outlook and love the heck out of those little babies. It's definitely worth it to drive a little further if you can find an OBGYN who is experienced in twins and specifically, momos or mono/di twins. Otherwise, you'll be getting conflicting information from your regular doctor and the peri and remember that your regular doctor is the one who will actually deliver the babies.

Oh, and stay off the internet (with the exception of the sites recommended here). It will do nothing but mess with your head!

 

I'll let those who know more about mono/mono twins give you advice (I have di/di twins) but I'm where you are...I have two kids...just wanted one more and got blessed with twins. I'm a military wife in a foreign country where I can't speak the language and I'm feeling very overwhelmed as well...and lonely! I just wanted you to know that if you ever want to talk just let me know and I'm there for you!

 

QUOTE(mom2SaraandSam @ Jul 28 2008, 06:33 AM) [snapback]899651[/snapback]
I'll let those who know more about mono/mono twins give you advice (I have di/di twins) but I'm where you are...I have two kids...just wanted one more and got blessed with twins. I'm a military wife in a foreign country where I can't speak the language and I'm feeling very overwhelmed as well...and lonely! I just wanted you to know that if you ever want to talk just let me know and I'm there for you!



I can't imagine not having anyone to talk to through this. It's a good thing the internet is here. That's how I get through being new every time I move. I'm really glad we've been here 2 years. That's a long time for us and now we have friends here who can help us out. You can always email me if you want. I haven't been in a foreign country but I've moved a lot.

Since in my early u/s at 7 weeks they only found one baby I'm guessing this diagnosis could stick. The perinatologist or someone from his office will deliver the babies because I will be monitored in the hospital near their office almost an hour and a half away. The OB is another 1/2 hour farther away from the hospital so I know she won't go up there. She'll just keep an eye on me in between the perinatologist appts until I go to the hospital.

 

Hi there,

My mono mono twins have just turned 1! It's still early days so don't lose hope of finding the membrane. But there are many successful mono stories. Good luck - feel free to PM me

 

Does it mean as long as you saw the membrane, the twins are in different sacs and also share different placenta? Do what are such twins called? Di/di? My dr doesn't use such terms but we did see a membrane during the last check up, so what does that mean?

 

I dont have any info either but wanted to say :sign0016: and congratulations! x

 

QUOTE(muscaria10 @ Jul 28 2008, 11:45 PM) [snapback]901710[/snapback]
Does it mean as long as you saw the membrane, the twins are in different sacs and also share different placenta? Do what are such twins called? Di/di? My dr doesn't use such terms but we did see a membrane during the last check up, so what does that mean?


Twins that share a placenta but each have their own amniotic sac are called mo/di twins (monochorionic/diamniotic). Di/Di mean they each have their own amniotic sac and their own placenta (dichorionic/diamniotic). Twins that share a placenta and an amniotic sac are mo/mo (monochorionic/monoamniotic)