OB Peri or both

I am not new to pregnancy (the twins will make 8) but this is our first twins. I see a lot of you say you see an OB and a Peri and some just a Peri. My OB has never mentioned a specialist. Is there an advantage to one or the other or a reason why you see a Peri and not just an OB?

 

I didnt ever see a peri. I think that is for high-risk, and some OB's automatically put twins in high-risk.
Someone correct me if I am wrong. ardon:

 

The twins were my second pregnancy and I saw my OB and a peri. My first pregnancy was full term (actually she was a week late and I had no PTL at all) so I was not considered high risk except for having twins. The nice thing about seeing the peri and OB was the peri did a growth u/s at every visit and the insurance would cover it. Otherwise insurance would only cover one u/s with my OB. So that was a definite plus. :good: I just felt like the peri had more experience with multiple pregnancies.

 

I am 35wks and have never seen a Peri. My doctor never mentioned me needing to see one and I never asked. I have had an easy pregnancy though so I am sure that has a lot to do with it.

 

I think it depends too on which kind of twins you are carrying. Since you've had babies before, if these babies are di/di, you may not be considered high risk. I wish I'd known more about di/di twins- I may not have gone to the peri at all. My boys were fairly uncomplicated, although I had cervical shortening at 30 weeks.

 

I never saw a specialist, only my OB. she never mentioned the possiblity of seeing a Peri to me, even when I was having growth issues. My pregnancy turned out just fine.

 

Never saw a peri and was only high risk because of having twins. Everything was fine.

 

This is my 2nd pregnancy and my OBGYN has never mentioned anything about seeing a peri. Wonder if they even exist here? LoL.

My 1st pregnancy was smooth and I delivered 1 day short of full term. I was induced because hubby wanted her to share the same birthday as him.

I'm expecting di/di twins so maybe that's why my doctor doesn't think I need to see a peri.

 

I am assuming that di/di twins are fraternal? I believe that is what we are having as it appears in early ultrasound. What makes these types of twins less high risk than identical or mo/mo or whatever they are called? I am still learning all the twin lingo

 

I've been seeing my OB and peri since the beginning of my pregnancy. I am super healthy and have had no complications, thank God, but I have had a monthly ultrasound from my peri since my fourth. I find it great because the peri will meet with me after each ultrasound and review the results.

I haven't had any signs of PTL or cervix issues. Also, I've had two pregnancies and they were both overdue and induced.

I actually thought this was standard for a twin pregnancy...

 

I only had an ob, never a peri. My boys were mono di, and I was on bedrest from 24 weeks until I delievered for PTL. As for the diff types of twins, there is mono di, 2 sacs 1 placenta which makes them ID. Momo, 1 sac, 1 palcenta, also Id. Didi is 2 placentas 2 sacs, could be either frats or id

 

It appears we have 2 separate sacs and 2 placentas... if they are the same sex how do you know if they are ID or frat?

 

Hey Momof6...with di/di same sex babies, you get to check their DNA. If you get an amniocentesis and/or have a genetic concern linked to a specific sex then I think they will determine id/frat while in utero...otherwise, you can opt to pay for the genetic test after they are born [I have heard the cost for the test is ~$500-1000??].

I was told that the stats with di/di are fraternal 70% and identical 30%. A friend of mine has 4 year old twin boys who look identical?? but she is not really sure and does not want to pay to find out [they are fun to watch because they mirror each other...for example, one uses the right hand and the other the left].

Twin pregnancy is so exciting!

I have an OB and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist [perinatologist] because of my personal health...generally healthy, but inherited an aggressive blood clotting disorder that makes pregnancy near impossible without treatment and monitoring. 10 years ago I do not think that I would have been able to carry a pregnancy to term...now I will!! My original MFM wanted to do ultrasound and blood work every 2 weeks starting at 6 weeks pregnant [along with every non-invasive and invasive test available to date]...however, I was not comfortable and switched. My current MFM is an amazing doc and along with my regular OB have made this a fairly hands-off high risk twin pregnancy [unless there is reason for intervention. Knock on wood].

Congrats on your twins!!

 

Jessie, I had my boys tested and it was $100. It was the most scientifically 'fun' email I've ever received.

 

OMG! That is awesome!!

 

It was really cool! I would do it again in a second, if only to be able to answer the "Are they Identical or Fraternal?" question. :laughing: But I really, really wanted to know, too.

 

Ok. Sorry. Do not mean to hijack your post Momof6...but Cheezewhiz, did you think they were id or frat before testing?? And then did it turn out that are id or frat??? I have to know now or I will not be able to finish the dishes. :lol:

 

I went to an OB and peri for my fist set of twins but didn't think they did anythign special. I am thinking of not going to the peri unless there is a specific problem that they can address that my OB can't. I don't think they are needed with most twin just because they are twins. If there is a problem with something, then go as they are specialists, but not just because of twin.

 

during the 1st trimester I was seeing my OB every 2 weeks. In my 2nd trimester I'm seeing her monthly. When I'm in my 3rd tri the visits will be back to fortnight and then gradually to weekly then to every other day until I deliver. I have an u/s done at every visit in my OB's office, except for my 20 week detailed scan.

Yes I agree that a specialist isn't needed just because they're twins. In fact my OB gives me the impression that she is treating this as any other pregnancy too, which I choose to see it positively.

I have friends with mo/mo twins who only see an OB more frequently, but even with issues such as TTTS and PTL, there still wasn't a specialist recommended, that's why I assume they don't exist here in my country lol. Most of them also managed to deliver healthy babies close past 32 weeks. HTHs.