Complicated twin pregnancy

[Newtwins]

Hi. I just found out that I am pregnant with identical twins. I already have two children and we decided to go for number three! I found out early in my pregnancy as I went to the early pregnancy unit for some pain, which turned out to be nothing. I am excited but very cautious due to the following:

The babies are in one gestational sac, not two. Also, they could only see one amniotic sac at this point, making it a mono-mono pregnancy, which they told me was dangerous and complicated. I am to return in two weeks to see if there are actually two amniotic sacs that can be identified within the one gestational sac. I was also told that even in this type of pregnancy, there is still a 30 percent chance of twin to twin transfusion syndrome and other problems along the way.

I am overwhelmed with the idea of twins with two young ones already, and also with possible complications. Has anyone out there gone through this? I am at Kings which I now know specialises in these types of pregnancies. I know that a lot can change as I am still very early in my pregnancy, but I want to be prepared for all eventualities.

By the way I have used a new login for this message as I am not ready to share this news with anyone. However I am a regular poster.

Thank you to anyone who may have some more info.

[The Nappy Lady]

No advice, but just wanted to wish you all the best.

Am now going to be scrolling through all the regular posters in my head, trying to work out who it can be :-))

[Strawbs]

I dont have any experience of this but I did not want to read and run.. I wanted to say good luck and I really do hope everything turns out ok xx

[Fuschia]

Suggest you contact the twins club? Ddtc twins

There are families there that have faced ttts. I am sure you can get put in touch with others locally who have dealt with this.

Kings are a centre of excellence for this, as well, so you will be in good hands

X

[Polly D]

Congrats!

This was v interesting viewing a few weeks ago:

http://www.kch.nhs.uk/news/media/press-releases/view/10845

[Ossa]

Second the advice to contact Dulwich and District Twins Club - http://ddtwinsclub.org/

There are talks every few months for expectant parents of multiples at Kings. Contact head midwife of ante-natal - yvonne.menka@nhs.net

And congratulations! Some of the info they give you seems scary, but there's never been a better time to be pregnant with twins and they are a real joy.

[Mutrik]

Hi,

Yes, contact the twin club (I am a member). They should be able to put you in contact with parents who have gone through the same type of pregnancy (one gestational sac etc) You could also get advice from parents who have gone through the same experience of having young children and then expecting twins ( and even triplets) as child no 3, 4 & 5! I went through a 'higher risk' pregnancy and had regular scans at King's and they were great, so you are in safe hands. Good luck. X

[sillywoman]

Don't have much to add either except that Proff Nikolaides at Kings is a world expert on twin-to-twin transfusion. So you're in the best hands possible :) It must all feel very overwhelming, but you as a Mum know how fast time passes with your little ones and how quickly they grow up - in years to come I'm sure your that you'll be delighted with the four lovely little people you've been blessed with.

Love SW

PS. Four is a lovely number :)

[mamafeelgood]

Hi, I didn't have the 2 other children but I did have the exact same scan outcome at 6 weeks. They actually did find that they were in separate sacs at the 12 week scan as it was clearer to see; so in my experience nothing is set in stone. All twins have potential of twin to twin transfusion, but I'm yet to meet a twin mum who has experienced it.

Definitely contact DDTC, they're great and I was an active member for years.

You will be and I was warned of lots of potential problems, but luckily in my case all went well. You will be monitored more closely than a 'regular' pregnancy and they pick up problems quickly these days with many medical advancements that help along the way.

Again DDTC members can help by sharing their own stories.

Identical is amazing and incredibly special: congratulations xx

[Newtwins]

Thank you for all of the above advice and support. I will definitely contact the twins club. I guess I am still in shock about the whole thing and once the dr started explaining the risks to me I realised that this pregnancy will be very different from my previous ones. I am worried about a lot of things, including the impact that a difficult pregnancy could have on my two young children. I am really hopeful that at the next scan I will be given some positive news. I am happy to be at Kings and know that I will receive wonderful care there. I guess I am just worried about everything at this point but luckily my husband has been a wonderful support since we found out. Thanks again to everyone.

[KatDew]

Congratulations! Twin shock can take a long time to settle, so take it slowly

I have a set of twins and from a variety of twin mums experience have come across many mums where intially a mono pregnancy was suspected only to find the divide later at 12 or 16 weeks even. Kings is a leading centre for twins so you are in good hands.

My son was 2 years 5 months when my twins were born (I did only have one however) you all adapt surprisingly quickly.

I can recommend DDTC as well and there are a number of internet forums that can offer a wealth of advice and experiences.

[Running Ellsbells]

Congrats newtwins!

I, like a lot of people in ED, have twins and it was a complicated pregnancy. I finally gave birth at 30 weeks and despite my boys being in special care for 6 weeks they're absolutely fine so far!

I was under Kings this whole time and haven't a bad word to say about them from twin Wednesday scans to neonatal I felt supported all the way.

I'm a member of DDTC and TAMBA and also there are some interesting threads on fertility friends which I've found of use.

You're not alone so please try and enjoy rather than worry!! (Impossible and I worried throughout but feel should say it anyway!).

Ellie xx

[Saffron]

I read this article on MRI of twin pregnancies, and I thought about your thread... http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57556272/video-appears-to-show-twins-fighting-for-space-in-womb/

xx

[hoipolloi]

Hi

I've sent you a PM