[muminwaiting]

Hi everyone

My sister has had her waters break this morning of her identical twins. there was a lot of fluid but no blood.

She is currently in hospital on bed rest they have given her antibiotics. As its a sunday results are going slow. Both babies still have heart beats.

My sister isnt sure as she is exhausted but she isnt sure if they are both in the same sac. (im not sure if identical twins share a sac or not) so whether that makes any difference or not?

The doctors have said as she is close to 24 weeks they may be viable if she goes in to labour. her Ob hasnt seen her yet as far as I know.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there any way this can end well?

The dr has mentioned a high risk of infection but that is about it.

If anyone has any good or bad experiences in this situation that they could share with me that would be wonderful as we are all very lost.

My sister and her husband have already lost 2 babies and I cant bear to think these precious babies wont be coming home with them they are so desperate to be parents and would make wonderful parents.

Sorry for the rambling. Thank you for your help

This post has been edited by muminwaiting: 31/12/2012, 05:36 PM

[Superman+4sister...]

I'm so sorry your sister is going though this I'd recommend posting this in the Babies Born Early section as they lovely ladies there would have a lot more expertise in this area than the average person

[nene]

Hi muminwaiting... Iam so sorry to hear this news.
Here is my twin story with good & bad outcomes...

When I was 18 weeks one of my twins waters broke. I went straight to hospital on bed rest. I had an amazing female OB who said most OB' would not try an save either due to it being so early she was a Christian so believed she had to do whatever she could to save the boys.

So I had a stitch and stayed in hospital for just under 2 weeks on antibiotics, anti contraction drugs etc. Anyway at 20 weeks twin a's umbilical cord came down and there was nothing they could do to save him. Due to it being twins I had to wait for my cervix to open naturally and deliver him. In the end I went under sedation and she delivered him.

I was then stitched up again & went on VERY strict bed rest as my cervix had nothing but the stitch keeping twin b in. I didn't even prop my head shoulders on a pillow, just laid 100% flat & on my side. I was in hospital for a while but they sent me home as I wasn't eating the food and I had a live in "maid" at home as we were living in Singapore at the time. She was able to feed me really healthy food which I believed made such a difference.

Anyway long story short I had steroids at 23 & 24 weeks as they thought birth was eminent. At 30 weeks they wanted to deliver him - I said no as I am stubborn and told her I would go close to term. She told me not to get my hopes up. So miraculously I got him to 38 weeks where I agreed enough was enough and they could induce me.

I had over 15 tablets daily, gave myself daily injections and had a nurse com in regularly to give me other injections... But I was stubborn, barely moved for 20 weeks and was blessed to give birth at 38 weeks to a very healthy little boy.

I know my OB said originally that sometimes the sac can also repair itself so they might happen also?? For me it did not

All the best for you all.

[nene]

I just wanted to add my twins were not identical. Being in different sacs saved one of them.

The twin with the broken waters also survived for 2weeks after my waters broke so if these little ones can hang on for a few more weeks inside obviously their outcome would be slightly better.

I agree with above poster the mums in the babies born early section were fantastic support when I was going through this.

This post has been edited by nene: 21/10/2012, 10:43 AM

[muminwaiting]

Thank you nene I am so greatful for you sharing and I am sorry for your loss.

I have just spoken to Mum and her Ob doesnt have practising rights at the hospital she is at (a big public hospital) but he has phoned her and has organised an experienced ob to be seeing her.

Aparently also the admitting nurse told my sister it was a good thing it looks like only one of the sacs have ruptured so they must be in seperate sacs (is this possible with identical twins?)

they are giving her plenty of fluids at the moment and she is having another scan soon to see how they are going.

I will also post this in the reccomended section thank you

[nene]

All the best ... Fingers crossed for a very positive outcome.

Good news about separate sacs!

[Elemenopee]

I just wanted to add my twins were not identical. Being in different sacs saved one of them.

Not just separate sacs, separate placentas.

A quick run down on the main 3 types of twins:
Mono chorionic/Mono Amniotic - Identical twins, one amniotic sac, one placenta. A small percentage of ID twins
Monochorionic/Di Amniotic - ID twins, 2 amniotic sacs, one placenta (your sisters twins OP)
Dichorionic/Di amniotic - Fraternal twins (and ocasionally ID twins), 2 amniotic sacs, 2 placentas

Unfortunately with ID twins as they share one placenta. They will both be born at the same time. Google the member Quixote OP. Her girls were born around this gestation. It took a long time, but she took 2 girls home. I am crossing everything that your sister can hang on until a few more days and get some steroids on board. Wishing her all the best.

[libbylu]

You can find links to survival rates for prem babies like this one:

http://www.spensershope.org/chances_for_survival.htm


It is touch and go up to 26 weeks though, so keep everything crossed she can keep them in at least a little longer. Every day counts, as according to this website, chance of survival increases by 2-3% per day between 24-26 weeks gestation. Wishing her the best of luck.

[muminwaiting]

Thank you for that information libbylu and elemenopee.

she is having a big scan today so the dr's will have a better idea of what is to come.

thanks again

[MrsApple]

How are things going OP? a good friend of mine had identaical twins who are now 3 years old and healthy. Her waters broke at 22 weeks and they were born at 26 weeks and 3 days.