Hi ladies

I have my NT scan next Monday. I will be 12 weeks and 2 days when I have it done.

My question(s) - Are twins usually smaller than singelton babies? ( I would imagine they would be) and is it more difficult to do the NT scan if they are smaller? AND (sorry) Do they usually tell you to have an amnio done if your results are not good at the NT scan? What does this involve? Has anyone decided not to get it and still had healthy bubs?

Sorry, another question, just for interest sake. Was one twin larger than the other? Do they call the big one twin A and the smaller one Twin B?



TTC since May '03
Clomid Cycle #4 BFP!
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Hi Drew,

Twins can be smaller then singletons but I don't know if it is more difficult to do the NT scan because of that. It is normally more difficult to do the scan because of the weird positions the twins can get themselves in. When I had my NT scan, twin A was getting into a weird position because twin B was squashing him, so the sonographer had to do a transvaginal scan to get a nuchal fold measurement for Twin A. I had low risk results (1:5-6000) so I don't know about the amnio question. I know people who have had the CVS test performed during their twin pregnancy.

Twin B was my slightly bigger twin, he still is. Twin A is the one that is positioned closest to the cervix.

Do you know that you don't have the blood test for twin NT scans? No one told me that, so I had an unecessary blood test. Also take a blank video just in case they record it and don't provide the video tape.

HTH. Good luck with your scan.

Belinda

Caelan & Liam 25th January 2004

This message was edited by Binna on Monday, 6 December 2004 @ 11:19 AM

Hi

We didn't have a true NT scan as we had an internal scan at 11 weeks to confirm how many babies and to see if there was a membrane between them and at that stage the babies were measuring just a little bit too small for the NT measurements. But the sonographer took the measurements anyway and told us that she didn't think there was any issue but if we wanted we could arrange to come back in 2 weeks to have it done again. We decided not to as risks were quite low and we were happy with the information we had. I guess if you are worried about it maybe book the scan for a little later or you can always go back if needs be.

From what I understand it is normal for one twin to be bigger than the other and Belinda is right - Twin 1 (or A) is the one who would come out first, so the one closest to your cervix. In our case Izzy is twin 1 and she was a 500 grams bigger than Zoe, twin 2, because she was the recipient twin in TTTS but before that they were measuring quite close in size at each scan.

Hope that helps

Kate

Hi Drew,

Our sonographer didn't seem to have any trouble doing our NT scan, it was just more time consuming because he had to take three measurments instead of one lol! I can't help you with the amnio question because our risks were very low, so it wasn't even an option for us.

Weight wise, my three were all very similar, in fact at birth, the girls both weighed exactly the same, and Josh was only 26 grams heavier. Belinda and Kate are both correct regarding positioning of bubs, Twin 1 is the baby closest to your cervix.

Good luck with your scan.

<font color="#3300FF">Renée - Mum to triplets born at 26 weeks & 4 days on 18 August 2002</font>


<font color="#CC3333">Baby due April 1</font>

No info re the NT scan as we chose not to have one. But don't be surprised if Twins A and B change position a lot. Sometimes during a scan Twin A would become Twin B (ie move away from the cervix) - made it very difficult for the sonographer! They didn't really settle into position until after 30 weeks. And then there was only 80 grams difference at birth.


Maree

Harriet Lorna 1/8/03
Eleanor Rosalind 1/8/03

Hi Drew!

How are you going there??? Counting down the days until the next scan I bet! you will love it.

Most people are recommended to have the NT, but if you prefer not to that's ok. We had it done at 13 weeks and we were both amazed at how much they have formed by that stage....it is not hard to see the bits and peices that they are measuring so don't stress about that side of it. The sonographer told us the measurements as she did them and Twin A (closest to the cervix) was 0.8mm and Twin B was 1.2mm. These limits are great and well within the safe range.

From memory anything over 2.3 - 2.5 is considered to be a chat with your Ob about further tests etc...We had the Nt done and the next day met with the Obsetrcian who read the results back to us and confirmed that all was well.

At this scan they also do alot of measuring of the arms, legs, check the heart, and basically what ever the babies are willing to let them look at. All of the collated information goes into a report back to the refering Ob.

I am confident in saying that if you need to have further tests done for whatever reason you and DH will be given all the time you need to make that decision. Amnio seems to be the most favourable as it provides the best results, I have spoken to many people that have chosen not to have the amnio done and their babies are fine and healthy! Its a personal choice.

At this stage just focus on this appointment as a chance to look at the little darlings again and to check on their progress. You will be amazed at how much you can see and how active they are!

This exam takes a while! (longer for Nee!! with the three little spunks in there LOL) But ours took about 1.5 hours!

I loved the pics we got of them at that stage and dont forget the further you get along the harder they are to see together on a scan so the early pics are priceless!

Ok - I am sure I have dribbled enough about this!!! If you have any other questions, I am sure we can help in some way.

Please relax about it all and enjoy the show! LOL I cant wait to hear all about it!

P.S - Our Obsetrican has told us we will be lucky to get past 36-37 weeks and predicts that they will be between 2-3 kilos??? But who knows!


Bree~28
D.H ~ 38
After 3 Years our Double Blessing "Suprise" Twins are Due in April 2005
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This message was edited by tryingforfirst3 on Monday, 6 December 2004 @ 3:59 PM

Hi Belinda, Kate, Renee, Maree and Bree

Thank you all so much for replying and giving me your experiences and advice. It was actually my best friend on the weekend asking how they name them Twin A and B and what this is determined by and also was it normal for one to be smaller than the other. This is all very interesting reading and now I can answer these questions from others. Thank you!

Binna, yes my OB did tell me that they don't do the BT for multiples as it gives an inaccuarate result. They also told me this when I booked in for the scan. Thanks for the tip on taking a video tape. I have made a note in my diary to take one with me!

I didn't realise that you needed to see your OB for the results, but it sounds like most of you have been advised at the time by the sonographer. I will be happy with that as my OB appt isn't until after the New Year and I certainly don't want to wait that long to tell everyone. I guess the OB will give a full analysis and I will certainly be waiting until the appt with him if the sonographer doesn't sound confident.

I also hope that I have good news to report next Tuesday back at work after my scan! Thanks for the best wishes and Bree, I will try and stop stressing and ENJOY it as you said! I will keep you all informed....

Take care!



TTC since May '03
Clomid Cycle #4 BFP!
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Drew!

Ha ha I said stop stressing and I am sure I am the biggest stress head in the world! LOL

You find so much information about what you need here and its so nice to be able to get "real" experiences!

I even went to Maternity ward for some reasurance of heart beats the other day cos one baby was moving more than another! LOL I am laughing about it now...take it easy and I am sure you will have a great time.

When you are blessed, its funny how we question the surrealness (is that even a word?) of what is happening! Concren, is a great motherly quality to have!

Chat soon

Hi There,

From my understanding Twin 1 (or A) is the twin with the placenta closest to the cervix. I was told that at the very early stages of pregancy that the growth rate of twins is exactly the same as a singleton, and it is only later on that their growth slows down due to space restrictions etc.

FWIW my Twin 1 was 1 pound lighter than my Twin 2

Cheers