Hi Ladies,

I've decided as much as I love my OB. EB is a better source of honest answers and others' experience. Now sorry if this comes out a bit garbeled but I've got so many worries.

We had a scan with my first son at 35 weeks and found him to be small but the placenta and fluid looked fine, so they did another scan 12 days later at 36 +6 and he hadn't grown at all and the fluid looked low. They took him out 2 hours later and his placenta had started to deteriorate badly. Jesse weighed 2459kgs (5lb50z) - not too bad probably.

Last Friday I was 34 +4 and had a scan and they think the twins are both about 1.9kgs (4lb.6oz?), the fluid and placenta look fine. Again we're having another scan 12 days later (tomorrow week) to see how they are going. I'm having twice a week CTG's and seeing the OB weekly.

What do you all think? I feel like its happening again, except this time the babies will be smaller. I know that often babies are smaller than the u/s estimates so if they are both about 4.5lbs but 36 weeks would their lungs reflect their gestation and be ok, or reflect their size and need help? I know its hard to know but what are your experiences?

I guess I'm so worried because last time when they took Jesse out they said the placenta had been in a bad way and were concerned that had it been left much longer Jesse would have been in real trouble. I hate this waiting and stressing - great week for it hey. I hate when I tell friends or family they say "oh but twins are always smaller". If you look at the 'weights at birth' thread here yoú see that is just not true necessarily.

Do you guys think eating lots of high protein foods and as much as I can will help? Does anyone have any evidence of this? Or of any growth spurts at this stage?

Just any feedback would be great.
Thanks guys
Kellie

Kellie 33
DH 39
DS Jesse 30/5/02 after
9 IVF's
Twins due 24/1/05 after 2 IVF's
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Hi Kellie

I have read a twin book called "Double Trouble" (eeek), that had a wonderful section on premature twins. The author said that twins are "super babies" and develop quicker than singletons because there is a higher chance of earlier delivery. They are much tougher than singletons at the same gestation. So they may not have any problems.

I had my twins at 36 weeks, and Liam, the second twin, had some breathing problems. I didn't really get to question the doctors about why he had them, but they don't appear to be too common.

I have heard the high protein foods definitely help, and bed rest (if you can get it). Good luck keeping them in a little longer. I hope they are 38 week healthy 7 pounders.

Belinda



This message was edited by Binna on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 @ 9:25 AM

I definitely think high protein foods are a good idea (they certainly can't hurt). I ate so much protein it did my head in - later in the pregnancy I used protein drinks because I found it hard to eat anything. Also drink lots of water (as if you need to go to the toilet more!) as dehydration can lead to labour and resting on your left side is meant to be best for blood flow to the placenta.

Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy.

Maree

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

Hi Kellie,
We are pretty much due around the same time.
I had an ultrasound last week when I was 33.5 weeks and they estimated the weights to be 1.7 & 1.9 kgs, I am very small for carrying twins & everyone keeps aksing if Im sure theres two in there. Im seeing the doctor every week & he seems happy with everything.
I seem to be pretty much on track with you.

I havent been told to eat a special diet, just to get plenty of rest.

Good Luck

Identical Twin Boys Due 29 Jan 05

Hi ladies,

thanks for your replies.

Belinda - I've read that too, thanks for reminding me.

Maree - I'm drinking Sustagen every day too - I'm really getting over it!

Mel - I think I'm a week ahead of you by the look of it. I would be happier with those weights with the extra week. My Dr has had me on a high protein diet from about 20 weeks - I've just upped it in the last few days. Good luck to you too!

Mr Dr isn't happy at all as they were growing at the 40th & 50th percentiles for the whole pregnancy and are now hovering around the 15th percentile. Also because of my history with my first son and placenta breakdown is very common with IVF. They need to monitor you very carefully as it can be life threatening for the baby and also myself at the time of the birth, because of the way the placenta came away the first time, I lost a lot of blood and needed a transfusion. I'm just very worried and feel like my nightmare of my previous birth is happening again but this time the babies are smaller.

Thanks again ladies
Kellie xo

Kellie 33
DH 39
DS Jesse 30/5/02 after
9 IVF's
Twins due 24/1/05 after 2 IVF's
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Hi Kellie,

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy!!

I don't know if this helps very much, but I had a scan at 36.5 weeks and it looked like one of my girls growth had slowed right down, so they decided that it was time for me to have a ceaser.

Alicia was born first at 5pd 6oz, and Sophie (the one who's growth slowed) was born at 4pd 11oz. - it turned out that my placenta was calcified (or broken down) at her end (they are identical thus the one placenta). So she was small, but she never required any breathing assistance, and just stayed in the humidicrib to get her temperature up. They both came home with me 6 days later.

What I'm trying to say is that even if they are small, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are going to be worse off! IMO.

I am no expert on the food thingy, but I guess lots of rest and R & R would help!!

Goodluck with it, and keep us posted.

Kate
Alicia and Sophie 2/12/02

Hi Kellie, I have forgotten just about everything that goes with pregnancy but I can comment on the weight. My girls were 1030gm and 1315gm. Their scan was taken the day before they were born (29wks) and it was spot on. What the Dr's told me was that at 30wks everything was stronger (I couldn't believe we'd missed it by 3 dyas)and the babies more viable. As I'd had 2 lots of steroids before they were born they didn't have to many prob's with their lungs at all. However, this could help you relax a bit, We had a 14lb baby girl down from Nth Qld in our nursery and her lungs weren't working -just goes to show big or small their lungs don't always work. I also had a major growth spurt 3 weeks before they were born which looking back is what helped them survive.

Kate & Mother68
- thank you, thank you ladies. This is what I need to hear. I'm really hoping for that growth spurt & trying to keep in mind the stories of babies born at 30wks who didn't even need oxygen. I guess I'm just so nervous after my previous bad experience.

Cheers and thanks again!
Kellie

Kellie 33
DH 39
DS Jesse 30/5/02 after
9 IVF's
Twins due 24/1/05 after 2 IVF's
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Hi Kellie

It was actually Taylor (the biger twin) that had the breathing probs with our babies. He weighed a huge 3.107kgs at 35.4 weeks. Summer who only weighed 2.845kgs was absolutely fine and was only in special care for a week. Dont associate low weights with problems. Your OB sounds as if he is keeping an eye on you so try not to worry. I lost weight in the last 3 weeks as I couldnt eat a thing. This didnt affect the weight of the babies.

Good Luck

Dolph

Mum to
DS Bailey 5
DS Jesse 3
DD/DS Summer & Taylor 26.5.04

Step-Mum to Elodie & Brooke