Hi Ladies

I had my monthly appt with my OB yesterday. He gave me the results of last week's 19 wk scan, which were all good. One twin is slightly smaller than the other, measuring 18 wks 5, and 19 wks, but he said that is fine. The fluid in both sacs are similar and normal which was a relief. He also said that my low placenta would probably move and it wasn't a worry as with twins I will have more scans at 28,32 and 36 weeks where it can be checked.

My concern was that he hasn't done any urine or weight checks on me. I asked him why and he said there have been studies done that say that most pg women have sugar in their urine and the results are inconclusive as well as weight having no bearing on pg probs, it just makes women anxious. He said all we need to do is a Blood test at 28 wks and this will better show if there is evidence of gestational diabetes and blood pressure tests (which he does at each visit) will show pre-eclampsia.

What do you think? I know that most of my girlfriends have all had regular urine tests and also one where they drink this sweet mixture and are tested again.

I have read about the symptoms of gestational diabetes being excessive thirst (I get this most mornings), frequent and increased volume of urine (yes, I have this) and feeling very tired (of course I have this). Am i just reading symptoms and needlessly relating them to me? Sorry TMI but my urine is also very dark (orange, dark yellow) but this could be due to the pg vitamins I am taking? Blackmores and that I am not drinking much water?

Am I worrying about nothing?

After 17 months TTC - TWINS!! Due 23 June 2005
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Hi Drew,
I'm glad to hear your U/S went well and both bubs are doing well. Aren't the U/S fun to see your two little bubs growing and wriggling away in there:)

My ob never weighed me (thankfully), however I did have a urine check and bp check each visit. Mine never showed any sugar in my urine when checked by my ob's nurse.

The test where you have the sweet drink is the gestational diabetes test ( although for me this was a blood test before the drink and another blood test at 1 and 2 hours after drinking the sugar stuff). If you are concerned about having gestational diabetes then I would speak with your ob about it and explain the symptoms you have. Better to check and put your mind at ease.

I used to drink heaps of water all through my preg as I was told dehydration can be a risk for early labour. Not sure about the vitamins and urine colour?? maybe someone else has some ideas..



Julie
DS Luke 6/8/04
DD Jenna 6/8/04

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As someone who has had pre-eclampsia in both pregnancies & delivered all my babies prematurely, I can't believe your doctor isn't doing urine tests or blood pressure each visit!!! It only takes a few minutes & could save your life.

Sorry, this gets me very upset as in this day and age, it shouldn't be happening!

Ask your Dr next visit & demand that it be done or please find someone else. Pre-eclampsia can appear within days.

Take care & I don't mean to scare you, just can't get over the Drs atitude.

Cheers



Justine
Nick
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I was weighed at first appointment, and can't remember being weighed again after that...but if you could see me, weight gain is not a significant issue with me, I had BP done every visit, had urine done only once or twice, had more blood taken than I care to remember. I had the diabetes test at 28 weeks, and the other tests were for the liver. Had numerous scans...I knew those babies inside and out before they even got here!!! I had higher BP with my singleston pg, my BP was always low with the twin pg and was told not to over exert myself or get up too quickly after sitting or lying down.

I think that the pg vitamins will affect the colour of urine, as the body expels any excess, particularly B grp vitamins via the urine. Mine was really bright yellow and still is taking the PG/BF vitamins and I drink plenty of water...but if you are concerned ask your doc.


Sharyn
Mum to Meg14/4/99
Hannah & Josie 22/3/04 (33 wks)
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Drew - Hope you are keeping well, other than this stress situation!

I can only speak of my own experiences and they are that I am now getting checked every fortinight and prior to that it was 3 weekly. At every visit I am asked to:
-provide a urine sample that is tested there and then.
-Get weighed, silly really but My Ob likes to check out the weight increase over a period of time (its ok with us, I am actually intersted, just to keep track)
-Get my blood pressure taken
-Get my FH checked and recorded
-Have a scan to check postion of babies and head circumfrances
-over all well being check up
-Blood test (my least fav) for thyroid function, iron levels and full blood count

My visits usally take about 30-45 minutes and my Ob and a midwife do it for me (shared care)
I value this treatment and feel that if I got any less than this I would be missing out - or they might miss something. I would presume like the others said that the urine would be a routine proceedure.

I feel that if you are concerned and not happy you need to either a) demand more or B) find someone that gives more in their "normal" service.

The Gestastional diabetes was not even an option my Ob sent me straight off for the 2 hour test! No arguments...he needs to be prepapred, as my babies lives and health are trusted to him and the staff.
By the way the drink is gross, and you have a few jabs with the needle - nothing to worry about! I was fine with it.....

I hope you find comfort in knowing that I also have the dark coloured urine too - although I drink 3-4 litres a water a day, I am taking the pregnancy tablets, and every test I have had for urine at the Ob's has come back with lucazites (sp?) in it. They are not too concerned about this as its been like that all the way through the pregnancy.

Well - I hope that you dont freak out, thats not the aim of telling you what happens to me. Get another appoitnment and ask why its not happening and if there is no reason, just laziness, then give him the boot and find someone that cares about Drew, DH and your two precious babies.

Feel free to Pm me!

Hoping you get some answers and get to the bottom of it all......

Bree~28
After 3 Years our Double Blessing "Suprise" Twins are Due in April 2005
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Hi Drew, I would request these extra tests (weight gain, urine etc) if only for your peace of mind. My ob/gyn did the same checks each time as Bree explained and these made me feel that he had an accuarate and continual picture of how my prenancy was developing. You doctor may be right about the recent evidence re these tests but if it puts your mind at rest to have these checks done then I would request them. Ring and let the staff know before your next visit so they can make time to do these.
You don't need extra stuff on your mind when your pregnant with twins so it's worthwhile to raise these issues again with your doctor.
Good luck,

Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)

I thought I'd may as well add my expereince to the pile!

I never had my urine tested but had my BP checked each visit - mind you I had chronic low BP the whole time I was pregnant! I know urine tests are also done to pick up urinary tract infections (I had them twice while pregnant ick) as well as other things apart from pre-eclamsia or GD so might be worth asking about.

I was weighed at my frist visit but then not again until my lack of weight gain became a problem at about 20 weeks - then I was was weighed WAY too often! I think had things gone normally with weight I would have been weighed at select times during my pregnancy but not every visit.

I didn't have any Gestational diabetes tests but only because the girls were born the week I was scheduled to have it.

I think the main thing though is that you feel comfortable with your OB and what he/she is doing. I trusted our OB's expertese (he is one of the top Multiple birth specialists in the country) and experience and he was always open to discussion and very flexible so I wasn't ever concerned about the decisions we made. Plus I was scanned every 4 weeks then every 2 then every 3 days so I got to 'see' that everything was ok and then when it wasn't!

But if you are not feeling comfortable with the care you are getting or if you are not sure that you trust your OB then I'd be going back for a chat until I was either satisified or I decided to look for someone else. I think it's really imporant for you to feel confident and relaxed about the care you are getting so you can concentrate on growing these babies.

Hope this helps some... good luck!

Kate

Hi I did shared care as well and found it excellent. Definately urine and weight checked every visit. I had really bad m/s and they pick up dehydration in your urine sample among other numerous things...

Just a tip on the vitamins. My sister was taking blackmores and has just been told she is anaemic. Her OB has told her to take Elevit as blackmores is only a really basic supplement. I took elevit throughout my pregnancy and think it really kept me going when I couldn't keep anything down.
Good luck with your doctor.

Cheers Rebecca
Me 31
DP 28
Amber and Olivia 08/05/03

Ladies you are all so fantastic….thank you all so much for your advice and experiences. I find them invaluable. I go home each day and tell DH all the things I have learned on EB!

Julie, Yes, it is fun seeing the bubs at ultrasound, can’t wait for the next one in 8 weeks time (at 28 wks)! I will take your advice and check with my OB at my next appt re my “symptoms” and see what he says.

Jussy, Don’t worry sweetie, you haven’t scared me. I can totally understamd your concern about picking up pre-eclampsia, especially since you have had it each pregnancy! My OB does actually take my blood pressure each visit which he said would pick up pre-eclampsia. He said my BP is fine.

Sharyn, So I am not going mad with the bright yellow urine! You have it too! Yey! As you said, it must be the vitamins.

Bree, It is good to hear that others have dark/bright yellow urine and that I am not abnormal. Thank you both for your feedback on this, it has put my mind at rest. My OB will be sending me for the 28 wk gestational diabetes test too, which is apparently a blood test. What’s FH?

Maycee, As you have suggested I may request the urine test at my next visit in 4 wks and will explain my “symptoms” and see if he thinks they are linked….. but it seems as others haven’t had urine tests either.

Kate, Thank you for your experiences and advice. I will have a chat to him about this again at my next appointment re my concerns.

Becs, I was actually taking elevit in the first 10 wks or so as I had also heard that it is the best one. I had to see my GP about my gastro/infection and she suggested that blackmores is better as elevit is just vitamins and doesn’t give you everything you need, so I swapped. It’s hard to know what to do? I do forget to take the evening one and with elevit it is only 1 per day, so maybe I might swap back at the end of this bottle? Can’t hurt I suppose…

Thank you all again…I really appreciate everyone’s input!


After 17 months TTC - TWINS!! Due 23 June 2005
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I did not have routine urine tests either. I always had BP checks and I only had to have a couple of urine tests when my BP was questionable and when I was in PTL. The tests never indicated protein, sugar or UTI problems.

I did ask the OB about why I was not having routine urine test but I'm sorry I can't remember the reason he gave.

Good luck Drew.

PS My OB also told me that Elevit was better than Blackmores for iron levels. I only switched to Blackmores as I was about to wean.



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This message was edited by Binna on Friday, 4 February 2005 @ 1:48 PM

Glad I haven't scared you. Glad to hear the Dr takes your BP too. Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

Cheers

Justine
Nick
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My OB said Blackmores was the better option, but I was also taking a particular iron supplement and that was better taken in conjunction with Blackmores. I also had to continue the iron 3 months after the delivery as I haemorrhaged badly and then ended up having a D&C. So I needed to build up the red count after all that. If you were worried about the yellow urine...iron does disgusting things to BM's...TMI!!!!!!!!!!!


Sharyn
Mum to Meg14/4/99
Hannah & Josie 22/3/04 (33 wks)
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Thanks so much for the best wishes Justine!

Sharyn, thanks also for your advice and experience. I am taking folate as well as Blackmores at the moment. I thought Folate was just for the first 12 wks but my OB said that you need to keep taking it all the way through with twins. Iron is different to this isn't it? Your haemorrhage sounds terrible, you poor thing! What is BM's (sorry about my ignorance!!)

After 17 months TTC - TWINS!! Due 23 June 2005
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Hey Drew!!

Wanted to apologise for the delay in answering your question! Sorry lovie - had a huge weekend, baby shower and everything.....

Fh is Fundas (or Fundal) Height - in laymans terms its the size of your bump when measured from the top of your uterus to the bottom of bump (or pubic bone)

The general "guide" is that 1cm = 1 week in a singleton pregnancy. 28 weeks pregnant = Fh of 28 cm's.
your midwife should measure it at your general check up.

I am measuring the same as a singleton, but I know there are other twin mums to be in here that are measuring in front. This is what you would expect a little more for twins.

After the weekend of food, treats and sugar I have eaten I will be 10 cm more by next week! LOL

Hope this helps and let me know if I dont make sense! I also cant remember the right term if its Fundas or Fundal! I am at work and dont have my pregnanct book either....sorry


Bree~28
After 3 Years our Double Blessing "Suprise" Twins are Due in April 2005
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Thanks for your reply Bree....I have had trouble getting on to this site over the last few days so have only just had time today to reply to you....thank you! Yes, my OB checks me each visit but didn't call it that. He always says that I am about 4 weeks ahead of a normal-singleton size for my dates, but that is normal for twins- great! I am going to be huge!

After 17 months TTC - TWINS!! Due 23 June 2005
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