Hi.. Am today 33+2 pregnant with Mo/Di twin boys. Had an ultrasound yesterday and one of the twins has dropped off the fantastic growth rate he was on (up till now they were having identical
Growth rates which was amazing considering one baby has only a 2vessel cord so at a higher risk of growth problems)
Anyway- spent all day yesterday in hospital and they told me that they want twice weekly ultrasounds from now on and if babies growth drops any further they will get them out asap. Had 1st lot of steroid injections yesterday and going in this afternoon for second shot. They said that if I can get through next 2 weeks without delivering it would be great.
So overall- I am a bit in shock as up till yesterday morning i thought they were growing spot on and a really healthy size- now I am facing the prospect of delivering them
Much earlier than 37 weeks (and all that goes along with having a premmie baby in SCN for a while) and I suppose would just like some encouragement from anyone in same situation with TTS? From what I have read so far- most stuff depends on weight and feeding but it's only been singleton premmie babies I have read about so I am assuming twins would be smaller and in SCN longer?

Will ask this afternoon when I go in for my next injection- but should I think about expressing colostrum now and freezing?

At the moment Twin1 is head down so they are happy for me to go vaginal if possible which would be fantastic as I wouldn't have to rely on others to drive me into the hospital daily to feed etc- I have a 22mth old DS and my husband isn't going to be able to take much time off work (he does work from home sometimes though) so inwill be relying alot on my mum to help with DS so I can concentrate on the babies. Any tips?

Surprisingly- although shocked I am not freaking out like I could be. I am grateful that it has happened now and not at 20 weeks etc and I know the survival Rate at 34 weeks is excellent..(will be 34 weeks on Thursday) It's just the main challenge of adapting to this situation and I want to be aa prepared as possible.

So any tips or practical advice on your experience with TWINS in this situation would be really appreciated!


Eta: have just been reading that protein also helps increase weight gain- I have a container of Isowhey powder here (safe for drinking during pregnancy and breastfeeding) should I start on this to try and help fatten them a bit? I wish i had found out about this months ago not now!

I cant help you re the growth thing but I thought it might reassure you to know that the two boys in my sig were born at spot on 34wks with only 24hrs warning. So no steroids on board whatsoever. They spent 23 days in SCN and day by day got stronger.
They have had no heath issues due to their prematurity at all

I have read but have no idea where that SCNs often find that twins are stronger and seem to take better leaps than singletons but I wouldn't quote me on that

Another that can't help with the growth issue but I had my twin DD's spot on 34w via emergency C/S and they spent 5 days in ICU and a further 21 days in SCN. Neither have any ongoing problems and are now very healthy (and naughty) 3.5yr olds.

Cheers

Robyn

My Identical girls didn't have TTS but at 32+2 weeks all of a sudden the growth slowed and twin 2(who had always been a little smaller but consistent) dropped to the 3rd percentile so I was given a scan a week later and she had not improved so although the cord and fluid where good they booked me in for a c- section the following Monday at 34 weeks. I had had the steroids and both girls came out screaming so I knew the lungs where ok but they went straight to SCN.

As soon as I was out of recovery I was taken to the SCN where they where in humidi cribs, Twin 2 was a good temp so they popped her on my chest, she promptly pulled out the feeding tube from her mouth (temporary one the put in before the nose style) and started looking for my breast, so I got to breast feed her straight away.
Twin 1 I got to hold a little later in the day. They had me express straight away so I don't think you need to worry about starting now and freezing.

The girls both had low birth weights , twin 1 - 1.9 kg twin 2 - 1.7kg but other than learning to suck and regulating there temps they where just fine. they where in humidi cribs for a few days then in a crib together and where sent home both under 2kg's (not normal procedure) because the both preferred breast feeds to bottle after 2 weeks.

My Dh had one day off work and I had my mum come and stay from interstate to look after DD1.
I was driving 6 days after my c-section and back and forward to the hospital with my expressed milk twice a day, with an hour drive in each direction it was exhausting so I glad I didn't have to worry about DD1 all the time. Make sure you have some meals in the freezer you wont have much time or energy for cooking.

The nurses in SCN are fantastic and although it's heart breaking to leave your babies it does make it easier that you know they are in great hands.
Have they given you estimated weights of the babies ? My girls main thing was they where so tiny, they are still small but have come a long way ! both crawling and pulling up on things and babbling and a lot of the milestones they have hit a lot younger than DD1. They are nine months now (7 1/2 corrected) and Twin 1 is in the 50th percentile and twin 2 is still 200g lighter and starts doing everything 2 weeks or 2 days after her sister ! even getting teeth, has been 2 weeks difference.

Anyway I've said a lot and may not be much help, but I just wanted to let you know how looking back things where quite perfect, at the time I was totally stressed out and upset, I even had a major panic attack in the op room, and the first couple of days I felt quite angry that other people knew what was going on with my babies and no one was informing me, but once I got up and started walking back and forward to the SCN I felt more "normal" and in control and the fact that I was caring for my own babies was a big help with that.

With the protein thing, my OB told me it made no difference, but I ate extra just incase

Oh and if you don't have one i'd look in to hiring an electric breast pump, it will become your best friend

Sorry for the ramble, but I hope you can take something from it
Best of luck for a smooth delivery of your beautiful babies

X

Boys born at 34.5 weeks
I apparently had steroid shots but I can't remeber them happening when I was seeing the Ob

They spent 17 days in SCN and it was really a positive experince for us - I had a c-sect, I was all healed when They came home, I had breastfeeding all under control and I had made some great realtionships with the nurses so that I had no probs giving them a call when we got home if I was unsure about anything.

There are positive and negative sides to all senarios!!

thanks so much everyone for your replies.. it has helped alot in making me feel a little better about the situation - am actually reasonably calm about the whole thing now.. whatever happens is pretty much out of my hands until they are born so i can only really just wait it out.

its good to hear that so many babies are born at 34 weeks with no issues apart from initial sucking which develops. its so easy to think the worst isnt it! will update this when i get some news.

thanks again!

Just adding another positive prem story for you, although not involving growth concerns. My di/di ID girls were born at 32+6w weighing 1960g (51st centile) and 1875g (47th centile) 24 hours after steroids and spent 24 hours in NICU then a further 19 days in SCN before being discharged home at 35.4w equiv.

Wishing you all the best!

I had triplets at 33+3 (went in to labour, not early because of growth) and they were 2.14kg, 1.91kg and 1.88kg. One had CPAP for I think 3 days? One for 12hrs and one had no breathing assistance at all. All went under lights for jaundice and they were only in NICU for 4 days, and in SCN for another 24 days. They are now super healthy 7mth olds and all on par with corrected age!

As for the colostrum, I did express a little to give them at birth, but from memory they were only fed sugar water for a day or two? This is when I expressed most of my colostrum. They were also only having about 2ml every 2hrs so I didn't need to express too much.

With the growth, mine all grew at very different rates, but it's my understanding that they can only do 'growth' scans every 2 weeks to get an accurate picture. If they're doing scans more frequently I thought they'd be to check the cord flows? I know I wanted to have their growth checked more often but they said they couldn't, or it wouldn't give an accurate indicator?

I hope everything goes well, and enjoy your babies once they do arrive

Hi! Thanks.. Yes had another appt today and the twice weekly scans are for the larger twin that has a variable heart rate.. So apparently although the growth of the smaller twin is an issue, it's the heart rate that will be the cause for earlier delivery. They told me that it's simmilar to fetal distress during labour- so not a permanent heart problem that will affect the baby after birth. So my next growth scan isn't until next week- all the scans in between are for Doppler readings!!
Thanks for all the stories.. It really does help to be prepared and for us to know to expect some time in NICU/SCN and all the like. Much nicer than a last minute shock i think!

Whilst I also had mo-di twins, I had no issues with size or TTS.....however my boys did spend 17 days in SCN which I was not prepared for. I was induced at 38 weeks and so the thought of SCN hadn't really crossed my mind - even though my ob had mentioned it as a possibility. He (as a father of twins himself) actually told me he believed a short stay in SCN was beneficial for all twins and parents to help with establishing a routine - or maybe he was just saying that to reassure me !

Anyway, the point I was getting at is that as you mentioned above, it does help to be prepared for the possibility of a stay in NICU/SCN. As I had had a dream pregnancy with no problems or symptoms and made it to 38 weeks I got a bit of a shock when the boys needed to spend the 2 weeks in SCN. It was only due to poor temperature regulation and to get them feeding better (initially had poor suck reflex and were just so sleepy I couldn't feed them)

Good luck with your delivery! All I can say is being prepared for an earlier delivery (even if it may not happen) and different scenarios after birth is probably the best thing you can do. You are almost at 34 weeks which is wonderful for you and your babies. If they do need to stay in NICU/SCN then remember there is someone there anytime of day or night if you need to call and check on your bubs. And I agree with PP - have access to a good electric breast pump...saves you time, especially if its a double one!


In alot of ways it was nice to have that transition into motherhood (as a very non-experienced first time mum!) I received alot of assistance with BF and attachment, always had a nurse to help when bathing and it was nice to have an extra pair of hands when you have 2! Plus I formed good relationships with some of the other parents! Yes it was very hard but also beneficial in some ways