Identical twins sharing one placenta

TheCricket

Hi ladies! Has anyone else had identical twins that had separate amniotic sacs but shared one placenta? We found this out yesterday, and even though I think this situation accounts for about 60% of identical twins, it has me a bit worried. They mentioned that they need to monitor me closely throughout the pregnancy to scan for the possibity of "twin to twin transfusion syndrome" (TTTS), which has scared the living daylights out of this usually chill mom-to-be.

 

IAM4UK

Yup, this is how my twins are.

I am being monitored closely than I see on these other moms monitored on the boards by my MFM. They only start to worry when the discordance between the twins is between 20-25%. My twins are at 15% right now.

I started weekly cervical checks at 16 weeks and will last until I am 26 weeks. They not only look at my cervix, but also the babies size and amniotic fluid sacs. I have growth ultrasounds every 3 weeks to monitor this as well.

I know there are a few ladies on this board that actually have had the TTTS syndrome as a diagnosis. We have been lucky to avoid it thus far.

Congrats on your pregnancy and try not to worry.

#6

Mine were not in separate sacks but they did share a placenta.  My dr was also concerned with TTTS so I had a million and a half u/s to measure them.  Luckily they were within a few oz of each other the entire pg and weighed the exact same at birth.  

Try not to stress a lot about it.  I know its hard but worrying doesnt do anything but stress you out which is not good.  

 

MommyABC

Hello There,

Yes, it is scary to hear about all of the possible complications that can arise with mono-di twins (that is one placenta and two amniotic sacs). We are now 30 weeks and everything has gone well so far. My OB referred me to a Perinatologist as soon as she realized we had two LOs in there. Since that point we have had regular ultrasounds every 3 weeks to monitor for any signs of TTTS as well as regular appointments with my OB. The up side to this is that you will get very good at identifying what is what on ultrasounds and lots of opportunities to have family come and share the experience with you. My advice to you is make sure you have doctors you trust and do your homework online to make sure you understand what they are talking about. It is scary but remember what a blessing this is and keep your eye on the goal. GL

caitdana

Hey. i am 20 weeks with mo/di girls. I am being monitered everyother week with an u/s, visit to the peri, and my obgyn. TTTS is scary and is something to be watched for but try not to worry yet. Let us know if you have any questions because I honestly have freaked out just about everday since I have learned about TTTS.  I honestly expect to get that as a diagnosis at tomorrow's visit but praying things have changed. Let me know if you have any questions since I am sure I have asked the same ones going through your head!

jackieb3858

I did and had absolutely no complications. My twins were born full term at 6 lbs 3 oz and 6 lb 9 oz. It is nice to get all those ultrasounds. I always liked seeing them and knowing everything was ok.

pea-kay

this is pretty common, don't panic too much! you aren't necessarily going to have any complications, but it's great that you're going to be monitored closely. (fwiw, i had three babies sharing one placenta, and had zero complications related to that.)

TheCricket

I may never have met you, but I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Thanks so much for all of your input - I think I just needed to hear it from others who have been there.

I really am not a worrier, but this has me a bit thrown. I keep trying to remember that we keep beating all the odds (spontaneous pregnancy at 41, twins, then indentical twins...), so there is more than enough reason to believe that everything will be 100%.

Welcome to the worrying or motherhood, I suppose.

amanda31H

It's very common.

My girls are mono/di and I carried them to 36 weeks 3 days, when I had my scheduled c-section.  You'll be monitored for TTTS, but it's no big deal.  My MFM and OB were also not comfortable with me delivering vaginally b/c there was one placenta, so I had to have a c-section.  You may have Drs that feel similarly.  I also had my c-section early b/c they were sharing a placenta.  I could have gone past the day my section was scheduled.

My girls arrived happy and healthy!

carissasmom

My girls were mono di as well.  We were monitored every other week at the peri for any signs of TTTS.  At one point there was a large difference between the girls and I had to go back a week later, that was a scary week, but everything turned out fine.  We made it to just past 36 weeks and my girls were 5 12 and 5 15.

royalcrown1

I had mo/di twins and was diagnosed with TTTS at 21w2d.  It is terrifying, but we were told it only happens in 15% of all identical twins - very rare!  Our twins were born at 34 weeks because of a very rare complication that caused the twins to become mo/mo, not directly because of the TTTS.  While it is scary, there is no way to prevent it.  I now have healthy 6 week olds at home.  There are TTTS success stories.  Try not to worry until you have to.  If for some reason, you fall into this small percentage, we will all be here for you and hopefully, everything will turn out okay, but I hope your pregnancy continues without complications.

FaeryStarGazer

Mine were mono/di. I carried to 37w1d. They'll keep a close eye on the babies growth but you'll be all right.

blondek8

Mo/di boys here with zero complications thus far. OB estimates we'll end up with 7-8lb twins and may be induced at 37 weeks depending on size and my ever-rising BP. Try not to stress too much! Easier said than done though, eh? Congrats and good luck!

rjk2010

I am having mono/di twin girls. I was also very concerned about TTTS, but my OB didn't seemed to be that concerned. She said it is pretty rare. I still worry, but  I am glad that I am starting to  be monitored by MFM every 2 weeks to check fluid and every 4 weeks to do growth scan. At my last appt., they were the exact same size and there were no fluid issues. Now that I am being monitored closely, I feel SO much better. Try not to stress! Good luck!

marker56

My 7 week-olds were mono-di identical girls.  We were monitored closely for TTTS and had a scare around 26 weeks with discordant fluid levels which were found to be improved the next week.  Never developed TTTS.  

We had u/s monthly throughout the pregnancy with the MFM specialist office.  One of the specialists in the group came in and reviewed the actual ultrasound before we were allowed to leave each time.  Gave us a lot of reassurance that things were being followed.  Make sure you are seen by a MFM/perinatologist.

My girls were born early due to pre-eclampsia.  No complications developed related to placenta sharing.  Worrying won't help anything, but being informed and being followed by a specialist will be the most beneficial for your babies.  Good luck with your pregnancy!

wonder-kitty

The good news is that your doctor seems very proactive. That's awesome!! There are many ignorant doctors out there who ignore the risk-mine was one one them.

I was diagnosed with TTTS at 18 weeks. We had a big scare there for a while, but the treatments we got have helped and I'm now 30 weeks and the baby girls are growing well and look good.

There are ways to treat it if you do happen to get diagnosed. PP is right though it's about a 10% chance.

Good luck to you!!!

TheCricket

You know those days you log onto The Bump and all you see are posts of people ripping each other a new one, and wonder if there really is help here? Well, today is the absloute antithesis of those days! Each and every one of you have made me feel so much better! I cannot ever thank you enough for taking the time to talk to me about this.

I think that thanks to all of you, I may just catch up on all the sleep I lost last night!

 

busybea

Yep, I did.  There was some concern about TTTS, but thankfully it did not happen to me.  I was being monitered every week by both my OB and my High Risk OB (due to age and multiples) with an U/S every week as well.  Throughout the entire pregnancy both twins were similar in weight and were born at 35.6wks at 5.3 lbs and 6.2 lbs each.

leelee1718

My twins shared a placenta and had seperate sacs. I got ultrasounds every four weeks to monito it and there were no complications throughout the pregnancy. I would recomend not googling it though because it seems like only the bad things show up and it can be scary.