Intro and Question (Kinda Freaking Out...)

shanaynerz

Hey ladies!

I am so not ready to make an intro yet, but I do have a question so here goes!

I had my 1st u/s on Friday because I wasn't 100% sure of my due date and I also wanted to double check if I could be pregnant with twins again, and sure enough there were two in there! I'm freaking out and super excited.

I was pregnant with twins in 2011 and subsequently went into preterm labour @ 22 weeks and they passed away. Other than that and some light bleeding around 8 weeks, that pregnancy was normal. A few months after losing them, we conceived our DD, who was born last October. My pregnancy with her was great and totally uneventful. My OB did send me to an MFM at 9 weeks to just check her out and examine me. He deemed me not high risk with her (yay!) and told us that what happened with the twins was literally a freak accident that cannot be explained; basically it shouldn't happen again and nothing was inherently wrong with me.

When pregnant with my first set of twins, I didn't find out it was twins until 15 weeks and did not have a great OB; she told me twins aren't a big deal basically, it's like a singleton (my new OB delivered DD and the twins and told me twins are more high risk than a singleton). 

Anyways, my question is, how many of you that are pregnant with twins see an MFM, or if you had twins did you see an MFM? I feel with my history that seeing one may be best, or at least being more closely monitored by my OB would be ideal. I'm just so nervous I'll lose them again. I had more u/s's and stuff with DD b/c my OB wanted to just take really good care of us.

I'm seeing my GP Friday and will talk to her about all of this then, too. I'm going to really push to see someone ASAP (my OB's office usually doesn't see people until 20 weeks, but I assume I'd get in earlier now!).

Anyways, thanks for reading and please excuse my rambling!

Here's a picture of the babies!

LittleLady77

I see a MFM. I was under the impression that the vast majority of twin moms see a MFM. I'm so sorry you had a bad experience with your first pregnancy but FX this one goes much better.

chickaboo1974

Yes I saw a MFM and my OB.  I think it is strange that you are not seen by a OB until 20 weeks.  How do you do any type of early screening?  like the NT scan?  I started having regular u/s at 12 weeks with the NT scan and then cervical measurements at 14, 17, 20 , 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 weeks at my MFM practice. And I don't have your history.

While some don't think that twins means high risk- I believe that yes it does.  My OB and MFM practice managed my care together and I never went more than 2 weeks between some kind of appointment.  My MFM managed my high BP which developed into pre-e at 34 weeks. 

jocie2581

I didn't have an MFM that I met with. Instead during hospital scans - 12, 16, 20, 24, 27, 29, 31 weeks - my scans were reviewed by an MFM. They only came into see me if there was a problem. Otherwise the technician sent me on my way.

rcnavywife

First off, welcome! I'm sorry for your losses.

I believe I would have likely not seen my OB until then as well had it not been triplets. I was seen at 13 weeks (MFM at 12 weeks for NT scan, referred by my RE). Had it been a singleton, I think I would have been followed by my GP until later in the pregnancy. Maybe its a regional thing? Some GP's here deliver as well, for low-risk singletons (I'm in Canada). I'm in the camp that all multiple pregnancies are higher risk. Given your history, I would think a referral to a MFM clinic would be warranted.

zazu13

I also exclusively see MFM. Good luck and sorry about your loss.

Burberry0421

My OB office only does 1 u/s during a pregnancy - 20 weeks. Not good enough. I sought out an MFM & had my OB transfer my care. Now, I am seeing my regular OB & my MFM for the remainder of my pregnancy. Given your history, I can't believe your OB didn't send you to a specialist immediately. I would call your OB & ask them to refer you to an MFM immediately. 

I am truly sorry for your late loss. I can't imagine how devastating that must have been.

shanaynerz

@rcnavywife I'm in Canada, too, so I'm not sure how it works. GPs do deliver babies if the person is low risk. MSP only lets you see an OB, midwife, or GP for your pregnancy. I don't know if I can request seeing an MFM or not in Canada. I'm not even seeing my OB yet, just GP. Hoping I'll get in to see an OB or MFM soon though! Will push for it with my GP Friday.

rcnavywife

@shanaynerz - I would definitely start with pushing to see your OB earlier due to your history. And it doesn't hurt to ask your GP for a MFM referral too. I'm not sure how that works with MSP either. Good luck and I hope you're seen soon!

sunkiss674

I saw a MFM and my OB in combination. The MFM did all of my US, I had one every month.  When it came to deciding if I needed to be scheduled for a c-section it was the MFM who made the final decision but my OB is doing the actual c-section.  My OB told me from the start that all twin pregnancies are considered high risk.  

Anyways Good luck and congrats!

ajsweeton

I also lost my first set of twins at 22 weeks as well. They are treating me as if I will lose these twins without medical intervention as well. I had a cerclage placed at 14 weeks to prevent PTL. I see an MFM exclusively now. I see them every 2 weeks and have an u/s every 2 weeks to check cervical length as well. Good luck with everything. I'm so sorry for your first loss. There's not much worse than losing a child. It's even harder when you lose two.

jennybean80

I'm in Canada too, and saw my GP until I could get in to see my OB at 15 weeks. My GP book my earlier scans (NT and A/S). I've also been followed by the perinatal clinic since my first DS was a micro-prem. When you see your GP ask if you need the OB to refer you to an MFM or if the GP can do it. Also get all your scans set up, that way they aren't delayed!

Mrs.Guz

I had a uncomplicated pregnancy with my di/di twins and still saw a MFM as frequently as my OB

Momof8inSC

OB and MFM every two weeks since 16w. I'm 20 now and this will continue through 26/28w with OB then go to every week. Not sure about MFM.
ANYONE w twins should be considered HR even if only that reason. There are so many issue that will or can pop up. Mine are di/di and I have GD bc of twins and not food (I eat clean and low carb and was VERY for before pgcy), high BP, and so on.
Sorry for your precious losses and congrats!!!

KatieGummow

CONGRATULATIONS!  Thank you for sharing your story.  You're so strong.

I got my confirmation pregnancy US at 7w and saw my OB once a month after that (still do) I saw my MFM for my NT Scan (12w) and set up my 20w and monthly scans after that appointment.  So, I will be seeing my MFM once a month and more often than that when my due date approaches.  But my OB does an ultrasound and cervical check at every appointment to make sure both hearts are a go and that I am not dilating.  For sure ask your doctor to do the same.  It really helps me make it through the month with no anxiety.  I scheduled my OB visits for the first week of the month and my MFM for the middle of the month, so I see these kiddos often.

Edit for more info:  I am di/di, like you (from the picture), and am considered the lowest high risk possible... Hope this helps!

jmak

Hello,  First of all sorry for your loss of your twins.  Second I feel like I was "almost" reading my life when reading your message (except I went through ivf)!  I lost twins at 22 weeks in 2010.  My doctor treated me like any other patient, even though it was my first pregnancy and I was having twins.  I asked if I should go to an MFM and she said not unless their was a problem!!  She always rushed me out of my appts and would say well "if" you make it to this point or other negative comments like that.  She said she didn't like twin pregancies because of the high risk.  I was on the verge of switching OB's when I went into labor!!

1 year later I got pregnant with singleton and found myself a new OB and MFM.  They were both great.  I got a cerclage, had progesterone shots and weekly ultrasounds until I believe 34-36 weeks!  So now here I am pregnant with twins again!  I went right back to those two doctors.  Who are following the same plan they did with my son!  They feel confident that I can go close to full  (twin) term as I was over due with my son and ended up getting induced.  So now I just started my weekly ultrasounds (at 16 weeks) and progesterone shots and got a cerclage at 13 weeks.  I go to my MFM once a month.

I would definitely push for a MFM.  Ask about cerclage, progesterone, more frequent ultrasounds!  You need to find someone that you are totally comfortable with.  Who will do whatever than can to keep those babies safe.  Who won't treat you like you are crazy or that you have unreasonable wants or questions!

Good luck!!

cukimerrydoll

So sorry for the loss of your first set of twins. As far as care goes, I think a lot depends on your OB. Mine, for instance, only works with twins and has been monitoring me carefully because of my miscarriage history. If there were no problems, I may not have been consulting with an MFM, since she only works with multiples. However, my body doesn't quite do placentas right, so I see my MFM once a week for surveillance screenings. With your history, I would push for an MFM too.

jessican08

Amylou333 said:

ALL twin pregnancies should be treated as high risk and monitored more closely. Labelling as high risk isn't intended to scare you, nor does it mean there will be any problems- it just means they're keeping a closer eye on you to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. I'm so sorry for your previous losses. If I were you- I would absolutely make sure I see an MFM/specialist. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

This exactly.

My OB worked closely with my MFM throughout my pregnancy. The fact that you're PG with twins + your loss history = MFM in my book!

kgs0505

I'm not sure how far along you are, but definitely get in to see an OB ASAP, and get a referral to see an MFM.  Or just switch to an MFM that delivers.  I saw an MFM since about 12-13w.  I did coordinated care with my OB, who delivered the girls.  If I waited to see any doctor until 20 weeks, I'm not sure what would have happened.  I was having fetal laser surgery for TTTS at 20w with my identicals, which saved their lives.  Twins are not a normal pregnancy.  Just because they are more common now, doesn't mean the risk has changed.  Also, stress with whoever you are making an appt with that you had a previous twin pregnancy that was lost at 22w for pre-term labor.  That should get you in ASAP.

shanaynerz

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your wonderful advice! I think I'll be 8 weeks tomorrow and I will stress with my GP that I need to see my OB ASAP, hopefully before the new year to get the ball rolling. It's a super busy practice, and I figure if I can't see my OB, I can hopefully see one of the other doctors in that practice since they have my history on file and should have the name of the MFM I saw briefly with my DD. He was an hour away but such a nice man. I'm sure it'll all work out, I just hate not knowing!