I had BPPs done at 32 weeks and 34 weeks. I think every week or every other week is fairly common after 32 weeks. I do think the GD may contribute to weekly BPPS though.
Two sets of fraternal twins, 23 mos. apart
First set born 12/27/12 at 35w0d via IVF
Second set born 11/18/14 at 35w6d via FET
I started having them weekly around 30 weeks. I was considered high risk because I was 37. My water broke at 36w4d. I would think that it is because of the GD.
Routine care was twice weekly NSTs starting at 32w for me. One of those was to include a BPP. I didn't have any complications when this plan was put in place, but I developed mild pre-e around 32w.
My water broke at 34w unrelated to the pre-e, so I ended up only have 3 NSTs and one BPP.
Be aware though that BPPs take a while. Budget at least an hour at the appt.
At our hospital, weekly BPPs around that time are standard for all multiples. My OB did divulge that there is research showing it's not necessarily necessary. The BPP consists of the ultrasound tech looking for 4 things for each baby. Once each one performed, I was free to go. If either refused to do one item within a half hour, the OB had to decide whether or not to do a NST. Some places do a half hour for both babies and some do a half hour per baby, so up to an hour for the twins, and don't forget that the tech will need to staff with an OB who will come in to say hi, so if there's only one OB in the unit that day and they're pretty busy, it could run up to an hour and a half or so at the office. They looked for each child to practice breathing (which they said is the trickiest one, especially in the earlier BPPs. They practice breathing more frequently and for longer periods if time as you get closer to the end), to make one big movement, to make 3 small movements, and they had to measure the largest pocket of amniotic fluid (looking for a 4cm x 4cm area). In one of my earlier BPPs, baby b decided she didn't want to practice breathing. Up to that point, everything had been normal, so they said that because it was still earlier on and all was going well (and they were seeing me again in a week), we were able to forego the NST. A week later, she obliged us by practice breathing. This being said, if you notice your babies are more active at a specific time of day, trying to plan your BPPs around then wouldn't be a bad idea. My hospital also liked to schedule the BPPs for multiples a little earlier in the day so there would be more time for the NST if it was needed, without keeping all the staff over after their shifts. In a couple of mine, if the babies cooperated early on and the tech had time to kill before the next patient or if we were just waiting for one baby to do one thing, our tech would ask if we wanted to switch to 3d for a bit at the end. We got a great funny picture of baby b kicking baby a in the face from one of these.
Me: 32, DH: 34 / TTC since February 2011 / SA: all normal, HSG: all clear! / on Lovenox for anticardiolipid antibodies 4 IUIs with Clomid, Letrozole, and Menopur. All BFN. 9/12: lap / hysteroscopy: found and removed mild endometriosis, cervical polyp, and 2 para-tubular cysts 5/13 IVF #1: Follistim, Menopur, Ganirelix, 10R/4M/4F, ET of 2, 5 cell and 4 cell, no frosties = BFN 12/13 IVF #2 = November / December 2013. Microdose Lupron Protocol: 15R/6M/6F, Froze all 6 due to high E2 and P4 FET 1: Jan 22, 2014 of one 4AB blast and one 3BB blast (3 blasts on ice!) BFP on HPT 4dp5dt, Beta #1 9dp5dt: 310, Beta #2 11dp5dt: 899 First u/s on 2/17/14: TWINS!!!!! both w/HBs of 114 at 6w3d, HBs 150 and 152 at 7w5d 5/27/2014: Team purple!!!! EDD 10/10/2014 /
Delivered by c-section at 32w0d 8/15/2014 due to preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome Baby Boy 4lbs 1oz, 17 inches Baby Girl 3lbs 5oz, 16 inches
I started my BPPs this week. I'm 30 weeks. I don't have GD but my babies were measuring equal and then one took off. They said I would usually start at 32 weeks but they just wanted to keep an eye on them. I wouldn't worry too much, the more they watch the better.
We are starting weekly BPPs at week 33 as well. I think some of my risk factors play a part (blood pressure, thyroid, almost 40) in addition to it being a twin pregnancy.
I have them weekly now and go in twice a week. I have GD plus signs of developing pre-eclampsia so she wanted more monitoring than they typically do. Ours haven't taken long (max 20-25 mins total for both babies). Also start NST this week.
Re: BPPs weekly at 33 wks
My water broke at 34w unrelated to the pre-e, so I ended up only have 3 NSTs and one BPP.
Be aware though that BPPs take a while. Budget at least an hour at the appt.
Me: 32, DH: 34 / TTC since February 2011 / SA: all normal, HSG: all clear! / on Lovenox for anticardiolipid antibodies
4 IUIs with Clomid, Letrozole, and Menopur. All BFN.
9/12: lap / hysteroscopy: found and removed mild endometriosis, cervical polyp, and 2 para-tubular cysts
5/13 IVF #1: Follistim, Menopur, Ganirelix, 10R/4M/4F, ET of 2, 5 cell and 4 cell, no frosties = BFN
12/13 IVF #2 = November / December 2013. Microdose Lupron Protocol: 15R/6M/6F, Froze all 6 due to high E2 and P4
FET 1: Jan 22, 2014 of one 4AB blast and one 3BB blast (3 blasts on ice!)
BFP on HPT 4dp5dt, Beta #1 9dp5dt: 310, Beta #2 11dp5dt: 899
First u/s on 2/17/14: TWINS!!!!! both w/HBs of 114 at 6w3d, HBs 150 and 152 at 7w5d
5/27/2014: Team purple!!!! EDD 10/10/2014 /
Baby Boy 4lbs 1oz, 17 inches
Baby Girl 3lbs 5oz, 16 inches