Twins/Multiples Check-In?

bumblebee0210

Hi all,

I am new here but have been lurking for a bit. We just found out we are expecting mono/di twins which was a total shock. I saw that there were 2 or 3 other women here expecting twins, and though this is my second time, it feels like a whole new ballgame. Any interest in a twins-specific thread?

mvt2003

Hi @bumblebee0210 wow a fourth set of twins!!! 

I would be on board for a monthly check-in specific to multiples! @swbecca528 @travandas any interest? 

travandas

@mvt2003 Absolutely interested! So thankful to have another mono/di mom on the board!

bumblebee0210

@travandas  Oh great, I didn't know you were also mono/di!  Are you seeing an MFM? I had my daughter with a family med practice that I loved but they don't deliver mono/di so now I am headed for the serious high risk guys! I have my first appointment in 2 weeks. 

@mvt2003 Ok let's set one up.  You seem like more of a vet so maybe you have a good idea for format/questions?

I am reading "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads" which seems like it's 90% about gaining enough weight, but there is also some stuff about delivery and the NICU, etc. Most of the other books seem to be more about what to do when the babies get here (which, to be fair, also is important!) Have you guys read anything helpful?

travandas

@bumblebee0210 Yes, originally my OBGYN's office thought they were di/di but when I went to my first MFM appointment at 11w they told me mono/di.  So the babies are identical...which is crazy to me! lol  So my OBGYN takes care of Me and MFM takes care of the Babies while they are in my belly.  My next appointment with MFM is when I'm 16w.  They have mapped out this pregnancy for me and what it will look like.  After my 16w appt. they will do ultrasounds every 2 weeks to check the babies for TTTS and any other issues that arise.  Echocardiograms for the baby's hearts at 23-26 weeks, cervical checks (transvaginal ultrasounds) every 4 weeks, NST scans starting at 32 weeks and delivery at 36 weeks.  It can be overwhelming seeing two Dr.'s but I know I am in good hands!

I am reading the same book!  haha  Yes, according to the book it's all about gaining weight which I haven't been able to do so far.  My OBGYN told me yesterday I need to be eating something small every hour...and before bed eat something like Mac and Cheese Currently, that's very hard for me to do because I am so sick.  Nothing tastes good, smells good or looks good!  I wandered the grocery store looking for anything that looks somewhat appetizing and came up with frozen fruit for smoothies (greek yogurt added for protein). These babies are number 4 & 5 for me and it feels very different than my singleton pregnancies!  

I am a researcher by nature so I'm always reading.  Honestly, it's very hard not to when you are carrying two babies but you have to remind yourself that every pregnancy is different and most women do not have any problems arise in their twin pregnancies.  

mvt2003

@bumblebee0210 No problem, I'll try to add a September check-in. I think we're a small enough group that we can do a quick q&a about this pregnancy for each of us, then we can just move on to just random chat related to it being multiples. 

I'm thinking for this month: 

Estimated Due Date/Weeks + Days:

Type of Twins (Mo/Di, Mo/Mo, Di/Di)

Questions or Concerns?  

travandas

@bumblebee0210 I will say that all of my OBGYN / MFM appointments have gotten very long even if it's a quick check up!  I spent two hours at my OBGYN yesterday and left my snacks in the car...big mistake!  Always bring something cold to drink (it helps get the babies moving for ultrasounds) and lots of snacks or candies to suck on.  I would recommend that tip for anyone even if they aren't having multiples because you never know if they will send you to L&D.

travandas

@mvt2003 Do you know what type of twins you are having?

swbecca528

I am 100% interested! Thank you for getting this started!

I also just ordered the book off of amazon and it should be here by Sunday. These are also babies 4 and 5 for me so this is way different than any of my previous pregnancies. I am also seeing an MFM and have an appointment in 2 weeks. I met with my OB 3 weeks about and she said she thinks the twins are di/di. I should have a better answer once I meet with the MFM.

bumblebee0210

@mvt2003  that looks great. I agree with 4 it will probably be easy to manage general conversation

@travandas Oh that's interesting that you have both-- when I called the MFM they asked if I was a consult or a full transfer, so I guess they commonly consult for OBs. I was so annoyed with our practice already because they would not let me see an attending (just a fellow), and I had to have my husband (a physician) call to get me in to see the real doc. I HATE how differently I get treated as a "regular person" in the healthcare system than when I am "doctor's wife" but honestly I'll take it if it means a better doc for the twins. I also got a similar schedule laid out by my PCP (16 week US + every 2 weeks, fetal echo, etc), but I'm curious what the MFM has to say. Are you going to an academic medical center? Ours has very fancy MFM, which I'm sure I will be thankful for if anything goes wrong, but is a bit annoying because all of the docs do so much research and teaching they have like 1/2 day of clinic every other week and fellows do everything else.

Also-- I totally hear you on the weight gain thing. I am 10-15 lbs overweight at baseline, and gained 38 with my daughter (though all after 18 weeks or so), so I was not worried at all that I was down 4-5 lbs by the time I had my 8-week ultrasound, but now that I know it's twins I am trying really hard to get more calories. (Annoyingly, it seems like the easiest way to gain weight is carbs/sugar, but of course we are also at increased risk of GD so that also doesn't seem like a good idea?  I think I will enjoy this weight gain conundrum much more once the nausea is gone!)

@swbecca528  @travandas Are we all in the 3 under 2 game, also?? You all have older ones too so you will have to give me some tips!

mvt2003

@travandas I'm having di/di twins - we put in 2 embryos and both stuck around! Thank you for the advice about appointments! I'm going to have to prepare myself for my ultrasound on Tuesday! 

Is anyone else doing NIPT? My OB's office said it still gives them information they want about the pregnancy, and I'm definitely doing it, just wondering about the level of accuracy since there are 2 sets of fetal DNA. 

travandas

@bumblebee0210 Yes, I have a consult to MFM not a full transfer.  The MFM that I go to does not do deliveries.  No, I am not going to a academic medical center.  I'm hoping to deliver at the hospital were I last delivered (It's a smaller regional hospital but I have full faith in my OB's that I'm not concerned with having to go anywhere else).  They are equip to deal with deliveries anytime after 32 weeks...If something should happen before that time I would have to change hospitals.
When it comes to weight I have been low carb for many years and love it.  However, being pregnant with twins all I can keep down is the carbs.  When it comes to GD they don't want you consuming a ton of carbs anyway.  I'm hoping to be able to make changes when I'm not so nauseous all the time and hopefully get my protein back where it needs to be!
3 Under 3...It's going to be a challange!  I have a 9 year old son and a 6 year old daughter who were very big helps when their now 14 month old brother was born.  I just think with twins it's going to be a lot more of a challenge.  I have EBF all of my babies...currently, still nursing my 14 month old.  I'm open to supplementing because honestly, I'm going to need a break sometime...Right?

@mvt2003 That's fantastic!  Looking forward to hearing how you make out at your next appointment!  Yes, definitely bring snacks/drinks!  Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover the NIPT test unless it is "Medically Necessary."  My OB said that it is not that accurate when it comes to twins and often comes back "inconclusive." I do not have a family history of genetic disorders so I decided against it with this pregnancy and my previous ones.  Just a personal preference.  I know some Mom's like the peace of mind.

Looking forward to hearing how you all make out with MFM!  Keep us posted!

bumblebee0210

I am planning on doing NIPT. I did it with my daughter and was surprised to find it was covered by insurance even though I was not AMA. I have heard that it is less accurate with twins-- but I assume this is fraternal twins, since there are 3 sets of chromosomes floating around in your blood. I assume for identicals it is the same, or even easier (because more fetal DNA?) but I have an appointment with a genetic counselor the week after next so I'll see what they say. 

I swear to god I feel like I am going to spend half of this pregnancy in waiting rooms in my N95 unable to breathe. So many appointments! 

travandas

It’s funny how finicky insurance companies are when it comes to testing. I am AMA and they still wouldn’t cover the NIPT. 

travandas

@bumblebee0210 I’m curious what the genetic counselor will say. My Dr. mentioned that it was this way with all types of twin pregnancy ...🤷🏼‍♀️I hope it works for you 🤞🏻