Symptoms to watch for?

TWINS2010

Hello! Can you guys tell me what type of symptoms to watch for? I'm having twins and I have heard things about the cervix shortening and other different issues. One person told me their sister had twins and they had to put a machine on her to let the Dr.'s office know she was having contractions because she wouldn't feel them. Then the office would call her and ask her to inject a certain dosage to stop the contractions. This is kinda of scary because you don't feel the contractions but you are having them. Anyone had any type of issues?

bearfootz

Most people will see a perinatologist or maternal-fetal specialist in addition to their ob.  Between the two doctors they keep things pretty monitored. At my monthly peri appt's they do ultrasounds which show the length of my cervix.  Starting at 32 weeks I started having non-stress tests which show how the babies' heart rates are doing and if I'm having any contractions.  I'm having these done twice a week. 

I guess I have read that some people end up with at home monitoring, but I don't think it's the norm.

Good luck and try not to worry too much!

LoveTravel

The only issue I've had so far is my cervix shortening and I don't think it's something you can really "know", unless you get the vag u/s I think the cervix shortening just happens (in my case it did), from what I've read, that's why I was put off work at 26 weeks and bedrest at 28 weeks, because of it and I don't think there is anything I could of done to prevent it. 

 I can't recall anyone on here posting about being monitored at home and having to give themselves shots, but I could of missed such a post, I'm sure if some of the ladies have or are experiencing this would reply with their situation   I personally would feel more comfortable being admitted to the hospital if that would of been an issue for me.

lutzcowgirlie

I suggest your purchase Barbara Luke's book - When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads. Good reading and good info on what you are describing. You should also discuss your concerns with your doc.

AlpacaBunny

When I starting having some PTL I felt the contractions but they were not strong at all.  But I called my doc and went to L&D to get checked out and they admitted me and I was there for 4 days.  Basically if you are feeling out of the norm don't be afraid to call the doctor or go get checked out.  I worried SO much about PTL and my OB and peri kept reassuring me that I was doing great, then all of a sudden it happened.  I had a gut feeling that night that something wasn't right.  Follow your instincts, and just call the doc! 

mandyunc2003

I'm one of the ones whose experienced this, and I can tell you that I didn't feel a thing at first.  My MFM now does cervical checks every few weeks, and once they saw that mine had gone from 3.7cm to 2.7cm they ordered the at-home monitor for me to use twice a day.  He also put me on bedrest (26 wks 3 days). When the nurse came in to show me how to use the monitor, we did a "test run" that showed 8 contractions in 48 minutes, and I barely felt a thing.  Once she pointed them out, I could pick up on them a little easier, but I ended up spending the night in the hospital once they didn't lighten up and were coming every 5 minutes. 

I'm now at home again, but have a Terbutaline pump (IV) 24/7 and also take Procardia (oral).  I still monitor twice a day, and nurses will call me after each session to tell me how many contractions I'm having.  (PS, all this & more is on my blog, so if you're interested just click on the link below). 

All in all, this is a minor inconvenience but I'm told it's fairly normal for a combination of twins and first pregnancy.  So far, my cervix hasn't been compromised further with all the contractions and that's the major thing. My doctors are confident that with medication and bedrest, I'll make it to a safer milestone of 32-36 weeks **hopefully**

 Hope this helps!