24 weeks still Viability date with multiples?

Nerwak

I was just curious as I read that at week 29 the babies should be on the same growth track as a singleton, so does that mean that prior to that they are smaller? And if so, does that still make the 24 weeks the date of viability?

jenkm

My doctor goes by 24 weeks for twins as well.  It's interesting, I read that twins actually develop faster than singletons - I'm not sure if that means size or just lung development - which is why they can be born earlier with little to no time in NICU compared to a singleton baby.  In any case, I think it's safe to use 24 wks as a guide unless you find info to the contrary - I'll be checking back to see if everyone else agrees.

fallbride110406

My OB uses 24 weeks for viability for twins as well.  I think she said the survival rate for 24-25w is 50-70%, then 70-90% for 26-27w, then 90+% for 28w.  I've also heard that they develop faster like the PP said.

outofcntrl82

funny you asked this.. I was JUST wondering myself. I believe 24 weeks is viable with twins but unfortunately the long-term affects are bleak.

jlc071903

outofcntrl82:

funny you asked this.. I was JUST wondering myself. I believe 24 weeks is viable with twins but unfortunately the long-term affects are bleak.

 

very true.  You never know... our girls were 30 weekers, but DH works with a woman who had 29 weekers and only 1 made it. there are A LOT OF factors that play into this. Also, don't discount the possiblity of NICU time, even if your twins are term...you just never know.

nygrl79

Yes, but it is not something to really celebrate.  24 weeks is technical viability, where less than 50% survive, but 75% of those that survive have serious life-long complications.  The number I'm striving for is 28 weeks.

 

FaeryStarGazer

nygrl79:

Yes, but it is not something to really celebrate.  24 weeks is technical viability, where less than 50% survive, but 75% of those that survive have serious life-long complications.  The number I'm striving for is 28 weeks.

Ditto this. But I believe in the hospital I was at, they don't try to save the babies until 25w unless the parents force them too.

And NYGRL-- shoot for 38, not 28! You can do it!

Rinnie

I was told viability date was 28 weeks.

The peri told me on my 28th week that I should go home have a party!

 

meldoo2002

Are you kidding?  A party at 28 weeks?  Wow ... our boys were born at 30w3d and I would not even celebrate that.  Yes I know we were lucky ... some babies are born much earlier than that and our boys are doing very well, but I would not celebrate.  They were 10 weeks early and face many challenges as premature babies.  I say celebrate at 36 weeks.

Temp159135562506975

nygrl79:

Yes, but it is not something to really celebrate.  24 weeks is technical viability, where less than 50% survive, but 75% of those that survive have serious life-long complications.  The number I'm striving for is 28 weeks.

 

Ditto. I have a real problem when people "celebrate" this. Yes, it's a great milestone to make- but it does not mean healthy babies, by far.... it's simply the first week that they WILL try to save the baby's life....

A good friend of mine lost her twins at 23w3d... the docs weren't even sure if it was worth doing lifesaving methods at that point... at 24w they would have tried for sure... not a place you want to be at all.

And yes- babies that go to term can still need the NICU... you just never know. 

MarcieCasavant

As a Special Care Nursery Nurse I can tell you that term doesn not mean well baby nursery. Many that are born beofre 37 weeks go Special Care. While we want to believe  they will be fine at each milestone you really can't celebrate until they are term 37-40 weeks, and yes, twins can go that long. My triplets were born at 33.1 weeks and one spent a month in the NICU. They were also very larger, healthy babies so you never know. Good luck and I hope you make it to the end.

JenniferHolly

Here's the thing, 28 weeks is something to celebrate in my opinion.  As a mom to twin 30 weekers I felt so lucky and grateful to get to the 28 week mark and I considered EVERTYTHING else icing on the cake! Considering I could have delivered much earlier and many do, 28 weeks was a huge milestone that I celebrated in my hospital bed.  I dont think ANYONE wants to have a baby prematurely, but if you know you are going to, 28 weeks is a huge milestone to make it to, since 28+ weekers do very well longterm.

gymrat

I was on hospital bedrest at 24 1/2 wks and the nurses had the 28 wk date on my dry erase board as a goal to make it to. So had I made it to 28 wks I would have celebrated. My twins were born at 26 wks, 6 days and spent 54 days & 89 days in the NICU.

MrsARC1105

jenkm:

My doctor goes by 24 weeks for twins as well.  It's interesting, I read that twins actually develop faster than singletons - I'm not sure if that means size or just lung development - which is why they can be born earlier with little to no time in NICU compared to a singleton baby.  In any case, I think it's safe to use 24 wks as a guide unless you find info to the contrary - I'll be checking back to see if everyone else agrees.

IMO, it is very unrealistic to think that twins can be born early and have no NICU time.I'm not saying you believe this but it is best to be realistic about what a premature birth can mean. I know plenty of singletons born at 34 weeks with only a few days in the NICU under their belts, my 34 weekers were there 2 weeks.

Viability and long term outcomes are totally different.

seattlestef

I celebrated every week I was still pregnant with two healthy babies after seeing and learning so much about prematurity on this board and in my multiples community. Celebrating each week is totally different than thinking your babies will be ok at that point. Keep on celebrating, but pray that they will stay put until 37-38 weeks!

SNL0605

Im a little bothered by the fact that some of your doctors are telling you to celebrate at 24, 26,28 weeks

as a pediatric nurse I can tell you that is NOT something to celebrate. sh!t I've seen MANY kids not making it even being born at 30 weeks...

I don't mean to sound insensitive but how about celebrate AFTER you make it to 37/38 weeks

my babies were born at 34weeks and still had 9 days of NICU time

CrazeyJaneyR

SNL0605:

Im a little bothered by the fact that some of your doctors are telling you to celebrate at 24, 26,28 weeks

as a pediatric nurse I can tell you that is NOT something to celebrate. sh!t I've seen MANY kids not making it even being born at 30 weeks...

I don't mean to sound insensitive but how about celebrate AFTER you make it to 37/38 weeks

my babies were born at 34weeks and still had 9 days of NICU time

I disagree - I think EVERY week is something to celebrate , because it is closer to term. There is nothing wrong with short term goals. Especially if you are having a difficult pregnancy where the babies may be early. Every week you make it further is a celebration. It's being positive. No one WANTS to have babies that early ,but making it to that point is one step closer to healthy babies.

This is a REALLY dumb argument. Let's all take it for what it is, remaining positive and celebrating AS MUCH AS WE CAN for every week we ?get clsoer to a healthy full ?term baby(ies)?

CrazeyJaneyR

PS, for those who are interested, here is a viability chart:

https://miscarriage.about.com/od/pregnancyafterloss/a/prematurebirth.htm?

nygrl79

Just to clarify, when I said I'm striving for 28 weeks, I didn't mean that I'm striving to give birth at 28 weeks.  I meant that I consider the line of viability to be crossed at 28 weeks and I think that is something be happy about.  Of course, my goal is to make it to 38 weeks, but I'll take 36. 

jenkm

MrsARC1105:

jenkm:

My doctor goes by 24 weeks for twins as well.  It's interesting, I read that twins actually develop faster than singletons - I'm not sure if that means size or just lung development - which is why they can be born earlier with little to no time in NICU compared to a singleton baby.  In any case, I think it's safe to use 24 wks as a guide unless you find info to the contrary - I'll be checking back to see if everyone else agrees.

IMO, it is very unrealistic to think that twins can be born early and have no NICU time.I'm not saying you believe this but it is best to be realistic about what a premature birth can mean. I know plenty of singletons born at 34 weeks with only a few days in the NICU under their belts, my 34 weekers were there 2 weeks.

Viability and long term outcomes are totally different.

You're preaching to the choir - I'm striving for abolutely going to full-term.  I just find it interesting that multiples develop faster (again, just what I've read). 

macchiatto

The research is actually mixed on whether or not multiples develop faster. There is some indication that their lungs might develop faster because of stress in the womb but it's controversial.