Identical Twins

tiersa_smith · May 2014

Are there any identical moms that had their twins without the scare of TWin Transfusion resulting in complications?

I find out on Friday if I have identical or fraternal but at my 7 week ultrasound my doc said that they looked identical. Now I've been freaking out worried about the risks and when I went through the cases I read each mom had the twin transfusion issue and had a hard time before delivering their babies. Are there any identical twin pregnancies that went smooth?

I trust God will keep my little ones safe but I'm still a bit concerned. Thanks

KatieGummow · May 2014

The only way you will know if they are fraternal in utero is if they are b/g twins. (Unless maybe you do amino testing?) Maybe your doc means find out if they are mono/mono, mono/di, or di/di? Even if they are di/di there is a small chance they split really early on and implanted in two different places.

Not to worry you but, I also think (mine were di/di so I am not sure) that the risk of twin to twin transfusion with mo/mo or mo/di twins never goes away until birth. That is why that pregnancy is monitored so closely throughout the pregnancy.

ks3pink · May 2014

To answer your question yes, I had mono/di twins and had no issues. Of course I was monitored very closely my entire pregnancy just in case anything started to develop. I was very lucky the my boys were born only 3 ozs different in weight. They shared nicely!

12bailey18 · May 2014

We just found out at 17 weeks we are having twins and found out a few days later they are mo/di. It's possible they could be di/di and their placentas have already crowded and/or fused together. Because we found out late, there's no way to know for sure. They are treating me as if I have mo/di, though. It's good to educate yourself but don't over-do the google. It will freak you out and work you into an unnecessary frenzy. Know what questions to ask your doctor and make sure you feel comfortable with your care. When we found out they were mo/di my OB wasn't concerned in the least. They'll just keep an eye on things more frequently but it's certainly nothing for me to stress about.

Rxmom04 · May 2014

I'm pregnant with mono/di twins and am at 17 weeks 4 days. Just wanted to say congratulations and echo what the PPs said- you can't control it but you can educate yourself and the doctors will monitor you closely. Mine assured me that while TTS is a possibility it is best caught early and can in many cases be treated with good outcomes if they see it in the early stages so that's why starting last week I'm on a schedule of visits every 2 weeks with the specialist (MFM) for ultrasounds and currently see the OB every 4 weeks. I'm at someone's office almost every week until the OB changes his visit schedule. No problems so far but it is very reassuring to see the docs and the babies so frequently.

Jenn06L80 · May 2014

I just had identical mon-di twin girls on April 3 at 36.3 weeks. No TTS. I was monitored very closely. My girls were born small but are doing great! They did have some nicu time because they were so small - just for feeding and jaundice. Good luck with your pregnancy!

tiersa_smith · May 2014

Awe thanks everyone for the feedback I feel a lot better about it now, I will try to stay away from the googling and get back to prayer and reassuring myself that me and my little ones will be just fine.

Thanks so much again and to those still pregnant wishing you a happy and safe delivery!

jeephappygirl · May 2014

I have b/g so not the same but still more risks than a singleton. A few months into my pregnancy, I was reading a book & bawling at all the possible things that could go wrong. It's good to educate yourself but know that yours could be smooth sailing. Mt DH never understood why I was crying. I think as moms and because they are inside of us, we always take it more deeply.

BabyCarryingVessel · May 2014

I had a very uneventful di/di identical twin pregnancy. I agree with the others. Get familiar with your terminology so you know what questions to ask him. Dichorionic/Diamniotic = two placentas, two sacs, and most di/di pregnancies are fraternal, but there's a chance they could be identical. Mo/di = one placenta, two sacs, and all mo/di pregnancies are identical. Same with mo/mo, which is one placenta and one sac. Lots and lots of women on here have had uneventful pregnancies. Just take it one day at a time and try to relax

daisy19782011 · May 2014

Yes, mine were almost identical in size the whole time, but mine were MoMo, so I was told they were less likely to have TTS. I was scared to death of everything else that could go wrong though. I ended up very lucky.

tiersa_smith · May 2014

Thx again....very encouraging!

jezebel57 · May 2014

Mine were mono di born jan 7. 6 oz difference in birth weight. I was monitored every two weeks starting at week 16 and had a planned c section at 36 weeks. Boys were in Nicu for three days and came home the day after I got discharged

raraavis28 · May 2014

I had mo/di twins w/ a growth discordance. I was monitored very closely and they were delivered once that growth difference passed a certain point, though they never developed full-blown TTTS.

I understand about the anxiety. The day after I found out the type of twins my boys were I freaked myself out w/ Dr. Google....and then it got so much worse when they discovered that they had one of the symptoms for TTTS. So I would strongly advise against googling stuff; it just makes one worry unnecessarily. When the complication did develop, my OB referred me to an MFM and both were very reassuring, letting me know how they'd monitor the babies and what would be the course of action if something went wrong. In the end, everything was fine. One was bigger than the other (still is) but they have been totally healthy and, despite a stressful pregnancy, none of my worst fears came true.

It sounds like you are a prayerful person. Keep praying. Don't worry about anything until there is an issue and then just trust God and trust the professionals. GL!

Rachiemoo · May 2014

Yes I had mo-di identical twins and I did not have TTTS. I followed the pregnancy diet detailed in Dr. Luke's book (a ton of protein), and I have read that adequate food and protein intake can prevent TTTS.

My twins were born at 35 weeks, but one of my twins was born with intestinal issues and needed surgery immediately upon birth. Identical twins who share a placenta are definitely at a higher risk than fraternal twins for issues, but many are born with out complications.

Wishing you all the best, there are quite a few identical twin groups on facebook if you end up finding out you are expecting identicals and need more support.

tiersa_smith · May 2014

Update: Thanks again guys! I did my appointment today and the doc confirmed that the twins have their own sacs but she couldn't confirm if they shared a placenta so I may be mo/di or di/di. She said she couldn't tell if they were identical or fraternal because they separated too quickly (don't know what that means) When I look at the ultrasound comparisons it seems more mo/di to me. No luck on gender either will have to wait another 3 weeks. Im hoping at least one is a girl!

12bailey18 · May 2014

tiersa_smith said:

Update: Thanks again guys! I did my appointment today and the doc confirmed that the twins have their own sacs but she couldn't confirm if they shared a placenta so I may be mo/di or di/di. She said she couldn't tell if they were identical or fraternal because they separated too quickly (don't know what that means) When I look at the ultrasound comparisons it seems more mo/di to me. No luck on gender either will have to wait another 3 weeks. Im hoping at least one is a girl!

Similar to me! They have no way of knowing if I'm mo/di or di/di so they're treating me as mo/di to be safe.

tiersa_smith · May 2014

@12bailey18 awe nice to have company

Are you wishing for gender choices as yet? I see you have one of each already

12bailey18 · May 2014

@tiersa_smith We found out they are twin girls! We found out (both we were having twins and the gender) at an ultrasound baby boutique in our town, LOL. I go on Tuesday for my anatomy scan so we'll see if they're right! Because my twins were discovered at 17 weeks they're not sure if my placenta just fused or crowded together to look like one or if they started with one from the beginning. I'm glad to "know" someone else who also isn't sure.

Did they say if they'd be treating them as mo/di?

tiersa_smith · May 2014

@12bailey18 awe I'm so happy for you! I wish myself the same luck lol. My doctor didn't say what she would treat them as she seems to want to wait until next visit on June 16th to confirm. That must have been quite a surprise to find that out at 17 weeks lol. I found out at 7 weeks.

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