anyone having twins in the fall of 2010?

[babyluv]

Karen - my friend just had the same thing happen at 18.5 weeks...did an emergency cerclage a few days later and was on strict bedrest the rest of the time (this was with a singleton). They said she'd be lucky to make it to 30 weeks, she had the cerclage taken out at 35.5 and came off bedrest...went into labor 2 days later just before 36 weeks, had a beautiful baby girl just over 6 pounds. Perfect. She kept having more and more contractions, especially near the end, and her cervix kept shortening...until she upped her water intake like crazy. Once she started drinking 150oz a day, her cervix actually stopped shortening, contractions slowed and she is CONVINCED it was the water. I really do think it will help (though who knows what other factors were involved, but I've heard a lot of people say great things about a lot of water! I usually have 3-4 liters a day, but that's actually normal for me).

Why does your dr not want a cerclage? I think they really help. Either way, follow their instructions and STRICT bedrest!! She ended up only taking a shower twice a week for a while. It was so worth it. Good luck and I know you'll do awesome!!!

[karenthescorpio]

Babyluv- thank for the info about your friend. I'm so happy to hear her baby made it to term in wonderful health! My OB shared with me some info in a couple studies where cerclages weren't that helpful in a twin/multiple pregnancy...even showed it in some cases being harmful b/c of the risk of rupturing the babies sac closest to the cervix, bringing on further cervix changes, etc. Ironically, I don't have an incompetent cervix, or so he thinks. My cervix is closed and firm...just keeps shortening. He said not uncommon in twin/multiples due to the pressure in the uterus. My uterus is measuring at the equivalent of a 26 week singleton pregnancy. He has seen twin pregnancies in his practice that have not had problems when the cervix shortens i.e. no preterm labor, ruptures, etc. So I'm kind of in this weird place where it is clearly shortening but no other problems. The window opportunity to do it is closing due to getting closer to 24 weeks (which he won't do it when you reach that point) and the more it shortens, the greater the risk of complications. But the risk of a sac rupture scares me to death...if it ruptures...this pregnancy will not continue. He did have me start progesterone vag inserts...which is clearly proven to help without any risk. And of course, bed rest. So I feel good he's doing something, but the cerclage could buy me more time or destroy all hope. I really don't know what to do. A cerclage for a singleton is MUCH less risky and has proven to really help. Apparently twins/multiples is a different story. Anyone else have insight? I don't want to do a web search...that'll just scare me to death and worry me even more. UGH.

[not hopeless yet]

my friend delivered her 1st baby at only 25 weeks and the baby was in NICU for months. So for her 2nd baby they recommended a cerlage and she didn't have to be on bedrest til about 7.5 mths. As soon as they removed the cerclage she delivered so I think if your cervix is shortened and you're already on bedrest you might consider it. Keep us posted.

[babyluv]

Karen, thanks for the insight into the mulitples/cerclage thing. I had never heard that before, but it makes sense. I guess a lot depends on when you do it. My friend had trips via IVF and they did a precautionary cerclage early...maybe 12 weeks? She carried her trips to 33 1/2 weeks and they spent some time in the NICU but are healthy little 3 year olds now. I don't blame you in not wanting to research this!! The fact that you have no other problems is definitely a good sign. I would be nervous either way.

Good luck and I'll be praying for the right decision to be made! I think the most important thing you can do right now if just stay on bedrest and let each day pass and the babies get bigger and bigger. It was a miserable time for my friend, but totally worth it...and she knows she will go through it with each pregnancy, yet still wants another one, soo...we do what we have to for our kids, right?

At any rate, please keep us posted and I'm praying for you!

[karenthescorpio]

Hi everyone. The cerclage procedure went well and my doc was very happy with everything. I'm currently quite sore with mild cramping, slight spotting but I'm told that is normal for today and will improve. I'm soooo relieved it is done. They gave me a spinal block which was not fun but now at least I'm mentally prepared for it when delivery time comes. Now just stay on bed rest and count the weeks! Thanks everyone for the moral support! It means and helps so much. God bless all of us! Karen

[Stephanieford78]

Karen - Glad everything went well and you feel more secure. I am sure bed rest won't be much fun but it will be so worth it once those babies are in your arms safe and sound! Take it easy and I hope you let us know how you are doing often so I don't have to worry about you. I asked my OB about a stitch and he is reluctant since at the moment my cervix looks good and I have no history of IC plus he said he doesn't recommend it with a previa. I just worry since it's been 11 years since I had a baby so I am older and carrying twins, plus what is happening to you worries me. I am not being regularly monitored like you. My OB, though a HR OB doesn't want to see me but every 6 weeks and my u/s's are also every 6 weeks. Is it wrong of me to wish to be seen more often? I am a high risk pregnancy afterall. Maybe I should take my own advice and think happy thoughts and not worry. lol

[babyluv]

Karen - So happy everything went well! I've been wondering!

Steph - 6 weeks does seem like a long time for HR...most non-HR patients are seen every 4 weeks, though they don't usually have u/s. Have you asked if you could be seen more? I'm sure everything is fine, but if you are worried, I would definitely ask. Do you see a military dr? That could make a difference.

AFM - Still unclear what Baby A is, but B is a girl! I'll hopefully have my first HR appt in 2-3 weeks, so we should be able to tell for sure on both at that point. Baby A was just bouncing all over the place, but since it's hand was between it's legs, I'm sticking with boy

[Stephanieford78]

Babyluv - I changed my insurance so that I could be seen off post. He is a really good ob, I just think he is taking my pregnancy too lightly since I was pregnant before with no issues. This one is soooo different though and over a decade since I gave birth so yeah, I am a bit worried. I have been reading a lot of bad stories with late m/c in the other thread and that doesn't help! I think I will call today since I should let them know I think I have had salmonella since Friday. I still don't think they will want to see me. We shall see!

A boy and a girl?? That would be perfect! I hope that's the case.

[karenthescorpio]

babyluv- I'm feeling so much better today. Hardly sore at all. Actually my back is more sore from the spinal than anything. I'm just trying to rest. Bedrest is very hard. How the hell am I to get anything done? Fortunately my mom is coming tomorrow...a trip that was already planned. So the timing really worked out! I know for sure one of mine is a girl. And the doc thinks the other is a girl, but not 100% sure due to position of baby. I don't care either way. I just want healthy babies!

[karenthescorpio]

Steph- I'm surprised your HR OB has you come about every 6 weeks. I'm sure if you ask for more they can accommodate. I go every two weeks...and now it'll probably be every week. I return to my doc on Thursday for a check-up on my cerclage and cervis length. I'm so glad I decided to do it. And I could tell my doc was too afterwards. He had plenty of cervix to work with still. He didn't stitch through it...but put the stitch around it. So there was no risk of puncturing the sac of the baby closest to my cervix. I hope you are feeling well! xo

[not hopeless yet]

babyluv - you're so cute posting in your signature "girl + ?" that is so cool. We will find out at end of July (hopefully.)

[Stephanieford78]

Hello twin baby mamas!

Well, I called my OB office to tell them I was exposed to salmonella and they don't want to see me. A nurse said as long as I am hydrated I am fine. I even mentioned some contractions being brought on by my cramping belly over the weekend, mentioned I was worried that might have made some changes but they said as long as it isn't every 5 minutes I am fine. Am I?? There have been a lot of scares and bad news in the other pg thread, not to mention my own issues previously with this pg. I guess if I am that worried I will have to go to the hospital.

[not hopeless yet]

Stephanie-
I'm surprised your OB is blowing off many of your requests... can you switch doctors? are you feeling better, still having cramps? Is it the receptionist or MD you're talking to because sometimes I think receptionists think they have all the answers and they don't. I would stay home from work and try to relax on the couch.

I was wicked stressed at work the other day and started cramping so I took the next day off and layed on the couch. Cramps didn't subside til nearly that afternoon. Then after my pelvic exam last week I was spotty and crampy and DH and I had sex (tmi?) on Sun. and I spotted that night and all day yesterday so I called OB. They said I could come in and see if the heartbeats are still there but we decided to see if spotting subsided (which it did by last night.) I'm still a little crampy but I already have an appt this Fri for early risk assessment ultrasound, so I'll just wait til then.

Hope you feel better.
Brenda

[Stephanieford78]

Brenda - I can switch doctors, I like my OB but I am not fond of his staff at all. I have been thinking about going to the hospital instead of the hospital's clinic closer to where I live. It was a receptionist who was asking a nurse, but I never got to speak to the nurse. I am sure my doctor knows nothing about this and it wasn't even marked in my chart. I couldn't tell them everything I wanted to because it was a monkey in the middle type of phone call and I felt pushed to get off the phone.

I am really hoping that little girl has just changed positions or something because I can't feel her move lately and before, she was the one kicking all the time, now it's the boy. I only feel kicks on my right side. That is worrying me but I know the nurse at the OB office will just say it's normal since most women don't even feel their babies yet. Also.. my belly is huge on my right side and smaller on my left. Anyone else having this? Maybe it's because boy is bigger? Should I be worried baby girl isn't growing since I haven't felt her move? GOSH! I am a mess... I think I just need to be seen and hopefully get some reassurance.

I got pretty off track there... sorry! So.. spotting? You might have a delicate cervix? You are stronger than me, I would have jumped on the chance to go in to the dr. lol I am glad the spotting stopped though. Hopefully it will stay gone. I don't like you saying you had cramps though. Maybe you should stay home from work and relax? I am sure you will have good news at your next appt!

[Stephanieford78]

Update - For those who don't read the other forum... To make a long story short, I went to L&D and everything is fine with the babies. Baby girl did move, she is cuddled up next to her brother. Being large on my right side and not on my left... well, that is because he is on my right and she is right on him in the middle of my belly. lol Spite all the stress that caused me to worry about them, they look well. I loved going to L&D triage rather then the ER. A lot faster and I got specialists!

Hope everyone else is doing well!