Unexpected Twins

I'll try to keep this short, but I can't make any promises. Obviously, I'm new here. And like my username implies, I'm a parent to 3 with twins on the way, maybe.

I went for an ultrasound at what I thought was 5 weeks 4 days (I know for sure the day I ovulated, we were actively TTC). I'm so confused how there could be twins when we tried for so long to get pregnant with a 4th and couldn't even get ONE baby and now I've conceived TWO? Anyway, at the ultrasound they said I am "about 5 weeks". Neither baby has a heartbeat yet, and they aren't even 100% sure they SAW a second baby. They just THINK they did, and there are two gestational sacs. Picture below:

Picture

I go back in 2 weeks for another scan, but I am so lost right now. And so worried. Honestly, I didn't even know what I was looking at at first. I thought it was an empty uterus with NO babies and that there was some weird line in my uterus. I was SO confused. I was too shocked to even ask many questions so I didn't even figure out what I was looking at until I got home and looked up other early twins ultrasounds.

1) What are the odds I will see two babies at the next ultrasound? I'm worried about vanishing twin syndrome and heard it happens in 20-30% of twin pregnancies. That sounds so high to me!

2) Anyone not see a heartbeat around 5 1/2 weeks but then see two at their next ultrasound? Is that common, or is it just something I can "hope" for? What are the odds at least 1 baby will have a heartbeat? If only 1 baby has a heartbeat at 7 1/2 weeks, what are the odds the second will still make it, and show up with a heartbeat later? I know it's really early still, but I can't stop worrying and I just hope the odds are in my favor, but I want to be prepared even if they aren't.

3) I read there are a lot of things to worry about with Twin pregnancies. Is there anything I don't have to worry about since they have their own sacs, or are all the problems pretty much the same either way?

4) My first 3 kids were born at 36 weeks, 35 weeks, and 37 weeks. I'm diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. I'm terrified of the twins coming TOO early. Anyone else with this problem still make it to a good gestational age? At the very least, I want to make it to 32 weeks, but really, the longer the better.

5) Is there anything I can do to up my chances? I'm trying to eat more now. I read I should read 2700 calories a day, but I find that difficult, even with my insane appetite I've had recently. Are there any foods that will promote the health and development of both babies? Are there certain vitamins I should take? right now I take 2 flinstones with DHA in the morning and 1 at night. I also take 800mg of folic acid every day in a separate supplement.

I think that covers my main questions right now. I'm sorry to basically show up here and ask a million questions. I promise I am not a drive by poster. If I am pregnant with twins, I will be an active member, and in the meantime, I will still support everyone here. I'm a member on a regular pregnancy forum (just mommies, my username is alittlelost) so you can look me up and see that I am not a drive by poster type of person. I just really need help right now and there aren't a lot of moms on the other board who have twins who I can talk to and find out what is going on and maybe have my fears put to ease.

Thanks to anyone willing to respond with their experiences or support.

 

Deep breaths! You have come to the best place I can think of in regards to twins(and up!). We did IVF, so our first u/s was around 6.5 weeks or so. In any case, there were two babies, two heartbeats. I know there are quite a few women on here who went in one week and saw one baby...and went back later on and two showed up. And that goes for no heartbeat one week, with a heartbeat the next week.

I do think it is common, especially on such an early u/s, to not see heartbeats. I think it's also why they probably don't generally do them this early on in the pregnancy-because the chances of seeing anything are slim.

There's a lot of information out there about pregnancy in general, let alone twin pregnancies. I, for one, thought I would have everything in the book-awful morning sickness, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, give birth early. Well I had nothing. Nothing. Not even nesting! Or cravings! I kid you not. Every pregnancy is different. I think the main "worry" would be to carrying them to term.

As for an incompetent cervix, my guess is your doctor would put in a cerclage to help keep the cervix closed. Many moms on here have had it done with great success.

As for diet, I did nothing out of the ordinary. I was a bit overweight, so my doctor didn't want me gaining a ton of weight(49.5 lbs I gained). I don't think I ate excessively at all. Remember-no cravings. Lol! Or food aversions for that matter!

Try not to think about, worry about all of the what ifs! You'll drive yourself crazy! Congrats on the pregnancy and definitely keep us posted on the follow up appointment!

 

Thank you SO much for the warm welcome and the encouraging feedback! I have been so worried about not having symptoms, too, so hearing that you didn't and still had a healthy twin pregnancy makes me feel SO much better. I've been reading everything I can online but it's just not the same as posting my own experience and getting feedback, so I can't express enough how much I appreciate your words and how much it means to me right now.

 

No symptoms, besides a growing belly and ultrasounds! And I had a scheduled c/s at 38 weeks-and they were 6 lbs 13 oz and 6 lbs 3 oz.

 

that is a great gestation and weight! So glad things went so well for you!

 

Congrats on your twins! 5 1/2 weeks is really early and you usually don't see a heartbeat. I had an ultrasound at about 6-7 weeks and I saw both hearbeats so I am hopeful you'll see yours next u/s. You already know you have an incomplete cervix, so half of the battle is already done and you can be followed closely. Again congrats!!

 

My only symptoms were the same ones I had with my ODD - some magnified, some not as bad. My two were born at 39 weeks - 6 lbs 8 oz and 6 lbs 3 oz. I only gained between 30 and 35 lbs overall, most of it in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I wouldn't worry about a special twin diet personally but others may disagree.

If they are di/di twins (separate sacs - amniotic and chorionic), you can worry a bit less. Don't worry about the terminology - it will be completely normal to you soon.

I'm no help with the early u/s questions. I was a solid 8 weeks when I found out.

Congrats and welocme!

 

You ladies are making me feel SO much more at peace already. THANK YOU! I'll still be anxious from now until my next ultrasound. It's crazy -- I didn't know I wanted twins until I found out there were two sacs. While I am concerned with risks associated with twin pregnancy, I am certain at this point I will be sad if both babies don't develop. I really just needed some hope that they will both be OK.

 

Congrats! Heartbeats typically aren't seen till 6 weeks. If you are just about 5 weeks, then there would be very little to see! I have had situations where it has gone both ways with early sonos, but I know with my last pregnancy at 4 weeks 6 days we saw 1 yolk sac and 3 empty sacs. We went back a week later and saw 4 heartbeats. In the very early stages every day makes a huge difference.

Good luck

 

Yup, I've also been under the impression that hearbeats can't be seen till at least 6 weeks. If it does turn out to be twins, ask your doctor to put you under care of a MFM or perinatologist, especially given your history if incompetent cervix.

Also, my pregnancy symptoms/side effects don't show up full swing till 6+. Those first 2-3 weeks after I know I'm pregnant I'll be extra tired, or vaguely nauseous, but nothing like what happens after I hit 6-7 weeks.

Also, I highly recommend the book Dr. Barbara Luke's book for a twin diet

Congrats and welcome to TS!

 

Welcome! I'm no help with the early stuff....my boys were a surprise at my 21 week gender ultrasound!

My symptoms weren't that out of the ordinary, just a little more nausea and a little more tired. I found I ate less with twins than my singleton.....I just wasn't hungry. I gained 60 lbs, most of that lost after birth.

My twins were born via scheduled c-section, 6 lbs 4 oz and 6 lbs 11 oz at 38 weeks 3 days.

 

Oh how exciting. As others said, try to relax. I'm new here, too. Keep us updated!!!

 

Thank you ladies so much. This is all so encouraging and gives me a lot of hope.

Can I ask what an MFM and perinatologist is?

 

Oh, also, I saw someone recommend Dr. Barbara Luke's book in another thread here (so thankful for this place) so I have already ordered a copy! you ladies are all so amazing to share this information. Thank you again!

 

An MFM is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist and a perinatoligost is a high risk OB. Either/both would be a very helpful referral for monitoring of certain types of higher risk twin pregnancies. I would definitely think that, with your history, they'd refer you out. Be sure to ask, though!

The great part is that they have all the fancy ultrasounds equipment.

 

That's awesome! OKAY, thank you, it helps me know what to look for!

I just wish the next 2 weeks would go faster. I am so so scared of the whole vanishing twin thing. I heard it happens in 1 in 5 twin pregnancies. But I heard it's more common with mothers over 30. I'm 27 (almost 28) so I wonder what the odds would be for my age group? there doesn't seem to be any information out there like that. I also was hoping there was something I could do to prevent it, but I keep reading and everything says you can't prevent it. the only thing that cheers me up right now is hearing from you other ladies.

 

I'm newer to the site, but just wanted to add that my dr has me on a high protein diet. She said not only for weight on the babies, but to help prevent pre eclampsia. She said she'll probably add in some protein shakes later as well. Also, extra folic acid.

 

Welcome to TS!! Everyone has given you some great information! I went to my first ultrasound at 6 wks 5 days, I was originally scheduled for 7 wks 5 days, but I was having some brown spotting. I had 2 miscarriages prior and was terrified I was miscarrying again. So my fertility specialist got me in early. We saw one obvious heartbeat, and a second sack. It took a lot of digging for the u/s tech to find the second baby. Even then, we could just barely make out a slight flutter we thought was the heartbeat, but we couldn't see it very obviously, and we couldn't hear it yet. We could see and hear baby A's heartbeat though.

The tech and dr reassured me it was normal, but also cautioned me about vanishing twin syndrome. I went back at 8.5 wks for a second u/s and saw two very healthy beating heartbeats, and both babies measuring right on track, about a day apart.

My twins were born at 36 wks 2 days, at 7.2 lbs and 6.4 lbs.

I also had a very good pregnancy. I did have morning sickness starting around week 6, and ended up on meds to help me with that, but otherwise, no pre-e, no high bp, no gestational diabetes (I was tested 3 times), gained about 28 lbs total.

I loaded up on protein. Just made sure I was eating as much protein as possible. It definitely didn't hurt and might even help

Keep us posted on how you are doing and how your upcoming u/s goes. And stay away from Dr. Google!

 

Been thinking about you. Have you had your second ultrasound yet?