Weight discordance

[sclwrkr74]

I went in for an ultrasound today and my little girl hasn't grown a whole lot in the past month. She now weighs in at only 3 lbs 12 oz (last month she was 3lb 3oz). Her brother is weighing in at 4 lbs 11oz and has gained over a pound in the past month. The peri is not too concerned yet and will remeasure in 3 weeks. I am worried...I am their mommy, so I get worried over these things. I get it in my head what they SHOULD measure and when I hear she is still in the 3 pound mark, I get concerned.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[farmmomof 3]

I know it is hard to not to worry but I would wait until the next ultrasound before worrying too much. A lot of it depends upon the measurements and how much the babies are moving can make measuring hard. I had a lot of ultrasounds and my babies were always about 8 oz apart. Two weeks before birth they were measuring around 6 pound each (give or take). At birth my daughter was 6# 3oz but my son was 7# 14oz. I doubt he grew that much in two weeks!

[splangysmom]

We have quite a discordance, too. I'm right there with you as far as worrying. I'm scared as h**l.

Baby A and Baby B are identical girls, and they share a placenta. They're not sharing properly. Baby C is a boy. He's doing okay.

Baby A weighs 2lb 15oz, Baby B weighs 2lbs 3oz, and Baby C weighs 3lb 3oz.

My doctor is monitoring us 2x a week and if Baby B slows down any more, we're going to be admitted.

I don't know if that's a different situation from yours because there's a risk of TTTS with our babies, but I think you should be monitored 2x a week or even more with bpps.

Hang in there. Believe me, I know how hard it is, especially when you want your doctor to share your sense of urgency.

Lesa

[helene1108]

I can also relate to what you're going through!! After our last Level 2, it was discovered that there is a growth discordance between my twins as well. I even posted a question here about it and the ladies who responded were so encouraging!! My peri also told me he's not seriously concerned at this point (at the time of the Level 2, my babies were measuring 11 days apart, with a 10 ounce weight difference between them) but he has my OB keeping a close eye on the growth so I'll continue to have Level 2's every 3-4 wks. I know it's so hard not to worry constantly...I'm in the same boat!! With each passing day I worry that the smaller baby is not getting enough blood flow, enough nutrients...my mind is my own worst enemy! But the one thing we both have that is encouraging is that both of our peri's seem to not be too seriously concerned as of yet...for some reason that gives me peace of mind about my own situation, as he's the expert and knows what he's doing. To give you extra peace of mind, have you thought about asking for weekly NST's? I just had one b/c I was so worried and my OB was very sweet and understanding about it, even though he normally doesn't start NST with twins until around 32 wks. As a mom-to-be, I worry all the time and I think that's just natural. Just know you're not alone in this.....there seems to be a few of us here going through the same thing!!

Helene
28w6d with b/g twins!!

[sclwrkr74]

All of your replies are so encouraging and heartfelt. Thank you.

[Noell]

My twins were like that a bit. but I was told not to worry. They shared a placenta and Morrigan was the pig. I had to eat lots of protein to help Gideon out a bit. finally at 30 weeks he finally grew alot! good thing since they were born a week later.

[*Sheryl*]

My MZ sons shared a placenta. They were born at 37 weeks 6 lb 10 oz and 5 lb 6 oz. They were just fine at birth and by 8 months caught up in size.
Good luck to you and give it a few weeks. It could be only a temporary thing.

[Steph+1+2]

I have just been diagnosed w/ a large discordance in my monochorionic boys, this morning actually. I am 28 weeks and Twin A is 3lbs 2oz (67%) and Twin B is 2lbs 7oz (11%). They don't seem to have any amniotic fluid discrepencies at this point fortunately (in fact, Twin B has more fluid than A). I have just been referred to a perinatologist, which I am very happy about. My appointment is next Friday. But this whole thing is just scary.

What are your doctors recommending? Bedrest? Increased fluid/protein intake?

Take care & prayers for lots of healthy babies!

[Steph+1+2]

... that 4 weeks ago at our last growth ultrasound, they were measuring only 2 ounces apart (1lb 10oz & 1lb 8oz), so the discordance has increased substantially over the past month.

[splangysmom]

Steph+1+2,

Your situation sounds so much like mine. I already replied to this post, but I wanted to add that I'm on self-imposed bedrest and I'm doing Boost High Protein 2x a day to supplement my diet so the babies get as much as they can.

I, too, have the frightening difference that only 3 weeks ago, the babies were only 3-4 oz different, but now the discordance has increased.

I just wanted to let you know that you shouldn't probably wait until next Friday to see the doctor. Are the doctors checking the dopplers each time? We're having the doctor's office check the umbilical cord at both insertion points - at the belly and at the placenta, and also midway between to keep an eye on blood flow. One of our babies has poor blood flow - we believe that's the reason she's smaller. They're not sharing as they should.

Take care.

Lesa

[sclwrkr74]

Yes...the dopplers were good, so that is not a problem. Can TTTS be a problem with fraternal twins? Her brother is transverse laying on top of her, which may not help her growth any. As long as I feel her moving around, I know she is ok. We go to the OB on Tuesday, so we will see what he says.

Amy

[RRM417]

I feel much better reading your thoughts and concerns. I'm due dec 7 with b/g twins. I also have a daughter who will be 2 in oct. She keeps me very busy. At my last visit to the high risk doc he seemed a little concerned for the girl. They were only 2 oz off but the % for her was low for 26 wks. But its too early to tell. So I'm patiently waiting to for my next appt on sept 21st. Hope shes growing!!! take it easy everyone

[dixiegirl]

TTTS affects identical twins due to the shared placenta. If you have fraternal twins (and are very CERTAIN they are fraternal) then you most likely have some other issue, not TTTS.

Just an FYI for anyone who may have TTTS or thinks they may have it: DRINKING PROTEIN DRINKS...keep in mind that the idea is to SIP THEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY. If you are only drinking them in the morning and then later in the day then it isn't doing what it is intended for. Dr. DeLia (founder of TTTS laser surgery) has noted that most of the women diagnosed with TTTS pregnancy are anemic...this is the reason for drinking the protein drinks...you want to keep getting that protein going into your body all day. TTTS Foundation recommends that you sip the protein drink before you go for the water so that the babies are getting the protein first. Many women with this tend to be thirsty and drink a lot of water...better to go for the protein shakes...I found they tasted better if they were ice cold. You can put a mug in the freezer and pour your drink in there over ice to keep it cold while you are sipping. You'll get tired of the taste...just stay focused on your goal...healthy babies!

BEDREST...bedrest is another recommendation by TTTS Foundation. The best position is for you to lay on your left side. I know it gets uncomfortable...just do it as much as you can. I tended to switch sides every now and then. Sitting is the worst position for you to be in...standing is better than sitting.

You can get a LOT of good, up to date info on TTTS from TTTS Foundation (www.tttsfoundation.org) This foundation was started by Mary Slaman-Forsythe, a mother who lost one of her twins to TTTS back in the early 80s, before treatments for TTTS were widely known about. She is a wonderful support person for anyone dealing with TTTS and has a LOT of knowledge. She is always happy to talk to anyone who has questions about TTTS and needs more information---you can get the phone # and email address on the website to contact her. Hope this helps someone.

[DoubleDipping]

Hope things are going good for you in other words. Sizes can vary like that from what I have researched. It really is who ever is more dominate inside, grows more and once out they usually catch up with one another fairly soon. Don't fret.

My sizes are 31 weeks = Girl 4 lbs Boy 3.7oz

She was alot smaller then him but in the past 6 weeks pasted him up greatly. You can never tell.. its like they have a race to see who is more dominate inside the womb.....

Other then that.. I am having alot of things going weird and pain galore. Sorry if I am short here but I dont know what is going on with me. Just contractions after contractions I hope they go away again.. like they been doing. They are coming alot more. I just dont get it. Hope you are having better luck with BH!

Take care of yourself!