How early were your twins?

Hi everyone,

Well, I've hit the 30 week mark and people keep telling me I'm "safe" now, as if to say if the twins were born, all will be well. I can't help but feel this congratulations is a little premature (pardon the pun).

It did get me thinking tho about just what it would be like if they were born early, and I was wondering if any of you had any experiences you could share? I am hoping to make it to at least 36 weeks, just to reduce the number of days they will probably need in special care. Have twins ever been born NOT needing special care??

There is no indication to say that I'll go early, no complications...except that the boy is a bit bigger than the girl, but she is catching up.

Any stories or advice would be welcome1

Julesy

[alice00]

I am currently pregnant with twins and am now 36 weeks and 2 days. There is no reason that twins can't carry to term. Although term with twins is considered 37 weeks. One of mine is slighlty smaller than the other. But because they are two separate babies with their own placentas this is quite normal. Good luck. There is no reason that you will deliver early, I have had a lot of these comments as well.

alice00

[KarlaO]

My twins were born at 38 weeks + 1 day induced. The stats are that 75% of twins are born before 36 weeks, but that remaining 25% is a huge number. As Alice00 said, no reason why you should go early. Good luck in the rest of you pg.

[2gorgeous]

Hi, my twins were born at 40 weeks + 1 day following induction. Who knows how long they may have stayed in there without the induction? They were by no means overdone when they arrived.

The only reason I was induced was due to high blood pressure at the very last minute (normal during rest of pregnancy).

So it is entirely possible to have a full term twin pregnancy, subject to your health care providers advice... I do know that I was on the edge of my seat waiting for it to happen from 37 weeks - a very long 3 weeks that was!

Good luck!

[pansy]

Hi I delivered my twin girls at 36 weeks and 4 days..Labour started on it's own.My OB said she would not have let me go past 38 weeks anyway....My SIL's sister has fraternal twins as well and had them at 40 weeks..
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy..

[mrsmac]

My cousin's twins were born via c section (they were lying across her stomach not down!) at 37w3 days, her dr said he would not let her go past 38 weeks either.

[Ashlee]

Yep my aunty had her twins in 06 at 38 weeks spontaneously, went on to have 7lb baby girls delivered naturally without drugs.

[mrsmac]

My cousin's twins were both over 7lb too even that early!

[threeboys@20]

Hi, my twin boys are two months old. They were born 8 weeks early weighing a good (considering the prematurity) 4lb 5.5oz and 4lb 7 oz. I was lucky to have them naturally as twin two was breech. My local hospital didnt have room in special care for them so i got blue lighted to another hospital two hours away in the middle of the night! Not ideal as we had to stay there for another two weeks to get transfered back!!

My boys were in special care for four weeks.

Most premature twins dont get let out of special care untill they are 37weeks, feeding from a bottle rather than a tube and putting on good weight. So be prepared for this. I had to seperate myself from them as i have another child and it was to hard to get to hospital so after a week or so i ended up going every other day.

Well done to all the mums who have carried their twins to the end... you done well!! And good luck x x x

[Willow]

My best friend has two sets of twins - the first were born at 34 weeks and spent about 3 weeks in special care.

The second set (I hate calling them 'sets' but what else do you say?!) were born at 36+4 (I think!) and only spent a few days in special care and were often allowed out and in her room with her. She was able to breast feed these twins from birth, no tube feeding.

So even 2 weeks can make a lot of difference.

Both sets were born spontaneously and in both cases there was one twin that was breech, but all were delivered vaginally.

Good luck - I hope they stay snug in your belly for a few weeks yet!

Hi my boy/girl twins wre born at 33 1/2 weeks early and spen 8 days in special care before they were both transferd home to our local hospital were they spent a further 4 days establishing BF.

They were both born breach and wieghed in at 5 pound 5 Oz and 4 pound 13 Oz

Their is no reson mine came early mabye they just ran out of space who knows.

Good luck with the rest of your PG hope you get to term but even if you dont im sure they will get all the care they need.
Jean

[Leemar]

My Boys were 34wks5days Jordy was 5p10 and Xavier was 4p12.

[odette]

my twins were 10 weeks early due to IUGR in twin 1 and less that 10% cord flow
they were delivered via section as both were breech and needed assistance straight away
they spent 33 days in NICU /special care and came home at less than 36 weeks gestation and under 2kg as they said they were feeding Ok and would fatten up quicker at home
After 28 weeks twin have a 90% chance of being OK long term- they still may need assistance with breathing etc at the start but the long term prognosis is what they look at!
Babies can't such/swallow before 34 weeks so they need to be gavage fed and have trouble maintaining their body temps before this time
Usually, after 36 weeks you are OK for them to room with you and need little or no special care but ideally it is better for them t be delivered at 37+ weeks
Good luck and if you want any questions answered please ask away
for everyday they are inside you is two days less in special care - so keep them baking

Odette

[nickers]

a new mum come to playgroup last week(with her 3yr old) & had 9day old twin boys!
oh besides being so adorably cute she was induced at 38weeks!
they were 7lb 1oz & 7lb 4oz!

another gf of mine had twins at 36weeks. They spent 8-9days in hospital before coming home with mum at the same time. i think they were about 4lb 14oz & 5lb 13oz

i see your now 36weeks congratulations! how are you feeling/doing?

[Misskel]

Hi,

I might have missed the boat with this but my gorgeous twins were born in May 06 at 37 weeks and 1 day. Charlee Rose weighed 5 lb 06 oz and Jack Michael weighed 6 lb 5 oz. Both were healthy although Jacky had a little trouble breathing and needed oxygen and Char couldn't maintain her temp. They are almost 2 now. more healthy than any kids I know and I just love them so very much!!!!
How time flies.......

[pansy]

What about the amazing triplet mum in Sydney last week that had them at 39 weeks...They did'nt need to be in Special care..Amazing..

[Misskel]

I would have needed special care!! LOL!

[nic]

Kel, I can't believe your twins are almost 2!! How time flies!

Nic