If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Di-Di fused placenta
Hi there,
I'm getting mixed info from my MD and my OB and the 2 u/s I have had so far. I hope someone here can answer my questions.... U/S 1 showed a vivid "lambda sign" which the u/s tech said it meant they were fraternal twins U/S 2 showed (possibly due to an empty bladder & therefore an incomplete scan) one placenta OB is saying nothing was wrong with u/s #1 and that the preganancy is fine MD is saying possible TTTS due to discrepancy in u/s #2 weight/ages (also a possible typo in the report, as one is reportedly at 29wks and the other at 36wks...weights are estimated at 2lb 2oz which corresponds to about 26wks, and other twin is est 2lb14oz which corresponds to about 29wks) I've researched the internet regarding di-di fused placentas and can't find any info on it, that i can understand. Is this a serious medical concern (as serious as TTTS in idents) or is it rather common among di-di twins? I'm waiting a call back from either my MD or OB. It's possible I'll be in earlier than expected for yet another u/s to confirm or disprove the current #2 report findings. (or perhaps they can contact the u/s tech and have her confirm the report) TIA........Carla technically 27wks, due June 10/05 |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
David Candler wrote:
Hi there, I'm getting mixed info from my MD and my OB and the 2 u/s I have had so far. I hope someone here can answer my questions.... U/S 1 showed a vivid "lambda sign" which the u/s tech said it meant they were fraternal twins No idea what that means. U/S 2 showed (possibly due to an empty bladder & therefore an incomplete scan) one placenta That can be perfectly fine. My twins appeared to have one large placenta (in fact, even the pathology report *after* the twins were born said it was a shared placenta with one outer membrane), but in fact it was two fused placentas. My daughters look *extremely* different, and moreover have different blood types -- no doubt of their being fraternal! They were born two days before their due date, nice big healthy babies. OB is saying nothing was wrong with u/s #1 and that the preganancy is fine MD is saying possible TTTS due to discrepancy in u/s #2 weight/ages (also a possible typo in the report, as one is reportedly at 29wks and the other at 36wks...weights are estimated at 2lb 2oz which corresponds to about 26wks, and other twin is est 2lb14oz which corresponds to about 29wks) It's got to be a typo, considering you're 27 weeks. Two to three pounds just can't be the 50th percentile for 36 weeks. I've researched the internet regarding di-di fused placentas and can't find any info on it, that i can understand. Is this a serious medical concern (as serious as TTTS in idents) or is it rather common among di-di twins? It is theoretically possible that twin transfusion syndrome could occur with fraternal twins, but very unlikely. In most cases, the implanting of placentas next to each other does *not* result in any conjoining of vessels. It's more like two plants put close together in a hedge -- the branches may intertwine to the point where you can't tell which is which, yet each is definitely connected to one and only one of the plants. I'm waiting a call back from either my MD or OB. It's possible I'll be in earlier than expected for yet another u/s to confirm or disprove the current #2 report findings. (or perhaps they can contact the u/s tech and have her confirm the report) TIA........Carla technically 27wks, due June 10/05 It sounds highly likely to me that all is just fine, particularly since it sounds as though the smaller of the two is only a bit below 50th percentile for 27 weeks (or were you still at 26 weeks when you had it?). I hope you get an official answer soon. The great thing is to see appropriate growth from one u/s to the next. The measurements and estimates may get more and more off, especially towards term (my babies' weights were vastly *over*estimated near the end -- they were big babies, but not the ten-pounders it looked as though they were going to be!). --Helen |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Well, today I was referred to another OB in a larger center. I go in to see
him tomorrow (Wed) afternoon. The MD and OB seem more concerned with their weights (rather than the gestational age, which are obviously a typo on the report). A is 990gms and B is 1300gms. From what I've read in my twin book and from what little I can gather online, it didn't sound like a hug concern. My twin book puts A at 26.5wks and B at just about 28.5wks. A 2wk difference.....I was 27 wks at the time of the u/s. Helen, you mentioned your twins had a fused placenta. I'm going to assume there is nothing medically serious with that, they just happened to be in the same location and grew together? Is that always the case? Can a fused placenta ever be a serious issue? The great thing is to see appropriate growth from one u/s to the next. The measurements and estimates may get more and more off, especially towards term (my babies' If measurements & estimates get more & more "off" towards term, what's stopping my MD or OB from getting over-concerned and intervening when it's not truly necessary? I don't want the twins to be delivered early just because the u/s says they should be. I'll be asking the OB tomorrow about these issues. He'll likely send me for another u/s which will mean another trip to the city (2hr one way to the bigger center.....and just 1hr one way to my regular MD or OB...ugh). Somedays the boonies are a great place to live, but not when you need medical appts!! Carla 27wks, twin boys |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
David Candler wrote:
Well, today I was referred to another OB in a larger center. I go in to see him tomorrow (Wed) afternoon. The MD and OB seem more concerned with their weights (rather than the gestational age, which are obviously a typo on the report). A is 990gms and B is 1300gms. From what I've read in my twin book and from what little I can gather online, it didn't sound like a hug concern. My twin book puts A at 26.5wks and B at just about 28.5wks. A 2wk difference.....I was 27 wks at the time of the u/s. Helen, you mentioned your twins had a fused placenta. I'm going to assume there is nothing medically serious with that, they just happened to be in the same location and grew together? Is that always the case? Can a fused placenta ever be a serious issue? Even sharing a single placenta is not USUALLY a serious issue -- while the twins may be slightly smaller overall than those with separate placentas, the vast majority don't have TTTS. Fused placentas don't usually share any vessels at all, and when they do, it's usually far less than the effect of sharing the whole placenta. You can get issues sometimes when one of the cords is not coming from an optimum place in the placenta, but that's different. Actually one of my twins had a membranous insertion, which I think can sometimes cause problems, but there was no problem at all in her case. (To give you an idea, one twin was 7 lbs 15.5 oz and the other was 8 lbs 11 oz! And no, I was NOT diabetic, and they had normal sugars.) The great thing is to see appropriate growth from one u/s to the next. The measurements and estimates may get more and more off, especially towards term (my babies' If measurements & estimates get more & more "off" towards term, what's stopping my MD or OB from getting over-concerned and intervening when it's not truly necessary? I don't want the twins to be delivered early just because the u/s says they should be. My understanding is that there is not enough clarity about how to estimate fetal weights based on the measurements late in pregnancy, but that you *can* be pretty sure that things are okay if the measurements keep going up. That's why a series of ultrasounds is a lot more valuable than just one. --Helen |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"David Candler" wrote: Hi there, I'm getting mixed info from my MD and my OB and the 2 u/s I have had so far. I hope someone here can answer my questions.... U/S 1 showed a vivid "lambda sign" which the u/s tech said it meant they were fraternal twins U/S 2 showed (possibly due to an empty bladder & therefore an incomplete scan) one placenta OB is saying nothing was wrong with u/s #1 and that the preganancy is fine snip I can't offer much advice, but experience. My boys were di-di, and had a fused placenta. When I asked my OB if that would be a problem, she said no, it just meant only one placenta to deliver! I suppose it's possible for TTS, but keep in mind that ultrasounds aren't really accurate at determining weights. They can be a pound or two off. Good luck!! -- -Lisa Due September 2005 Mom to Aaron & Nicholas born 7/25/04 Mom to Mariam Averi, born sleeping 9/10/03 http://www.memoriesofmariam.com |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Sheesh, who ever thought carrying twins could be so complicated.
MD called me this afternoon. I was right, it was a typo on the u/s report, A is at 26wks and B is at 28wks. He agreed, not a big deal, and no real cause for concern. Whew. However, the big whig OB still wants to see me. MD is still saying 1 placenta and 1 sac. But I still want to question my first u/s in Jan, when even the radiologist himself agreed it was frat twins. It's quite possible the two placentas did, in fact, fuse together, so it's looking like one now. I have to keep in mind, the Jan u/s was on a far better machine (3D & color) than the most recent u/s (2D, which is used by the entire hospital, not just OB patients). Oh, and my OB had said too, that as long as the difference is size/weight/measurements are always consistent from u/s to u/s, then there's no real cause for concern. I just have to remember, that my MD is an overly-cautious doctor with all aspects of medical care. I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. Thanks for the support, I do appreciate it!! Carla Helen wrote: Even sharing a single placenta is not USUALLY a serious issue -- while the twins may be slightly smaller overall than those with separate placentas, the vast majority don't have TTTS. Fused placentas don't usually share any vessels at all, and when they do, it's usually far less than the effect of sharing the whole placenta. You can get issues sometimes when one of the cords is not coming from an optimum place in the placenta, but that's different. Actually one of my twins had a membranous insertion, which I think can sometimes cause problems, but there was no problem at all in her case. (To give you an idea, one twin was 7 lbs 15.5 oz and the other was 8 lbs 11 oz! And no, I was NOT diabetic, and they had normal sugars.) My understanding is that there is not enough clarity about how to estimate fetal weights based on the measurements late in pregnancy, but that you *can* be pretty sure that things are okay if the measurements keep going up. That's why a series of ultrasounds is a lot more valuable than just one. --Helen |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
At birth Kathleen was 6.11 and Christopher was 8.6 and both were healthy, he
was a heafy 21 inches and Kathleen a peanut by comparison 19.5. The irony was that almost their whole life up to now they have consistently stayed the same height difference. Now that Kathleen is in her puberty surge she's a whopping 5'1" and Chris 4'11 1/4". Good luck Shirley Chris and Kathleen 1/95 "Crystal Dreamer" wrote in message ... "David Candler" wrote: Hi there, I'm getting mixed info from my MD and my OB and the 2 u/s I have had so far. I hope someone here can answer my questions.... U/S 1 showed a vivid "lambda sign" which the u/s tech said it meant they were fraternal twins U/S 2 showed (possibly due to an empty bladder & therefore an incomplete scan) one placenta OB is saying nothing was wrong with u/s #1 and that the preganancy is fine snip I can't offer much advice, but experience. My boys were di-di, and had a fused placenta. When I asked my OB if that would be a problem, she said no, it just meant only one placenta to deliver! I suppose it's possible for TTS, but keep in mind that ultrasounds aren't really accurate at determining weights. They can be a pound or two off. Good luck!! -- -Lisa Due September 2005 Mom to Aaron & Nicholas born 7/25/04 Mom to Mariam Averi, born sleeping 9/10/03 http://www.memoriesofmariam.com |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Well, had my 3rd u/s yesterday. All is fine. Both boys are definitely
di-di frat twins. Doc said that's the best prognosis for twins, no real complications to expect. Still possibility of pre-term labor, growth discordance, and mall-presentation. A is still bum-down and hopefully he'll find the road-map soon and get head-down. I need many more u/s to track their growth & positioning. One at 30wks, every 2wks till 36wks, then weekely till delivery. Thankfully I can have these done at my local hospital (1hr drive). Doc says no reason I can't deliver at my local hospital too, as long as they don't arrive till 36-37 wks, or later. Anything earlier, he'll do it in the larger center (with a NICU). Our goal is to hit 36-37 wks, and then not much worry when they come after that. So, all is well, like I knew it was. Just had to find a doc that agreed with me. Thanks for the support, I'm glad to have found this list. Carla |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
David Candler wrote: Well, had my 3rd u/s yesterday. All is fine. Both boys are definitely di-di frat twins. I am glad all is well! I have been thinking of you. I am curious though, the fact that they are Di-Di, is that the only reason they are concluding that they are fraternal? Because I was under the impression that they could still be identical... just curious. Kimberly |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Anterior Placenta Question | karlisa | Pregnancy | 4 | October 25th 04 05:44 AM |
anterior placenta | Mary S. | Pregnancy | 6 | May 8th 04 02:33 AM |
Complete Placenta Previa ( I also have been diagnosed) | Lissa24 | Pregnancy | 1 | May 6th 04 07:48 PM |
Marginal placenta previa story/question | Erin | Pregnancy | 3 | July 17th 03 05:20 PM |
AP: Study Shows Fraternal Twins Can Share Placenta | Nick Theodorakis | Twins & Triplets | 1 | July 14th 03 05:49 AM |