17-2-2010 - Twin update

My mood while writing this blog: Content

Hey Ladies!

So I went to my first appointment with the perinatologist yesterday at 10 weeks 1 day. That went pretty well. They did another ultrasound, so I got to see the babies again. They are doing well and measuring in great. Baby A was measuring 11 wk 1 day with 170 bpm heartbeat and Baby B was measuring at 10 wk 6 days with 168 bpm heartbeat, so they are pretty close to one another. I have to go back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound because he said they are in seperate sacs, but he can't tell if they have one outer membrane or two. He thought two, but he has to make sure because if they have one, then that means they share a placenta (making them identical) and they would have to watch for Twin to Twin Transfusion Sydrome in which one baby steals all the nutrients from the other. If they have seperate placentas then they could still be identical or fraternal, so he said they wouldn't know until they came out unless one is a boy and one is a girl of course. Confusing stuff, but I studied up on it when I got home so I understand a bit now.

Also, he said starting at 22 weeks I have to be off my feet as much as possible until 32 weeks. He said this means no prolonged housework, no shopping, etc. This is because twins carry a higher risk of preterm labor and with my history of preeclampsia with Greyson. I'm already seeing this as an issue with a very active little man in the house that should be walking by then, but thank goodness for baby gates! My poor husband is going to have to do so much around here! I guess this summer probably wont be as fun as I anticipated, but if I have 2 healthy babies in the end it's worth it!