Is this normal for multiples

[Super_sally888]

Am worried about my sister.

My twin sister is now 29 weeks pregnant. This is her 4th pregnancy.   She is sure she's having twins, but a scan at 20 weeks showed only 1.  A second scan a week later also showed only 1 small sized baby and normal fluid levels.  

The midwife who saw her last week (her first time to see this lady as her usual midwife is on leave) at the birthing centre said definitely only 1 small baby. Measured her fundal height at 28 cm.  

My sister said she got the top of a baby's head, not the top of the uterus, which she personally reckons is now about 36 cm high.  Her belly is just huge (and she hasn't gained much weight this pregnancy (maybe 2 kg), but has lost a lot of body fat. She looks like she's going to pop any time.

She's having trouble eating and has lost another 1/2 kg the past week.  She can no longer lie down flat (it gives her severe chest pain) and has really bad indigestion all the time - she can now only sleep in a recliner propped up. She passed her glucose test with flying colors, so she doesn't have gestational diabetes. Phew!  She says she can't possibly imagine going another 11 weeks (to 40 weeks).  I talk to her every day.  I feel for her.  She is having such a hard pregnancy.  I would have been due about the same time as her (end of September) if I had not lost the last baby!

Even her husband is now concerned and reckons what she's experiencing is not normal (and it takes a lot to get him to notice or be concerned).

She says the midwives at the birthing centre think she's paranoid.  But I think they are just seeing what they want to see (after all the scan said only 1 baby).  It is not common to miss a second baby, but not unheard of.  She can have an optional visit at 31 weeks 'if she wants" - which she does, and after that there is a 36 week visit.  Seems they don't have very much prenatal care in Australia if they are considered to have an uncomplicated pregnancy.  They are sure going to be surprised when she pops out 2 babies.

Anyway, she reckons she can only last a few weeks more (she's going to go buy some extra small baby clothes today and have them ready, and will pack her bag for the hospital next week).

She sees an independent midwife as well. That midwife has had her measuring at least 6 weeks ahead on every checkup.   She'll see her next week (30 weeks) and see what she thinks.  That independent midwife has looked after her through all her pregnancies. She never had this and never measured ahead on any of her previous.   This midwife reckons that if it weren't for the scan she'd be sure there were two.  She says she'll know for sure by next week.  Will see what she recommends.

Is what my sister is experiencing normal for a multiple pregnancy?  Do you think she's paranoid or could there indeed be 2 (or more)?

[Super_sally888]

My sister is now 31 weeks. When she saw her independent midwife last week she measured 38 cm.  She will get in to see the midwife at the birthing centre later this week as a special visit (she would normally not see them until 34 weeks).  But her independent midwife and her chiropractor both told her they are sure it's twins and that the size she is she likely won't get much past 34 weeks.

A singleton pregnancy cannot be explained with what she's showing and feeling.

Unfortunately in Australia where she is it is not standard care for a women to see a doctor at all during her pregnancy if it is considered uncomplicated.  Because her ultrasound at 20 weeks showed only 1 baby officially she is considered uncomplicated and no-one has yet taken a look at her.  

I am so worried about my sister.  Her husband is hardly home and she's on a farm with 3 kids and animals and a house to look after! And I'm too far away to help her.

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

at 7 weeks they shouldnt miss a twin especially not at 29 weeks.....

[Super_sally888]

THanks both to Annie and Tara.

Annie, hope you're feeling better soon.

In Australia "low risk" pregnancies don't get very much attention at all and only 1 ultrasound at 20 weeks.  So the midwife centre that she is seeing won't be scheduling any more ultrasound.  Her next schedule to see a midwife is actually 34 weeks!

I would think that early ultrasounds can't easily miss 2 babies.  But babies can still 'hide".  By now, at 29 weeks they should be able to see 2 if there really were 2.

Will let you know what happens.

[sweettaralove]

hello my name is tara and i just wanted to say that one of my family members was told that they were just having one baby even the ultrasound said so but when it came down to her poping the kid out there was two more so i wouldnt always go off the ultrasound they can be wrong sometimes or just not put up the babys . im going to be having a baby also and i could swear there is more then just one in there but my ultrasound that i just had done at 7 weeks said only one was in there but i feel really big for just being now 8 weeks and im really sick and really tired i want to take naps all day long . well we will see and i hope that everything goes good for your sister and im sorry for your lost

[AnnieBrooke]

I tend to trust that an ultrasound would not miss a twin.  But there is no harm in having another ultrasound!  I'm glad one is coming up.