https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:20:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928429 Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:06:10 +0000 yellowbeach 2928429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: came back to Hellobee tonight after over a year away and I think it was to see your story. Thank you for sharing. I hope you are well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928428 Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:54:35 +0000 MoonMoon 2928428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: so happy to hear your updates after the roller coaster that you and the babies have gone through! Everything seems like it's on an even keel now and I'm grateful for that, and for your update.</p> <p>As for Hellobee, it feels so poignant to say goodbye to something that was such a big part of my life, with my first baby over 10 years ago, and then during my TTC journey for my second baby. I wish it didn't have to be this way. I'm grateful to all the fellow travelers on this site and still think of some of the people and posts from back in 2023-15 especially. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928427 Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:42:42 +0000 LadyDi 2928427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: What a journey! Thank you so much for coming back to update. And congratulations of course :) Hope things continue to go well!</p> <p>@Lahela017: I'm sad too! I still check in every couple of days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928426 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:19:17 +0000 Lahela017 2928426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: thank you for taking to time to update!! I'm so happy you are all home and things are going well. :heart: </p> <p>Hopefully your story will help others in a similar situation.</p> <p>I'm sad hellobee is basically done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928425 Tue, 06 Feb 2024 02:08:53 +0000 codeitall 2928425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey friends, not that hellobee is all that active now, but it case anyone else comes across my story, here is the update!</p> <p>I spent nearly 7 weeks on home bedrest. The more active I was, the more I leaked, so I just set myself up in bed. I went through boxes of liners and pads. I hit 23 weeks 5 days and was admitted to the hospital. Somehow, things were still stable. I did have one bleeding scare at 4 am around 21 weeks, but after an L&amp;D visit, it petered off on its own.</p> <p>After nearly a month in the hospital, mostly on bedrest or shuffling outside for some sun and fresh air occasionally, I started noticing some mucus in my discharge. At this point I'd been leaking for weeks and knew it was different, but the nurse said it didn't look like a mucus plug. I was already having NSTs each morning and heartbeat checks each night (plus blood draws to check for infection markers every 3 days), so I knew we'd catch anything quickly.</p> <p>Yet I was still surprised when my contractions started at 2 am at 27 weeks, 5 days. After 30 minutes of consistent contractions, I called the nurse in, she confirmed with the monitors and things ramped quickly. At that gestation, I had to deliver via c-section because they are too small and fragile for a vaginal delivery. I was wheeled downstairs, given steroid shots and magnesium in an IV to help prevent brain bleeds in the babies. I spent 20 minutes getting a hold of my husband and getting the babysitter to take over with the kids at 4 am.</p> <p>As soon as he arrived, he was put in scrubs and the c section kicked off. By 5 am, Twin A was born, and although he was in respiratory distress, they were able to intubate him in the NICU. Twin B actually cried when he came out, although he also ended up intubated in the NICU minutes later.</p> <p>A and B were nearly 3lb, 80%ile for their age and truthfully, I think that is what helped them the most those early weeks.<br /> Both spent time on ventilators, although B came off much earlier than A. They progressed through all the different oxygen systems: NAVA/NOVA/NIPPV/CPAP/BiPAP/bubble CPAP etc.</p> <p>B came home on 1/8L of oxygen a week before his due date. He was fully off oxygen within a month.</p> <p>I almost can't believe that A made it as well as he has so far. He had Level 3 brain bleeds, 3 attempts at getting off the ventilator, another 3 to get off CPAP, a terrible scare of NEC that resolved in a week, multiple rounds of steroids and soooooo many medications. He finally dropped to 2L oxygen about 2 months after his due date and we were allowed to try oral feeding. Well, he wasn't a fan after months of pacifiers during heel pokes and eye exams. We transferred from my little NICU nurse family after 5 months of nearly daily visits to the Children's Hospital where he got a g-tube and came home 1 week later.</p> <p>179 days. He cost almost 2 million according to my insurance claims. B was only 700k. I'm very happy to have only paid my $7500 out of pocket for the whole year.</p> <p>Almost 3 months later, A is still on oxygen at home, but he was making great progress at weaning off before he caught Covid from the nanny last week. He has a little army of therapists that come by each week to play with him and make him exercise and so far he shows no signs of cerebral palsy or any other impact from his brain bleeds. Just delays from being stuck in a crib for almost 6 months. And he actually eats thickened purees just fine! No liquids yet, but we'll get there.</p> <p>This is my last hurrah for hellobee as well. If you've found it somehow, the archives are full of great advice and gems. I hope my story gives you hope that things can turn out well, you really can beat the odds sometimes :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928188 Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:46:18 +0000 Chuckles 2928188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: How are you doing? Just thinking of you and wanted to check in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928133 Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:36:03 +0000 MoonMoon 2928133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for this post! I'll be thinking of you and your babies! Every day is important! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928120 Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:58:18 +0000 Chuckles 2928120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sending you lots of positive thoughts! That sounds really scary, but you are doing everything you can to keep yourself and your babies healthy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928118 Tue, 21 Mar 2023 15:00:32 +0000 meadow 2928118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@codeitall: twin mama sending you major positive vibes!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928117 Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:29:21 +0000 pachamama 2928117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How scary. You have done a ton of research.</p> <p>Remember, there is so SO Little research on pregnancy, twins, outcomes, etc. Try not to let all that information scare you (easier said than done) because there's a lot more to all this than just science and numbers!! xoxo </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928114 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 13:15:46 +0000 erinbaderin 2928114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds so terrifying and stressful and I’m sending you and your sweet babies love and hugs. Please let us know how you’re getting on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928109 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 12:34:34 +0000 karenbme 2928109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry to hear your story. I have IC, and spent each of my pregnancies worrying about situations like this. I can’t imagine how hard it is to be in this position with twins, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928108 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 11:21:52 +0000 Lahela017 2928108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry, thinking of you and sending you so many virtual hugs. Thank you for sharing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928107 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 10:18:00 +0000 LadyDi 2928107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I am so sorry you are going through this. Thank you for sharing your story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928105 Fri, 17 Mar 2023 06:29:41 +0000 bakingdoodle 2928105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hugs. I am a twin and can't imagine what my mom went through 45 years ago. Hang in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twins-with-pprom-16-weeks#post-2928104 Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:08:42 +0000 codeitall 2928104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sharing so that others may find this story since I feel so alone and anxious now.</p> <p>Two and a half weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night to some pink fluid leaking. I was just past 16 weeks with di/di twins and on my last business trip for the year. I leaked a little bit more a few days later and brought it up at my OB appt at the end of the week. I've never had spotting before but he reassured me that spotting is normal and twin pregnancies can be different than my previous singleton pregnancies. However, Baby A had low amniotic fluid. It measured at 1.2cm MVP (maximal vertical pocket). I was referred to the MFM at the nearby hospital, but they were booked for over a week out.</p> <p>I had one more light leak the next week and then on Friday (the day after a Costco run with heavy lifting) I woke up to a very large gush of pink fluid. I called the OB when they opened and they got me in that afternoon. Both babies had heartbeats, but Baby A now had no measurable fluid. Not hard to put 2+2 together to get 4, but it was truly confirmed when they swabbed me and the fluid tested positive in the 'fern' test under a microscope.</p> <p>We were informed that they would try to bump us up at the MFM to Monday but in the meantime, all I could do was go home and watch for any contractions which would mean I was miscarrying. No need for bedrest, just keep activity light. The OB said he'd had one patient that had ruptured early and got to term so there was hope, just not much.</p> <p>I cried the whole way home. Had a terrible weekend where I put myself on bedrest and researched the crap out of it. I discovered it was called PPROM and the low/no amniotic fluid was Oligohydramnios. I was at a higher risk of infection and thus preterm delivery or fetal loss in the womb that would later deliver as a stillborn with the hopefully still living twin. Also amniotic fluid is used to develop the lungs, so without any, you have a baby that can't breathe. So even without infection, things were not looking good for Twin A.</p> <p>I got into the MFM yesterday. They spent a looooong time trying to get all measurements and checks on the ultrasound for both babies. It was clear that baby A was scrunched up with no fluid, while baby B had a full sac and lots of movement. Kidneys and stomach were full and working which means that baby A will keep making amniotic fluid even though it will keep leaking. The MFM walked us through all the known indicators for PPROM (like incompetent cervix, amniocentesis, placenta failures) and we had none, so we fall into the unexplained bucket. This means that there is nothing we can do to fix it now or prevent in future pregnancies. He walked us through the scenario of infection and loss, then delayed birth but no lung development and then added that because baby was essentially saran wrapped, there could be muscle problems and 'contractions' like clubfoot that could be corrected with therapy, but those were less serious.</p> <p>In my research, there are not many studies out there for PPROM before 20 or even 17 weeks so I had trouble even trying to gauge my odds to hitting 24 weeks.</p> <p>24 weeks is the magic number for viability. If you deliver before 20 weeks, it is classified as a miscarriage, their organs are not developed enough. After 20 weeks it is a stillbirth and they typically die because their lungs are not developed enough. Some hospitals may try to save down to 22 weeks depending on weight of the baby, but not most.</p> <p>In our situation with one twin ruptured: first, we have to try to hit 24 weeks first at home with hope and luck and increased appts for monitoring. I'm also supposed to check my temp every day for signs of a fever thus infection. Once we hit 24 weeks, I can choose to be submitted to the hospital for monitoring, antibiotics, and steroid shots to help speed development up. Because Baby A has little/no fluid, there's a chance the cord could get compressed cutting off their oxygen and necessitating an emergency C-section. However, if that happens at an early week, that means we are also dooming Baby B to the same NICU stay and odds even though they would have kept going just fine. The earlier they come, obviously the worse the chances are that they both come home. By 28 weeks, things start to look up statistically, then 30, and 32 and finally, at 34 weeks the risks become too great for infection and they'll be induced. So at some point we may have to make the call if we want two early babies with a low survival rate, or a healthy baby and a stillborn.</p> <p>Things I have read that reassure me: typically 1/3 PPROM babies go into labor in 72 hours, then 1/3 in 2 weeks, the last 1/3 have a longer 'latency' period. This data is probably based on all PROM that happens before 37 weeks though. By the time I got to the MFM, I was past the 2 week mark. Typically earlier ruptures mean a longer latency period in the span of weeks vs days.</p> <p>After 20 weeks, amniotic fluid is mostly generated by baby urine. Before then it is pulled in from osmosis, so it is very important to stay super hydrated at all times. The more you drink, the more the baby will be able to pull into the sac and generate with urine. I'm currently trying to drink a gallon of water/gatorade/bodyarmor a day. </p> <p>Also, sometimes people seal back up. There's a little evidence for vitamin C and collagen playing a role in membrane strength.</p> <p>There isn't much evidence for or against bedrest in this situation. Generally the UK doesn't like to use bedrest, but the US does in this situation. Pelvic rest however is standard because you don't want to introduce anything to the vagina and risk infection.</p> <p>It makes sense to me that not moving around would give the amniotic fluid more of a chance to build up instead of leaking with your movement. Every time I've leaked, it has been due to higher physical movement the day before. Sometimes the baby can plug the hole with their body and have fluid for a little while. Possibly they'll even be able to have it by their face and use it for 'practice breathing'. I got to see baby A actually do practice breathing with a tiny 1cm pocket at the MFM which gives me hope.</p> <p>I hope that I'll be able to provide a positive update in a few weeks, but at least this crazy long post may help another poor mom understand what early PPROM means. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828926 Mon, 18 Jun 2018 08:58:45 +0000 Pumuckl 2828926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my two were born just 4 minutes apart (vaginal delivery) and twin A definitely got to wait for twin B. There was a doc present and she was very much still checking her out when twin B came. DH would have stay with me and baby B though. Wishing you all the best!</p> <p>ETA: I did write out my birthstory at the time, so if you feel like reading it :) : <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-med-free-birth-story-twin-edition" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-med-free-birth-story-twin-edition</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828879 Mon, 18 Jun 2018 07:38:44 +0000 hilary 2828879@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced with my twins at 38 weeks. Same as you, there was a size disparity (and still is at 3.5 years old). Baby A was 5 lbs and Baby B was 4 lbs born 3 minutes apart. My hospital preferred to keep the twins together so even though Baby B was borderline they didn't take her to the NICU. She had to be under the warmer A LOT and had a decent amount of trouble keeping up her temperature. But she was able to keep it up after that first night and passed the car seat test so we left the hospital within 48 hours. </p> <p>Hospital policy dictates a lot so it might be good to check into that if it will alleviate any anxiety/stress for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828853 Sun, 17 Jun 2018 23:41:54 +0000 QBbride 2828853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have your DH wait and see the birth of the second twin! At 37+5, there’s a good chance neither will need NICU (NICU nurse here!) and even if they do, it likely won’t be right away (like it the smaller twin has issues with low blood sugar etc). IF the first baby does need NICU right away, usually the admission process is pretty busy anyway so it will be nicer for your DH to see baby B’s birth.</p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828694 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 20:08:22 +0000 BSB 2828694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since my twins were induced at 34 weeks, it was a given that they both would go to the nicu. My husband followed my DD to the nicu and I had my doula stay with me so I could still have the support. My husband followed the babies and when I was ready and able, I went to see the babies. DD had initial breathing issues so it was good that she had my husband at least near her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828674 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:00:31 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2828674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaughLines: Same as above who had singletons that went to the NICU. We knew our son would have to go towards the end of the labor, before the c-section began. He was born not breathing but thankfully was revived really quickly by the NICU team in the operating room and brought to me by my husband for a few minutes once he was stable. Then as they were closing me up my husband went with him up to the NICU. I think the NICU team can do pretty much what they need to(emergency-wise) in the operating room itself, and take them up once stable? If I’m wrong someone please correct me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828652 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 11:07:48 +0000 Truth Bombs 2828652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LaughLines: my inclination would be the same as yours. If Baby A does need to go to the NICU the nurses and doctors will be doing their thing.. there’s nothing your husband could do to help that I believe would warrant not being there to support you as you deliver Baby B and to witness the birth of his child. I would be surprised if the hospital forced your husband to go to the NICU while you were still delivering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828650 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 10:48:46 +0000 LaughLines 2828650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'm leaning toward having DH stay with me for the birth of baby B and then go to the NICU (if needed). I'll be 37w5d at induction and there are no know health issues with either baby, so even if baby A does have to go it will probably be for something minor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828643 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 10:21:41 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2828643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only one baby here but I did have to go with our son when he was born. He went for observation as he was born at 35 weeks. They had everything set up and a team in the room when he was born but since he was ok it wasn’t like a rush off/emergency to go there. He nursed and got weighed and then I took him while DW recovered. I fed him a bottle there and got him settled and then went back to DW, then we both went back a couple hours later for feeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828640 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 10:13:06 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2828640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: @LaughLines: I just had one baby and neither of us went to nicu with her when she unexpectedly had to go after a little. After we got transferred in to postpartum, we went over to see her. I wish he went with her!</p> <p>ETA thst I definitely think in your DH situation I would wait to see baby B born, and then make my way to the nicu once you are ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828639 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 10:09:24 +0000 Caly 2828639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly don't know how to answer your question since it's really up to personal preference. My twins are fraternal (were IVF) and were 10 mins apart for a vaginal birth born at 36 wks. Also, there was a size disparity between them (and still is, haha) Multiple births at my hospital were in the operating room and there were also nicu nurses for each baby already set up. When baby a was born, they let me hold her for a second and then whisked her away to be tested and off to the nicu. When baby b was born (the smaller), she wasn't breathing well and was immediately taken to the nicu, I only saw her for a second. My husband stayed with me the entire time during both births and also went to recovery with me. We were both able to see the babies about an hour or so later after I recovered some and they were both stabilized. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, it's really up to how you both feel and hospital policy. Either way, make your wishes known to the staff so they're aware. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828633 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:56:24 +0000 Sams Mom 2828633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a twin mom, but I know my hospitals policy was that a parent has to go with the baby if it goes to NICU. So it might come down to hospital policy. But hopefully they won't need NICU time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/twin-birth-question#post-2828626 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:46:35 +0000 LaughLines 2828626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pregnant with twins and have my induction scheduled for next Thursday the 21st. Baby A has been smaller than baby B the whole pregnancy (they are fraternal, there is no ttts). </p> <p>If baby A needs to go to the NICU for any reason (low birth weight, etc) should I have my husband go with him and potentially miss the birth of baby B? Should he stay for baby B and then go find baby A?? </p> <p>I'm not sure either of them will need NICU time, I just want to be prepared </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/survey-for-moms-with-2-kids#post-2763611 Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:28:54 +0000 catlady 2763611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I won't copy/paste all the questions, but basically:</p> <p>- Pregnancies were similar, except obviously it's harder being pregnant when you have a kid already than without</p> <p>- Labor/birth were super similar (39 weeks, water broke in bed at night, 8 hrs labor), except #2 was a little harder b/c they forced pitocin on me and it essentially caused precipitous labor</p> <p>- Recovery for both was about the same, had a 1st degree tear for both</p> <p>- Breastfeeding was easier for #2 except I got mastitis at 10 days pp (never got it with #1)</p> <p>- Bringing home #2 was so much easier than I expected, even with another child at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/survey-for-moms-with-2-kids#post-2763605 Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:23:33 +0000 bubblegum 2763605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh fun!! I'll play!</p> <p>Compared to your first pregnancy, was the subsequent pregnancy easier/harder? Harder for sure! You're talking MS, big belly and a feisty toddler to go along with it. The struggle!!</p> <p>Did you have similar symptoms? Not at all. Totally different symptoms, totally different pregnancies. </p> <p>When did you start to show with #1 / How about with the next pregnancies? With LO1 I started showing at about 17 weeks and with LO2 at about 10-12 weeks.</p> <p>If you found out the gender of #1/were team green with #1, did you do the same for the next? Yes, found out the gender for both! With LO1, I had them write it down and read it at home. With LO2, I had no patience and had them read the results over the phone! </p> <p>Did you go into labor naturally with #1? What about the next time(s)? Nope, induced with 1 and scheduled with 2. </p> <p>How far along were you when you went into labor with #1? Did you go earlier/later with the next one? LO1 41 w 1 d. LO2 39 w 6 d.</p> <p>Was your second labor longer or shorter? MUCH shorter! It was a scheduled c-section. </p> <p>Was it 'easier' in general? Harder? EASIER! No doubt!</p> <p>How was recovery compared to the first time? Omg recovery this time around was a breeze! </p> <p>Did breastfeeding come easier? Absolutely. My milk came in super quick.</p> <p>What's the age difference between your babies? 3 years</p> <p>Was it easier or harder then you thought it would be having a newborn with other kids at home? HARDER!!!! But we adjusted after about a month or so. </p>