Pregnant with twins, which prenatal tests?

Question

I am 33 yo and after 2 miscarriages, was suprised to learn I was pregnant with twins. I am now almost 10 weeks and my doctor is recommending I undergo the Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) test in my next 2 weeks. Any experience with this with twin pregnancies? What are the pros/cons versus amniocentesis? Was told if something is found wrong with one twin he/she can be removed without endangering other twin. Is this true, and if so, can not the same be done with amnio.

I am very worried about risks, especially with my previous history. Please help if you have any info on this.

One of the answers posted indicated she did blood tests while pregnant with twins. I have been informed that since I am carrying twins, blood tests are inconclusive. Can you provide me more info on the blood tests or other tests I can do if I am carrying twins. Seems options are limited.

Answer 1

This is done very frequently in multiples pregnancies. I would suggest that you have someone very experienced.

It is true that one twin can be removed without endangering the other provided it is done early in pregnancy. Waiting for an amnio increases the growth time, increasing your chances of a less favorable outcome (gosh, I sound like a book).

Many women who have had problems are hesitant to test for fetal abnormalities. I don't blame them after all this effort just to get any babies.

Your doctor is your best source of information, because techniques in this area change so rapidly. It comes down to CVS gives you genetic information while amnio does that and tells you if spina bifida is involved. I don't know how accurate today's tests are on spina bifida (other than amnio, I mean).

Answer 2

Avoid invasive procedures. Any invasive procedure carries additional risk for your babies. You do not want to have a "spontaneous" miscarriage because of some test.

You are only 33. There is no reason to do an amniocentesis in the first place.

Your previous miscarriages have no effect on your current ability to carry these babies.

If you feel as though something might be wrong, THEN you can ask for tests. If everything seems to be okay from the outside, do not let anyone in for a quick peek. Your body and your babies should be just fine taking care of themselves.

Ask yourself what you would do if the tests did show abnormalities. Find out what the chances are that you would get a false result... what happens if they tell you something is wrong and you have a partial abortion and the other fetus also dies? It's definitely a possibility.

The pros of amniocentesis is that if something is determined to be wrong with your baby, you can abort it before it is born. I personally think this is horrible and wouldn't abort my baby just because one little test said something might be wrong with him/her. I would avoid the test altogether because that really is all that it does for you.

It is NOT true that one twin can be removed without endangering the other. If that were true, then women who had one twin die in utero would have that twin removed, but that is not what is done. When one twin dies, it remains in the uterus until the birth of the living twin and is birthed then. The only time they would remove the inviable fetus is if it were causing problems for mom or the viable fetus.

Another thing to watch out for with twins... do not let anyone tell you that you must have a caesarean to birth your twins. There is NO medical reason to automatically cut you open for twins. This practice usually results in premature infants who are too small, underdeveloped, and need to be in the NICU. You can safely birth twins vaginally, even if one or both are breech. You will, however, need to have a skilled OB or midwife who has worked with twin vaginal births. Keep your mind open to the possibility of switching practitioners at any point in your pregnancy that you feel you are not agreeing with your current provider.

With your previous history and your current age, I would not allow them to do any invasive procedures or schedule a caesarean. Do your own research and make the decisions for yourself.

Good luck and congratulations.

Answer 3

I'm pregnant with twins currently, and I only took the blood tests that were offered, since I didn't want to risk miscarriage or other complications that might (though the likelihood is VERY SLIM) arise from other testing methods.
Having not had either CVS or an Amnio, I can't offer you anything definate on them, but I would ask the doctor why they feel the tests are necessary, and, moreso, what the risks are of not taking the tests versus taking them.
Given that I didn't have a history of miscarriage (at least not my own, though my family has a history of them) and I had two episodes of cervical bleeding between my tenth and fourteenth weeks, my doctor and I decided that we coudl bypass the tests and hope to catch any complications via ultrasounds.

Answer 4

Chorionic Villus Sampling is composed of taking a pattern of the placenta, many times 10-13 wks into being pregnant. Amnio, of direction is finding out on the fluid. many times sixteen-18 weeks. the main distinction, is tissues carry greater data. in spite of the fact that, be careful. some coverage firms will use those exams as data to a pre-latest project, which might cut back your counsel, would desire to there be an argument, and you come to a decision to proceed with the being pregnant in any case. Please evaluate what I would desire to assert heavily. might you terminate your being pregnant in case you have been to discover that there is a genetic project? If not, shop your self it gradual, power, and money. If abortion isn't an decision for you, why complication approximately situations? I propose praying every day over your unborn, and trusting that each thing would be fantastic.agonize for not something, (do not complication approximately something) yet with prayer and supplication(worship) supply thank you unto the Lord! Bless you, and that i choose you all the superb.

Answer 5

My best advice, DON'T DO IT. It's easy to get false negitives and positives. And it runs the risks of miscarriage...Amnio is even a HIGHER chance of miscarriage..and while yes they can remove a twin......there is a HIGH risk of miscarriage for the other twin...you've had 2 miscarriages, just be happy, and don't worry about these tests. I'm sure things will be fine....

Answer 6

I would not do it, plain and simple. There is a risk for miscarrage that I would not be willing to take. Get the amnio if you want, but dont' stress it. I never tested any of my pregnancies, and everything is fine.