Did I read that twins are delivered at 35 weeks or did I dream it??

[zephyrcat]

For some reason I have that in my head and when I spoke to my Mum yesterday she worked out that at 35 weeks they would be due on her b'day. I can't for the life of me think where I got that from though?!

[NuttyMuffins]

Hmmm i think it depends on alot of things. If you and the babies are doing ok then I think they will leave them as long as poss.

Perhpas with you having already had 3 sections they will deliver as soon as their weights seem ok.

[CheesyFeet]

THe only rl person I know with twins delivered by elective c/s 9 days early

I would have thought that if all is fine then they would let you go as close to your EDD as possible.

[tkband3]

It depends very much on whether your twins are id or not. With id twins, because they are sharing a placenta, most are delivered around 37 weeks, if not before, because the placenta can start to deteriorate after this time. If your twins are non-id, therefore with their own placentas, then unless you have any problems, you should be allowed to go into labour when you are ready. I know of ladies who have delivered at 40 weeks+. Obviously factors such as whether the babies are breech or not will also be taken into account. 37 weeks is considered term for twins.

HTH

[frumpygrumpy]

I think anything goes, if your pregancy is without complication. I went to 41 weeks with the DTs. Was expecting them anytime after 34 weeks after everyone told me thats when I would have them so it was a loooong wait.

[Kelly1978]

my consultant refused to even consider giving me my elective before 38 weeks (non id), even though I was begging them to get them out as I had a collapsed lung.

[throckenholt]

they say 36 weeks is term for twins - but they don't routinely deliver at 35 weeks or anything else I think.

My consultant said he would hope for 38 weeks with my id twins - they were actually born at 35 because one had stopped growing.

The rule usually keep them in as long as possible and only take them out if they think it is safer out than in.

[Judy1234]

Our local NHS hospital removes them all at 38 weeks whether you like it or not. My independent midwives let them stay in until spontaneous labour at 40 weeks (not a C section) as we were monitoring them very well and they were growing and fine in weeks 38 and week 39. I was really pleased they had the extra 2 weeks to put on weight, grow and be born when they were ready. They were baby 4/5 though.... They were my only child born on its due day.

[zephyrcat]

Thanks So it seems it depends on hospital/consultant quite a lot.

Xenia was interested to read that your were your 4/5th - how did you find it? these wil be my 4/5th too and am terrified!! (my eldest is 5 though, youngest is 10 months)

[Judy1234]

WE had 10 years off after the first three and I got to 36 and wanted another so they were very much wanted and I was so pleased it was two so it wasn't like an only child at end of big family. The 3 much older children have almost become like 3 live in au pairs who don't charge too! Obviously it will be harder for you. Best of luck with it.,

I nearly cancelled the independent midwife when we found it was twins because I thought - twins = mechanised birth so I'm wasting my money, might as well be NHS but my doctor whose wife is an independent midwife said all the more reason because the midwives can help ensure it as the birth I wanted and he was right. I also think not forcing them to be born before they wanted meant they got more time to be relaxed - we used to call them the "happy babies" when they were little. My sister's twins were 6 weeks early - that is much more usual.

[milge]

I had a CS booked for 39 weeks due to them being transverse lie and extended breech lie, but had it at 37 weeks due to pre eclampsia. They like to keep them in until 38 weeks if at all possible and will let you try naturally if you have had a problem free singleton birth previously.

[dingdongjustforyoufg]

zephyrcat mine arrived of their own accord at 35 weeks and have been fit and healthy ever since - I think any time from 35 weeks is good going with twins, 37 I believe is considered 'term' for twins but many others go beyond 40 weeks - my due date of 40 wks was DH's birthday, so am quite glad they didn't come then!

[twinsnikki]

Hello all,

My twins were borned CS at 37.1 weeks. They are bounding 3 year olds now!

I was given injections at 36 weeks to help develop their lungs, as they were big babies and I was having issues.

They were going to deliver at 35 but wanted to wait to see how I got on.

At 35 weeks, for twins, I believe is not unusual.

Nikx

[oooggs]

I am 34 + 1 with non id twins and they are currently both head down and weighing over 5lb each and at the mo they are just going to let me trundle along towards my due date!!!!

[twinsnikki]

Good luck oooggs, it's a really exciting time...

Nik
x

[Judy1234]

Mine were 6 pounds 8 and 7 pounds 8 at 40 weeks, about the same as my single babies and now tall for their class at school which is very rare for twins but that may just be the October birthday. 8 years old now. I feared most a very very early labour as it's common with twins. My sister's were 4 weeks early or was it 6? May be 6. They didn't need special care but they were in hospital for a week or two I think. I can't even remember if she had a C section now, How can I forget that?

[cricket]

I am still going at 37+6 weeks with mine although one of the first doctors I saw told me that most twins are born at 34-35 weeks (which is not true - I think it is about 50%). Have been ready and waiting since about 34 weeks and it just makes the last 4 weeks really tough and long. 37 weeks is considered term for twins. Anything more is a bonus for them (although not so much for you!!)