Let me preface this by saying that fraternal twins run on both sides of our family, so it's always in the back of our minds...
I went for my first prenatal appointment last week and (as he's pushing around), the doctor says to me "You had a c-section with your son, right? Well, then that's why your uterus is larger than I would expect." I'm sure he's right. I'm sure I'm having a pregnancy-induced panic attack, but have any of you had your doctor say this to you when you are pregnant with your second child?
He's scheduled my first ultrasound in 3 weeks (we'll be about 8 weeks along).
Thanks Ladies. I actually did ask him and his explanation is completely logical, but I'm a complete psycho when pregnant, so it didn't really help. What he told me:
- Your uterus never completely goes back to it's original size, which is why many women "show" sooner than they did with their first
- After a c-section you have scar tissue so on top of the non-shrinking due to general expansion, you have additonal "non-shrinking' b/c of scar tissue
My sister has twin girls and didn't know until she had her 13 week bloodwork done and her hormones were highly elevated. They sent her for an immediate ultrasound and that's when she found out. No "large uterus" and they didn't see "double" on the first ultrasound!
I was told the same thing with my 3rd & there was just 1 baby but you never know... He was just bigger than my other 2.
Congrats on your pregnancy. My uterus measured large with my first child, and it turned out to be twins. BUT... my fantastic perinatologist told me that most women carrying twins don't get noticeably larger until 8-10 weeks. So a large uterus at 5 weeks might just be scar tissue. Good luck either way!
(and, just to clear up what's sometimes a misunderstanding, fraternal twins can only run in the female side of the family. It's a genetic trait that causes a woman to release two eggs. So if there are fraternal twins on your husband's side of the family, you're clear. If your mom/grandmother/sister have fraternal twins, your chances are increased of having fraternal twins)
First, let me say congratulations!!!!!!!
Yes, the same thing happened to me, and there only turned out to be one baby in there.
Best wishes!! =o)
Well, twins don't run in my family and I didn't have a c-section (not sure why that would make a difference), but I got a similar comment from my midwife with my second. I was so paranoid about having twins I asked for an US ASAP. Just ONE!! Turns out it is just my anatomy, as I had an equally "large for gestational age" uterus for all of my subsequent pregnancies (all singletons). Usually the top of the uterus can be felt rising above the pubic bone at about 12 weeks, i could feel mine at 8 weeks (I am a midwife as well, so i know what I am feeling for). The top of the uterus is typically at the belly button at about 20 weeks, I was there at 14-16 weeks. But as they began the manual measurements (about 20 weeks) I always measured right on. I guess I just have a "tall" uterus. Try to relax (I know how hard that can be!), it is what it is, no amount of fretting will change anything. You will still have plenty of time to panic and plan if you find twins in three weeks. I wish you the best.
We tend to take every little phrase a doctor says in an offhanded way as being something filled with meaning. I am the first to do this - I'd already be googling "large uterus"!!! We are crazy!
Don't allow your mind to get wrapped into this frenzy. He was thinking out loud and if he knew you were going to fret about this he NEVER would have said it!
Enjoy your pregnancy and your little one - get the rest you need and don't sweat the small stuff. I was certain I was having twins since there are 3 sets of twins in our family: brother, husband and grandfather. Instead I just had one giant boy (22.5 inches and 9lbs15oz) - he only felt like two babies until he arrived!
Congratus one baby #2! It's so exciting. ;o) Now go and relax... ...while you can!
I showed very early and was quite large with all 3 of my pregnancies and the 3rd pregnancy is the one that was twins. Even if you are pregnant with twins, why is that so alarming? Do you plan to deliver and keep them both? If so, then freaking out is really unnecessary. I think any pregnancy and parenthood is what you make it. I didn't find being pregnant with twins to be bad. I was deemed "high risk" and had more visits than I would have with a singleton, but overall it was very much like my singleton pregnancies. It was also fine once they were born. I went into labor at 37 weeks (36 weeks is considered full-term for twins) which was longer than the doctors thought I'd go. They were healthy. No NICU necessary. One was 6lbs and the other was 6lbs 13 1/2 ounces. They are now 2 years old and all continues to be well. Contrary to popular assumption having twins was not/is not "double trouble". At least not for us. The twins are just as much a blessing as our first two and we are so glad to have them. :) Best wishes to you. :)
I did have twins the first time, but we found out at 8 weeks. I always measured larger with my third pregnancy (four weeks or more). I just had a really big baby, that's all.
It's a bit early to know if you're only 5 weeks pregnant whether you're having twins or not. You may not even be able to tell at only 8 weeks. Statistically your chances of having fraternal twins are very, very low. I see no reason to "panic."
You should've just asked him while you were there. I am sure that he could've calmed your fears!
Good Luck ~
