21 Weeks 4 Days (4 weeks of bed rest)

Kevin and I learned a very valuable lesson about the pregnancy process yesterday. We went to U.M. yesterday to get another opinion and to also possibly consider switching health care providers. Before our consultation with the doctor, we had a three hour ultrasound. The tech conducting the u/s was very thorough. She did each measurement 2-3 times. The u/s machine was also very clear and detailed. Once we completed the u/s the tech told us that Jake was 15.9 ounces and Ben was 11.2 ounces!!!! So in less then 24 hours, we got a completely different measurement. This puts the boys at a 29% weight discordance. The lesson we learned is that technology is NOT always accurate and NOT to put too much stock into these measurements if everything else seems to be ok. We believe that U.M.’s measurements are more accurate because they really took their time with each measurement as opposed to the Beaumont group who flew through our u/s. We were so happy to hear Ben had gained more weight then we originally thought.

We are not sure if we are going to make the switch to U.M. yet but they did have some interesting observations about our case. The doctor told us he is not sure if we have TTTS because our fluid levels have stayed stable. He seem to be leaning toward IUGR but also said we will not know for sure till the babies are born and they can dissect the placenta. To test the placenta, they actually pour milk through it to see if the milk crosses between the vessels. If it does, then this would indicate Twin to Twin.

At this point, no doctor can tell us why we have these discrepancies between the two babies. The doctor at U.M. believes something is causing Ben to lag behind. He told us not to compare the boy’s weights but to rather watch to see if Ben is growing on his own curve. His biggest concern was Ben’s abnormal doppler. Ben’s S/D ratio (systolic/diastolic ratio) is elevated to 7.5. What this means is that his umbilical blood flow is facing more resistance then it should. This is probably an indication of why he is growing at a smaller rate. This finding is also indicative of IUGR and not TTTS. So now our biggest concern is the doppler vs. the weights and amniotic fluid. If its not one thing, it’s another!!!

Where does this leave us now…bed rest, high protein diet, and serial monitoring. Pretty much exactly where we were before. It’s such a mystery and only time will tell how this will play out.

If you get a minute and want to read a wonderfully touching TTTS success story, check out the 2nd link attached to our blog. This family documented their entire journey and it is a great inspiration to us!