Caring a baby is not an easy task it is a full responsible job for the mother to carry the baby and keep the baby healthy in this journey mother hear so many advices and so also many scans; sometimes parents forgot to attend the required scanning they are also getting into more panic about those forgotten scans in these scenarios late TIFFA and twin late TIFFA also one of the scan’s which so many parents forget to attend, so here we are going to know what is late TIFFA twin late TIFFA scan’s and what is the purpose and what are the scenarios can be faced incase we miss this scan’s.

What Is a Late TIFFA / Anomaly Scan for Twins?

“Late TIFFA” commonly refers to a comprehensive fetal assessment that is carried out later than the usual anomaly-scan period. It does not refer to an individual scan with a specific timing for every twin conception.

A later scan may be recommended if:

The earlier anomaly scan was not completed

Views of one or both infants were challenging to obtain

The infants’ positions rendered assessment a challenge

The initial examination was not completed

A specific structure requires re-examination

Your clinician wishes to have additional assessment on account of the pregnancy

Being asked to have a repeat of a later scan does not necessarily mean that something is amiss. In some cases it simply means that a closer look is required.

Twins Late TIFFA / Anomaly Scan: What You Need to Know

Learning of your need for a TIFFA or anomaly scan later than expected can naturally cause concern. You have several questions:

“Is it too late to check both infants?”

“Can both infants be assessed properly?”

“Does a late scan mean something is wrong?”

A comprehensive anomaly scan is generally offered in mid-pregnancy. In a twin conception, ultrasound assessment is also performed to examine each infant’s anatomy, growth, placenta and amniotic fluid, with regard to what type of twins and the reason for the scan.

Twins Late TIFFA / Anomaly Scan: What You Need To Know

Learning that your twins need a TIFFA or anomaly scan late can leave you with many questions.

Is it too late to check both babies?

Will both babies be assessed well?

Can amniotic fluid be checked for both babies?

Yes. The amount of amniotic fluid is checked during an ultrasound. It is especially important to check amniotic fluid for twins who share a placenta.

Examines the placenta/placentas:

The placenta can usually be called as(Mavi). 

In some twin pregnancy cases each baby has its own. Placenta is nothing but the temporary organ baby through the umbilical cord; It gives the baby food and oxygen, takes away waste, and makes important hormones.

When both Two Babies have shared Two Placentas each one has its own it can be called “Dichorionic Twin Pregnancy.”

When two babies share only one placenta it can be called “Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy.”

Types of Amniotic sac’s:

MCDA - Monochorionic Diamniotic 

The “Monochorionic Diamniotic” means when the twins are identical twins who share one placenta but live in two separate amniotic sacs. In simple terms the babies share one placenta, but each baby has its own separate amniotic sac.

 MCMA - Monochorionic Monoamniotic

The “Monochorionic Monoamniotic” means when the twins are identical twins who share one common placenta and one single amniotic sac without a dividing membrane. It accounts for about 1% of all twin pregnancies, so it requires specialist assessment and closer monitoring.

What can a late twin scan check?

Depending on the pregnancy stage and the reason of the scan, the assessment can include:

Baby 1 & Baby 2 = • Brain • Face • Spine • Heart • Abdomen • Limbs • Growth • Placenta(s) • Amniotic fluid

In a twin pregnancy, ultrasound is essential to assess chorionicity and amnionicity and monitor a number of pregnancy-specific concerns.

Why is twin pregnancy different?

With twins it is important to know whether the babies share a placenta or have separate placentas and whether they share an amniotic sac. This is called Chorionicity and Amnionicity.

It is important to know this as twins who share a placenta can have a number of complications that require a closer ultrasound follow-up including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and selective fetal growth restriction.

What does "Chorionicity" mean??

  Chorionicity describes about the placenta whether the twins share a placenta or have separate placentas. Twin pregnancies are broadly classified as:

Placenta:

The placenta can usually be called (Mavi). In some twin pregnancy cases, each baby has its own. The placenta is nothing but the temporary organ that connects the baby through the umbilical cord; It gives the baby food and oxygen, takes away waste, and makes important hormones.

When both babies have shared placentas, each one has its own; it can be called “Dichorionic Twin Pregnancy.”

When two babies share only one placenta, it can be called “Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy.”

What does "Amnionicity " mean??

The term Amnionicity means whether the babies have their own amniotic sacs or if they have to share an amniotic sac. This is called amnionicity.

After a complete checkup of the placenta, the doctor examines the membrane arrangement to determine how many amniotic sacs are present. An amniotic sac is a kind of thin, tough, transparent pair of membranes (the inner amnion and outer chorion) inside the uterus that surrounds, protects, and supports a developing fetus during pregnancy; the Amniotic sac is filled with amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid cushions the baby and protects the baby in the mother's womb.

Conclusion:

A late TIFFA or anomaly scan in a twin pregnancy can still reveal important information about both babies’ development, depending on how far along the pregnancy is or why the scan is taking place.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your pregnancy or a scan you received, please consult your personal doctor. Because every pregnancy is very unique, every scan and close lookup can be needed.

Common Questions:

1. Can both babies be checked in a late anomaly scan?

It is possible to check both babies using an ultrasound for anatomy and development. The extent of assessment for each baby will depend on gestation, the type of twin pregnancy and the reason for the scan.

2. What if one baby cannot be seen clearly?

Sometimes one baby can be in a position or move in such a way that not all the views are possible. You might be asked to change position, or wait for the baby to move.

Another scan may be needed if not all views can be obtained. One baby being unable to be viewed fully does not necessarily mean that there is an abnormality.

3. Does the type of twins matter?

It is important to know if your twins are DCDA, MCDA or MCMA as this affects the type of ultrasound you have.

Having a scan later in pregnancy to check twins can be an opportunity to assess both babies, depending on gestation and the reason for the scan.

Book your First Twin Late TIFFA Scan with Naren Ultrasound  & Fetal Medicine Center and take this important step with expert guidance and confidence.

About the Doctor

Dr. Naren Satya

Consultant Radiologist

Naren Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine Center, Visakhapatnam