Twin mommy check-in
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Thanks for starting this, Christine! It will be nice for all of us to check in with one another.
I'm feeling good. I'm ravenous all the time.
I'm tired, like the-3rd-trimester-is-already-here kind of tired.
Sometimes I think I can tell the difference in who's kicking me, but I'm not so sure. I'm pretty sure that the one on my right side enjoys flipping breech b/c I'm feeling a lot of kicks down very low. At my u/s two weeks ago, they were both vertex. I'm praying they both decide they like the position and STAY that way, but I know they have lots of room to move still.
Anyone else seeing a perinatologist? I see a family practitioner and have to see a peri periodically. My first appointment with him is next Friday (29th).
Hope everyone is feeling good!
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Yesterday I thought I might be joining you ladies! Had a prenatal and the MW had just palpated and measured, and I was 4 cm ahead which freaked me out a little because my mom is a fraternal twin and I always figure I have a higher chance. But the MW looked at my chart for last time and saw that was normal measurements for me at this point, so she reassured me that given the size of baby she felt, there was only room for one baby in there. Then she checked heart tones and heard the HB way up high, above my belly button. For some reason at that point we got to talking about placental positioning and decided to see if we could hear the placenta down low. Lo and behold there was no placenta noise but there was a very definite heartbeat down there measuring 20 bpm faster than the one up high! She went back to the other spot, baby had shifted but there was still a heartbeat there too... also still one at the bottom... for well over a minute she kept getting the heartbeat very clearly in both places. I knew exactly what she was doing, checking to see if they were different, and I could barely breathe!
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Finally decided that it was one baby, and for some reason because of position we could get heart tones in both places but they were the exact same bpm. The initial difference must have been an increase in heartrate from when baby moved when we were talking about the placenta. Wow, that was quite an exciting few minutes though!
So, um, that was totally a thread hijack, sorry. Back to the normal twins conversation... I think it is great that you guys have each other to talk to! But honestly I am fairly relieved that I am not joining you.
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So, um, that was totally a thread hijack, sorry. Back to the normal twins conversation... I think it is great that you guys have each other to talk to! But honestly I am fairly relieved that I am not joining you.
Also sorry to hijack the thread. I am not measuring big so far -- another appointment on 29th and I am sure they will check size then.
But I am feeling movement differently than in any of my other pregnancies.
I have it on the low left mostly. I know my placenta is anterior and slightly off to the right. I feel movement (much less often, but still noticeable) on the high, far right.
It just seems odd to me that the baby stays so low left and then swings WAY up right. Why would the baby stay so cramped low and then suddenly go always up to the right?
I am wondering if there are two in there! I suppose it could be just one, but I am still wondering.
The midwives tried to find two heartbeats last time, but didn't. i wonder if there is a twin, if that placenta is just covering the HB on the high right.
We're choosing no ultrasound, but this is the only thing that makes me wonder if I should just have one
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But I am feeling movement differently than in any of my other pregnancies.
I have it on the low left mostly. I know my placenta is anterior and slightly off to the right. I feel movement (much less often, but still noticeable) on the high, far right.
It just seems odd to me that the baby stays so low left and then swings WAY up right. Why would the baby stay so cramped low and then suddenly go always up to the right?
I am wondering if there are two in there! I suppose it could be just one, but I am still wondering.
The midwives tried to find two heartbeats last time, but didn't. i wonder if there is a twin, if that placenta is just covering the HB on the high right.
We're choosing no ultrasound, but this is the only thing that makes me wonder if I should just have one
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I can tell the difference between the kicks (or punches) but I still don't feel a whole lot. It's been getting more frequent but it's still very scattered. I've been eating like a horse all along so the food issue isn't as pronounced for me.
And happily I don't need to see a perinatologist, because my doctors are extremely comfortable with the twins. As long as I keep progressing the way they'd like (which is essentially the same pattern that you'd find in Barbara Luke's book) I can stay with them. The only special thing we did was the level 2 u/s. That was apparently a good thing too, because one of the babies has a club foot (they believe - they didn't want to say for sure because the u/s can skew things but the foot just looked like it was in the wrong place).
And happily I don't need to see a perinatologist, because my doctors are extremely comfortable with the twins. As long as I keep progressing the way they'd like (which is essentially the same pattern that you'd find in Barbara Luke's book) I can stay with them. The only special thing we did was the level 2 u/s. That was apparently a good thing too, because one of the babies has a club foot (they believe - they didn't want to say for sure because the u/s can skew things but the foot just looked like it was in the wrong place).
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I don't know statistically how often that happens, but it seems I hear about it a lot with twins.
Originally Posted by ChristyM26  That was apparently a good thing too, because one of the babies has a club foot (they believe - they didn't want to say for sure because the u/s can skew things but the foot just looked like it was in the wrong place). |
Tara - you are too cute!!! haha
Gina - if you are suspicious, I'd get one. And then you can join us!!! <smooch> teehee
I will be seeing a specialist, but only for scans as my mw/ob's office is very small and they don't have an u/s tech on staff.
The babies move the most after I eat. Ds got a good kick from the baby on the left last night. He thought it was hysterical.
I haven't been nauseous for a few weeks, so I have been eating well finally. I am totally hungry all the time! And I honestly think I've doubled in size in the last 3 weeks LOL. But that's good, right? I am supposed to gain at least 40 lbs! I don't know how, as I barely gained 20 with ds (carried him almost 42 weeks too!). I am buying lots of high protein stuff - steaks, protein powder, etc...
Gina - if you are suspicious, I'd get one. And then you can join us!!! <smooch> teehee
I will be seeing a specialist, but only for scans as my mw/ob's office is very small and they don't have an u/s tech on staff.
The babies move the most after I eat. Ds got a good kick from the baby on the left last night. He thought it was hysterical.
I haven't been nauseous for a few weeks, so I have been eating well finally. I am totally hungry all the time! And I honestly think I've doubled in size in the last 3 weeks LOL. But that's good, right? I am supposed to gain at least 40 lbs! I don't know how, as I barely gained 20 with ds (carried him almost 42 weeks too!). I am buying lots of high protein stuff - steaks, protein powder, etc...
I am still on/off nauseous (pretty nauseous right now actually). I have just started feeling babies regularly, but I have no idea who is moving, bc they are laying transverse head to toe, so when I had my u/s, I would feel movement, but one would be kicking the other in the head and they both would be moving. I feel like there is always something going on in there though, even if its just someone shifting position. If its like this at ~19 weeks, I can imagine what it will be like as babies get even bigger!! I love feeling the movement though and my dh finally felt a kick as well. Anyone else have a uterus that is measuring HUGE?? Mine is at least 3-4 inches above my belly button and babies are RIGHT there (I can feel the lumps of baby in there as well).
I also found out at my u/s that I have a complete placenta previa and combined with my past c-sections, its pretty scary stuff. I really wanted to make it to full term so that I wouldn't have to deal with pumping and NICU babies and all that fun, but now I am just hoping and praying I can make it as far as I can (right now, going to take it easy and work on making it to August 12th-their age of viability, and then go from there). I haven't had any bleeding yet thank goodness, but the perinatologist that came into my u/s said that it most likely wouldn't move bc of my history and and it could/will probably cause a variety of problems (some way more serious than the others-heavy bleeding, early delivery, placenta accreta/percreta, inability to separate placenta from uterus at birth resulting in hysteroctomy, etc). Augh. I would love to be back 3 days ago when I was just enjoying this pregnancy and expecting it to go by fast and easy like the others.
If this isn't a testament as to why to avoid c-sections at all cost, I don't know what is.
I also found out at my u/s that I have a complete placenta previa and combined with my past c-sections, its pretty scary stuff. I really wanted to make it to full term so that I wouldn't have to deal with pumping and NICU babies and all that fun, but now I am just hoping and praying I can make it as far as I can (right now, going to take it easy and work on making it to August 12th-their age of viability, and then go from there). I haven't had any bleeding yet thank goodness, but the perinatologist that came into my u/s said that it most likely wouldn't move bc of my history and and it could/will probably cause a variety of problems (some way more serious than the others-heavy bleeding, early delivery, placenta accreta/percreta, inability to separate placenta from uterus at birth resulting in hysteroctomy, etc). Augh. I would love to be back 3 days ago when I was just enjoying this pregnancy and expecting it to go by fast and easy like the others.
If this isn't a testament as to why to avoid c-sections at all cost, I don't know what is.
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At 19 weeks my uterus was measuring 24 cm. So, I was measuring 5 weeks ahead.
My first peri appointment and detailed (level 2 or 3) ultrasound is this Friday.
I've been adding soy protein powder to our daily smoothies, it gives an extra 20g of protein.
I'm SO tired of being told "You don't look big enough to be having twins!"
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: I just want to scream b/c I just know at the end it's going to be the opposite kind of comments, ya know, How BIG I am, etc.
My biggest concerns are: needing to have a c/s (never have before and can't imagine recovering from one while taking care of 4 kids), and babies coming too early and having to stay in the nicu.
My first peri appointment and detailed (level 2 or 3) ultrasound is this Friday.
I've been adding soy protein powder to our daily smoothies, it gives an extra 20g of protein.
I'm SO tired of being told "You don't look big enough to be having twins!"
My biggest concerns are: needing to have a c/s (never have before and can't imagine recovering from one while taking care of 4 kids), and babies coming too early and having to stay in the nicu.
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Mama bear, Christy, Lindsey, drnmd- I'm here too!
I'm feeling the babies a lot too. Sometimes I feel "kicks" at the top, middle and bottom of my belly all at the same time. It's been so cool since the 19 week u/s because I can really picture who's doing what. Baby B is feet down and just kicks and kicks. Baby A has his head down low and last night I could feel his feet kicking up high and what I think was him punching my right side.
I'm 21 weeks and measuring 28! Gained 37 pounds last I checked. Last week was intense because I grew so much. Some days I was just ravenous all day long, even as I ate. One day I ate 4 meals before noon. My belly just popped right out. I went from being surprisingly small to looking very pregnant. I've never been pregnant before and I'm usually pretty petite so this is all an adjustment for me. I had back and rib pain that I attribute to all the rapid growth and I was feeling some despair when I did the math about how much farther I have to go, imagining how much bigger I'll get.
But of course my biggest worry- besides caring for them when they're here- is that they will be too early. I'm afraid I worry a lot. (We're remodeling too, so that's a big stressor.) I wish I could enjoy what has been a very healthy pregnancy- and will probably be my only pregnancy. I wish I could enjoy the moment more.
My best to you all. I'm happy we have each other. -Ann
I'm feeling the babies a lot too. Sometimes I feel "kicks" at the top, middle and bottom of my belly all at the same time. It's been so cool since the 19 week u/s because I can really picture who's doing what. Baby B is feet down and just kicks and kicks. Baby A has his head down low and last night I could feel his feet kicking up high and what I think was him punching my right side.
I'm 21 weeks and measuring 28! Gained 37 pounds last I checked. Last week was intense because I grew so much. Some days I was just ravenous all day long, even as I ate. One day I ate 4 meals before noon. My belly just popped right out. I went from being surprisingly small to looking very pregnant. I've never been pregnant before and I'm usually pretty petite so this is all an adjustment for me. I had back and rib pain that I attribute to all the rapid growth and I was feeling some despair when I did the math about how much farther I have to go, imagining how much bigger I'll get.
But of course my biggest worry- besides caring for them when they're here- is that they will be too early. I'm afraid I worry a lot. (We're remodeling too, so that's a big stressor.) I wish I could enjoy what has been a very healthy pregnancy- and will probably be my only pregnancy. I wish I could enjoy the moment more.
My best to you all. I'm happy we have each other. -Ann
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Ann--I'm glad we all have eachother, too!
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It's hard enough not to worry when you're pregnant with one baby, and being pregnant with two just changes the dynamics of lots of things, I think.
Have you mamas been doing any reading? I've ordered three books, and am still waiting on two. I read the Dr. Barbara Luke book for nutrition. It was ok, didn't thrill me that much.
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This week Having Twins by Elizabeth Noble should be coming, as well as the Karen Gromada book: Mothering Multiples (for nursing).
It's hard enough not to worry when you're pregnant with one baby, and being pregnant with two just changes the dynamics of lots of things, I think.
Have you mamas been doing any reading? I've ordered three books, and am still waiting on two. I read the Dr. Barbara Luke book for nutrition. It was ok, didn't thrill me that much.
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Lindsey, you'll have to let me know if the nursing book is any good.
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Will do! I've heard good things about it. She also has a REALLY good website:
http://www.karengromada.com/photos/index.htm
I think that link will take you to the page that has photos of nursing twins. It's very inspiring!
I've been so blessed and not had any problems nursing my DS or DD, but am a little nervous about being able to nurse two. Both my doctor and DH reminded me that it's a supply and demand system. The more you nurse, the more milk there will be. So true!
http://www.karengromada.com/photos/index.htm
I think that link will take you to the page that has photos of nursing twins. It's very inspiring!
I've been so blessed and not had any problems nursing my DS or DD, but am a little nervous about being able to nurse two. Both my doctor and DH reminded me that it's a supply and demand system. The more you nurse, the more milk there will be. So true!
I am very interested in the book about nursing twins...I just have to find the time to get these books! It seems like its been a whirlwind since we found out we were having twins and half of the time, I am still in disbelief over the whole thing! Is that normal??? lol
I know the biggest deal with nursing twins in this house will be finding the time to sit and feed 2 babies all the time (with 3 other kids to care for). It will definately be "interesting" in my house during that time, but I am determined to make this work!
I know the biggest deal with nursing twins in this house will be finding the time to sit and feed 2 babies all the time (with 3 other kids to care for). It will definately be "interesting" in my house during that time, but I am determined to make this work!
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Melissa--I have two older kiddos about the same ages as your oldest and youngest. I am hoping that we'll have enough help from family and friends as far as housework and meals go for the first few months, that I'll just be able to concentrate on nursing and spending time with my older kids.
It is definitely going to be an adventure!
It is definitely going to be an adventure!
I'm reading Have Twins by Noble and Mothering Multiples. They are both very good. I really am enjoying the Elizabeth Noble book - very, very thorough! The Barbara Luke book was reccomended to me, but I haven't bought it yet. I am eating as best I can and I don't want to read it and feel guilty. I barely gained 20 lbs with ds (who was 9 lbs at birth) so I don't believe I have to gain a certain amount to have healthy babies. I think the emphasis should be on quality of food, not quantity. Ok, off my soapbox
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My concerns are pretty much the same as all yours: birth (vag vs. c-section), nursing and caring for them when newborns, taking care of ds and other things. I am lining us as much help as possible to make it easier on myself. I know multiple pregnancy tend to go earlier than singletons, so I am thinking I need to start mentally preparing so that early Oct I am ready. We are interviewing several dr's in our area that are known for taking on patients that are 'high-risk' (i.e. VBAC, breech). Both babies are head down now, but when it comes to labor time, I want to have a dr that will allow me to go for a vaginal delivery regardless of the babies postions. So, that's the biggest thing going on now is to find someone we are comfortable with. My current mw doesn't have too much twinn birth experience and her back-up OB just finished med school in 2001 - so that kinda freaks me out! If it were 1 baby, I wouldn't consider switching, as I adore her. But with 2 babies and the OB being more involved, my gut is telling me to run.
My concerns are pretty much the same as all yours: birth (vag vs. c-section), nursing and caring for them when newborns, taking care of ds and other things. I am lining us as much help as possible to make it easier on myself. I know multiple pregnancy tend to go earlier than singletons, so I am thinking I need to start mentally preparing so that early Oct I am ready. We are interviewing several dr's in our area that are known for taking on patients that are 'high-risk' (i.e. VBAC, breech). Both babies are head down now, but when it comes to labor time, I want to have a dr that will allow me to go for a vaginal delivery regardless of the babies postions. So, that's the biggest thing going on now is to find someone we are comfortable with. My current mw doesn't have too much twinn birth experience and her back-up OB just finished med school in 2001 - so that kinda freaks me out! If it were 1 baby, I wouldn't consider switching, as I adore her. But with 2 babies and the OB being more involved, my gut is telling me to run.
Doing okay here. Anyone else have a baby up REALLY high?? I fee like I am at least 30 weeks pg here! My babies are laying transverse and baby B is so high, so its hard to sit forward. I can't believe I am not even 20 weeks and already feeling like this!
Besides that, I am just trying to love every moment of all the movements and such (since this very well might be our last pregnancy). My nausea appears to be mostly gone now (its not as frequent as before) but now I can't eat more than a small meal at a time-guessing that would have something to do with baby B's comfy high spot s/he has taken over. I find that as long as I get at least 80 oz of water a day, I feel pretty decent though...if I don't, I just feel awful!
Besides that, I am just trying to love every moment of all the movements and such (since this very well might be our last pregnancy). My nausea appears to be mostly gone now (its not as frequent as before) but now I can't eat more than a small meal at a time-guessing that would have something to do with baby B's comfy high spot s/he has taken over. I find that as long as I get at least 80 oz of water a day, I feel pretty decent though...if I don't, I just feel awful!
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