How is being pregnant with twins different than with single?

MrsEABarton

I'm one of four different people that are pregnant right now, but the only one pregnant with twins...  I'm wondering how it is different, in regards to how quickly you grow.  Should I be looking a couple weeks ahead for how big my uterus will be?  Will I start experiencing symtoms sooner than I would otherwise with a single?

I know that there are more risks, and more observations made because of the multiples, so that's not what I'm asking about.

Since my ticker hasn't been working, and I can't figure out why: 6w4d today, due October 31, 2009.

TIA!!

mommyof4boys

I was bigger quicker with my twins, had to slow down quicker, was in PTL longer, etc.  BTW, we're not wacky on the "ticker rule" here like the trimester boards are L)

lutzcowgirlie

As with a singleton pg, things are going to be different for different people. Comparing my own pregnancies - the things about being pg with the twins that were different:

 

I was MUCH sicker. I had m/s with my first, but it kicked my ass with the twins, and for much longer.

 

I got bigger faster, but it was also my second pg, so I expected that anyways.

 

I was exhausted the first trimester. Like, barely able to keep my eyes open, sit down and pass out unintentionally tired.

 

I gained more, although I think I gained more with my singleton (50 lbs) than some people do with twins. I stopped counting my weight gain after 60 lbs.

 

I got huge. With my first pg, I gained weight all over - face/arms/legs. With the twins, I was all belly. Four feet around. Because of that, my tummy has some serious twin skin issues and stretch marks. However, I know many twin moms don't get that big.

 

Many more apppointments, many more tests, many more demands on my body. With my first, I worked until a week before I was due, and only stopped because I wanted time to get ready. With the twins, I wasn't working, but I wouldn't have been able to if I had been by around 30 weeks. The problems I had the first time around (sciatica, leg cramps, severe back and neck pain, braxton hicks, etc) were all earlier and more intense with the twins.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

sweater

In general you are will see the doctor more and most likely a Perinatologist. If your twins are identical (or share a placenta) your pregnancy will have more chances of complications or PTL. You are more likely to deliver 4-6 wks sooner than your friends who are pregnant with singletons.

You'll feel movement sooner (most likely) and feel braxton hicks sooner. You'll get bigger faster (most likely) and the aches and pains that accompany....but you'll have two babies in the end in comparison to one ?

shady06

For me, my twin pregnancy was pretty much the same except for the fact that I had to slow down MUCH earlier than with my singleton.  I was really slowed down at 28 weeks with the twins but was still doing pretty well up until 34-35 weeks with my son.  As of 33 weeks or so, I was totally miserable physically due to the weight of my belly and the associated muscle strain/cramping/BH/etc. 

For me, I had no MS with either pg .  I agree with lutzcowgirlie--with my singleton pg I gained weight all over (face, arms, thighs) and gained 44 pounds.  With these twins, I have gained 46 so far but it is totally in my belly.

Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck!

susanb

There are a few things you'll have to remember and educate your friends about.

• They will be told to exercise - for you this is probably going to be a no-no.
• They will be told to watch their weight - for you - gaining weight is the goal
• They will probably be able to work up till that 40 week mark, you will have to slow down much sooner or risk the pregnancy.
• You have a higher likelihood of a lot of pregnancy complications earlier on than they are likely to see even late in pregnancy. It is imperative that you listen to your doctor and your body - not mirror yourself after your friends.
• You should be seen by a perinatologist or MFM - or at the VERY least someone with a significant amount of experience with multiples. If you aren't - there is a high likelihood that complications can be missed because simple things that could be meaningless in a singleton pregnancy can be real trouble with multiples.
• You are very likely to deliver early - 34 weeks is average with twins.
• Preterm labor and contractions can start very early - as early as 16 weeks - do NOT ignore it.

My main point here is that you have got to train yourself to remember that your pregnancy is very different from your friends. DO NOT expect yours to follow the same timetable or rules. Doing so will do you and your babies a great disservice. As long as you have an awareness of your pregnancy and the risks it should go fine - but be informed. Read Dr. Barbara Luke's book on multiples - it is the bible of multiple pregnancies.

Jen&John2005

I have read that it is typical to measure 6 to 8 weeks ahead for the size of your uterus for a twin pregnancy (though it can be more or less).  As the PPs said, definitely be on the lookout for any symptoms of preterm labor (I had it at 30 weeks, luckily it was stopped) as you get into your second trimester as it is a lot more common with twins.  Expect a lot more doctor's appointments, too, since you do need extra monitoring.

gumiberg

This was an informative thread

I am 15 weeks and thus far have had it easier than my singleton counterparts (no morning sickness whatsoever, tons of energy, etc) but I  guess I can expect all that to change!

Temp159135562506975

I got bigger faster (but that also happens with a 2nd pg).... i had more m/s than with my first pg (but it still wasn't horrible)... i was more tired (but any pg + chasing a toddler would be more tired than not having a child to chase)... I put on less weight all over- and more in my belly, faster.

my belly seems to have evened out a little lately- i don't look as many weeks ahead as i used to - but expecting that to change soon as they grow more.

courtneyaok

I haven't had a single, but I have friends to compare to:

- doctors are more cautious and less hesitant to put you on rest

- more dr. appointments, and you start seeing them more often at an earlier point in your pregnancy

 -you get bigger faster! When they measured me last week (32 weeks) I was measuring 42 weeks!