TWINS and Anxiety

SVandy14 · February 2014

My husband and I are pregnant with twins. Let me tell you - we about fell over (thankfully I was laying down) when they told us on our FIRST appointment. It really is fitting. We have two cats, two lizards and two guinea pigs and I was joking, "It is only fitting we have twins" and...BOOM.

They are identical, they will be our first and we are very excited. I struggle with anxiety when not pregnant and now that I'm having multiples plus high risk I find myself having a hard time focusing on anything else. Is anyone else having this? Twins or singletons? I'm getting bigger, my fatigue is somewhat better, my nausea still raises its god awful head but I'm keeping more food down. I know I'm pregnant. I know I have to stay positive. I just...I can't feel anything. I know that's normal. BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW EVERYONE IS OKAY. I'm a hormonal mess. I have doctors appointments every two weeks but this is the first time since week 6 (I'm half way through 13 now) that I have to go three weeks and I'm a mess. My next appointment is this coming Monday and I can barely wait.

Any suggestions on staying focused on other things? Relaxation techniques? Breathing exercises? Warm bath with scents?

Help me out here ladies.

aelhunt · February 2014

I just want to say congrats! Focus is hard with your first. Breathing techniques sound like something to look into, though.

Rannndi · February 2014

We, too, are expecting twins, and my anxiety about the pregnancy also doubled! I had to stop googling things because that's what upped my anxiety. I think mine also heightened once I hit 12 weeks and symptoms seem to have lightened a bit. It feels like so much more can go wrong with the multiples pregnancy, but I've also just tried to tell myself that no matter how long it lasts, I've been blessed with being able to carry two babies at once. Nothing else really helps my anxiety about it, except doctor's appointments. They also think ours are identical, but they'll confirm tomorrow at our 12 week appointment. It's good to know that others have these same worries.

megknyc · February 2014

Same boat here! Twins and I have sheer moments of panic. I was a mess as well. Twins are high risk and I was going every one/two weeks, then moved to every 4. After my 12 week appt though, I calmed down after seeing them. My dr said in 2nd tri the m/c rate is around 1%, so that eased my mind.

Hopefully the same will happen after you see them again and know things are okay in the 2nd tri. It got better for me, so hang in there.......

Rannndi · February 2014

thanks for that, @megknyc! I'm hoping tomorrow calms me down a bit!

SVandy14 · February 2014

Me too!! You've all been so helpful. I'm on lunch at work so I'm able to feel much better now

mom2three2014 · February 2014

I don't have any words of advice but just have to say I'm there with you. Not twins, but I've had 3 previous losses. My last one right before this was at 10 weeks. I have told basically no one I am pregnant because I am always paranoid that I have miscarried and just don't know it yet. I look very visibly pregnant but luckily it's winter and I'm still able to cover it up. But yeah the anxiety is intense for me!

SVandy14 · February 2014

Augh, I'm sorry mama. Hang in there. Your GIF made me bust out laughing. I needed that.

Jules_Shamblin · February 2014

Twins here too! They will be our first too and we are excited and scared and then excited again and then scared again. I'm almost 15 weeks along and I've been seeing the doctor every four weeks with my next appointment at the end of this month. Then I switch to every two weeks. Mine are DiDi twins (two of everything) and I'm dying to find out their sexes. If they are boy/boy or girl/girl we won't know if they're identical or not until birth which seems crazy to me.

I have to say though, even though there is more to worry about with twins, it's also nice to be getting extra appointments and ultrasounds which can be really reassuring.

Rannndi · February 2014

Awh, hi @jules_shamblin! I saw you on the Google doc as a twins mama, so glad you posted on here! We're definitely blessed to have more frequent appointments/ultrasounds to ease our extra worries! I feel like the 4 week appointments, assure me until the week of the next one! We should all stay in touch on this thread!

@momtothree2014, I don't know how you've done it! I'm so sorry for your losses. You're out of the first trimester now, so that's really exciting!!!

kristens1116 · February 2014

Yay a twin board! My husband and I just found out 2 days ago at our first ultrasound (12 weeks) and couldn't be happier! Ours will be fraternal twins. I do think nerves will settle in once the shock dies down. It's so nice to hear from people who are in the same boat!

Lizoc25 · February 2014

I am also pregnant with twins and I'm wondering are you all going to get u/s at a high risk place (I forget what they call it)? My doctor is doing u/s at every apt so far, but his machine is so old. The pictures come out terrible and I'm guessing they would be able to see more with a newer machine. I'm 14 wks 5 days. My next apt is at 16 weeks. Are you all seeing your ob and a high risk doc for u/s?

SVandy14 · February 2014

nobadwriting said:

I am also pregnant with twins and I'm wondering are you all going to get u/s at a high risk place (I forget what they call it)? My doctor is doing u/s at every apt so far, but his machine is so old. The pictures come out terrible and I'm guessing they would be able to see more with a newer machine. I'm 14 wks 5 days. My next apt is at 16 weeks. Are you all seeing your ob and a high risk doc for u/s?
Yes I see both. The MFM has way more advanced equipment.

I only see the MFM group. That's how my hospital does it but I know not all clinics are the same. I get an ultrasound every appointment but every other appointment (monthly) the ultrasounds are way more indepth.

SVandy14 · February 2014

nobadwriting said:

Twins here too! We had an ultrasound at 8 weeks, but they only saw 1 baby. We didn't find out they are twins until the NT scan! I'm glad we didn't opt out of it because who knows how long we would have gone without knowing! Mine are mono/di so there is increased risk of TTTS, so we get ultrasounds at every visit. I see my regular OB every 4 weeks and the MFM every 2 weeks. I have to agree with @jules_shamblin that all the extra visits and ultrasounds ease the anxiety a lot. Congrats and good luck! Breathe and know everything will be ok.

Mine are Mono/Di too!! And so are @Ranndi 's

Yes there is a bigger risk for TTTS but keep in mind it doesn't always happen and there are things they can do at certain points in your pregnancy to slow it down. They caught mine at my 6 week appointment (when they confirmed my pregnancy) but JUST BARELY. They couldn't get them in the same shot so I probably would have gone awhile too. YAY! Welcome to the group.

Rannndi · February 2014

Awh so glad we have more twin mamas!

@Lizoc25 - I actually just transferred my care from my regular OB over to a Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist. I'll only be seeing them. My regular OB was refusing to do regular ultrasounds and wanted to completely skip 16 weeks. I wasn't comfortable with that care (or the hospital we'd deliver to - the babies would have to be transferred if they were born before 32 weeks). So we switched. You have to do what your gut tells you to do. For me, I was more comfortable having an MFM just in case anything were to happen!

SVandy14 · February 2014

Rannndi said:

Awh so glad we have more twin mamas! @Lizoc25 - I actually just transferred my care from my regular OB over to a Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist. I'll only be seeing them. My regular OB was refusing to do regular ultrasounds and wanted to completely skip 16 weeks. I wasn't comfortable with that care (or the hospital we'd deliver to - the babies would have to be transferred if they were born before 32 weeks). So we switched. You have to do what your gut tells you to do. For me, I was more comfortable having an MFM just in case anything were to happen!

I am SOOO glad you got that worked out and so quickly

@nobadwriting I also highly suggest a book by Barbara Luke called "When your expecting twins, triples or quads" it is a GREAT book and amazing resource. Most pregnancy books for singletons just barely touch base on twins. As multiple-mama's our pregnancies are WAY different including our nutritional needs. Check it out

Lizoc25 · February 2014

Thanks for the feedback. I am thinking I need to check out the MFM.

@rannndi thanks for telling me what MFM means. I was about to google it

Rannndi · February 2014

No problem @lizoc25! I know how all these acronyms can be

kristens1116 · February 2014

When are your due dates and are you finding out the genders or will they be a surprise? I'm due August 25 and we are going to be surprised.

SVandy14 · February 2014

I'm due August 10 and we find out the sex one week from today! I almost had my husband talked into it being a surprise when we were trying to get pregnant but when they said twins the gig was up. haha. He can barely stand himself with surprises.

Jules_Shamblin · February 2014

To all the twin mamas... How big are your bellies? I have a friend who had twins and she didn't show until 16 weeks. I started showing at 13 weeks and now at 16 weeks I look like I could be 6 months along if I was carrying just one instead of just 4 months. I feel so huge! Am I a freak of is anyone else feeling huge too?

Rannndi · February 2014

I'm due 8/17 and we're definitely finding out their sex. I respect Team Green, but I am NOT patient enough...not even close. Our next appt is 2/28, and I'll be 15 w, 5 d. I just called the doctor today and they said, if I ask, they should be able to tell me. Lucky us, odds are doubled we'll be able to see at least one of them, and by default, that's the other too LOL

This is my first pregnancy, and I'm not that big. Much bigger at the end of the day, but that's bloat. After eating, I literally feel like my stomach could explode from stretching, but I still haven't "popped" yet. I think that should come soon because I'm majorly feeling my uterus now.

Lizoc25 · February 2014

I'm also due 8/10 and we are going to find out. But, we are going to wait to know until the 20 wk apt. I was thinking about waiting until my shower to share with others.

My stomach has definitely popped and I'm 15 wks. My shirts are too short so I am wearing mostly maternity shirts. I have a bunch of friends also prego, but with singlet

Lizoc25 · February 2014

I'm also due 8/10 and we are going to find out. But, we are going to wait to know until the 20 wk apt. I was thinking about waiting until my shower to share with others.

My stomach has definitely popped and I'm 15 wks. My shirts are too short so I am wearing mostly maternity shirts. I have a bunch of friends also prego, but with singletons and they did not seem to pop as quickly. I feel like I look 20 wks.

kristens1116 · February 2014

I'm only 13 weeks and I'm not noticeably showing yet. I feel wider for sure, but I'm not in my maternity clothes yet. My jeans are definitely feeling more snug these day though.

Also, I picked up that book When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads. It's a great read so far. I feel like we're all really lucky to be expecting multiples!

SVandy14 · February 2014

YAY @kristens1116 I'm glad you got the book. It is a great read. My hospital follows her to the letter. The clinic she started I actually go to at University of Michigan. I'm very lucky. I know another multiple mom out in CA and her hospital suggested the book so I feel blessed to be able to go there.

Like @Rannndi I totally respect Team Green. Since ours our identical too we just need to see one babies little bits and we're good to go! I can't stand myself. I find out a week from yesterday.

I'm 15 weeks and I'm sticking out for sure. I also think I feel bigger than I am. At 14 weeks I had to go to maternity pants and shirts. I'm not a big girl (or super tiny) but more like a human pear body shape so my pants fit but just couldn't button because my waist is so much more narrow then my lower half. (hopefully these hips come in use for birth!) My doctor said I was totally normal. Also, my babies are measuring a week ahead of schedule so I'm growing BIG babies.

Keep in mind multiple moms. By week 28 we will be the size of a singleton mom at 40 weeks. Que nervous laughter. haha.

Jules_Shamblin · February 2014

SVandy14 said:

Keep in mind multiple moms. By week 28 we will be the size of a singleton mom at 40 weeks. Que nervous laughter. haha.

Good Lord!! Is that true? That's terrifying!

Also, I talked to my mom yesterday and she said she was just like me with both her (singleton) pregnancies. Her weight gain was always right within the guidelines but she ended up with HUGE bellies for both my sister and I. That makes me feel a lot better about how much I'm already showing. I look so big but I weighed myself this morning and I'm only at a total of 7 pounds weight gain so far.

SVandy14 · February 2014

@Jules_Shamblin yes it is! LOL sorry to scare you. That book I have says that multiple mama's should put on weight a little different. Instead of throughout the whole pregnancy the goal is 20 pounds in 20 weeks. The reason being is our babies stop growing before singletons do so the idea is to get their weight up as much as possible by then. Most singleton babies grow until 38 weeks I think but twin babies seems to slow down and stop at 32 weeks. So the practice of putting weight on early helps them plump up too. I'm not quite on track with that (hello MS which tried to kill me I lost weight) but I plumped back up once I started not throwing up 10 times a day. I bet you are just fine!! I bet you are glowing

kristens1116 · May 2014

How's everybody doing? I'm 24 weeks now and woah have I popped. We should share bump pictures and updates on how we're all holding up.

I feel like I'm constantly at the doctors. We have 2 appointment a month between MFM and our OB, but I'm not complaining- the extra attention definitely is a perk. My nausea finally called it quits around 18 weeks and now I'm feeling good, tired and achy, but good!

I hope all of you are well!

megknyc · May 2014

I am 26 and 4 today and man have things changed!!! I am huge!!!!

Everywhere I go people comment on how I am about to pop! I get looks of horror when I mention I have 11 weeks to go (induction date is @ 38 wks). I am tiny - 5'2 and was 105 pounds pre pregnancy, I am now 130 but It's all a huge ball!

I feel ok - but the weight is causing occasional ankle swelling and I definitely am done by days end.

How are you ladies doing???? I can't even imagine what July will feel like, a little scared but also hoping I make it that far!

kristens1116 · May 2014

It's nice to hear from someone in the same boat. I get stares all the time and am getting nervous about finishing out work. Right now I plan to work until 31 weeks ( I'm a teacher and that's my last day with the kids).

I've gained 20lbs so far. Here is a not so flattering picture...

SVandy14 · May 2014

@megknyc try increasing your water intake. With twins we should be drinking about 128 oz a day. I've been doing it for two weeks now and I have my ankles back

And i'm 27.5 weeks!!

@krsitens1116 you look amazing

How far along are you?

SVandy14 · May 2014

Check out my blog!! I started one to document our journey. It has really helped with my anxiety too.

https://vanderloovenwombmates.wordpress.com

kristens1116 · May 2014

Love your blog! I'm 25 weeks and 3 today. As I'm sitting here, all I can feel is a baby in my ribs! Ouch!

I give anyone credit who can drink a gallon of water a day! I am trying but I struggle to get much more than the 64oz. down.

I get to see my babies again this Tuesday! I hope everyone is doing well!

Lizoc25 · May 2014

I have missed this thread. I'm also huge! I took a pic at 24 wks compared to my SIL at 40 wks and I looked bigger. The pic below is me now at 27.5 weeks. I'm excited these babies are growing stronger!

My feet have also been swelling and hurting. I drink a ton of water and I prop my feet up when I sleep so the swelling is not as bad, but they just hurt after walking around all day. I've gained almost 28 lbs so I know that makes a difference, but any tips on reducing foot pain? I'm considering wearing sneakers to work. We also moved two weeks ago so I'm sure I've been moving around more often trying to get everything set up.

I'm also seeing the doctor twice a month. I go in on Monday for glucose test and Tuesday for u/a at the MFM. It sounds like I'll be going every two weeks to see the doctor starting at week 30.

SVandy14 · May 2014

@Lizoc25 my feet kill too. If you are doing lots of shopping get an amigo. I know it seems silly but when I go to Sam's club I'm fine until I get to the back of the store. No sense in exhausting yourself. Also, get some good shoes. I even wear them in the house! Always need that support.

The water really does and has helped me. Set a goal and keep track. You'll feel so much better.

SVandy14 · May 2014

@nobadwriting I have good and bad days too. Is it a long walk? Do they have expectant mother parking? Maybe ask the doc for a temp handicap sticker? Sometimes I get to a back of a store or parking lot and I'm not sure how I'm going to get back. LOL. Just a thought. As it gets hotter and our bodies become more prone to dehydration - that plus exhaustion - bad news. We don't need reasons for premature labor. Take care of you.

SVandy14 · May 2014

Ya win some ya lose some.

Maybe talk to your doctor about the exhaustion.

megknyc · May 2014

SVandy14 - how do you drink that much water and not live in the bathroom? Do you cut yourself off at night by a certain time?

How is everyone doing?

My short cervix seems to be staying put - although at my MFM appt this week they said I was starting to funnel. I feel like its something every week so I don't even get worked up at this point.

My OB also said she wanted me to consider starting STD - but since I have a desk job and could work from home a few days a week, I am trying to stick it out as long as I can. I love my career and i know it will be a long road ahead of juggling home and work - but I didn't realize I would start to feel this way so early. New chapters......I am sure we all have a LOT to figure out.

Do you ladies have induction dates scheduled? My Dr. won't let me go past 38 weeks, so my official less than 10 weeks clock has started - I hope I make it!!!!

SVandy14 · May 2014

@megkync I get started as SOON as possible on my water. I'm usually done with it by 5 or 6pm and then I try to take it easy on the fluids after

The first week was the hardest but my body quickly adjusted. Just like if we weren't pregnant and you increased your water intake. It takes some time for your body to adjust and absorb more. It's 9:36 my time and I'm alllmost 32 oz in. I really encourage it.

I have a desk job too and I've been working from home for two weeks now. It really has made a difference in my body and how I feel. I know it's hard giving up work but if you can do even a couple of days, like every other at home to give your body a rest, I would consider it.

SVandy14 · May 2014

PS: I only got up once to pee last night! So you can do it

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