So we made our Facebook announcement yesterday. Everyone was (understandably) surprised, but also excited and supportive. The one phenomenon that I noticed was that the people who were most tempered in their enthusiasm were the ones that have already had twins. We had four responses from moms of twins that talked about how much work twins were and how challenging it is, but also offered help and support for anything that we needed (meaning, they weren't trying to be awful). Three of the four had singletons prior to their twins and said they were not remotely the same. I guess I've been in a bit of denial, but is it really that different? I already have two singletons, so I thought experience might help me overcome the twin challenges, but I'm starting to gather that this is not true. Any insight?
I had my official ultrasound today (doctor wanted to check and make sure that the twins aren't identical).
It looks like they're probably fraternal (which was expected), although the radiologist needs to go over my scans and give the final opinion and they're measuring 5 days ahead (14w4d, measuring 15w2d).
Heartbeats 153 and 156 and both are estimated at around 5 ounces right now. Baby A gave me a nice profile shot with the cutest little button nose. Baby B looked like an alien since they were facing the transducer and didn't want to cooperate in spite of being jostled around, but I'm sure they're adorable, too.
I've been doing some reading and recently I keep coming across recommendations in books and articles as well as from friend with multiples that I should have everything together and ready to go by 28/30 weeks. Including hospital bags packed and car seats ready to go. I know multiples can come early and I'm all for being prepared but it's kind of freaking me out to think everything needs to be ready that soon! I guess after single pregnancies where I didn't much worry about things until well after 20/25 weeks (with the last one I didn't buy anything until 37weeks!) , it's just crazy to think.
@Anya Lynn - I remember people doing nothing but telling me horror stories about being pregnant with twins my first time around. I cried so much thinking that I was going to go into labor early or they wouldn't make it, something horrendous like that. I would say, yeah, have everything ready a bit earlier than you would with a singleton but don't psych yourself out. I was put on bed rest at 30 weeks (I was dilated to 3 or 4 and 80% effaced and the doctor said "If I wanted to, I could reach up there and grab his foot". Yeah, please don't!) but I made it to my scheduled C-section at 37.5.
New to this thread; I'm Elizabeth and pregnant with babies #1 & 2 due after I turn 25. Found out at 8 weeks, after 2 weeks of daily nausea & vomiting getting increasingly worse, that we were expecting 2. My dr diagnosed me with HG and said it is more common with twins & multiples - and here I just thought women who willingly sign up for morning sickness were crazy! Lol Baby is an unplanned, but very welcomed surprise by mama. But the downer was she said it looked like one was struggling (bradycardia) and she gave him/her a dismal outcome unless s/he shows improvement but the other seemed to be just fine.
Fast forward to 10 weeks at the next u/s, we saw a nurse not an certified sonographer but she couldn't visualize baby B. She actually had a hard time getting a heart rate on baby A but we can get one super easy on our doppler at home (and YES it is baby hearts 168 & 142, lately only able to find the 168, doc showed me how to properly use the doppler).
So now we wait and see until our 16 week appointment when we have another ultrasound scheduled - and gender determination! Super excited!
@elizabethannette85 - Congratulations on the awesome surprise! Hoping that everything works out and that Baby B is safe and cozy in there, maybe just a bit stubborn.
Also, has anyone started scouting out twin gear? We have stuff from our son and most is gender neutral, but things like strollers and car seats and things I have no idea on! Also I recently discovered that although I drive a giant SUV there is no way to fit three rear facing, so now we need to get two new cars. BARF.
We've been scouting out twin gear. My MIL bought us a double stroller and we've got a bunch of stuff on our registry (pack and play with bassinets, cribs, swings, bouncers, etc.)
I've bought some clothes already, too, but only a handful of outfits and a 5-pack of white short-sleeved onesies.
I started scouting gear. Last weekend we went to Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us to look at strollers. Also I have done a lot of looking online and have found a feeding station and a carrier to accommodate two babies.
I have some stuff from the other kiddos but I haven't bought anything yet! But the double stroller and the car seats we have been looking at are both on sale right now so it's been hard to resist. But I just feel like it's so early! I think my anxiety over something going wrong is just getting the best of me!
What brands are you guys looking at? I've read the chicco keyfit 30 is good for smaller babies, which I assume we will have. I'm intimidated by double strollers... Especially since we have an older son who isn't ready to use one of the ride on boards on the back I'm not sure what we will do!
so far the only thing I've researched is double strollers. I am really into the city select double, which is on sale right now, but I am also still too nervous to buy it.
I'm trying to figure out if I should keep my toddler's stroller or just try to sell it. Her stroller is a BOB Motion in really good condition so I think I can resell it for reasonably good value if I can just find the right place to list it.
@Trgree1712 what kind of carrier did you get? I have a wrap and I found some youtube videos showing how to wrap twin newborns, but I don't think it will last too long beyond the newborn stage.
Sorry to be a dirty singleton lurker but I wanted to say congrats to all the September 16 twin mamas!!! I secretly always wanted twins so it's fun to follow your journeys and learn about multiples
@apkd I think I'm going to get two ring slings and tandem them that way. I wrapped a bit with my son and I can't imagine wrapping two squirmy ones! We also still have a k'tan that I used when my son was little and a Tula that we still use frequently.
Thanks, @mamadomino! I have never used a ring sling but will consider that option. I have a wrap and a mei tai, but never did a back carry. I think wrapping newborns shouldn't be that bad, as they aren't super squirmy yet. For later, I'm thinking of just getting another structured carrier, and wearing one baby on my back and one on my chest.
I just requested to join a tandem babywearing group on Facebook, which will hopefully provide more info.
We are looking at the city select double as well! But I'm also too nervous to buy it yet! But my husband is urging we just get it and keep it in the box. And the wrap was great for us so I'm hoping to use it again, two rig slings are super convienient and fast which is a major plus but I think I'm leaning toward two ergos. But we will see.
@Anya Lynn, the physical changes between this twin pregnancy and the ones with my singletons is just blowing my mind. For instance, the last two days, my ankles and feet have been swollen. And I'm 15 weeks! That didn't happen in my singleton pregnancies until at least 30 weeks. Not to mention the enormous bump that I'm rock'n or how heavy my uterus feels already. It's craziness!
Anyone else tired of having people tell you how "exciting" or what a "blessing" it is to be having twins? Dont get me wrong we are excited but there are also tons of things we are trying to figure out like if I'm going to be able to go back to work, are we going to need a new car, how is it going to effect our two year old, etc. Coupled with complications that come with being an advanced maternal age (35) which my OBs office never lets me forget and having a low lying placenta which looks like it is going to turn into placenta previa it doesn't always feel exciting or like a blessing.
Hey Twin Mommies! Has anyone found out the sex of their babies yet? I was told we couldn't get the blood test and had to wait until 16 weeks. Another nurse even said 18 weeks! I can't wait that long!
I'm stuck waiting until the anatomy scan between 18 and 22 weeks unless I choose to pay for an elective ultrasound. My doc has always made a guess for me with the previous kids around 16-18 weeks. But for better confirmation I've had to wait. This times the same for us. Only one baby had the umbilical cord between its legs and the other is buried so deep behind my hip bone we couldn't even get a solid guess with either at the 16 week apt. So I guess patience it is.
We've been given a guess, but I was only 14 1/2 weeks at the time, so it looks like I won't have a real answer until my anatomy scan, which won't be until after my 19 week appointment (not sure when, exactly, it'll be).
We had the Harmony test and know that we are having at least one boy. In order to find out whether it is boy/boy or boy/girl, I will have to wait until the anatomy scan at the end of April.
On a different note, is anyone else having Braxton Hicks contractions already? I never had them with my two singleton pregnancies, but I started having them in the last two days. I freaked out and called my OB, who had me come in. They thought I might be a little dehydrated, but said that it is not unusual to have them in the second trimester and definitely not unusual if you are pregnant with twins.
We did a verifi blood test due to some soft markers on our 10 week US. We got our results & both babies are okay . & like @Ssoccerball we know that we have at least one boy!! I'm 13 weeks tomorrow so about a month and we will know if we're all blue or one of each-can't wait!
No contractions over here. Even after two kids, I don't know that I'd know what one felt like anyway since I never went into labor with DS and DD. However, the past couple of days, I've had significant swelling in my feet. I didn't have this until around 34 weeks or so before so it's kind of freaking me out. No other abnormal symptoms though so I'm hoping that I'll just be able to mention it at my appointment on the 4th and it won't be a big worry.
No contractions over here. Even after two kids, I don't know that I'd know what one felt like anyway since I never went into labor with DS and DD. However, the past couple of days, I've had significant swelling in my feet. I didn't have this until around 34 weeks or so before so it's kind of freaking me out. No other abnormal symptoms though so I'm hoping that I'll just be able to mention it at my appointment on the 4th and it won't be a big worry.
My feet started swelling this week, too. I mentioned it to my OB when we were talking about the contractions, but she seemed completely unconcerned. I swear, this is such a different experience that it's like I've never been pregnant before! I've had feet swelling, but not until after 30 weeks.
@ssoccerball yes!! I've had Braxton hicks with all my kiddos (3) starting around 28 weeks. But this time they started at 14! And some are intense! I called in too because it scared me having them so early! I have noticed if I drink coconut water regularly it seems to calm them down. When I can choke down my cal,mag supplement it helps too.
And on the swelling thing we live in the nw so it's not really warm here yet but we just got back from a trip to Southern California and most days I could hardly get my shoes on my feet were so swollen! It's true. Twins are such a different ballgame! This pregnancy has been nothing like my others.
At the very beginning of my pregnancy, I was told that I needed extra folic acid. I was given a prescription for it though called Folgard. I'm not sure if that would help with the extra iron or not though.
Has anyone been told to take extra iron and folic acid? The Perinatologist mentioned it the other day but I smartly didn't ask how much!
I also was given a script for 1mg folic acid when I first found out I was pregnant. Then, when we learned that it was twins, they had me start taking 2 (each baby gets his or her own pill ).
@Anya Lynn , I'm glad I'm not the only one with contractions. I kept thinking that having them this early was an ominous sign that I would end up on bed rest or delivering insanely early. I may try the coconut water, though in the past, that stuff has gagged me.
I got told to increase the folic acid but also never asked how much so I just take two instead of the usual single.
And mid I was sure of the same thing. That bed rest or preterm was in my future but it's never happened yet with any of the single pregnancies. So hopefully it won't matter this time around either. But still. Hard not to think things like that. I feel like every multiple birth story I read has some complications
Re: Mommies to be having twins!
It looks like they're probably fraternal (which was expected), although the radiologist needs to go over my scans and give the final opinion and they're measuring 5 days ahead (14w4d, measuring 15w2d).
Heartbeats 153 and 156 and both are estimated at around 5 ounces right now. Baby A gave me a nice profile shot with the cutest little button nose. Baby B looked like an alien since they were facing the transducer and didn't want to cooperate in spite of being jostled around, but I'm sure they're adorable, too.
It's starting to feel really real now.
● IUI #2: BFP - early M/C :'(
● IUI #3: BFN
● IUI #4: BFN
● IVF/FET #1 (2 transferred): BFP! TWINS!
● FET #2 (1 transferred): BFP! BOY #3!
● Natural #1: BFP - M/C @ 8 weeks :'(
● Natural #2: BFP - M/C @ 5w5d :'(
Found out at 8 weeks, after 2 weeks of daily nausea & vomiting getting increasingly worse, that we were expecting 2. My dr diagnosed me with HG and said it is more common with twins & multiples - and here I just thought women who willingly sign up for morning sickness were crazy! Lol Baby is an unplanned, but very welcomed surprise by mama.
But the downer was she said it looked like one was struggling (bradycardia) and she gave him/her a dismal outcome unless s/he shows improvement but the other seemed to be just fine.
Fast forward to 10 weeks at the next u/s, we saw a nurse not an certified sonographer but she couldn't visualize baby B. She actually had a hard time getting a heart rate on baby A but we can get one super easy on our doppler at home (and YES it is baby hearts 168 & 142, lately only able to find the 168, doc showed me how to properly use the doppler).
So now we wait and see until our 16 week appointment when we have another ultrasound scheduled - and gender determination! Super excited!
@elizabethannette85 I hope all is going well and thinking good thoughts for baby B.
Also, has anyone started scouting out twin gear? We have stuff from our son and most is gender neutral, but things like strollers and car seats and things I have no idea on! Also I recently discovered that although I drive a giant SUV there is no way to fit three rear facing, so now we need to get two new cars. BARF.
And Yes to a check in!
congrats! @elizabethannette85 positive thought and prayers for both those little beans!
and baby gear has been my obsession the last few weeks! @mamadomino Have you started looking much?
I've bought some clothes already, too, but only a handful of outfits and a 5-pack of white short-sleeved onesies.
● IUI #2: BFP - early M/C :'(
● IUI #3: BFN
● IUI #4: BFN
● IVF/FET #1 (2 transferred): BFP! TWINS!
● FET #2 (1 transferred): BFP! BOY #3!
● Natural #1: BFP - M/C @ 8 weeks :'(
● Natural #2: BFP - M/C @ 5w5d :'(
I'm trying to figure out if I should keep my toddler's stroller or just try to sell it. Her stroller is a BOB Motion in really good condition so I think I can resell it for reasonably good value if I can just find the right place to list it.
@Trgree1712 what kind of carrier did you get? I have a wrap and I found some youtube videos showing how to wrap twin newborns, but I don't think it will last too long beyond the newborn stage.
I just requested to join a tandem babywearing group on Facebook, which will hopefully provide more info.
@Anya Lynn, the physical changes between this twin pregnancy and the ones with my singletons is just blowing my mind. For instance, the last two days, my ankles and feet have been swollen. And I'm 15 weeks! That didn't happen in my singleton pregnancies until at least 30 weeks. Not to mention the enormous bump that I'm rock'n or how heavy my uterus feels already. It's craziness!
Dont get me wrong we are excited but there are also tons of things we are trying to figure out like if I'm going to be able to go back to work, are we going to need a new car, how is it going to effect our two year old, etc. Coupled with complications that come with being an advanced maternal age (35) which my OBs office never lets me forget and having a low lying placenta which looks like it is going to turn into placenta previa it doesn't always feel exciting or like a blessing.
When were you told you can find out?
● IUI #2: BFP - early M/C :'(
● IUI #3: BFN
● IUI #4: BFN
● IVF/FET #1 (2 transferred): BFP! TWINS!
● FET #2 (1 transferred): BFP! BOY #3!
● Natural #1: BFP - M/C @ 8 weeks :'(
● Natural #2: BFP - M/C @ 5w5d :'(
We had the Harmony test and know that we are having at least one boy. In order to find out whether it is boy/boy or boy/girl, I will have to wait until the anatomy scan at the end of April.
On a different note, is anyone else having Braxton Hicks contractions already? I never had them with my two singleton pregnancies, but I started having them in the last two days. I freaked out and called my OB, who had me come in. They thought I might be a little dehydrated, but said that it is not unusual to have them in the second trimester and definitely not unusual if you are pregnant with twins.
My feet started swelling this week, too. I mentioned it to my OB when we were talking about the contractions, but she seemed completely unconcerned. I swear, this is such a different experience that it's like I've never been pregnant before! I've had feet swelling, but not until after 30 weeks.
And on the swelling thing we live in the nw so it's not really warm here yet but we just got back from a trip to Southern California and most days I could hardly get my shoes on my feet were so swollen! It's true. Twins are such a different ballgame! This pregnancy has been nothing like my others.
@Anya Lynn , I'm glad I'm not the only one with contractions. I kept thinking that having them this early was an ominous sign that I would end up on bed rest or delivering insanely early. I may try the coconut water, though in the past, that stuff has gagged me.
And mid I was sure of the same thing. That bed rest or preterm was in my future but it's never happened yet with any of the single pregnancies. So hopefully it won't matter this time around either. But still. Hard not to think things like that. I feel like every multiple birth story I read has some complications