31 weeks and going mad

Hi everyone,

I am 31 weeks pregnant today with di/di twin boys and I feel like I'm going crazy. I don't know if it's all the hormones or lack of sleep but I'm feeling pretty miserable these days. I'm hoping someone has felt the way I do and can give me some advice. For starters, trying to sleep at night is next to impossible. I sleep with my pregnancy pillow at night but I feel like I wake up every 30 minutes or so, mostly because I constantly wake up on my back causing both my hands and feet to go numb. I constantly wake from a nightmare or just a very vivid dream and it prevents me from going back to sleep for a while. My dreams are so vivid that I will wake up still talking in my sleep. Then there's waking up to use the bathroom. I take daily naps when my son goes down for his nap but I can't seem to even fall asleep anymore. I feel like my mind is going a million miles a minute.

All this makes me feel very irritable and depressed a little. I know I'm being insufferable to some degree around my boyfriend and I think because he doesn't understand what I'm going through, I've become resentful towards him. He has no idea how tired I am from carrying and nourishing these little guys, not to mention taking care of our 19 month old. We just moved across the country to a completely different state, thousands miles away from our families so as much I can't wait to give birth and meet my little babies that never stop kicking me like crazy, I know that it's going to be very very difficult for us taking care 2 newborns and our very demanding toddler with no help.

Is it normal to feel like an emotional wreck? It's as if as soon as I hit the third trimester, everything went downhill.

 

Awwwwww, you're almost there!!

I actually slept in a recliner for the second half of my pregnancy. And the hormones and lack of sleep, well, they totally suck. Combined, they can make anyone cranky and grouchy. Throw in another small child and you are a goddess for what you are doing.

 

I would say its very normal! You are doing great!

 

I felt like that with my singleton pregnancy with no other children! Hang in there!

 

I felt that way around that point with my last twin pregnancy. What helped me was to focus on the things I could control and find alternative outlets (like this forum) to get some emotional support b/c I know I only had so much from my husband. The main things that helped (I too live away from family) but to hire a "mothers-helper" type role (try sittercity or care.com) where you can get someone to help play with your 19month old while you rest. My daughter was 22 months when my twin boys were born, so I really feel like I have been where you are! I was on bedrest at 31 weeks and still trying to watch my daughter! Not the smartest decision, probably why I wound up in PTL. Hang in there and try to get the support you need, if it seems hard to budget try to think of some other expenses you can let go of.

 

I am also 31 weeks with di/di twin boys and I can totally relate. I can't nap anymore either! Even if I get comfy and am exhausted, my brain won't turn off. Taking care of another little one right now would be so hard, you are a tough momma! Hang in there, we're almost done

 

Hi there! Congrats on 31 weeks! You are awesome!

I'm 29 weeks so not quite as I uncomfy, but I wake to pee and am not able to nap, so pretty tired too.

I think your nightmares are stress-related. I have a couple of thoughts. If they are a byproduct of freaking out over the imminent life change and lack of famy help, maybe you can ease the anxiety in a few ways. 1) seek out positive stories of other twin moms coping with twins hAppily with no or limited family help. The posts on here in response to my concern about small budget for help did a lot to ease my mind. You are not alone in entering a challenging new era. Other ladies are doing it. Are there some high s hook girls in your neighborhood that could be an inexpensive mother's helper for a few hours here and there? I have one that is just as good as my adult sitter and less $ and pretty AV. Get the word out that you may want help and take down names and numbers to call if you need it. I went to a twin mom play date to see other moms in action and they made it seem fun and I met done nannies and got their names and numbers to aid me in finding PT help when and if I need it, which I hope we don't. But if we do, at least ill have some leads. 2) a local twin moms or regular moms group can be a nice support. I went to a meeting with 3 twin moms and all 3 avoided went full term and no NICU! Awesome, helped me worry less about PTL and tragic endings to this so-difficult pregnancy. Local support groups may such asMoms Club (national by zip code, google it) will help with meals post delivery for your family.

So seek positive stories, hope for best but prepare for worst by getting names and numbers for leads on help, plug into local support, and two more things. 1) do all you can to be prepared. Get everything you think you will need for the first six months. Get those darling babies' little clothes washed and in a drawer. Get your diaper pail and changing area set up. Get as much done with that mental energy as you can so you won't have to make sleep deprived decisions later. Do your taxes. Do what you can during nap time if you can't sleep may help for night sleep. And the other tip? I admit it. I think Benadryl really helps improve night sleep. It's ok with my doc. I take 1 when I get overtired, like last night. Slept pretty well. Two brief potty wakeups and I feel more really awake this morning than I have in awhile. Try Benadryl.

 

Thank you for all your advice and words of encouragement! I finally got a decent night sleep last night AND took a 3 hour nap today, so I'm feeling a bit refreshed and not so overwhelmed with emotions. I did some nesting today and plan to do more stuff in the nursery tomorrow, so hopefully that will keep me busy and help me feel better prepared.

You ladies are awesome. Thanks!