A couple of questions....

Ok so I have read and been told laying on the left side is the best for the babies...what if it is really uncomfortable? Does anyone else deal with that? Is there a way to make it more comfortable? I lay on my left and I am up more b/c it seems to make me need to go to the bathroom more and that side of my stomach always seems more tender...maybe I am just too use to laying on my right side.
Does a body pillow or anything help?


I have seen a lot of posts mentioning braxton hicks contractions. I never had those my first two pregnancies. How do you know they are bh and not real contractions? Is there a major difference in the way they feel? Do you not go into L&D with any bh? Am I more prone to get them this pregnancy since it is twins?



Dianna

 

My peri told me to lay on whichever side was most comfortable, but to try and change sides often. I also used a body pillow at night to offer under-the-belly support, and between the knees/back support.

As for contractions, yes you are more likely to experience BH contractions earlier in your pregnancy with twins due to the fact that your body is changing so rapidly and your body is "practicing" for the real deal. According to my peri, a contraction is a contraction is a contraction. I had "bh contractions" that would barely register a blip on my radar, to full-fledged take my breath away contractions. The most important thing is to monitor the frequency of these contractions. Most doctors recommend calling if you have four or more in an hour. That is sort of the baseline and once they establish what is going on, then that number my change (i.e., if you have an irritable uterus but the contractions are not changing your cervix, your doctor may say to call if you have ten in an hour, etc.).

If you do start experiencing BH contractions, that is probably your body's way of telling you to take it easy. Rest on your side and drink lots of fluids. Dehydration is a leading cause of BH contractions. Also, it is important to keep an empty bladder, especially if you are drinking tons of water!!!

 

I didn't get braxton hicks with my 1st pregnancy, but since 20 weeks I've been having them with these two girls. I didn't know what it was until my sister said it. If I'm up for too long, I feel like my abdominal muscles have tightened and when I press down on my tummy, there is practically no give. This only goes away when I lay down and drink more water.

Reasons to lay on your (left predominately) side: If you've been experiencing any swelling in your legs or feet, it's from the uterus blocking the return of blood to the heart causing extra fluid to leak into your body tissue. This puts more pressure on your kidneys and heart to work. Laying on your side improves circulation to your kidneys allowing excess fluid to be eliminated. The swelling also puts pressure on your nerves in your arms and legs, even causing temporary carpal tunnel syndrome. I notice that if I'm swollen in my legs and feet and I lay down on my right, it takes longer to go away - and I don't pee as often - compared with when I lay on my left. But that's just my personal experience. I do notice my chest bone hurts when laying on my left, and a tender belly (like my muscles are being pulled) when I'm not using my 4 pillows. I have a body pillow that I put between my legs and the rest goes under my belly and between my breasts. Then I have another one on top of that which I cuddle and another one between my legs because my pillow is getting flat. Sometimes I prop one behind my back and the couch (my bed for 20 weeks now) and I feel like I can lay slightly back to get all the pressure off of my hip. It's a science to find what's most comfortable, and honestly a pain when trying to get them orgazined (I get out of breath) each time after using the bathroom...

The most important reason to lay on your side (particularly left side) is that if you sleep on your back the uterus is laying on top of important blood vessels (the aorta and inferior vena cava) that run down the back of your abdomen. This can decrease circulation to your baby.

This I've gotten from my Expecting Twins, triplets, or quads book. What to Expect when you're expecting, and the Mayo Clinic complete book of pregnancy and baby's first year. HTH.

 

What is a peri?

Planning on picking up a body pillow next time we are out. Have been shoving blankets under my belly lol Luckily I have issue wit sleeping on my back as I have always found it uncomfortable and can't imagine ever sleeping that way.

Dianna

 

I hear your pain! in my case, it's sleeping on any side that gives me such a strong rib pain, it burns like ****, I have to turn side often in the night, which means first pushing myself up with one arm before switching. but now I also have pubic pain, so it's getting harder and harder to switch. I really have to use my arm muscles at that point! bernice gave you all the explanation you need about the benefits of sleeping on the (left) side.
"peri" is for perinatalogist, i.e. a board-certified high-risk pregnancy OB/Gyn specialist. it's also called maternal-fetal medicine specialist.

 

I saw your other question, so 1st a Peri is a specialist that will watch you twins. moost ob's send you to see the peri as well as them. They measure the babies every 4wks and if you only have 1 placenta they will also start to watch you for TTTS the further along u get. They are awesome they know so much more than my ob knows and they make me feel so cmofortable after I leave (but maybe thats just my peri) because of my problems my peri has decided to start my NST tests at about 27wks to watch my BH and at 28wks i will see him 2x a week.

ok other question....Braxton Hicks (BH) from what i have been told feel like contractions just not as severe. this is my 1st pregnancy so i will just explain how i feel. I have abdominal cramping(like period cramps), a very tight belly, and i cant breathe. I was told by l & d(since ive been there 2x in the last 2 wks) that if i have more than 4 in one hr that i need to call them. They did tell me that yes i would be prone to getting them more frequently as well as sooner that the average pregnant woman because of the twins. Im measuring at 33wks so they said its normal to get them. sleeping on my left side is more uncomfortable as well for me, so i use a body pillow between my legs and let it hold my belly. i switch from left to right all night long. Left is harder because teh twins sit on my right side, they are up in the air and it sometimes seems harder to breathe on my left side. i would lay which ever way u feel comfortable. Also with the BH if u think u are having one, if u lay down and drink water they usually go away in less than 90sec. i just use my instinct on knowing when to go to l & d if i have to ask myself should i go, then i call and they decided for me lol

 

Just wanted to add something about the BH.

This has been a puzzle for me and I'm just starting to figure it out. the description that has been given by "babies on the way" sounds pretty much like the ones I experience, except: I usually don't fell cramping.

Example of bh:
- the belly tightens, and when you press it feels much harder than normal.
- the belly changes shape while getting harder, it's like "alien" or a science-fiction movie - I guess that's what they call "balling up"
- sometimes, I also feel lower abdomen pressure
- sometimes, I also have lower back pain

How long:
my bh can last a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

How often:
this can vary a lot - they tell you anything happening more than 4 per hour desserves a call, but I've had bh sometimes every 5 to 12 minutes

Intensity:
supposedly, bh are just contractions that are not as painful as "real" contractions. but there are many exceptions, some people report having been into labor without feelling much pain. I have had some painful ones that felt closer to "real" ;abor contractions.

My experience with "real" contractions:
for my first daughter, I was induced (my cervix was still closed and hadn't even softened at 41 weeks) - contractions felt like strong menstrual-like cramping, with a very tight lower abdomen and intense lower back pain. the pain was mostly in a zone defined by a large belt around the lower part of the abdomen and the back. they were extremely painful. you feel knocked-down and I was in bed, but I would probably not have been able to walk. I hope I'm as accurate as possible, but Nature tends to make you forget about the pain, otherwise, nobody would go for another round

Bottom line:
what matters is which contractions will induce opening of the cervix etc., and at which stage of the pregnancy you are. if you are late in pregnancy, you'll figure it out most likely on time to deliver at the hospital. the problem is when it goes with preterm labor, especially very early preterm - so, some bh are normal; many (more than 4 or 6 /hour or as instructed by your OB/gyn or L&D) ) can be just a sign to slow down if they don't have much effect on the cervix. others will "work on" the cervix: those are the ones that need to be identified as soon as possible to be stopped, as they will increase your risk of having preterm labor. if you have to be treated or go on bed rest, you wanna act as soon as possible.

Basically, specifically ask your OB/gyn when you should call her (not only about bh but other signs) - when in any doubt: call your OB/gyn office or L&D. calmly describe your symptoms being as precise as possible and ask them what you should do. they will give you instructions and, oftentimes, since there is no way to know which contractions act on your cervix, they will instruct you to come over if rest/drinking water has not helped.

Hope this will help clarify a little bit. I have to admit that I am a little confused sometimes myself, but it's more complicated in my case, I have frequent bh constantly. What has been said about intuition or "gut feeling" or vague feeling that something is wrong is also true. if you just feel something is wrong, just call.

 

QUOTE(MARYLANE @ Nov 20 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]503533[/snapback]
I hear your pain! in my case, it's sleeping on any side that gives me such a strong rib pain, it burns like ****, I have to turn side often in the night, which means first pushing myself up with one arm before switching. but now I also have pubic pain, so it's getting harder and harder to switch. I really have to use my arm muscles at that point! bernice gave you all the explanation you need about the benefits of sleeping on the (left) side.
"peri" is for perinatalogist, i.e. a board-certified high-risk pregnancy OB/Gyn specialist. it's also called maternal-fetal medicine specialist.



Turning over from side to side seems to get harder each night. Only 20 weeks, I can't imagne what it is going to be like when I am 30some weeks along.

Ok, some wanting to avoid a peri. My ob/gyn does deliver twins, 9 sets last year. But if I do deliver early I will go to a different hospital, the one with the NICU.

Dianna

 

QUOTE(Babies On The Way @ Nov 20 2007, 08:02 PM) [snapback]504088[/snapback]
I saw your other question, so 1st a Peri is a specialist that will watch you twins. moost ob's send you to see the peri as well as them. They measure the babies every 4wks and if you only have 1 placenta they will also start to watch you for TTTS the further along u get. They are awesome they know so much more than my ob knows and they make me feel so cmofortable after I leave (but maybe thats just my peri) because of my problems my peri has decided to start my NST tests at about 27wks to watch my BH and at 28wks i will see him 2x a week.

ok other question....Braxton Hicks (BH) from what i have been told feel like contractions just not as severe. this is my 1st pregnancy so i will just explain how i feel. I have abdominal cramping(like period cramps), a very tight belly, and i cant breathe. I was told by l & d(since ive been there 2x in the last 2 wks) that if i have more than 4 in one hr that i need to call them. They did tell me that yes i would be prone to getting them more frequently as well as sooner that the average pregnant woman because of the twins. Im measuring at 33wks so they said its normal to get them. sleeping on my left side is more uncomfortable as well for me, so i use a body pillow between my legs and let it hold my belly. i switch from left to right all night long. Left is harder because teh twins sit on my right side, they are up in the air and it sometimes seems harder to breathe on my left side. i would lay which ever way u feel comfortable. Also with the BH if u think u are having one, if u lay down and drink water they usually go away in less than 90sec. i just use my instinct on knowing when to go to l & d if i have to ask myself should i go, then i call and they decided for me lol


I am very comfortable with my doc and him looking after the twins. I get an u/s every time I go into his office, which is nice and he seems to really know how to make me feel at ease.

My stomach tightens all the time, becomes rock hard, but there is never any sort of cramping, pain or anything. So that is not BH, right?

Dianna

 

QUOTE(MARYLANE @ Nov 21 2007, 10:36 AM) [snapback]504671[/snapback]
Just wanted to add something about the BH.

This has been a puzzle for me and I'm just starting to figure it out. the description that has been given by "babies on the way" sounds pretty much like the ones I experience, except: I usually don't fell cramping.

Example of bh:
- the belly tightens, and when you press it feels much harder than normal.
- the belly changes shape while getting harder, it's like "alien" or a science-fiction movie - I guess that's what they call "balling up"
- sometimes, I also feel lower abdomen pressure
- sometimes, I also have lower back pain

How long:
my bh can last a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

How often:
this can vary a lot - they tell you anything happening more than 4 per hour desserves a call, but I've had bh sometimes every 5 to 12 minutes

Intensity:
supposedly, bh are just contractions that are not as painful as "real" contractions. but there are many exceptions, some people report having been into labor without feelling much pain. I have had some painful ones that felt closer to "real" ;abor contractions.

My experience with "real" contractions:
for my first daughter, I was induced (my cervix was still closed and hadn't even softened at 41 weeks) - contractions felt like strong menstrual-like cramping, with a very tight lower abdomen and intense lower back pain. the pain was mostly in a zone defined by a large belt around the lower part of the abdomen and the back. they were extremely painful. you feel knocked-down and I was in bed, but I would probably not have been able to walk. I hope I'm as accurate as possible, but Nature tends to make you forget about the pain, otherwise, nobody would go for another round

Bottom line:
what matters is which contractions will induce opening of the cervix etc., and at which stage of the pregnancy you are. if you are late in pregnancy, you'll figure it out most likely on time to deliver at the hospital. the problem is when it goes with preterm labor, especially very early preterm - so, some bh are normal; many (more than 4 or 6 /hour or as instructed by your OB/gyn or L&D) ) can be just a sign to slow down if they don't have much effect on the cervix. others will "work on" the cervix: those are the ones that need to be identified as soon as possible to be stopped, as they will increase your risk of having preterm labor. if you have to be treated or go on bed rest, you wanna act as soon as possible.

Basically, specifically ask your OB/gyn when you should call her (not only about bh but other signs) - when in any doubt: call your OB/gyn office or L&D. calmly describe your symptoms being as precise as possible and ask them what you should do. they will give you instructions and, oftentimes, since there is no way to know which contractions act on your cervix, they will instruct you to come over if rest/drinking water has not helped.

Hope this will help clarify a little bit. I have to admit that I am a little confused sometimes myself, but it's more complicated in my case, I have frequent bh constantly. What has been said about intuition or "gut feeling" or vague feeling that something is wrong is also true. if you just feel something is wrong, just call.


Lots of great info Thanks


Dianna

 

QUOTE(Dianna @ Nov 21 2007, 10:48 AM) [snapback]504687[/snapback]
Lots of great info Thanks
Dianna


Man I remember those real contractions. My water broke and I went to L&D and they said "no it didn't." but on the way there I also started to have contractions. So I knew it did (come on! It came out like a leak when I stood up from laying down and it was blood tainted and I wasn't urinating, hellooooo!). When the contractions started to go down, my teddy bear of a daddy took a cup of ice chips with him and walked arm in arm with me down the corridors. I can't remember how many rounds we made before I couldn't walk any more. But prior to my DD being born, I've always had nasty painful menstrual cramps that would double me up on the floor.... once these went beyond that - I headed for my bed. Sure enough, everything progressed nicely. Actually - very quickly for my 1st baby - 9 hours of labor.

I think that's why when BH came up, I didn't know what was going on. I just knew after doing too much for my body, my stomach was sore, muscles were begging for relief, and my uterus was so tight there was no give. I felt like I needed to hold my belly, my only relief was laying down - and still I had no idea it was BH.. My Sis has had BH and that's when she diagnosed me. lol

But I've definitely heard that 1 gallon of water a day is supposed to keep PTL at bay....

 

QUOTE(Bernice @ Nov 26 2007, 03:10 PM) [snapback]509366[/snapback]
Man I remember those real contractions. My water broke and I went to L&D and they said "no it didn't." but on the way there I also started to have contractions. So I knew it did (come on! It came out like a leak when I stood up from laying down and it was blood tainted and I wasn't urinating, hellooooo!). When the contractions started to go down, my teddy bear of a daddy took a cup of ice chips with him and walked arm in arm with me down the corridors. I can't remember how many rounds we made before I couldn't walk any more. But prior to my DD being born, I've always had nasty painful menstrual cramps that would double me up on the floor.... once these went beyond that - I headed for my bed. Sure enough, everything progressed nicely. Actually - very quickly for my 1st baby - 9 hours of labor.

I think that's why when BH came up, I didn't know what was going on. I just knew after doing too much for my body, my stomach was sore, muscles were begging for relief, and my uterus was so tight there was no give. I felt like I needed to hold my belly, my only relief was laying down - and still I had no idea it was BH.. My Sis has had BH and that's when she diagnosed me. lol

But I've definitely heard that 1 gallon of water a day is supposed to keep PTL at bay....


A gallon, huh? I need to start figuring out how much I drink. I drink by filling up a water bottle from cold water from the fridge. Easy to carry around or to have with me when laying in bed. Will do whatever it takes to keep PTL away. I am really trying hard to listen to my body. I know I can only do so much a day. Was wanting to attend a mom's of twin meeting tomorrow night but I have a hair appointment and lunch date with my mother in law tomorrow, so I k now not to push it by going out at night. Not worth it.


Dianna

 

QUOTE(Dianna @ Nov 26 2007, 04:20 PM) [snapback]509487[/snapback]
A gallon, huh? I need to start figuring out how much I drink. I drink by filling up a water bottle from cold water from the fridge. Easy to carry around or to have with me when laying in bed. Will do whatever it takes to keep PTL away. I am really trying hard to listen to my body. I know I can only do so much a day. Was wanting to attend a mom's of twin meeting tomorrow night but I have a hair appointment and lunch date with my mother in law tomorrow, so I k now not to push it by going out at night. Not worth it.
Dianna


It's just about 4 quarts. I think. That's what I'm using anyways... one 1 quart bottle and a gallon water bottle (you see on the store shelves that look like 1 gallon of milk jugs...) I refill mine with britax filtered water and try to drink it all before 8.. that way I don't pee all night. lol

A good way to tell is if you pee every 2 hours and it's clear to colorless...

 

QUOTE(Bernice @ Nov 26 2007, 06:33 PM) [snapback]509615[/snapback]
It's just about 4 quarts. I think. That's what I'm using anyways... one 1 quart bottle and a gallon water bottle (you see on the store shelves that look like 1 gallon of milk jugs...) I refill mine with britax filtered water and try to drink it all before 8.. that way I don't pee all night. lol

A good way to tell is if you pee every 2 hours and it's clear to colorless...



I wish I could wait two hours inbetween heading to the bathroom. Hubby and I laid down for a nap around 5pm. Wanted to know when we would get up...I said in an hour...my bladder wakes me up like clock work lol My internal alarm clock lol


Dianna

 

QUOTE(Dianna @ Nov 26 2007, 07:00 PM) [snapback]509655[/snapback]
I wish I could wait two hours inbetween heading to the bathroom. Hubby and I laid down for a nap around 5pm. Wanted to know when we would get up...I said in an hour...my bladder wakes me up like clock work lol My internal alarm clock lol
Dianna


heh.. I'm laughing at my misprint... yeah, I get my water from my britax.... just lay the car seat to the side and squeeze the cushions.... ew.

LOL I've actually lowered my water intake before bed and during night so I could sleep more and not pee as much. So far so good, but I wake up REALLY thirsty. Unfortunately, I've gotten into the habit of drinking a ton at night and not so much during the day. I have yet to make it to 4 quarts. I've made 3... but today I only made 2. I'm thirsty right now and it's 2 am. I woke to turn over and instead got really hungry. I don't know why I'm even online right now since I gotta get up in 4 hours.

 

QUOTE(Bernice @ Nov 27 2007, 04:56 AM) [snapback]510197[/snapback]
heh.. I'm laughing at my misprint... yeah, I get my water from my britax.... just lay the car seat to the side and squeeze the cushions.... ew.

LOL I've actually lowered my water intake before bed and during night so I could sleep more and not pee as much. So far so good, but I wake up REALLY thirsty. Unfortunately, I've gotten into the habit of drinking a ton at night and not so much during the day. I have yet to make it to 4 quarts. I've made 3... but today I only made 2. I'm thirsty right now and it's 2 am. I woke to turn over and instead got really hungry. I don't know why I'm even online right now since I gotta get up in 4 hours.


I can't cut back at night, end up so thirsty. Not sure why I am up either, have been for a few hours. Seems anytime I have to be up in the morning to get something done, I don't sleep well and am up. Come 9am all I am going to want to do is sleep but have appointments today. O well.

Dianna