Recommendations for first trimester

I am 7 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins (first babies); definitely a little freaked out. I wondered if I could get some recommendations for twin-related items:

1.) books that are worth reading
2.) diet (i'm only 5'2", and small frame. I am very worried about what kind of calories I am taking in.)
3.) when to announce your pregnancy / and then when to announce your twins

Thank you!

 

1.) books that are worth reading
- I actually wasn't super fond of ANY twin book I'd bought (and I'd bought a lot - even the What to expect book, which I know a lot of women on here would recommend). Each one had parts I liked - but none was perfect overall. So I used those books in conjunction with a really good singleton book (the Mayo Clinic puts out a great guide) and took everything with a huge grain of salt : ) But if you want, I have all these books and I am happy to send them your way for free if you'll pay shipping - PM me if you are interested.

2.) diet (i'm only 5'2", and small frame. I am very worried about what kind of calories I am taking in.)
- I'm 5'3, very petite (105-8 lbs when I got pg) - if i was able to do it, you can do it too! My peri and dietician both stressed to me that it's not HOW MUCH I eat - I just had to eat healthy and make sure the babies were growing steadily. They also said that water and protein were the most important things. I drank 3 huge jugs of water a day, took a good multi-vitamin, a folic acid pill, and as much protein as I could: string cheese, protein shakes (in moderation - they have a lot of sugar which can be bad), lots of chicken sandwiches and steaks! I did not pig out on ice cream, fast food, etc just to get calories. When I delivered (early due to pre-e), i'd gained 40 lbs. (which I've now LOST) and though the babies were smaller than I'd hoped (4 lbs, and 3 lbs-9oz), they were perfectly healthy and breathed on their own from day one. At 2.5 mos, they've now more than made up for their initially small size (11 lbs-1 oz, and 10 lbs-6 oz.)!

3.) when to announce your pregnancy / and then when to announce your twins
Wait as long as you can to tell the masses, but entrust a few people to start - We told DH's parents and my family asap b/c we needed a support system "just in case" . . . but then we told everyone else at 13-14 weeks. I had been showing for a few weeks (though mostly only to my critical eye) and was starting to grow rapidly. i told them basically b/c it was getting too hard to hide it! i wanted to wear maternity clothes and be comfy!

Don't be freaked - just take things one week at a time!

 

What to expect when your expecting twins, triplets, etc is a good book..it also has diet recommendations in it..

I announced my pg early on, but I always show very early. Its really a preference.Lots of women like to wait till 12 weeks..

GL and CONGRATS to you

 

QUOTE(times two @ Aug 2 2007, 01:36 PM) [snapback]354991[/snapback]
I am 7 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins (first babies); definitely a little freaked out. I wondered if I could get some recommendations for twin-related items:

1.) books that are worth reading
2.) diet (i'm only 5'2", and small frame. I am very worried about what kind of calories I am taking in.)
3.) when to announce your pregnancy / and then when to announce your twins

Thank you!


I am not much ahead of you, so I look forward to hearing others' replies to this post. I am at 12 weeks tomorrow.
1) Interested to hear other people's replies to this, especially. I already have "What to Expect when You're Expecting" from my first pregnancy. It does talk a little about twins and is good for basic pregnancy info. There is probably something more specific to twins, though. I find that I can only read a little each day about pregnancy, etc. or I get too overwhelmed. I read a lot of other stuff (novels, newspapers, magazines) to distract myself from other 1st trimester woes.
2) My doctor suggested 600 calories/day more than I would normally eat, but also said to just watch my weight and be sure than I'm not losing weight. I gained a couple pounds and then lost them again thanks to morning sickness. I don't know if you're having any trouble with that yet, but if you do it's pretty much a struggle just to eat anything much less worry about what it is. If you're not having trouble with that then more power to you.
3) We knew really early that we might be having twins, but waited a couple of weeks until that suspicion was confirmed by ultrasound to make a general announcement. We told our parents and four close friends and swore them all to secrecy. The two week wait was harder on my husband than me. Right after the ultrasound appointment he started calling people and telling them, even though some part of me wanted to wait a little longer since the doctor told us there was still some chance we might lose one of the babies. Bottom line is that this is a very personal decision between you and your partner, and no one can tell you the best time for you to share your news...you should talk with each other and decide what you think is the best timing for all concerned. One boon of telling people earlier is if you do have any problems with fatigue, morning sickness, etc. people are more sympathetic and willing to help you if you need it. One friend bent over backwards to watch my daughter when I had my first check-up in part because she knew I was carrying twins.

Best wishes for a smooth pregnancy.

 

QUOTE(times two @ Aug 2 2007, 04:36 PM) [snapback]354991[/snapback]
I am 7 1/2 weeks pregnant with twins (first babies); definitely a little freaked out. I wondered if I could get some recommendations for twin-related items:

1.) books that are worth reading
2.) diet (i'm only 5'2", and small frame. I am very worried about what kind of calories I am taking in.)
3.) when to announce your pregnancy / and then when to announce your twins

Thank you!


Congratulations on yout babies! I think that you will find that most of us were feeling exactly as you are when we first found out... Even those of us who have had other children!!!

In terms of resources this is definately a great place to start. It's nice knowing that the issues that your are going through are not all that different from other twin moms to be!

As far as books go there are a lot out there. I have really enjoyed the book When you're expecting Twins, triplets or quads... It addresses a lot of the concerns that you are feeling right now in terms of diet and food intake. One thing that I will tell you is that it is important to gain the bulk of your weight early as twins are generally born early! The other big thing to know is that although you will hear lots of stories about twin complications it is possible to have a relatively event free twin pregnancy! I am only 24 weeks, but I keep this going through my mind constantly.

As far as tips for the first trimester go though I would have to say... Enjoy! I have found that unlike my singleton pregnancy I did not experience the normal feel good phase in the second trimester... I just feel big and tired and a little, well a lot, b***y!

I really did not plan to announce my pregnancy to anyone until I was past the 14 week mark because we had experinced a miscarriage only 2 months before getting pregnant this time around. I was really not up for the sad calls and looks if it were to happen again. BUT at my 12 week appointment I found out there were twins and just about a week before that my MIL was asking my husband if I was pregnant... A little insulting since I didn't show with the first until I was about 6.5 months! So after finding out there were two I told everyone... I figured if my MIL could tell so could others!

 

Congratulations!
It's great to see a few other newbies here like me
The only "twin" book I've bought is the When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, and Quads. I think it has a lot of helpful info in it, especially about diet and weight gain.
I was considered "under weight" before I got pregnant so I've been trying really hard to gain weight, which hasn't been too too hard because I'm constantlky starving!! Like pp said, be sure to get lots of protein throughout the day.
The last question is definitely a tough and personal one. I don't really have a suggestion for you, but for me it was important to tell my close friends and immediate family early on for support. DH didn't tell anyone, not even his mom, til after the heartbeats were detected. He still has only told two friends. I'm going to tell a few work people when I'm 12 weeks, since that's when we go back to work (school). But I'm going to try not to tell the whole world until 14-16 weeks if I can hide it!!! So far I'm not showing other than being really bloated by the afternoons.

 

I had a lot of twin pregnancy books but I think I got the most acurate information on this site from the other women. I told people I was pregnant right away but I didn't find out I was having twins until I was 13 weeks so since I was already out of my first trimester and had seen to equally healthy babies on the u/s I also told family about the twins as soon as I found out. Congratulations on your twins, my boys are my first children and I can't imagine life without them, I love everything about them!! Enjoy your pregnancy. I am also 5"2 and I was 120 when I got pregnant, just take your prenatal vitamins and eat what ever you can keep down. I gained a ton of weight and have lost all but 15 lbs and my boys are 3 months old.

 

I really like "Ready or Not, Here We Come!" It's a little more humorous, and good information. LOVING IT! I just got it last week. I'm also 5'2, and I'm eating almost what I'd normally eat, just more protein and more fruits and veggies. You should be taking in about 500 calories extra, I think. Just eat until you're full, and you should do fine. Don't worry too much! Keep some good snacks nearby for when you start to feel tired.

I announced my pregnancy right away, and my twins when I found out for sure at the 18 week ultrasound.

 

Congrats on your twins and welcome to TS. You've gotten lots of good advice here so far, so I won't repeat it.

I would encourage you to join our Big Sister program. You will be matched with Mom with older twins and she will support you and answer any questions you have throughout your pregnancy. Click on the link in my signature for more information. It's a great program.

Congrats again and welcome!