So we just found out... & I have a TON of questions!

So I just found out at 20w2d! The babies were measuring 19w5d & 19w6d... so they are just about on track. Anyways my OB appointment isn't until next Tue... almost 2.5 weeks since we found out. I have had another texbook pregancy free of any morning sickness so far... So I was wondering how things are going to change? I am making a list of questions to ask my OB. They hard part is where we live there is one OB for MANY prego women so she is always really busy & she doesn't deliver many twins.

I just don't know what to expect since I have had no complications! Do you still end up with more ultrasounds (I know every OB is different, just looking for ideas)

What should I be prepared for?

Is there anything I can do to avoid bedrest?

 

So I just found out at 20w2d! The babies were measuring 19w5d & 19w6d... so they are just about on track. Anyways my OB appointment isn't until next Tue... almost 2.5 weeks since we found out. I have had another texbook pregancy free of any morning sickness so far... So I was wondering how things are going to change? I am making a list of questions to ask my OB. They hard part is where we live there is one OB for MANY prego women so she is always really busy & she doesn't deliver many twins.

I just don't know what to expect since I have had no complications! Do you still end up with more ultrasounds (I know every OB is different, just looking for ideas)

What should I be prepared for?

Is there anything I can do to avoid bedrest?

 

Did I read this wrong or did you just find out you are having twins at 22 weeks?

 

Hi!

I also did not find out it was twins until 21 weeks or so, on my THIRD u/s!!!

Congratulations!

Rest and hydration, very important in twin pregnancies!

Good luck!

 

I was 13 wks when we found out... alot of ladies have known right from the begining! I have had a "trouble free" pg so far too. But of course you always have your worries. The advice I have gotten so far is eat alot of protein, drink a ton (gallons) of water, if you are tired take the day of and take a nap, send older kids off if you have to, PUT YOUR FEET UP when possible, dont lift or do alot of heavy cleaning, dont stand too long if possible, if you are swelling or end up with headaches call a doc.... the other ladies will give you a ton more advice on how to stay off or manage bed rest. This is a great place and I have loved every minute of the last three weeks since I joined... I am already a TS addict!!

I still get one u/s a month and apts every two weeks... keep us posted and I hope i was a help!!

 

I also didn't find out it was twins until 21 weeks. Here is my advice to you.

If you are still working, pretend you are on bedrest all the time except for when you are at work.

Drink lots of water. And by lots, I mean crazy amounts like 80 oz atleast a day.

Stay positive! I always had a positive outlook that the good Lord would take care of everything. After all, he thought you deserved to be double blessed.

I believe that those three things helped me work full-time and have an induced delivery at 38 weeks. I had no complications other than morning sickness and some severe swelling in the end. (It was the dead of summer). I had big healthy babies that I was able to take home with me.

Good Luck and Congratulations! You will find this website a life saver!

 

Congratulations!!!! For whatever it's worth, here are the basic lessons/tips I've picked up:

Learn how to say "NO." it sounds simple but it was very hard for me to say no to doing extra things around the house and with the various organizations I'm involved in, to not try to do everything myself, and to ask for help sometimes. Take care of yourself, do as little as possible, put your feet up whenever you can, drink lots of water, and get plenty of protein. But really, it sounds like you've been doing great so far so hopefully that will keep up without much additional effort.

If your doctor seems somewhat inexperienced with twins, and you don't have many other options, then make the best of what you've got. Become your own best advocate. READ as much as you can get your hands on about twin pregnancies - there are a ton of books (if you search these boards, you'll see many threads discussing the best books) you can read and there are some great online resources as well (like this site - when i joined, i scrolled back and read most of the threads even from way back) that can turn you into your own mini-expert. I'm not saying that you should become a know-it-all who alienates the doctor, but rather, you can learn for yourself the information she can't pass along to you, the signs to be aware of, the best way to take care of yourself, the right questions to ask, etc.

here's the hardest part - when you're reading up, please don't let anything you read freak you out. You've done great so far, and the babies are doing great, so there's no reason to let yourself become afraid or nervous. You're just arming yourself with information - becoming educated on what is a fascinating, complicated, amazing process. a lot of how the pregnancy goes has nothing to do with anything you do or don't do - there are so many factors you can't control or predict. You're reading to find out about what you CAN control . . .

But yes - to answer your specific question, you should have more frequent u/s, but how frequent seems to depend on how far along you currently are, your history, current condition, the twins themselves (id/frat? shared placenta? etc), and other risk factors. i am 22 weeks now and found I was having twins at 6w - so far, I have had appts and u/s at 6w, 10w, 12w, 15w, 18w, and 21w. I, like you, have had a very good (knock on wood) pregnancy so far so I guess I'm on an every 3 week schedule. The flipside is that you will hear other women who've had an appt and an u/s every other week since 15w+. So it really varies - don't be afraid to ask for more frequent u/s if your doc isn't on the ball with that and it'd make you feel better . . . but that's where educating yourself comes into play. Doctors are great but not perfect - you have to know what to ask for and know how to help the doc help you!

Just my opinions - HTH! sorry so long! Congrats again and welcome aboard!

 

WOW!! what a surprise! congratulations! You've already gotten a ton a great advice. I've had no complications at all, but have experienced twice the morning sickness, twice the aches and pains and "normal" symptoms of pregnancy than I did with my son---but everything with the babies is great. No sign of bedrest in my future I hope! It sounds like you're already on your way to having healthy babies!

Reyna

 

Just wanted to say congratulations and welcome aboard!

 

quote:
Originally posted by alankford:
Did I read this wrong or did you just find out you are having twins at 22 weeks?


I found out at 20w2d.

 

I have been working really hard on the water... that was always a down fall with my son, but it never caused problems... I didn't even have BH with him until 36+ weeks. He was born at 39weeks on the dot, 6lbs 15oz 20" long... just 1oz shy of 'average' for a singleton.

What about walking? I walk lots! I have cut back the length a little bit, but I am still walking often & an average of 2-4 miles a day. I walked 4 miles a day everyday the last 3 months with my son.

As long as I am drinking & eating lots is this okay? I have had no swelling or BH contractions. I don't want to overdo it, but I also can't stand sitting on my butt all day!

Luckily for the time being I can be a stay at home mom, though chasing a 19 month old monkey all day gives me quite the work out! I do sit down when I need to... my house is currently reflecting this!

I am also concerned about delivery... I don't want a c-section unless I HAVE to. I had my son natrually & would love to do the same again. Also I don't have help at home! My hubby tries sometimes, but can't afford to take lots of time off work. I have a large family that 'offers' to help, but not one of them ever has! My husband can only get 2 weeks off work when they come & I can't be out of the game for 3-6 weeks with out another adult to help.

 

I wanted to say congrats and .

I didn't have any complications with my twin pregnancy and I delivered my girls at 39 weeks and I also worked up until the day before my c-section. Get all the rest you can, don't over due it, and drink lots of water. Good luck, I wish you a happy and healthy nine months.

 

What about walking? I walk lots! I have cut back the length a little bit, but I am still walking often & an average of 2-4 miles a day. I walked 4 miles a day everyday the last 3 months with my son.

Holy cow...you are a superhero!

 

HI,

Congrats on the twins!! I, too, had a stellar pregnancy with few complications and delivered via c-section at 37.5 weeks. I think you should be glad that you have an ob who is busy as that means they won't be overly cautious and scare you along the way. My OB was great and he definitely was laid back which I loved.

As for best rest, the best way to avoid it is to #1 have an OB who does not believe that it is inevitable and #2 continue on yoru path of a healthy pregnancy -- which means listening to your body and resting when you need to.

There's lots of theories about best rest -- myOB didn't believe in it, which was great cause it can really mess you up -- especially since it makes your muscles atrophy and makes it hard to gear up for life iwth twins. I'd ask your OB what her thoughts are on bedrest andwhat issues would make her require it of you..

I've found that my friends with perinatologists were more likely to be put on bedrest than those with just OBs. (but that's purely anecdotal -- as these may also be those friends with riskier pregnancies)

good luck

Teri D

 

I just waned to say that Teri D has some great pionts. I also had a OB like hers and it really makes all the difference.