I figured I would throw this out there to see what kind of responses I got.... Do you think a twin pregnancy is harder on someone who has gone through a singleton pregnancy (so they have an idea of what pregnancy should be like) or a first time pregnant women (who didn't know what to expect anyway)? Obviously, this question is geared more towards the assumption that you have a pretty normal twin pregnancy. No long weeks on bedrest, super early delivery, etc.
Personally, I had a singleton pregnancy first and now twins and this one has definitely been harder on me. I had basically no complications this time or last - but I am much more tired and just generally feel more worn out and bigger. I think this is a great question though - I do wonder if I would feel different if this were my first pregnancy. I look forward to seeing what everyone else says.
I think a twin pregnancy is generally more "High Risk" all the way around. That being said, I have known some women that have had singleton pregnancies that had it worse than I did (hyperemesis, PTL, pre-eclampsia etc...). I think every pregnancy is unique, and although having multiples increases your chances of having more complications it doesn't necessarily mean that it is easier than a singleton pregnancy.
For me, as I have a two year old daughter, this twin pregnancy is definitely harder emotionally and physically. I am 31.5 weeks with twins, feel like 40 weeks! My body hurts all the time, it didn't with my singleton, I cry over EVERYTHING and am constantly worried I will develop a complication. My singleton was a breeze! Text book delivery too. I really hope this delivery goes smoothly as well. But I gotta say, two pregnancies, resulting in three children, is enough for me. I am done with pregnancy.
This is MY first pregnancy and so far 99% of the time I don't even feel like i'm pregnant....mind you i'm only just shy of 13 weeks into it, but still....I feel really good! I also think that I have a very positive mind frame when it comes to this pregnancy after having come to this site and heard of all of these wonderful women who are delivering their babies at 37, 38 and 39 weeks pregnant! I KNOW I can do it and I will do it! I haven't had anyone tell me that I am considered high risk due to the two, so I'm trucking along as if everyone carries twins! HA!
I think a twin pregnancy is harder in general, but may seem harder to those us who have had a singleton first, since we know the difference. Those that have only had twins, don't know any different. That said, my twin pregnancy seemed harder since I got bigger faster, had more drs. appt. was high risk due to having twins, and then ended up delivering early. All of those things were what made it harder/different than my singleton pregnancy. I definitely thought twice about things I was going to do, whereas with my singleton pregnancy I was still teaching at 40.5 weeks.
This is babies #4 and 5. By far this pregnancy has been harder than my singletons. I'm exhausted all the time, more swollen, more back aches, more heartburn, etc. I'm not sure I would want to have twins first though.... I think I would worry a whole lot more.
In my first pregnancy (singleton) I had problems with high blood pressure and nausea nearly throughout... which made it really hard... With this twin pregnancy I haven't had those issues (or at least we are controlling them!) and it still has been a whole lot harder. The aches and pains and lack of energy alone have taken their toll.... and only recently have I had some issues with bp and pre-eclampsia...
My girls were my first pregnancy & it was rough on me ~ I got so big so fast & never really had the 'honeymoon' phase of feeling good - all that being said - I have nothing to compare it to & medically speaking I think I had a really great pregnancy without any complications
QUOTE(*Lisa* @ Jun 5 2009, 03:47 PM) [snapback]1342886[/snapback] This is babies #4 and 5. By far this pregnancy has been harder than my singletons. I'm exhausted all the time, more swollen, more back aches, more heartburn, etc. I'm not sure I would want to have twins first though.... I think I would worry a whole lot more. yah, that! LOL I have had three pretty uncomplicated pregnancies before this - granted I spotted for no known reason thruout the whole pregnancy with the first, and lost a twin early on with the 2nd, I really had no complications other than taking it easy as best I could. I sailed thru the 3rd. This one? I've gotten bigger faster, my back aches Weeks before it ever did with the others, I feel nauseated from eating yet I HAVE to eat more....yah, its harder, but as long as these babes get here I guess I'll deal! LOL
for me this twins pregnancy is the second pregnnacy and yes it is harder then my singleton but I think even the second pregnnacy with singleton woudl be harder then first because you need to take care of one baby already. instead of laying down and watch the movie or just relax. I am almost 34 weeks and just now start understand when some ladies are complaining that it is became hard. yes it is. I want to sleep more and I am swolen ( I was swollen with my DS too but I was commuting to the city until 38 weeks and it was June July and whole august in NYC) this time I am working from home since 28 weeks and still swollen and It is hard to work and concentrate on on something. and I undersntad ladies who saying that they want the babies out... I am saying a little bit different way I want tomorrow be June 29 the day before c-section and I didn't fill that pressure on my pelvic bones and bladder with singleton as I am experiencing it with twins. and I was less worried about size of my cervix with DS then now
This being #5 and #6 for me, I'll say--yes, ditto on the extra aches and pains, etc. Extra heartburn, exhaustion, etc. Double dose of hormones too. But I think I would be more whiny and able to be more lazy if this was my first. I love that I know so much more about my body, delivery, and what I want than I did before.
