Am I having twins?!

[Mindyleigh]

Hi everyone. I thought I'd take this opportunity to let you know what's happening with my pregnancy and get your expert advice!

I am currently pregnant with my third child (or third and fourth, as the case may be!) We are just starting our 22nd week. My hubby and I went in to see our midwives again yesterday to get measured. I have been measuring big for my dates. At 15 weeks, I was measuring as though I was three weeks bigger. At 19 weeks, I was measuring as though I was 4 weeks bigger and had gained 8 pounds in the previous four weeks. Now, two weeks later, I am measuring as though I am FIVE weeks bigger, and gained 8 pounds in just that short amount of time. The most obvious situation is that we have two babies in our belly, not just one! However, there are several other possibilities which might be the case, some more worrisome than others. We have agreed to get a 2nd level ultrasound to give us a clear understanding of what's happening in there. We haven't done any ultrasound up to this point.

Is this probably twins? My midwives felt that being big for weeks is normal if consistent...for instance, with our second, I was always measuring three weeks ahead the whole time. The fact that the span keeps getting bigger is definitely different for us and that's what prompted them to recommend the ultrasound. I do feel the pregnancy has been more intense. Lots of nausea in the beginning, and more energy around my belly and pressure much earlier one. I feel like, holy poop, I can't imagine another 20 weeks at this rate!! I am currently just starting my 22nd week and have gained 23 pounds. I am vegan and also breastfeeding my second son rather frequently, so I feel this is rather an impressive gain so quickly!

We are rather reeling with the possibilities, and also talking a lot about our feelings regarding where to give birth and with whom. I honestly thought we'd go in today and everything would be leveled out and not worthy of further investigation, but now it's even more apparent that something is out of the ordinary.

So what's going on!?? Wow, I'm just totally stoked at the possibility of twins, and also freaked out! But what a blessing. If it's not twins, I think I may be disappointed to find out. I don't want to get too excited so I'm curious about your thoughts. Thanks so much!!

Very sincerely,
Mindy Goorchenko

[expecting2]

I agree with doubletwinmom, everyone is different but it definately sounds like you have something going on. Please let us know what you find out!

[genuine]

I would be wondering too if I were you...obviously you won't know until another u/s. Try to relax and let us know what you find out. Good luck!!

Jennifer

[cass]

Mindy,

During my pregnancy with twin boys I measured big every doctor visit. At 2.5 months I was in full fledge maternity clothes. Everyone said aren't you getting carried away. But I couldn't fit in anything. I was so big. At 5.5 months along I had my first ultrasound. They said congrats! IT'S TWINS! And my nausea was awful for the first 5 months and that was why. I now have 10 year old twin boys and a 2.5 year old boy. We think I may be expecting twins again. So, Good luck. It is a lot of work , but is so much fun.

[Mindyleigh]

Hi everyone! We had our ultrasound yesterday. The doctor put the transmitter on my belly, and sure enough, there were two heads showing up on the screen right away! We are, in fact, having TWO babies, not just one! They are fraternal twins with two different placentas and amniotic sacs, and one is a boy and one is a girl. They are growing perfectly and are a little more than a pound each.

While we were complete basket cases prior to receiving this confirmation, we feel extremely blessed and peaceful now that we know what's going on in there. :) We are still due on January 31st, but now New Years Eve seems more realistic.

Thank you for all of your good thoughts and blessings.

Lots of love,
Mindy

[Pumpkinmomma]

Congratulations! You know they say the mom's insitincts are always right!! You will have so much fun with those babes! Of course, you've already had lots of practice! BUt it's always really interesting watching a boy and a girl grow up side by side, gives you a whole new perspective on the nature vs nurture argument! There's a whole lot of nature going on!!! lol! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and remember to rest and drink lots of water!:)

[Sheryl-Lynn]

I'm so happy for you Mindy. I read your first post and I could tell you were excited and hopeful that you were having twins, and YOU ARE!! Thats great!

Are continuing with your midwives? Have they suggested you also have an OB or a Peri? I have heard that some midwives won't deliver twins outside the hospital. What are your plans just out of curiousity?

Well, congradulations to your family and enjoy the upcomming weeks. I'm sure you'll find this is a very special experience!! But also a trying one. Take care.;)

[genuine]

Congratulations!! I was due on 1/31 also (2001) and delivered on 1/12. Best of luck and isn't it great to know your instincts were right on??

Jennifer

[Laurie13]

CONGRATS!! How exciting and so funny that you just KNEW!! Way to go mom! How fun a boy and a girl!

Keep us posted on how you are doing and take it easy!

[expecting2]

Congrats!! That is great news! Keep us updated. :)

[ibbtwins91101]

Congrats!

[nathalie7777]

YAY Congratulations!!!!! A boy and girl on top of it. You are truly blessed.

[Mindyleigh]

Thank you so much for all the blessings. We're definitely thrilled and excited, since we were getting so used to the idea. I was a total basket case the day of the ultrasound until we received our confirmation.

We're not quite sure what direction to take now. No, our midwives won't do twin homebirths. We knew that going in. Most midwives in this area (with one exception) won't do births at home before 37 weeks, let alone twins. The one midwife I know of who works with multiple births at home is a lay midwife a couple hours from here who has a mixed reputation.

Soooooo...now we're thinking more along the lines of the hospital experience, which I have lots of mixed feelings about. I don't want this treated like a disaster waiting to happen. I think we're going to talk to a couple people...one is an OB GYN who used to be a lay midwife and who was the on call doc when I had my second son. She was very hands off and laid back and I felt she knew what my priorities are, even though I'd never met her before. The other is a midwife with a hospital practice who works with twin moms provided they're at the hospital. Now, of course, I'm getting lots of recommendations from people about their OBs whom they loooove, but I am generally wary of OBs so this requires me to surrender a little bit and really listen to my heart.

I would love to hear more about your births and how it went. So far, at 22 weeks, we feel really great. No bleeding, my cervix isn't dilating (they checked with the ultrasound) and I feel the little sweetie-pies wriggling around in there all the time. They're just adorable! :) I pray I continue to feel this good!

Please share your birth stories if you don't mind. I teach childbirth education but twins are something I'm rather unfamiliar with! Nothing like getting some hands-on experience, eh? :)

Lots of love,
Mindy

[Sheryl-Lynn]

Mindy,

I think I know how you feel about the midwife/OB and the home/hospital experience. If I were you, I'd meet a few OBs and find someone you feel comfortable with and who'll respect your wishes and answer your questions. They're out there. Its not that you should expect the worse with a twin pregnancy, its just important to know about the possible problems and complications that can and do happen.

My Ob has been great...I've been really healthy and had no complications so it has been a positive experience. The hospital experience worries me a little (I'm due in about 4 weeks.) I want a say in how things happen during my labor and delivery. They might not like me much! But for the most part, as long as you know what to expect, what the possible risks are and are prepared to stand up for yourself, it should be what you make it. I am also very wary about a c-section but have prepared for the posibility.

Good luck with your new plans and keep positive.;) I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy!! Congrats on the girl and boy (names?)

[expecting2]

Mindy
I saw an OBGYN for my prenatal care and he was great. I also saw a peri a few times in the beginning to make sure there was nothing unusual going on (aside from having twins, of course!). I did see the Dr. more often than with a singleton and also had nst's 2x a week after 30 weeks along with ultrasounds every 4 weeks. Other than that my Dr. didn't treat me any different than if I was having a single. I ended up going to the hospital in preterm labor and spent a week there before my water broke. I had a c-section so there wasn't much to the delivery that I could control but it was uneventful. I have had no experience with mid wives though so can't compare the two. I, personally, felt much more comfortable being in the hospital cause I was only about 32 weeks and we weren't sure what the condition of the babies would be. We did have an amnio done a couple days before my water broke and the lungs (after having the steroid to help the lungs develop) weren't quite ready. We were lucky that our girls were very healthy. Margaret did need forced air for the first 12 hours but was fine after that. I have to agree with Sheryl-Lynn in that there are OBs out there that will respect your wishes if that is what you decide to do.

Good luck in your decision and stay healthy! Congrats again!!!