Moms with 2+ kids

[julez]

I have a total Bump question for you.  I can't believe I'm asking. 

Sooo... I think I am feeling these kiddos moving. I felt DD for the first time (ever so slightly) at 16 weeks even. 

This is nuts, right?  There's no way they are big enough yet, right?

[Deleted]

Um nope that's just about right.

So 1) I think 2nd pregnancies you feel them sooner and 2) you have TWO kids in there.

I started feeling flutters at like 13/14 weeks and I knew I felt them around 16/17 weeks.

[julez]

Jul 11, 2013 10:09:07 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Um nope that's just about right.

So 1) I think 2nd pregnancies you feel them sooner and 2) you have TWO kids in there.

I started feeling flutters at like 13/14 weeks and I knew I felt them around 16/17 weeks.

Holy CRAP.  This just feels so much more real now that I think I can feel them.  Y'know, because everything leading up to this moment didn't make it real.    I love this part of pregnancy - it makes me feel so much more connected, and I've needed that with these babies. 

Yesterday I was laying in bed, almost asleep, and I felt a very distinct something. Definitely not gastronintestinal.  This morning it's more frequent and feels just like what I felt with DD.

YAY!

[Deleted]

I agree. The shock for me still didn't wear off until about 5+months pregnant but it felt much more real after I started feeling them.

It was my favorite part of pregnancy. Wait until you feel them interacting in there. It's so cool!!!!

[lolly]

Just wait until you can tell that there are TWO different people in there - it's wild! I remember feeling like one would kick and the other would respond. So crazy.

[Deleted]

Jul 11, 2013 10:14:50 GMT -5 lolly said:

Just wait until you can tell that there are TWO different people in there - it's wild! I remember feeling like one would kick and the other would respond. So crazy.

I felt a legit fight for space in there.  Gabe was scootchin' to my left (he was Rightie) and Marc (Lefite) was like NO and gave a big whollop to Gabe.

[lolly]

Jul 11, 2013 10:16:29 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Jul 11, 2013 10:14:50 GMT -5 lolly said:

Just wait until you can tell that there are TWO different people in there - it's wild! I remember feeling like one would kick and the other would respond. So crazy.

I felt a legit fight for space in there.  Gabe was scootchin' to my left (he was Rightie) and Marc (Lefite) was like NO and gave a big whollop to Gabe.

LOL! I remember watching a fight on ultrasound.  julez - you have so much to look forward to!

[Jalapeñomel]

You should talk to trafficgirl on GP. She is pregnant with twins, and she´s been feeling them move for a while now (I believe she is 19 weeks).

[Deleted]

Jul 11, 2013 10:20:51 GMT -5 lolly said:

Jul 11, 2013 10:16:29 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

I felt a legit fight for space in there.  Gabe was scootchin' to my left (he was Rightie) and Marc (Lefite) was like NO and gave a big whollop to Gabe.

LOL! I remember watching a fight on ultrasound.  julez - you have so much to look forward to!

YES that was so so cool!!!

Oh I'm so excited for you Julez.

[julez]

Jul 11, 2013 10:22:13 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

You should talk to trafficgirl on GP. She is pregnant with twins, and she´s been feeling them move for a while now (I believe she is 19 weeks).

Everything I'm reading says I shouldn't feel them move sooner because there are two, but logically, that makes zero sense.  Even if they're small, there are 2 vs. 1 in the same amount of space. 

I'll have to ask trafficgirl.  Thanks!

[trafficgirl]

Hi!

I am definitely feeling them move now, at 19 weeks. Not all the time, but I know when they're moving.

I would say I noticeably felt them around the 15/16 week mark. But I'm also a first time mom and didn't know exactly what a baby (or babies) felt like. And I have an anterior placenta.

You're almost 14 weeks, so I'm betting what you're feeling is the kiddos. And I think that's bunk about not feeling them move sooner because there are two. I agree that makes no sense - they have less room in there!

[Deleted]

I would understand that argument if we grew proportional to their growthx2.

But...that's really not what happens, lol. I think you SHOW sooner but no one that I've seen has what I'd call a "twin belly" until 28+ weeks when you can start to be bigger than the avg 35+wk belly.

[julez]

ninjabridemom, I am legitimately scared of how big I will get. Strangers were commenting on my pregnancy at 11 weeks. In one regard, it's nice that there was a very small "hmm..pudgy or pregnant?" window, and I just looked PREGNANT sooner. But I have a feeling that my physical size will strike fear in people in a few months. Lol.

In all honesty, I'm trying to be healthy about all of this, too. I don't have a great body image, and I know that I need to "fatten up" a bit in addition to just the belly growth, but seing my thighs and arms get bigger already is discouraging. I will lose it, and it will be okay. And as long as I gain responsibly and eat healthfully, the babies and I will all be healthy.

[Deleted]

I'm also a huge believer in "your body will do what it needs to." I have a friend who ate a TON, exercised reasonably too, throughout her entire pregnancy and she only gained 20lbs w very little belly. Her baby was almost 8lbs!

I ate well and did what exercise I could as long as they'd let me and I gained 70lbs. My body just needed to.

I like that you're being gentle with yourself, it's important! Especially since you'll have more physical restrictions later on (even if you are never on official "restricted activity" like I was, you just won't be able to do what you used to for long).

Are you having any cravings yet?

[julez]

Jul 11, 2013 10:56:11 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

I'm also a huge believer in "your body will do what it needs to." I have a friend who ate a TON, exercised reasonably too, throughout her entire pregnancy and she only gained 20lbs w very little belly. Her baby was almost 8lbs!

I ate well and did what exercise I could as long as they'd let me and I gained 70lbs. My body just needed to.

I like that you're being gentle with yourself, it's important! Especially since you'll have more physical restrictions later on (even if you are never on official "restricted activity" like I was, you just won't be able to do what you used to for long).

Are you having any cravings yet?

ninjabridemom

I have finally had a long enough string of good days that I think that the bulk of my m/s is over, and now I feel like I could move mountains...or at least take a walk every day.   At the same time, now it's hot and humid, so I don't know how much of that I will get in before size becomes a limiting factor.  I'm at least walking the dogs now at night when it gets cooler.

No real cravings, but I'm just HUNGRY.  I've gained 20 lbs so far.  I mostly blame the Dr. Luke book because it's dramatically increased the volume of food I'm eating.  I'm really freaked out by that number on the scale, but I suspect I shouldn't be.  I'm going to ask at my dr's appointment today.   I know that this is a whole 'nother ballgame than my singleton pregnancy, but last time I gained like crazy in an unhealthy way and no one ever said anything to me.  I loved it at the time, but in hindsight I know that it caused some problems for me as far as my physical preparedness for labor/delivery and my recovery.  I want to be sure that if I'm gaining unhealthfully this time, I'm cautioned, but I know they definitely don't want twin moms dieting or anything resembling limiting food intake.  Soo...we'll see. 

How are your boys? Do you guys have a new car after the crash? How's Jake doing after all of that?

[wildfloweragain]

I can't remember how much earlier I felt each child (I have 3) but my mind is sort of blown at the feeling 2 different ones. I never thought of that!

[Deleted]

Yeah I think since you're eating healthy and everything it's just what your body needs. Some people gain a lot in the beginning and it tapers off -- I gained more from 24wks on (but had def gained 20lbs by then). Your doc will def tell you when they start to get worried. In terms of being prepped for labor/delivery, I recommend walking. I did SO MUCH walking when I could. We wouldn't do our like adventure walks like before (b/c I'd need more rests) but we'd do destination walking. It keeps all those muscles working, lol.

We don't have a car yet, we are waiting for the check to come in the mail. Jake's good, his back is randomly sore but it isn't anything crazy yet (and we've been keeping everything on record w the docs, he's seen his doc, etc).

The boys are GREAT! Well other than today, lol. But they are so cute and fun. They share like all the time. We have pretty much 2 of every little toy and they usually take both and give one to brother. Also, much to my excitement, they've started holding hands for ring around the rosie! They would hold our hands but not each other's, and now I can get them to do it with me and them. So so cute.

[cleo29]

I didn't have twins, but felt movement early with both girls. About 14 wks with K.

[angelaa73]

This is so awesome Julez!

[julez]

ninjabridemom, the holding hands is beyond cute! It made me tear up a little. I can't WAIT for things like this.

I hope that Jake's back starts feeling better and that the new car shopping goes well. We had two cars totaled in two years (we got hit both times, not our fault) and shopping for another car SUCKED. Especially since the first time it was the car we had driven in on our first date, and the car we brought DD home from the hospital in. So many good memories. Good luck!

On the food front, I'd say I'm eating healthyfully about 85% of the time. The other 15%, I'm starving and whatever I see goes into my mouth. I try to keep reasonable snacks around, but occasionally a Newton or a Pop-Tart (or two) will make it in, and they're DELICIOUS.

[lilybug]

You're feeling babies! That's so cool. I could feel them earlier with each pregnancy, 18w first time, then 16ish, then 13ish.

[trafficgirl]

julez - I get your concern about weight gain. The Dr told me to gain between 30-35 lbs total, and I'm already at 23 (and only 19.5 weeks). I met with the nutritionist to see what she recommended and it turns out I'm pretty much right on track. A little over, but not much.

Hmmm - it sounds like I'm bragging, which I swear I'm not. I'm just saying try not to worry about it. If you're really concerned, does your Dr's office have a nutiritionist to meet with? Thought I agree w/ ninjabridemom that if your Dr has concerns, he/she will tell you.

One thing my Dr told me about the Dr Luke's book is that it's mostly geared toward thinner women. I have no idea if you are or not, but I am not. Obviously it's still has really good principles in it, but my Dr disagreed with the amount of weight she recommends gaining for people with higher BMIs.

And if you're eating healthy 85% of the time, I think that's really good. A Newton or Pop-Tart is not going to do you in.

[iamgrace]

I felt Clare at 13 weeks!

[Deleted]

Yeah, my doc told me to gain between 35 and 50lbs but didn't say a word when I got to 70. She knew what I was eating, knew I was on restricted activity, and saw the fluid gain at the end. They really do (or should) evaluate all those sorts of things.

If anything when you see your peri they'll comment on it, lol. My MFM was all over my weight gain but again, not in a negative way. She'd say "yeah, 5lbs in 2 weeks! You go!"