Just found out I'm having twins!

[Koala]

Hi Guys! 
I'm brand new to this board.  During my 8w OB appointment yesterday, I found out that I'm having twins!  There were two very clear heartbeats on the US.  They both measured 8w1d.

DH and I have been joking that there must be more than one in there because I've been super sick the past few weeks.  We never actually thought it would be true.  

We are thrilled and nervous, and don't really know what to expect.  

Any advice for me this early in my pregnancy?  

[Narwhal]

Congrats! I was 9 weeks when I found out. It's quite the ride, but a very awesome ride! The first thing I would find out, if you don't know already, is if the twins are mono mono, mono di, or di di. Basically, if they are sharing a sac (very rare), sharing a placenta with separate sacs, or if they have separate everything. It'll just make a difference in higher risk pregnancy or lower high risk. .
This is just based on my personal experience, but I would make sure your OB delivers at a hospital that has a level III or IV NICU.
Otherwise, relax, follow your Drs orders and enjoy your pregnancy! This board is awesome with any help or questions you may have! Twins are awesome!

[Koala]

Mar 7, 2015 17:49:04 GMT -5 Narwhal said:

Congrats! I was 9 weeks when I found out. It's quite the ride, but a very awesome ride! The first thing I would find out, if you don't know already, is if the twins are mono mono, mono di, or di di. Basically, if they are sharing a sac (very rare), sharing a placenta with separate sacs, or if they have separate everything. It'll just make a difference in higher risk pregnancy or lower high risk. .
This is just based on my personal experience, but I would make sure your OB delivers at a hospital that has a level III or IV NICU.
Otherwise, relax, follow your Drs orders and enjoy your pregnancy! This board is awesome with any help or questions you may have! Twins are awesome!

Thank you!
They are di di.  They told me I'm not actually high risk, but will be treated as if I am.  We are 10 minutes from a phenomenal children's hospital with a level IV NICU.  

I have another ultrasound on Wednesday, and then another appt with my OB in 2 weeks so we can ask more questions.  I couldn't think of any when we were there yesterday, but today I have loads.

[Narwhal]

Mar 7, 2015 18:42:35 GMT -5 Koala said:

Mar 7, 2015 17:49:04 GMT -5 Narwhal said:

Congrats! I was 9 weeks when I found out. It's quite the ride, but a very awesome ride! The first thing I would find out, if you don't know already, is if the twins are mono mono, mono di, or di di. Basically, if they are sharing a sac (very rare), sharing a placenta with separate sacs, or if they have separate everything. It'll just make a difference in higher risk pregnancy or lower high risk. .
This is just based on my personal experience, but I would make sure your OB delivers at a hospital that has a level III or IV NICU.
Otherwise, relax, follow your Drs orders and enjoy your pregnancy! This board is awesome with any help or questions you may have! Twins are awesome!

Thank you!
They are di di.  They told me I'm not actually high risk, but will be treated as if I am.  We are 10 minutes from a phenomenal children's hospital with a level IV NICU.  

I have another ultrasound on Wednesday, and then another appt with my OB in 2 weeks so we can ask more questions.  I couldn't think of any when we were there yesterday, but today I have loads.

Mine were di di too! Mine turned out to be identical, so that was surprising. . I was low risk too, so the only thing that was different in my case as far as I could tell was more ultrasounds. And obviously I got HUGE really fast!  
Anyway, congrats again! 

[nomad]

Congrats! I recommend looking for a local multiples group. My club has two garage sales a year and members can shop a day early. So in addition to getting great advice from people who have been there done that it's a great place to get things cheap. Other than that from what I know about di di pregnancies you will hopefully have a pretty uneventful time and deliver near your due date and avoid NICU time.

Get ready for lots of "do twins run in your family?" "I couldn't handle twins" "I don't know how you do it" "can I look at them?" "My mothers neighbors cousin has twins". I've found people have no filter around twins.

Congrats! Twins are a lot of work but a lot of fun.

[vtdiamond]

Congratulations! We found out at 10.5 weeks we were having twins and it was quite the surprise! Mine were di di as well. I had monthly ultrasounds then twice a month OB appointments from about 22 weeks on. I had a relatively easy pregnancy with no complications. I had a scheduled c/s at 37 weeks because both babies were breach, DD was 5lbs and DS was 7lbs, neither of them required any NICU time.

We were so shocked when we found out it was twins we couldn't think of any questions either. I would ask your OB what the plan will be for following you through out your pregnancy - frequency of appointments, ultrasounds, will they refer you to an MFM, etc. I would also ask if the practice iis supportive of having a vaginal delivery if possible, or recommends a c/s.

[vtdiamond]

Mar 7, 2015 21:18:00 GMT -5 nomad said:

Get ready for lots of "do twins run in your family?" "I couldn't handle twins" "I don't know how you do it" "can I look at them?" "My mothers neighbors cousin has twins". I've found people have no filter around twins.

Congrats! Twins are a lot of work but a lot of fun.

YES!!! We get stopped all the time when we're out with them. 

[Koala]

Mar 7, 2015 21:26:57 GMT -5 vtdiamond said:

Mar 7, 2015 21:18:00 GMT -5 nomad said:

Get ready for lots of "do twins run in your family?" "I couldn't handle twins" "I don't know how you do it" "can I look at them?" "My mothers neighbors cousin has twins". I've found people have no filter around twins.

Congrats! Twins are a lot of work but a lot of fun.

YES!!! We get stopped all the time when we're out with them. 

I'm definitely already getting the "do twins run in your family" question (they don't).  

Thanks for all of the advice!

[kershnic]

Congratulations!

Be prepared for more pregnancy appointments and ups and downs than you hear about from moms with singletons. Prepare that a c-section is more likely (though by no means guaranteed). If you want a vaginal birth talk to your doctor about it early so you can consider switching and also align your expectations with the doctor's. Many OBs will not attempt a vaginal delivery unless both babies are head down, and OBs have different levels of comfort with twin delivery and potential breech delivery.

Also plan to get things done in your pregnancy earlier than you see recommended for singletons (showers, prepping the nursery, etc.) Plenty of twins are born full-term, but the chances for an early delivery are much higher, and often you have very little warning that they're coming early. If you are able to make it to full-term or close to full-term you're also huger and more uncomfortable than an average singleton mom! My girls are di-di twin and were born at 34w3d. They have cousins who were also di-di twins born at 34w4d.

[Deleted]

Congrats! I was 8w and change when I found I was expecting twins. Like Narwhal mine were di di that turned out to be identical as well. They will be a year old on Saturday.

I would pick up a few books on twin pregnancy. I can't recall the names of the ones I read exactly, I think one was pregnant with twins triplets and quads or something like that and the other was mothering multiples. Mother multiples I used mostly for the breastfeeding info. I had nursed my singleton for 15 mos but twin is definitely a whole new ballgame.

I felt better having some knowledge. You may have an uneventful pregnancy and deliver at term or you may have some bumps along the way and I liked knowing what may happen.

[linz]

There was a post further down with book suggestions. That helped me a lot!

Ditto what others have already said about extra appointments and ultrasounds. I loved that! I never saw an MFM as my Dr didn't feel the need but others see one regularly. Be up front with your OB about your delivery plans. I told mine from the beginning I really wanted a vaginal if possible. He was ok with Baby B being breech as long as they weren't a certain % bigger. Mine were 4 and 4.4 lbs. Baby B was breech and my delivery was perfect. I was happy he was very supportive of that.

Make sure to do everything early - nursery, showers, etc. I had so much energy in 2nd tri so got as much done as I could. 3rd tri I wasn't on bed rest but was exhausted and pretty much laid on the couch each night after work.

I had boy/girl twins but we were team green. If you go that route make sure to tell the u/s tech each appointment so they know. Hopefully you have a great pregnancy! Mine was pretty easy with the exception of ligament pain and an itchy belly. Invest in some bio oil stat!

[trafficgirl]

Congrats!

I will just echo what everyone else said. Get things done earlier than what is recommended for singleton pregnancies. Pick up some books on twin pregnancies - there should be a thread not too far down on this board about that. Looking into joining a local Moms of Multiples group. Be prepared for all sorts of questions/comments about twins. Discuss expectations with your doctor far in advance.

Our identical boys were mo-di, born via C-section at 37.5 weeks. They spent one night at the hospital as they lost more than 10% of their body weight. My milk wasn't coming in so they went on formula and thankfully they gained enough weight to come home.

If you have questions definitely use this board as a resource. There's a lot of great ladies who are willing to help.

[egishere]

Congrats and welcome to the moms of multiples club!

[Narwhal]

Everyone else had awesome suggestions and a huge ditto on the "when your pregnant with twins, triplets and quads" book. I really followed the weight gain suggestions in the book and am convinced that was the reason my boys were so big for being 29 week twins. Also ditto on getting things done early. I remember feeling ridiculous getting the nursery ready around 19/20 weeks, but I'm so happy I did and it was good to go.

Delivery and csection is a great question. Like others have said, some ob's are more comfortable with things than others. Find someone who is supportive and experience in what you would like. Mine said as long as baby A was head down and the bigger baby, she would be fine delivering baby B breech if he was positioned that way or flipped once A was out.

Ditto on joining a local twin group. We just had a sale and for someone starting out, it's really a gold mine! My local group also has a Facebook buy/sale/trade group that has been great.

Again, this is based on personal experience, but maybe prepare yourself a bit for a early delivery/NICU stay. For some reason, that possibility never even entered my mind and I think it made it more traumatic for me when it happened. Not saying it will for you at all!! So many twins are born at full gestation, I just wish I would have been a little more mentally prepared.

Edited for paragraphs. 

[josieposy]

Congrats!!

[breezy8407]

Congrats and welcome!

I am in a local MoM's group, but haven't done any of the sale stuff. I know it's a great way to buy early on and sell later when you are done with things. It's really helpful for support that first year, too.

[linz]

Mar 9, 2015 17:06:41 GMT -5 Narwhal said:

Again, this is based on personal experience, but maybe prepare yourself a bit for a early delivery/NICU stay. For some reason, that possibility never even entered my mind and I think it made it more traumatic for me when it happened. Not saying it will for you at all!! So many twins are born at full gestation, I just wish I would have been a little more mentally prepared.

Me too! I was actually more scared I would go late and need to be induced. I never thought I'd have to deal with NICU.

[lobstertail]

Congratulations and welcome! To chime in on the expecting things early front, you may start your maternity leave earlier than planned. My OB and MFM told me from the get-go that they wanted me to stop working at 30 weeks. At the beginning of the pregnancy I thought there's no way I'd want to go out that early...once I was nearing 30 weeks, I was counting down the days!

[Koala]

Mar 10, 2015 17:08:56 GMT -5 lobstertail said:

Congratulations and welcome! To chime in on the expecting things early front, you may start your maternity leave earlier than planned. My OB and MFM told me from the get-go that they wanted me to stop working at 30 weeks. At the beginning of the pregnancy I thought there's no way I'd want to go out that early...once I was nearing 30 weeks, I was counting down the days!

I am really lucky that I actually work from home full time.  Even if I have to cut back my hours earlier than expected, I hope that I can keep working.  My company is super supportive about these things, so I'm sure they will work with me on whatever I need.

[nomad]

Mar 10, 2015 17:30:29 GMT -5 Koala said:

Mar 10, 2015 17:08:56 GMT -5 lobstertail said:

I am really lucky that I actually work from home full time.  Even if I have to cut back my hours earlier than expected, I hope that I can keep working.  My company is super supportive about these things, so I'm sure they will work with me on whatever I need.

I actually also work from home and was able to work even while I was in patient right up until the day I had my girls. I think being able to work without going into the office made it nice and something to make time go a little faster, gave me something else to think about. 

[kershnic]

Mar 10, 2015 17:30:29 GMT -5 Koala said:

Mar 10, 2015 17:08:56 GMT -5 lobstertail said:

Congratulations and welcome! To chime in on the expecting things early front, you may start your maternity leave earlier than planned. My OB and MFM told me from the get-go that they wanted me to stop working at 30 weeks. At the beginning of the pregnancy I thought there's no way I'd want to go out that early...once I was nearing 30 weeks, I was counting down the days!

I am really lucky that I actually work from home full time.  Even if I have to cut back my hours earlier than expected, I hope that I can keep working.  My company is super supportive about these things, so I'm sure they will work with me on whatever I need.

That's great!  I do not usually have the opportunity to work from home, but at 32 weeks my doctor said no more commuting (I had been hospitalized).  But he was fine with WFH and my boss said yes because she wasn't ready for me to drop my backed up work on her for my maternity leave.  . 

[montywho]

Congrats!

I am currently 19w5 days. I cried when I found out we were having twins. I was so scared and worried about how our lives were going to change. How much more expensive things were going to be. How I ruined my 4 yr old's life. Yes completely irrational at the time. I'm feeling so much better about it now. Still scared about dealing with two babies at once and daycare costs, but my son is so excited to be a big brother. I had an appointment yesterday with my OB and hearing two heartbeats is so wild.

My work is also super supportive and I will be able to work from home some.

Good luck to you!

[Koala]

Mar 10, 2015 23:45:02 GMT -5 nomad said:

Mar 10, 2015 17:30:29 GMT -5 Koala said:

I am really lucky that I actually work from home full time.  Even if I have to cut back my hours earlier than expected, I hope that I can keep working.  My company is super supportive about these things, so I'm sure they will work with me on whatever I need.

I actually also work from home and was able to work even while I was in patient right up until the day I had my girls. I think being able to work without going into the office made it nice and something to make time go a little faster, gave me something else to think about. 

Thanks!  That is totally reassuring! 

[Koala]

Mar 11, 2015 8:46:16 GMT -5 montywho said:

Congrats!

I am currently 19w5 days. I cried when I found out we were having twins. I was so scared and worried about how our lives were going to change. How much more expensive things were going to be. How I ruined my 4 yr old's life. Yes completely irrational at the time. I'm feeling so much better about it now. Still scared about dealing with two babies at once and daycare costs, but my son is so excited to be a big brother. I had an appointment yesterday with my OB and hearing two heartbeats is so wild.

My work is also super supportive and I will be able to work from home some.

Good luck to you!

I'm glad that we will be in this together, since I'm only about 11 weeks behind you.  We've only had a few moments of being scared, but it really feels overwhelming.  

I have another ultrasound in a couple hours, so I'm excited to see the two in there, when I'm not just overly shocked that there are two in general! 

[demandypants]

Congratulations! I found out about our twins at 11 weeks. It was a huge shock! Took a month or two to get used to the idea. Mine were didi, boy/girl. I was induced at 38 weeks and 2 days and they were 7 and 8lbs. I delivered vaginally as both were head down. But baby b flipped over after A was delivered so my ob pulled him out by his feet! Otherwise it was an uneventful pregnancy. More ultrasounds and weekly non-stress tests at then end. Juggling two infants is a lot of work but managable. Swaddling has helped a lot.

Welcome to the club!