30 weeks – YIKES! Getting close to the end now. With Siena, I always kind of assumed I’d go past my due date and I did – so there was only really a week of “waiting around.” With twins, SO much can happen – it’s not crazy to imagine these ladies making their appearance at 33 weeks – it’s about as likely as them coming at 39 weeks when my doctor will induce me. So, basically starting March 1 I’ll be on baby watch. I’m really feeling optimistic that we’ll make it to 37 weeks but I’ve read plenty of twin mom blogs saying that same exact thing and it didn’t happen, so I also know I need to be realistic and start preparing now.
I’m going to try to post weekly from here on out. I’ve read a ton of twin mom blogs and I really appreciate the weekly updates, so for the future twin moms out there, I’m going to commit to weekly! Plus, this post got really long trying to cover 3 weeks!
How Many Weeks: This covers 28 weeks pregnant with twins, 29 weeks pregnant with twins and 30 weeks pregnant with twins.
Babies Update: Both babies are doing GREAT! I had my ultrasound with the specialist today and they are BOTH big for their age. Baby A is approximately 3 pounds 4 oz and Baby B is a whopping 3 pounds 10 oz! The doctor seemed VERY pleased with this as they are both measuring 1-2 weeks ahead compared to the average singleton (of course ultrasounds aren’t completely accurate). I read that twins can sometimes slow down growth after 30 weeks compared to singletons (up until this point they should grow at the same rate) so we’ll see if they keep it up. But what this means is I already have 7 pounds of baby inside me and I could potentially have 7 more. I’m doubting I’ll deliver two 7 pound babies but it’s not completely impossible (Siena was 7 pounds 11 oz but born at 41 weeks).
Another fun fact I learned during the ultrasound is that Baby B has a lot of hair! Siena was bald basically through 18 months so this will be new! Baby A remains head down which is good news but its as kind of unclear as to what position Baby B was in – at one point she said head up, another transverse and then she said “kind of vertex” (head down) so I’m not sure honestly! This makes sense because my belly has been kind of lopsided lately. As I’ve said before, my doctor will deliver vaginally as long as Baby A is head down so we’re looking good at this point.
Frequency of Doctor Appointments: They’ve been every 4 weeks with my OB and every 4 weeks with the specialist for an ultrasound up until this point. Soon I’ll be on every 2 weeks with OB but stay with 4 weeks with specialist (potentially I could just have one specialist visit left!).
Labor Signs: I’ve finally started to have braxton hicks contractions – they are really infrequent and just started this week. They aren’t painful at all, just a tightness in my belly. I probably have them more than I realize because I first noticed it last night when I was lying in bed and the babies were moving so I had my hand on my belly. I can’t recall having any with Siena until I was past 40 weeks – I’m actually kind of hopeful that this means my labor will be quicker since last time I had barely any contractions before going into labor and had an extremely long one.
Weight Gain: 35 pounds. I feel like my belly really “popped” in the last few weeks – I had a few people tell me that. For a few weeks my weight gained slowed and I only gained 1 pound/week (I just weigh myself once every 1-2 weeks) but this past week it was back up to 2 pounds in a week. I’m ok with the weight gain as I know it’s healthy for twins (total recommended for twins is 35-55 lbs).
Movement: So much! I feel Baby A a lot more than Baby B since B’s placenta is in the front of my stomach, but I do feel them both. I also felt Baby A get hiccups for the first time last week.
Symptoms: Tired. As I’ve said in pretty much every update, I’m tired. Lately I’ve been taking a nap more days than not. I’m happy to still be sleeping well – I don’t even wake up every night to use the restroom and sleep pretty soundly. I don’t have any back or round ligament pain. I generally feel good. One thing that is different is that I get tired of standing for too long – at the park I need to sit down more often than not and don’t have a lot of energy to play with Siena. I know that might sound crazy since I’m still working out and even running a few days a week, but it’s true!
Cravings/Food Aversions: Still eating turkey sandwiches several times a week. Besides that, I’ve had quite the sweet tooth but have been drinking more Shakeology to curb it instead of chocolate and treats in the afternoons. I still have something sweet every evening though. No real aversions thankfully!
Purchasing/Borrowing: Our friends with triplets gave us two bottle warmers and about twenty bottles which was super helpful! Another friend gave us her bassinet so we now have two. My dad and step mom bought us our stroller (the Double Baby Jogger City Select – we also were gifted the toddler board attachment) and my mother and father in law bought us another crib and a dresser. I’m feeling very lucky and thankful for such generous friends and family!
Maternity Clothes: Besides a handful of workout clothes, I’m in all maternity clothes. I’ve been LOVING the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having because it means I get to wear comfy maternity dresses (I have a ton, some I bought and a lot of hand me downs) instead of pants. Pants and largely pregnant women aren’t BFFs. I’m even finding my maternity jeans uncomfortable – the band that is supposed to go up over my belly feels constricting so I’ll often roll it down.
PinkBlush had a 50% off clearance sale so I ended up getting two more sweaters and two dresses (both nursing friendly) for super cheap but I PROMISE I’m done buying maternity clothes now!!!
Exercise: I’m exercising most days and somehow still running. I even ran the Cardiff Kook 5K last weekend while pushing the stroller! I keep saying I’ll stop any day and I truly don’t think I have more than a couple weeks left, if that, but for now, I’m still running (with walk breaks) about 1-2 days a week, 3-4 miles at a time. I’m surprised that I don’t have any belly pain when running which I’m thankful for (I’ve been wearing a belly support band for about 1.5 months now on every run). I’ve started doing pre-natal yoga at a live class on Friday mornings and I’m taking advantage of more of the Beachbody on Demand prenatal workouts. I still do some regular Beachbody workouts too – there are just a few left that I don’t have to modify much so I tend to do those ones.
Best Moments: Crossing the finish line at the Kook 5K with all three of my ladies! I also showed Siena, using her doll, how to burp the babies and explained that they might spit up so she’ll need to help us get a burp cloth. She was super interested in helping – I hope that’s a good sign that she’ll be a helpful big sister!
Oh, and I got a prenatal massage using a gift card I got for my birthday and it was AMAZING. I went to my favorite spa which also happens to have those amazing tables with the hole in them so that I could lie on my stomach. I have another gift certificate so I’ll be back!
Missing: Date nights with Mike where we go to happy hour and get a nice little buzz. We always have our best conversations over beer or wine!
Looking Forward To: Mike and I have an overnight date the Saturday which I’m really excited for. Mike’s parents are watching Siena and we’re just going to head downtown to Little Italy (apparently there’s a new ice cream place that is all the rage) for the evening. I’m really looking forward to sleeping in on Sunday because lately siena has been waking up super early (5:30-5:45) – she will usually play in her room for 45-60 min but she wakes us up when she gets up by slamming her door (she’s a teenager already!).
Moms, what was something special you had on your list to do with your husband, significant other or toddler before your baby/babies came?
See my Twin Pregnancy page for previous updates!
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I can’t believe you ran a 5k with all 3 girls! That is some serious grit =) I just have one in the belly but running just doesn’t feel good at all anymore =(
Sounds like you are really getting close to being ready, can’t believe it’s so close!