Twin Pregnancy Update: 38 Weeks Pregnant With Twins

I can’t believe it but this will likely be my LAST update! I’m thrilled to not only have made it to full term for twins but basically full terms for singletons as well. These babies have a great chance of being healthy, big and ready to go straight home with us from the hospital, baring unforeseen circumstances. I’m feeling a lot of emotions at this point – excitement that I’ll be meeting the two new members of our family for sure within the next week, sadness that my pregnancy is over (even if I don’t love being pregnant), nervousness over a potential labor induction, relief that I made it full term with a twin pregnancy, and a little denial that things are about to change forever. I want time to move forward and stand still at the same time.

One of the things I’m feeling, and being 100% honest here, is some fear over those early days with the twins. The first month with Siena was really hard due to the breastfeeding issues we experienced as a result of her tongue/lip tie and there were many dark days as we sorted through all our issues and also dealt with a hungry, frustrated newborn who was by no means the sleepy infant I was expecting (the term “sleep like a baby” is complete bullshit!). As a second time mom, I have those memories still vividly in my mind and they come up at the forefront when thinking about what is to come. I know twins will be harder in a lot of ways – though knowing that this is my second time going through it gives me some relief that at the very least I will be more laid back about everything we experience. I’ll also have the experience that the newborn phase is short and doesn’t last forever (and that I really should cherish those newborn snuggles!!!). While I am so incredibly thankful to be welcoming two new children into our family, I also know how hard this transition may be. But I also know how rewarding and totally worth it it’ll be too.

How Many Weeks: This covers 38 weeks pregnant with twins.

Babies Update: After 4 weeks of anticipation I went to my 38 weeks growth scan. The doctor there was pretty convinced I would NOT make it to this appointment (my OB, on the other hand, has always been optimistic I’d make it full term). Every time I met with her she’d tell me that twins come around 36 weeks on average and warn me about pre-term labor, etc. When I scheduled this appointment the receptionists told me if I don’t show up they’d know that I had the babies. But, in I waddled today for the scan.

The babies are both head down, facing my back and measuring approximately 6 pounds 12 oz (Baby A) and 7 pounds even (Baby B). Obviously these are estimates so we’ll see how they really come out but I’m feeling optimistic that at the very least they’ll both be over 6 pounds which would be absolutely wonderful! Both placentas are looking good, they’re getting what they need from the umbilical cord, and my fluid levels are great. My blood pressure it still excellent. I feel like things are looking so well that I’m honestly questioning why we should induce (typically twins are induced due to the risk that the placentas will not be able to sustain them past a certain point) – but that’ll be a discussion I have with my doctor tomorrow at my appointment. Hopefully they just come on their own over the weekend and I don’t have to worry about it. Clearly I am ready to be done pregnant but I also personally feel like babies are meant to come when they’re ready, barring any serious complication that puts mom or babies lives at risk of course.

Frequency of Doctor Appointments: FOUR doctor appointments this week. FOUR! Two NSTs at the hospital, one appointment with my OBGYN (tomorrow), and a growth scan with the specialist. Oh, not to mention the two acupuncture appointments as well. I also had a prenatal lactation consultant appointment as I’ve decided to switch lactation consultations (more on that later). It’s been a busy week (and Siena was on preschool “Spring Break.”).

At my doctor appointment last Friday, I got some news I wasn’t expecting. The doctor wants the babies OUT by 39 weeks, which doesn’t mean we induce on the day I turn 39 weeks (next Thursday). Instead, he wants to induce before then because inductions can sometimes take 2-3 days (please no). Tomorrow afternoon at my appointment he’ll do a cervical check and then we’ll make a plan for induction, likely Monday or Tuesday (I’m pushing for Tuesday and after the scan today potentially later). Getting just 2 days taken from me sent me into full blown “Get these babies out” mode. I went to acupuncture last Friday afternoon and booked two more appointments for this week, have been eating six dates per day (multiple studies show it helps!), have been drinking two cups of red raspberry leaf tea per day (I was actually doing this before my appointment and I’m going to start with 3/day tomorrow), have been working on acupressure points, got out my birthing ball for some bouncing to get baby engaged, and a few other tactics. The window between “Congrats, your twins are full term” to “Get your twins the heck out” is incredibly small, and my doctor is on the liberal side even letting me go past 38 weeks (many will induce right at 38).

Labor Signs: I wasn’t having a whole lot of signs until the last few days. On Monday I took everything out of the fridge and cleaned it top to bottom (and I hate cleaning) – nesting perhaps? I’ve become increasingly uncomfortable and have had some contractions that felt “real” (aka were mildly painful) but never turned into anything (I had these same contractions in the final days of my last pregnancy).  I also just feel like the babies are lower, though I’m not necessarily sure I can tell that they’ve dropped form my belly. Sometimes it feels like Baby A’s head is right there ready to be birthed. I also think I have slowly been losing some of my plug though it hasn’t been bloody (the acupuncturist thinks so too based on my description).

Weight Gain: 47 pounds, up 2 pounds from last week.

Movement: Always rocking and rolling. Sometimes my belly contorts into the oddest shapes – it’ll look like a fist is poking inches out of my belly! I feel Baby B all the way in my right rib cage and usually feel Baby A’s butt poking out squarely in the center of my belly. Also a random thing about twins is I know exactly where their heart rates are because every time I have a Non-Stress Test they have to find the heart rates. This also confirms every time I have one that they haven’t changed positions (unlikely at this point).

Symptoms: Well, just as I was saying how little discomfort I was having last week, this week was a whole new level. My back aches, not just the lower back but my upper back. I think this is because of the way I sleep on my side (I’ve also noticed in yoga that my chest is incredibly tight from sleeping hunched over on my side). The babies feel lower so I’m having more pelvic discomfort. Also, I’m experiencing a little swelling (though my blood pressure is still great so I’m not worried about preeclampsia). The only place I notice it is my fingers because I can no longer take my wedding ring off. My belly just feels huge and getting up and down from the ground or a low chair is hard and rolling over in bed is like an Olympic event.

Cravings/Food Aversions: None unless you count my new aversion to dates thanks to overconsumption (they’re soon sweet). Haha!

Purchasing/Borrowing: A MINIVAN. We really went down to the wire on this one and purchased our minivan last Friday. It’s a used Honda Odyssey and so far seems great! It’s going to make our lives as a family of 5 a lot easier. I don’t even care if I’m not cool – convenience and comfort is way more important to me than anything else. Plus, what is “cool” anyway?! Haha. 

Maternity Clothes: Rotating the same few outfits and mostly living in workout clothes at this point.

Exercise: I slowed down this week and did one strength workout (upper body with some bonus squats), walked or did prenatal yoga. I started another 1 mile a day walk/run (clearly I’m not running) challenge with my Pregnancy and Postpartum Support group so my goal is to do that this month (figured it’ll get me out of the house more when the twins come too). Obviously I won’t do it every day but it’s a good habit to get into! 

Interesting Moments:  It was incredibly interesting doing acupuncture! It was my first time doing it and I found it very relaxing. I didn’t realize that I’d be left in a comfy bed by myself in the dark for 35-45 minutes while the needles set.

I also really enjoyed my new lactation consultant. She had a lot of experience with twins and also with tongue/lip ties (which is what Siena had) and gave me some great recommendations. She’ll be making a house call to check out the twins and give me guidance about 2-4 days after we get home from the hospital.

Best Moments: We had a wonderful Easter with both our families. I was feeling up for it, so we did brunch and a mini egg hunt at Mike’s parents house with his parents, sister and brother in law and our niece. They live about 35 minutes away. We then drove to my grandma’s house (about an hour) for our extended family’s annual Easter dinner and egg hunt. Siena’s the only “kid” anymore – the rest are teenagers and in their 20s, but she had a blast searching for her specially hidden eggs. It was also good to see my extended family since I hadn’t seen them since Christmas! 

Missing: Running, drinking alcohol, sleeping on my back, being comfortable, feeling energized…you know, the usual. Of all of these, at least I’ll be sleeping on my back by this time next week.

Looking Forward To: Holding both our new girls in my arms at the same time, to see Mike’s face when each of them is born, and to see how Siena reacts to meeting her sisters for the first time.

See my Twin Pregnancy page for previous updates!

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