~~**Twin Mom Check in 1/16/15**~~

[steen9713]

Not sure who's all here but here is the first check in for twin moms!!

How far along are you?

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically?

Any updates or upcoming appointments??

Any Rants/Rave this week??

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Hope all you ladies are doing well!!

[steen9713]

- I am currently 14 weeks 6 days.

- I am still experiencing morning sickness. But physically feeling ok when I'm away from work.

- i set up my gender ultrasound I have one on the 2nd of February but if we can't get both I have another on the 4th . Hope to have my gender reveal on the 7th.

- I am sad. With everything that has happened the past week, but glad I am able to keep in touch with most of the moms I have connected with . - rants: going nuts with our move that's coming up on Tuesday. A lot to do and very overwhelming when I'm pregnant. Especially since I look like a whale! I was fluffy to begin with and with bloat, two babies, every day I am getting bigger. I very much look pregnant.

-QOTW: my favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip. But I have ad version from sweets since I've been pregnant.

[Deleted]

Thanks again for running this!!!!

How far along are you? I'm 15w4d!

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically? I was having a rough time for a bit because I ran out of my nausea meds, but I'm back on track and feeling much better. I lost quite a bit of weight (10-12 lbs depending on the day) since my last appointment, so I'm starting to get a little worried. I'm sure pretty soon I'll start gaining. Emotionally it's been rough. I'm still having anxiety about preterm labor and just generally feeling helpless about this pregnancy. I know lots of twin pregnancies go full term and don't require NICU time, but I'm a worrier and I can't help but be a little bit afraid of what's to come in the next few months.

Any updates or upcoming appointments?? On Wednesday we have a growth scan and I'll be 16+2, so I'm thinking we might get a guess on the sexes! Also I'm keeping my fingers crossed that both babies are growing on track, they measured 5 days apart at our NT scan.

Any Rants/Rave this week?? Classes start Tuesday and I still owe two papers for last semester, plus I'm behind on a paid research job I took on last semester. I just want to get caught up and have a stress-free last semester of coursework before the babies get here, but it's already making me crazy.

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Usually it's mint chocolate chip, but I've been having chocolate milkshake cravings every night recently! And I've been indulging .

[poggipuss]

How far along are you? I'm 12 w 5 d

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically? Generally I had been feeling very anxious/nervous bc it had been a long time since I'd seen the babies so I was starting to go to crazy town, but I am feeling much better now. Physically I feel great, other then the cold I feel coming on.

Any updates or upcoming appointments?? We had our NT scan this week and both babies looked excellent (and like babies which is blowing my mind). My finger is bruised from the finger stick they did, lame.

Any Rants/Rave this week?? My rave is that it's a three day weekend and I'm going to spend it on the couch and maybe go look at baby gear with DH on Monday. Rant, I have a loooong 4 weeks before I get to see these kids again.

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? I'm an ice cream addict!! Generally my fave flavors are moose tracks and birthday cake but for a while there I just wasn't in the mood. Lately I've been really feeling plain old vanilla and I want it as a milkshake.

Thanks for doing this check in! I'm so excited to finally be a part of it!

[steen9713]

@feegan: I love moosetracks!! But can't eat sweets either :/

[steen9713]

poggipuss: welcome to being a twin mom!! We are excited you get to join us!!

[poggipuss]

Jan 16, 2015 17:56:15 GMT -5 steen9713 said:

poggipuss: welcome to being a twin mom!! We are excited you get to join us!!

Thanks so much!!!

[lindslew91011]

How far along are you? 12W1D

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically? Physically- tired. all. the. time. I wonder if this will ever go away. Emotionally- decent.

Any updates or upcoming appointments?? I go back to my doc on Monday! Hopefully we will be able to schedule some more appointments and start to talk about a gender scan.

Any Rants/Rave this week?? My craving lately has been chocolate milk. I grew up outside of Chicago and the best chocolate milk was ALWAYS Oberweis. I now moved to central illinois where we do not have any My hubby found out that Jewel sold chocolate milk, and went to buy me some! Whatta guy!

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? I love cookie dough or mint chocolate chip, BUT my mint chocolate chip HAS to be green. The white kind is a rip off!

[beachy]

Jan 16, 2015 21:17:15 GMT -5 lindslew91011 said:

How far along are you? 12W1D

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically? Physically- tired. all. the. time. I wonder if this will ever go away. Emotionally- decent.

Any updates or upcoming appointments?? I go back to my doc on Monday! Hopefully we will be able to schedule some more appointments and start to talk about a gender scan.

Any Rants/Rave this week?? My craving lately has been chocolate milk. I grew up outside of Chicago and the best chocolate milk was ALWAYS Oberweis. I now moved to central illinois where we do not have any My hubby found out that Jewel sold chocolate milk, and went to buy me some! Whatta guy!

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? I love cookie dough or mint chocolate chip, BUT my mint chocolate chip HAS to be green. The white kind is a rip off!

We get home delivery with Oberweis and it's so delicious!

[lindslew91011]

Jan 16, 2015 22:19:08 GMT -5 beachy said:

Jan 16, 2015 21:17:15 GMT -5 lindslew91011 said:

How far along are you? 12W1D

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically? Physically- tired. all. the. time. I wonder if this will ever go away. Emotionally- decent.

Any updates or upcoming appointments?? I go back to my doc on Monday! Hopefully we will be able to schedule some more appointments and start to talk about a gender scan.

Any Rants/Rave this week?? My craving lately has been chocolate milk. I grew up outside of Chicago and the best chocolate milk was ALWAYS Oberweis. I now moved to central illinois where we do not have any My hubby found out that Jewel sold chocolate milk, and went to buy me some! Whatta guy!

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? I love cookie dough or mint chocolate chip, BUT my mint chocolate chip HAS to be green. The white kind is a rip off!

We get home delivery with Oberweis and it's so delicious!

beachy WAIT A DAMN MINUTE.... HOME DELIVERY?  Omg, have you ever had their chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  Holy hell.  I would do ANYTHING for it.... 

[beachy]

How far along are you? 13w1d

How are you feeling this week, emotionally and physically? Emotionally I'm going crazy inside since we just found out yesterday that it's twins! I have had feelings ranging from excitement to fear to nervousness to holy fuck what did we do! Physically I still feel great though. 

Any updates or upcoming appointments?? I don't have an appt with my OB again til 16w, so not until Feb. I called yesterday to let them know it was twins and thought maybe they would have me come in sooner, but they said that appt won't change. Yesterday was just supposed to be a fun peek at my mom's work which turned into finding out there was two. But babies were measuring right on track, 13w4d and 13w1d, with heart rates of 154 and 150.

Any Rants/Rave this week?? I started feeling babies today and it is incredible! It's like little bubbles and flutters and so cool. With DS I never felt anything until full kicks at 20w so it's definitely new to me! 

QOTW: what's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Cookies n cream or cotton candy 

Hope all you ladies are doing well!!

[beachy]

Jan 16, 2015 22:27:08 GMT -5 lindslew91011 said:

Jan 16, 2015 22:19:08 GMT -5 beachy said:

We get home delivery with Oberweis and it's so delicious!

WAIT A DAMN MINUTE.... HOME DELIVERY?  Omg, have you ever had their chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  Holy hell.  I would do ANYTHING for it.... 

Yeah it's awesome! We at least get DS' whole milk through them each week, and sometimes ice cream and othe stuff. That's H's favorite kind, it is amazing!

[lindslew91011]

Jan 16, 2015 22:32:52 GMT -5 beachy said:

Jan 16, 2015 22:27:08 GMT -5 lindslew91011 said:

WAIT A DAMN MINUTE.... HOME DELIVERY?  Omg, have you ever had their chocolate peanut butter ice cream.  Holy hell.  I would do ANYTHING for it.... 

Yeah it's awesome! We at least get DS' whole milk through them each week, and sometimes ice cream and othe stuff. That's H's favorite kind, it is amazing!

 
beachy I was unaware of home delivery!  You have officially changed my life.  We are now automatically best friends!  What do you do with the glass bottles?  Do they take them back?

[steen9713]

lindslew91011 this chocolate milk sounds amazing, and that ice cream sounds even better!!!! Ugh! We don't get this stuff in CA!
beachy welcome to beigna twin mom! Your story has me in shock, but totally awesome and exciting! I remember when we found out the rush of emotions but it really is just exciting!

[lindslew91011]

Jan 16, 2015 22:37:57 GMT -5 steen9713 said:

lindslew91011 this chocolate milk sounds amazing, and that ice cream sounds even better!!!! Ugh! We don't get this stuff in CA!
beachy welcome to beigna twin mom! Your story has me in shock, but totally awesome and exciting! I remember when we found out the rush of emotions but it really is just exciting!

steen9713 it is super thick chocolate milk.  It is unbelievable.  It puts yoohoo to SHAME!

[beachy]

lindslew91011 when you sign up they give you a cooler for the front porch. Each week you put the empties in the cooler and the driver picks them up when he brings the milk. They have separate freezer bags for frozen stuff too. It's the greatest thing ever!

steen9713 haha I'm still amazed at how it happened to. Like I had said I originally was thinking twins, and woild have been far less surprised at my 9w appt. But having a scan and the OB using the Doppler already and THEN finding them was like in a movie haha. And thanks!

[beachy]

Jan 16, 2015 22:40:09 GMT -5 lindslew91011 said:

Jan 16, 2015 22:37:57 GMT -5 steen9713 said:

lindslew91011 this chocolate milk sounds amazing, and that ice cream sounds even better!!!! Ugh! We don't get this stuff in CA!
beachy welcome to beigna twin mom! Your story has me in shock, but totally awesome and exciting! I remember when we found out the rush of emotions but it really is just exciting!

steen9713 it is super think chocolate milk.  It is unbelievable.  It puts yoohoo to SHAME!

It pretty much tastes like a delicious melted chocolate milk shake.

[lindslew91011]

AND I have to say that I truly appreciate these twin mom conversations and connections. THIS is the reason I came over to PB. I look forward to posting, joking, and checking in with all the twin mommies!

[steen9713]

Yes, you ladies relate and understand far more then other women I talk to!!

[Deleted]

TL;DR What nutritional guides are you following for this pregnancy?

I hope you guys don't mind if I bump this, but I don't want to wait until next week to discuss and I won't see my OB until Friday to ask her questions anyway. I've been doing some research on twin pregnancy nutrition and its effect on birth weight outcomes (http://www.mfmsm.com/media_pages/MFM-Optimal-nutrition-for-improved-twin-pregnancy.pdf) and most of the legitimate sources I've read say that it's super important for twin moms to up their caloric intake and modify their diet to make sure they are getting lots of protein, good carbs, iron, and good fats. A lot of studies have found a correlation between meeting nutritional and caloric goals for twins in the second trimester to less health complications at birth, less NICU time, and higher birth weights. The nutritional goals are pretty difficult to hit-- 2500-3000 calories a day, 150g of protein a day, 300g carbs, 133g fats (more if you're not overweight). Plus like a gallon of water a day. I tracked my meals today just to see what I'm taking in and I'm not even close to getting enough calories OR proteins/carbs/fats etc.

The only nutritional or weight-related advice I received from my OB was to eat healthy, walk, and not gain more than 15 pounds since I'm overweight. Basically she treats it the same as a singleton pregnancy, but it's just a regular practice and while they have experience with twin pregnancies, they're obviously not as experienced as an MFM would be. My question to you ladies is, did your doctors give you any nutritional advice or suggest you get additional calories/nutrients because you are having twins? Do you plan on asking, or are you following another nutritional guide you've come across?

I plan on asking my OB at my next regular appointment and will let you all know what she says, but I'm curious to know if you've received guidance on this from your OB's.

[steen9713]

I'm overweight and my doctor said I will probably put in another 40 lbs or so. Right now he wants me to just eat and keep up on my vitamins and folic. When I start to feel better add more walking and focus on healthy eating. I'm lucky if I get any food down. So some foods better then no food. I just keep track of my sugars. Since I'm a high risk for gestational diabetes. My RE advised me to have a high protein diet and low carb. But like I said I can't follow any diet plan or food plan. At this point I'm just trying to eat and make the best choices when I can.

[lindslew91011]

I have my next appointment tomorrow and I'm planning on asking my nurse all of this type of stuff, but I would be curious to compare notes.
The last time we briefly discussed this the doctors office told me to just eat healthy, make sure I get lots of iron and protein, and since I'm overweight they hope for me not to gain too much.
My mother is also an OBGYN nurse and yells at me about how I'm still not getting enough protein. She wants me to eat meat at breakfast- sorry I think eating a chicken breast at breakfast is way too weird. I've been making smoothies with Greek yogurt instead.

[beachy]

I haven't seen my OB since finding out its twins, and won't til Feb 5th. I did send an email last week through the online system and asked if I needed to do anything different and they said no. But I will have plenty or questions when I go in. I'm interested to hear what your drs say.

If you need more protein at breakfast what about eggs or peanut butter? Thomas' make a light multigrain English muffin that has 9 grams of protein in it. I use those a lot with either peanut butter or an egg and cheese sandwich on it. Or throw a Greek yogurt in your smoothie which adds a lot.

[lindslew91011]

My doc is pretty laid back. Just got back from my appointment and he said increase protein and vegetables. He said not to worry about increased caloric intake, I'm sure it if because I'm overweight already. He told me the only foods I should avoid are soft cheeses and "vacuum sealed lunch meat". Lunch meat from the deli counter is ok. He also told me no contact sports or activities where I have a risk of falling.

[Deleted]

Jan 19, 2015 7:06:00 GMT -5 beachy said:

I haven't seen my OB since finding out its twins, and won't til Feb 5th. I did send an email last week through the online system and asked if I needed to do anything different and they said no. But I will have plenty or questions when I go in. I'm interested to hear what your drs say.

If you need more protein at breakfast what about eggs or peanut butter? Thomas' make a light multigrain English muffin that has 9 grams of protein in it. I use those a lot with either peanut butter or an egg and cheese sandwich on it. Or throw a Greek yogurt in your smoothie which adds a lot.

I am definitely trying to get more eggs in however I can. I don't know if I can handle peanut butter though and I can't drink smoothies for some reason . I wish I could because it would make my life a lot easier but the texture/taste of smoothies has always made me gaggy. My biggest problem is that I'm still dealing with bouts of m/s and nausea so for the first few hours after I wake up my stomach can't handle much. I did go grocery shopping yesterday though and picked up lots of greek yogurts, string cheese, almonds, edamame, and fruit. I'm definitely still going to ask my doctor what she thinks, but starting today I'm trying to focus on eating small, nutrient-dense meals and snacks throughout the day.

It's good to know I'm not the only one being told not to do anything differently though. I got a little panicky for a second.

[beachy]

Jan 19, 2015 15:10:44 GMT -5 @sassycassieb said:

Jan 19, 2015 7:06:00 GMT -5 beachy said:

I haven't seen my OB since finding out its twins, and won't til Feb 5th. I did send an email last week through the online system and asked if I needed to do anything different and they said no. But I will have plenty or questions when I go in. I'm interested to hear what your drs say.

If you need more protein at breakfast what about eggs or peanut butter? Thomas' make a light multigrain English muffin that has 9 grams of protein in it. I use those a lot with either peanut butter or an egg and cheese sandwich on it. Or throw a Greek yogurt in your smoothie which adds a lot.

I am definitely trying to get more eggs in however I can. I don't know if I can handle peanut butter though and I can't drink smoothies for some reason . I wish I could because it would make my life a lot easier but the texture/taste of smoothies has always made me gaggy. My biggest problem is that I'm still dealing with bouts of m/s and nausea so for the first few hours after I wake up my stomach can't handle much. I did go grocery shopping yesterday though and picked up lots of greek yogurts, string cheese, almonds, edamame, and fruit. I'm definitely still going to ask my doctor what she thinks, but starting today I'm trying to focus on eating small, nutrient-dense meals and snacks throughout the day.

It's good to know I'm not the only one being told not to do anything differently though. I got a little panicky for a second.

I know the feeling. Finding out there's two was such a huge shock to me, and I expected my Dr to say something like "come in as soon as you get back so we can do an u/s too." But Nope, just that I'll keep my same next appt at 16w and I don't have to do anything different.