Pregnancy Update: 17 Weeks Pregnant with Twins (Gender Reveal)
I hit a milestone this week. I knew it was coming. I just didn’t think it was coming this soon. At only 17 weeks pregnant with twins I can no longer see my feet. I knew going into this that a twin pregnancy was going to be a completely different ballgame . . . I just had no idea how different. My friends with twins are telling me crazy stories of outgrowing maternity clothes halfway through their pregnancies and not being able to walk up and down stairs by 25 weeks. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a bit terrified about what is coming.
If you are following along on Facebook you know that we got impatient and visited a 4D ultrasound place to get a peek at the genders. It was a neat experience because my kids all got to come. My perinatologist doesn’t allow kids in the office so this was there only chance to be there when we found out.
With 3 boys and 1 girl, I’m heavily out numbered. While we didn’t have much of a preference on gender (experiencing an infant loss will do that to you), I knew we had the potential for the boys seriously taking over the house. The ultrasound was pretty clear though. We are expecting . . .
Two GIRLS!
I went from thinking I’d never have a daughter to having 3 in 2 years. I suspect the atmosphere in our house is about to change dramatically.
How I’m Feeling Physically
I’ve been on a daily IV for a month now and it’s made a world of difference in how I feel. The vertigo is gone. I’m eating real food now. I can take some liquid by mouth. Having an IV in my arm is kind of a pain in the butt and it’s limiting my mobility since I can’t bend my arm and I have to drag an IV pole through my increasingly cluttered house but it’s doing the trick. I suggested to my OB this week that I give it a try without the IV and she laughed at me. I guess that’s a no. She told me that since I’m finally stable she doesn’t want to mess with things. On the plus side, she’s totally supportive about avoiding a PICC line and fought for me with home health so maybe I can at least avoid that.
Weight Gain
I’m finally back up to my pre-pregnancy weight. That is a HUGE accomplishment when you consider how very sick I’ve been for the past 10+ weeks. There was talk of supplementing my nutrition in addition to my IV fluids but with my weight heading in the right direction now I think I’ve avoided that.
The IV therapy has been helping so much that I actually gained 6 pounds in a week. I was mentioning on Twitter that I felt much more pregnant this week then last week and apparently I wasn’t imagining it. The babies had a massive growth spurt.
How I’m Feeling Emotionally
This week and next is going to be a rough week for me. My stress level has gone progressively up as I’ve gotten closer to the point where I went into labor with my 4th baby. There were very few warning signs that something was wrong so I worry that I’m going to wake up to a problem during this pregnancy. Things are going well. My cervix hasn’t shortened much. My previa looks like it’s cleared up. I’m having ultrasounds every other week to check on the status of my cervix and the placentas (and just to generally reassure me). But emotionally, the next few weeks are going to be hard. I’m trying to distract myself for now and I’m sure I’ll breathe a big sigh of relief once I hit 20 weeks.
There’s a lot of real things to worry about too. Our car isn’t going to fit us any longer. Our house is too small. I need a second crib (especially since my toddler is still using hers). 6 kids is going to be expensive. I’m trying to put off worry about those things for now. I’m trying to look at things one day at a time.
Are you pregnant with Twins?
Update: After my high risk twin pregnancy I have some great tips for products that will make your twin pregnancy so much easier. Check out our list of what to buy when you are pregnant with twins.
Pregnancy Updates
The Ultrasound that Changed Everything
Coping with Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Pregnancy Update: 14 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 17 Weeks Pregnant with Twins (Gender Reveal)
Pregnancy Update: 22 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 23 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 25 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 26 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 27 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 28 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks Pregnant with Twins
Twin girls, yeah! That’s what I’ve got! They are kind of twin terrors right now in the almost 2 year old stage, but they are so stinkin’ cute!
Twin pregnancy can be harder than the others (and you’ve got that added complication), but there are some twin mamas that do just fine with no other complications too. I’m glad you’re able to take care of yourself and gaining weight again!
I think part of it is I’m older this time around. Pregnancy was a lot easier ten years ago.
Rachel!! Thrilled to read this! Congratulations on your twin girls & it’s great to hear that IV therapy is working so well! Happy Valentine’s Day to you!! 😀
Thanks! Yea, as much as the IV is driving me crazy it’s definitely doing the trick.
Congratulations!
Congratulations! I also have twin girls 🙂
Congrads to you! Just take one day at a time. I believe God will provide since he gave you the blessings of more babies! Hugs to you!
Thanks! I’m really trying not to think too far ahead. I start to panic when I do. There’s just so much up in the air right now.
How exciting! Congrats and I am so thrilled to read you are doing well.
Congrats! I have 3 girls and wouldn’t trade them for the world.