Hi girls,

I'm new to this forum. I am 15 weeks pregnant with fraternal twins. This is my first pregnancy and I am quite nervous.

I would like to know from others, when did you start to show. I have as small bump (i'm usually a size 10)People don't believe I'm carrying twins or even that I am pregnant. Last visit to my doctor at 14 weeks, he said I was measuring 18 weeks. I looked flat as a pancake in my opnion.

Also, at my last visit after using the doppler he located one heart beat and said it was almost impossible to pick up two at the same time. This has worried me, although he didn't seemed concerned at all. My 12 week scan before this visit showed all good signs, so I should probably just relax.

My other question is, is it safe to exercise? I went to the gym, or rather was dragged to the gym by DH and joined him in a pilates class. I couldn't do much as a lot was flat on your back which I am told is not suitable in pregnancy. Not to mention a lot of the work involved abdominal exercises. So what can I do? Is yogo safe at a regular gym?

Thank you for your time in reading my concerns.

Lotta xoxo

Hi and welcome

I too am 15 weeks pregnant with twins. I have a small bump starting to appear but at some times of the day it appears bigger! Weird. It is still a bit small for others to be able to tell, but I have always had a tummy!

My doctor also said it is hard to get 2 heartbeats with the doppler thing so I also only got to hear one. He reassured me though that by the feel of it they seemed to be growing well. Apparently this is normal.

According to my pregnancy books they don't advise you start up any new strenuous exercise whilst pregnant but continue on your normal routine unless of course that is sit ups. I know people who wore those heartrate monitor thingies to check their rate. I am pretty sure there is Pregnancy Yoga and if you live in a major centre they may have special classes somewhere. Can't help on that sorry! One book I read recommends walking, swimming etc.

Good luck with the pregnancy. I too keep getting stressed that something is wrong. I have 4 more weeks till the next U/S and it feels so long away to check my precious babies are OK.

Make sure you hang around as this site is great. Very supportive.

Cat & Nath
Finally BFP on ICSI attempt#1.
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Hi Lotta - congratulations on your twins - you will get fantastic support here from all the wonderful multiples mums. I would be living in an asylum already by now if it weren't for the great advice I've received here.

I started to show at about 16 weeks - but if you didn't know me and know that I was pregnant you'd probly think I was just tubby. And then - in the past 2 weeks I have exploded! (I'm 20 1/2 wks) The babies have assumed that their mum really likes having them living under my ribs!! I was never small to start with (size 14 - 16) so this probably hasn't helped my situation.

My Ob has never listened to my babies' heart beats - she always just uses the u/s to visually see their heart beats. I have heard tho that yes, it is very difficult to pick up the two heart beats at one time so please try not to worry - I really think that is quite normal from my understanding.

Yes, it is safe to excercise but, as always during pregnancy, exercise will need to be modified. They usually say that you "shouldn't" lay on your back after about 24 weeks I think it is - but that's for a singelton pregnancy so is likely to be sooner for twins. I have had really severe m/s and haven't been able to lay flat on my back - have to be at least semi-propped up since 5 weeks. If you can find a pregnancy specific class, pilates, yoga or acquarobics (my personal fav - the warm water and weightlessness is pure bliss as I have very achy ribs) that would be ideal.

I hope some of that info helps. I'm sure there are others here who can provide even great advice.

Take care of yourself and perhaps come and play in the Expecting Multiples thread to get to know some others of us who are expecting multiples.

Have fun
Butters and the kids x x x

[center][color=purple]ME 31 ~ DH 35
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Thank you Catnat for your reply. You have calmed my nerves. I also have 4 weeks until my 19 week scan. It feels so far away, I'm tempted at times to just book an appointment with my ob to see if I can have another peek.

My tummy changes size daily depending on how much I eat...which is a lot now. I think I am putting weight on every where else.

Another question I had, when do you start to feel the babies movement. I occassionally have felt like butterflies, although this could just be normal digestion.

Lotta xoxo

Thank you Butterscotch. Great advise! I really am the queen of worry. it's my personal goal to try to remain 'positive', a very hard thing for me to do. DH doesn't want to hear another concern from me as I think I am driving him mad with my worrying all the time.

Looking forward to offering support to others on this site.

Lotta xoxo

Lotta - it's perfectly normal to worry (and moan moan moan in my case!! LOL). Especially with your first AND twins on top of that - with no idea of what to expect. I had such severe morning sickness and pains from softening of ligaments that I had absolutely no doubts that my babies were doing perfectly fine. It was the only comfort I got/get whilst feeling like complete and utter crap and throwing up 24/7!

As for movements, they really do vary - I think they say that "normally" you should expect to feel something by about 23ish weeks. I started feeling squirmy feelings at about 16 weeks. Just occasionally and it took myself a good week to convince myself it was the babies moving and not just my digestive system IYKWIM
Now I feel them quite frequently. They seem to play around near my gullet most of the time which I am not really enjoying as it doesn't take much for me to feel queasy and being nudged constantly is not fun!

[center][color=purple]ME 31 ~ DH 35
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Butterscotch, I too suffered from horrible morning sickness, fatigue, aches and pains...you name it I had it and somewhat still do, although not as bad as the first 3 months.

Now I am suffering from head aches, toilet trips all the time, major hunger all the time! and lucky last constipation. So I guess all is progressing as it should. Oh..and my boobs are growing. I'm most happy about that, finally breast to flaunt.

I freak out about having twins and how on earth are they going to fit and grow in my body? What will happen to my poor organs? Who cares right, so long as bubs are okay!

I'm sure I will be calling on you and others for more advise as time ticks by. Thank you so much for the support, I hope I can offer you support along the way too.

[color=Teal]I didn't start to show until around the 16 week mark (and even then only I knew there was a small bump!). I didn't wear any larger sized clothes until after 18 weeks, and then after about 20 weeks I really started to pop!!

My ob never used a dopler (always did an ultrasound), so I can't help you there.

I have done dancing since I was 7 so I kept that up while I was pregnant (until I was around 6.5 months, and then I started to lose my balance in the middle of routines!), but doctors do advise not to take up new forms of exercise when you're pregnant. Walking is good, and most hospitals offer some form of pregnancy pilates or yoga, which I've heard is fabulous.

Take care, Vanessa

Hi, Welcome and Congratulations!!!
I wore my normal clothes up until I really popped out about 19-20 weeks and pretty much just needed to wear the maternity tops and I stayed in the same bottoms the whole pregnancy.

I am not too sure what other hospitals do but some have CTG and dopplers that have 2 attachements to listen to heartbeats - obviously for multiples, but I am not too sure that a GP or Dr would just have them available in their rooms. I did shared care with an ob and the midwives at our only hospital and each visit I had the CTG and u/s....I am sure that all is well, famous last words try not to stress **LOL**

Exercise - walking, water aerobics and light gym work was all I did. My instructor advised no weights lifting above head height, no laying completely flat on your back and nothing to strenuious that would raise BP too high. You will find that you will lean more towards the lighter and more relaxing exercises once your get further like Vanessa said for sense of balance and also physical ability.
I also had been told not to do any abdominal exercises either so as the muscels that support the front of your belly are able to stretch with you and your not firming them up. This is just what I was told...but check with your gym, or even better double check with your ob.

Sounds like you are going really well! besides the m/s....Join the ladies & gent in Expecting multiples further down the page here.

Once again welcome and congratulations...

Haylie & Phil,Ebony(15),Hayden Phillip & Brooklen Lily 21st March 05

[center]Wake up yummy Brother!![center]

hi and welcome

I didnt start to show with my multiple pregnancy until 16 - 17 wks at which time I left work..
morning sickness was wonderful because I knew that the pregnancy was going according to plan

i was VERY clueless about it all and I think thats what helped me ( didnt stress too much )

i had ultrasounds all the time so I was reassured constantly, but i would leave the doctors and want another ultrasound that evening or the next day.. lol

my worry was because there were soo many in there I couldnt really tell that they were ALL ok.
thats what i mean about the sickness.. if i kept being sick I thought that was wonderful and smiled heaps ( im weired i know )

and as for exercise..... dont know the meaning of the word so someone else can help you there
( although i worked at a sports centre and yoga was not recommended for pregnancy although I have heard of yoga FOR pregnancy ..different obviously )

good luck with it all

kylie
ds Dylan 02.12.01
ds Blake 02.12.01
ds Corey 02.12.01
ds Kade 05.11.03

Hi Lotta, congrats on your twin pregnancy!
I have to join in this discussion too, lol! We had our first proper OB checkup today and I asked many of the same questions that you have.
I am yet another 15-weeker (fraternal twins) and it's our first pregnancy too (pretty scary stuff!). Just this week my tummy got really big, I'm normally a sz10 but now wear all maternity gear. OB said I'm way bigger than a 'normal' 15wks, so I have no idea what the deal with size is I wouldn't stress about it - you'll get huge in no time, lol.
Our OB tried using a heart doppler and complained that they couldn't find both heartbeats with it.... I don't believe this is true. We have a doppler at home, and can definately distinguish between the two heartbeats quite easily. Again, don't worry! If your 12wk scan was ok then everything should be perfect
I *also* asked about exercise, as my MS has magically gone (woohoo) and I feel like I need to get back into some sort of activity now. She said that it was fine/good to resume your normal level of low-impact exercise, especially walking - but don't attempt to take up aerobics or strenuous things that you're not used to. If you join a class, make sure it's run by someone qualified in antenatal/maternity fitness. Just don't go overboard, drink heaps of water, and eat all day!! Don't worry about putting on too much weight!
I sympathise totally with the headaches, constipation and loo trips. Not a lot of fun, but hopefully 'temporary'
Don't be afraid to phone the midwives at your hospital if you have any questions - no such thing as a stupid question. I've done it a couple of times and found it really reassuring, they've heard every possible question under the sun so don't think you're being silly! Also, inquire about multiple birth specific antenatal classes at your hospital - good to book in early.
Good luck and make sure you join this discussion too http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/CFForum/vi...63&Topic=184757






Me 33, DH 37

I too am 15wks but i've had 5 children already and have got a belly. Not all women get a belly right away and being your first well more of a reason you don't have a big belly yet. By the time you get to the end of you pregnancy you will be nice and big so enjoy not being big yet As for the doppler well i rang a midwife to ask when i would be able to hear both of my babies and she replied it can be up to 20 wks as they like to hide behind each other, but it's more to do with what position the babies are in whether or not you can hear both. I still haven't heard both my babies heartbeats and so looking forward to hearing them both..... As for exercise it is safe but you should talk to the instructor and let them know you are preg with twins and they will watch you and tell what to do and not....

Hope your pregnancy goes well

MEL


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Hi Lotta!

You sound so much like me. This twin pregnancy is also my first, and I have been a bit of a worrier too ;-) At first I was very sick, but just like Kylie I was reassured that this meant the babies very going well! I am normally size 10 also, and so would have thought that I would start showing pretty early- but no, I knew people at the same gestation with one baby who were way bigger than me for so long. Got so many comments about how small I was and it could not possibly be twins...I used to dislike lying on my back because there did not seem to be any bump at all when I did that LOL! I finally started showing at about 16 weeks (though others did not really notice until a bit later). From 20 weeks I just popped out really quickly- what a relief! It took until about 30 weeks before I overtook those people I knew who were having singletons though! Throughout all of this my ob and midwife measured and reassured me my babies were growing fine. I love going for my appointments! In fact at all of my scans the bubs have been measuring slightly larger than normal for that gestation which is great. The best time for me was when I found out their positions and was able to distinguish that there were two separate bubs moving (at about 28ish weeks). I was finally able to relax a bit- cause I can really relate to feeling of going for a scan and then wanting reassurance again that night or the next day! As the other girls have said, I am sure you will be fine and we look forward to hearing of your progress through this amazing time!!

:-) Lindy

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Thank you to all of you who have replied to my anxious qestions. You have put my mind at ease, although no doubt I will have something else to worry me as I progress along.

I have banned myself from the measuring tape, as I have been obsessed with measuring my belly daily or at least checking it in the mirror at any opportunity. It appears to fluctuate up and down depending on how much I have eaten throughout the day.

I wish I could feel some movement in there. Occasionally I think I may have felt a flutter, especially whilst laying down at night. But, I'm not convinced as it could possibly be, just digestion.

I have no patience and wish I was through the pregnancy and have the bubs in my arms now!

I have just recently had a few dizzy spells (mild) and what feels like heart pulpatations (weird). Nothing that over concerns me, just wondering if anyone else has experiences something similar?

Three weeks to go until my 19 week scan. I'll go mad before then!

Lotta xoxo

Hi Lotta

I had the 'racing heart' and increased breathing rate from time to time early on in my pregnancy. All very normal and due to increased blood volume, etc. Your body is doing a great job! Have you got that book "What to expect when your expecting"? It is not twin specific, but I find it invaluable for when I am a bit worried about these sorts of things.

:-) Lindy



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Hi Lindy, thanks for the reply. I did get that book, very helpful thank you.

Lotta

Hi Lotta,

Congrats! I'm having our first two too! I am 24 ish weeks now and not that huge either. I "popped" and looked preggers rather than just fat at about 21 or 22 weeks. I am normally a size 10 too, so it was quite frustrating to feel so big but not look prgnant!

I really recommend the "Twins" book - the Australian one. Cannot remember the authors, but others here know. DH and I both love it.

Re exercise - i have stopped the gym but still walk and go (OK, sometimes, to pregnancy Yoga).

Re movement - I felt them at 16 weeks and DH was first able to feel them at 21 weeks. Now they don't stop and you can see them both kicking!

Enjoy - I am loving it and everyone here is so helpful!

Cheers,



Kate
Me: 31
DH: 35
"Only Cat": 5
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