To sum up my twin pregnancy, I’ll say this: I had a relatively complication-free twin pregnancy, and I would still choose to relive the days with newborn twins over living through another twin pregnancy any day of the week. During my first pregnancy, I struggled. A lot. In almost every way. In fact, I was really, really not sure that I would ever have more kids because I hated pregnancy so much, even though I loved and wanted my babies. Today, I’m sitting at 12 weeks and change and staring the second trimester in the face, so I thought I’d do a little comparison so far of my two pregnancies. You could poll a thousand women who’ve had twins and a singleton and I’m sure each would have a different take on comparing their pregnancies, but this is how it’s going down at the Blue house.
Nausea
Twin Pregnancy: I was sooooooo sick every single day. I started feeling queasy right after my BFP at 3 1/2 weeks. I was throwing up frequently by the beginning of the 5th week. I got a prescription for Zofran around week 7, and I had to take it every day just to make it through work. Even taking Zofran, I probably threw up at least once a day, but for the most part it did at least keep the food in my stomach. I still felt rolling waves of nausea all the time, though, and you could often find my desk trash sitting right by my chair just in case. I stopped throwing up as often around the end of the first trimester (but I still did lose my cookies off and on through out my pregnancy). It was in the first trimester that I discovered that coffee, which is one of my great loves in this world, would make me literally projectile vomit within a matter of minutes of even the tiniest drink.
Single Pregnancy: I didn’t have any major nausea until around 7 weeks. I have thrown up less than 5 times since then. The idea of coffee still makes my stomach roll, so I’m avoiding that.
Cravings & Aversions
Twin Pregnancy: I didn’t have many strong cravings my first pregnancy. Bean burritos and sugary goodness were the only things I particularly craved. I had general food aversions, but not anything that specifically stands out as an item that always sounded bad.
Single Pregnancy: This time around, I have very strong cravings and very strong food aversions. I generally am more into savory things than sweet, though I still don’t turn down a good dessert. There’s not one thing that I always crave, but whatever I’m currently craving is ALL that I want to eat. The other day, I wanted steamed dumplings so badly that I didn’t want anything else to eat. Only steamed dumplings would do. I’ve also had food aversions that are more specific this time. Things like pizza and breakfast burritos (at least with any kind of breakfast meat in them) sounds so disgusting that I can almost get sick typing about them.
Fatigue
Twin Pregnancy: I was super tired around my BFP, and I generally was tired throughout the first trimester. I definitely came home from work, ate dinner, watched some TV, and went to bed early.
Single Pregnancy: This time around, I’m so tired I sometimes wonder how I will physically keep going. I suspect it has nothing to do with twins/single pregnancy, and more to do with the fact that I’m chasing two 1-year olds, can’t take naps or go to bed early when I feel like it, buying our first house, moving to a new city, etc. We’ve got a lot going on. Whatever the cause is, without a doubt, serious I’m-so-tired-I-literally-start-crying fatigue is my most prevalent pregnancy symptom this time.
Medical Care
Twin Pregnancy: We found out we were having mono-di twins at 8 weeks, and everything changed. My pregnancy was suddenly high risk. After my ultrasound, the MFM immediately came in and started talking about the type of twins we had, the risk level, what the medical plan would be, etc. I learned that I would have u/s every two weeks for the remainder of pregnancy as the MFM monitored for any signs of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion syndrome. I would be seen by my OB more often, as well. Each appointment was filled with discussions of how the babies were doing, any signs of TTTS, monitoring the difference in their size, watching for signs of problems on my side, discussions about how this pregnancy would be treated differently, how delivery would be different, etc.
Single Pregnancy: Everything is easy, breezy so far with this pregnancy. I went to my u/s and our tech (who remembered us from my 14 ultrasounds last time) quickly assured us there was one baby and that the heart beat was great. The MFM I saw last time came in and congratulated us and asked about the boys. He told us everything looked good, and that there was no reason to think that this pregnancy would be anything but a normal, low-risk pregnancy. He wished us the best and said he didn’t expect to need to see us again. All my appointments are relaxed. I haven’t had a lot of questions other than about VBACs and asking how “normal” pregnancies generally go as far as when you’re seen, etc. It’s all been really low key so far.
Emotions
Twin Pregnancy: Related to the medical care, my twin pregnancy was very stressful and emotional in a not-so-good kind of way. From the time we found out there were two babies, I lived in fear of every ultrasound. I would relax a little for about a week after a good ultrasound and then would be extremely stressed out the next week waiting to see if that would be the day the sky fell. We had a lot of emotional mess to work through as well. How would we take care of two babies? What budget changes did we need to make to afford daycare for two? How would two cribs fit in our tiny nursery? Would our babies be missing out on something because they would never have our undivided attention? I feel terrible saying this because we very much wanted a baby, but I never was able to get really excited during my pregnancy because I was just so bloody scared that something would go wrong or that this would be more than we could handle.
Single Pregnancy: Even though this pregnancy was a bit unexpected, I’m far more bonded to this baby than I was to the boys at this stage. I’m really excited dreaming about whether it will be a boy or a girl, what life will be like with this new little person, what it will look like, etc. I do worry a little bit about surviving with three kids under 2 (just for a couple months!), and sometimes I get a little nervous that something will be wrong and we’ll have to live through NICU again. Overall, I’m more relaxed and able to “enjoy” this pregnancy and anticipate the arrival of our little bit, while hoping to finally experience a “normal” pregnancy.
So far my pregnancies have been very different, and I’m sure that will continue through out the next 6 months. How were your pregnancies different?
pea / 8 posts
So I had a singleton pregnancy first and a twin pregnancy second. I would say that I share a lot of your sentiments, but in a first pregnancy/second pregnancy fashion. For example, when I was pregnant with my daughter I was horribly sick, but the second time I was pregnant–with twins, I was much less sick. I guess it just goes to show that everyone is different.
blogger / apricot / 367 posts
Hope that the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly! Before I had kids, I always thought I wanted twins. Now I know how hard it is being pregnant so I always have a ton of respect for twin moms out there!
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
Mine were completely different! I wrote a post about it (http://www.hellobee.com/2014/06/23/my-different-pregnancies/) but my symptoms were so different this time around, I thought there was actually something wrong w/the baby because I wasn’t throwing up all the time.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
My pregnancies were only slightly different – just in the first trimester – I experience nausea the 2nd time around whereas I didn’t the first time. The rest of my pregnancies were similar!
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
It is so interesting how different your pregnancies have been, especially comparing twins to a singleton! Thanks for sharing this!
blogger / persimmon / 1231 posts
So interesting how different pregnancies can be! Mine have been really similar…it’s good in some ways and bad in others
blogger / nectarine / 2043 posts
I can’t fathom being pregnant with an active toddler (much less two!). My pregnancy was pretty easy but adding a toddler into the mix scares me. Power to you!
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
Mine were similar in symptoms but really differed in intensity. I think it’s much harder once you have someone else to chase. I was exhausted the first time around and in bed by 7 most nights, but this time I don’t have the luxury to nap/sleep when I want!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
I really hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly! I’m curious to see how subsequent pregnancies might be different from my first.
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
I cannot imagine chasing young twins while pregnant. You are a rock star, my dear.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
Love this post!
I’m only 18 weeks at this point, but so far this pregnancy has been IDENTICAL to Xander’s! Except that I’ve gained a lot more weight at this point than I had at the same point last time, but that’s because my eating habits were out of control prior to getting pregnant this time around!
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
People have told me that every pregnancy can be different… but it’s really fun to read how different they can be! Wow. Can’t wait to read more about the differences or similarities.
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
This is interesting. I’m sure every pregnancy is so different!
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
so interesting to read about these differences! so excited for you!!
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
Good luck mama!
nectarine / 2765 posts
Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to hear more updates on the differences with this singleton pregnancy as it progresses. After a completely miserable pregnancy with my twins, I’m pretty leery to do it again. I’m so curious to hear more of your experience.
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
Wow interesting. I dont know if Ill ever get blessed with a twin pregnancy so this is fascinating!
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
I had a very similar experience to yours. I was also very tired when I was pregnant with Lilly but I also think it’s because of running around after the other kids. My boys ran me ragged when I was pregnant. We also moved just before she was born….that was exhausting!
I agree about the bonding too. I was so afraid for my twins that it was hard to bond until we were past viability. I didn’t have those same issues with my second pregnancy.
blogger / apricot / 335 posts
Wow I can’t imagine having two kiddies while pregnant!! At least you’ve been through something harder so maybe one will seem easier? (“Easier”) haha
blogger / kiwi / 675 posts
very very interesting! My pregnancies were somewhat similar but my second one was much harder on me physically, I was much sicker and felt my body had aged, boo. So interesting having twins the first time and then a single the second time, I wonder how the newborn days will feel since I imagine you guys have already been through the gauntlet with two at one time.