Our pregnancy books finally came in the mail. Most pregnancy books are for women having singletons and they contain very little information about carrying multiples. So I ordered a couple of books specifically for a twin pregnancy. Last night I cracked the first book and read every detail of the first 217 pages! This book is fabulous! It's called When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads. It's packed full of every tidbit of information you could possibly want while carrying twins. There are detailed nutrition guidelines for the pregnancy, and even surviving hyperemesis, and an index of recipes for these meals. The most helpful chapter is about the emotional ups and downs of a "multiples" pregnancy. It was very reasuring to read about anger and depression being a normal stage in a twin pregnancy. I'm still struggling with two main changes in my life: 1- I miss Ethan. Tears come to my eyes everytime I think about what life was like before sickness and bedrest. I miss our daily adventures and playtime. I know he's having a fun time bonding with the grandparents, but I just want to play with my son again. 2- The second loss I'm feeling is my job. Sadly, I had tell them I would not be coming back to work. I have no idea when I'll be mobile again or if there will be future complications and I didn't want to leave them waiting for me. I loved my job so much and I was not prepared to say goodbye to that part of my life. I know I'll always be active with the Humane Society, and it will always be a part of my life, but I miss it so much. I developed wonderful relationships with co-workers and amazing volunteers and I feel very lucky to have these people in my life. This pregnancy will have many more challenges than a singleton pregnancy and I have to remind myself not to compare it to my perfect pregnancy with Ethan.
On a lighter note, here are some other interesting facts:
-The average length of a twin pregnancy is 35.4 weeks, compared to 39.6 weeks for a singleton.
-70% of twins are born before the 37th week and 38 weeks is considered full-term for twins, becuase they develop faster than singletons.
-My 40-week due date is March 12, 2008, so we are expecting to see them anytime in February.
-50% of twins are born vaginally, and the odds are better if the mom has already delivered a baby vaginally (good odds for me!)
-I am 12 weeks along and starting the 2nd trimester, so the baby's heads are now the size of grapes
-My belly will measure 8 weeks ahead of a singleton pregnancy. So, right now (even though I'm still down a couple pounds) my belly looks like that of a woman 5 months pregnant. My legs, arms and butt look pretty skinny but my belly is growing!
- Most women pregnant with one baby will have 1 or 2 ultrasounds, and those pregnant with multiples can expect an ultrasounds with almost every appointment (~15 ultrasounds). Fun!
Today is September 1st already! Ethan has been at the cabin with the Waltons this week and Nick and I will attempt the 2 hour drive this afternoon. Riding in the car has not been easy, but we'll leave just after I take my Benadryl and hope for the best. It would be wonderful to get out of this house and see the cabin. I haven't been up there since the 4th of July weekend, which is crazy becuase we usually go up there every other weekend in the summer. Wish us luck. :)
