Weight Gain with Twins

[BeachChick]

I am 19w3d pregnant with twins and I have gained 21 lbs already. I'm extremely concerned, but nobody else seems to be. They keep saying, "Well, you are carrying two babies."

I am 5'4" tall and weighed 126 lbs when I became pregnant. I was wearing size 2 Express Jeans at the time. By 8 weeks, I couldn't button any of my pants. During my first trimester, I had gained about 10 pounds during the first 10 weeks. I had read that a twin pregnancy could result in up to a 10 lb weight gain during the first trimester. I was concerned that I had put on my 10 lbs already and still had 3 weeks to go...but then I leveled off and didn't gain anymore for a few weeks. Then I suddenly gained another 5 pounds within about 10 days, then leveled off for a week or two...then another big gain.

I spoke with my doctor about it last week and he asked me about "dietary indiscretions". I asked him to clarify and he asked me if I was indulging in a bit too much Haagen Daz!! I said I wasn't. I am eating more than usual, but I don't think I'm eating too much, considering that I am carrying two babies.

In the morning, I have a normal sized bowl of cereal (something healthy) with skim milk, small glass of orange juice (4oz.) and a piece of fruit. Around 9:00am or 10:00am I have a snack (usually fruit or yogurt). Some days, I may have a few cookies...A FEW, not 20! Then I eat a normal lunch (sandwich, tossed salad with chicken or something similar). Then I have another snack around 3:00PM (again, fruit or yogurt, or similar). Then I eat dinner - something balanced: some type of meat, sometimes a starch (pasta, potatoes) and a veggie or a salad. I rarely eat dessert. I'm usually too tired!! Yes, I eat pizza some nights, but I eat 2 pieces and a tossed salad rather than the 3 pieces with no salad that I had pre-pregnancy. And sometimes I have a Dunkin Donuts bagel or muffin in the morning in place of my "healthy breakfast", but only once or twice per week. What I'm saying is that if I eat something "unbalanced", I try to make up for it during surrounding meals.

I saw a few people this weekend who hadn't seen me in a while. They all said the same thing: "Wow! Your weight gain is all baby. Your legs, arms, face, butt, etc. all look the same. You aren't gaining anywhere except your belly."

Any thoughts? I understand I will gain more than one would with a singleton pregnancy, and that is fine, but I don't want to give birth and be 25 lbs overweight!! Should I cut back on what I am eating?

I am not getting much exercise because even walking short distances makes my heart pound, but I do try to move around when I feel up to it. I have a desk job, but I try to get up and walk around every 30 minutes or so. I also try to do a little bit of cleaning at home every night for 15 to 30 minutes.

During my first prenatal visit, I had to see a midwife. I asked about diet and she told me to get a good pregnancy nutrition book. I got one and, according to that, I'm starving my babies!! If I ate what the books said I should eat, I'd probably gain 100 lbs. When I asked my doctor about that, he said to definitely not follow what the books say or I would gain 100 lbs. For instance, the books say I should have 6 dairy servings per day (for twins). The doctor said that is too many calories and told me to take 2 Tums per day instead. So now I have milk in the morning and one or two dairy products during the day and I take 2 Tums at night. (Yuck! They are so chalky!)

I'm already getting "uncomfortable" standing, sitting, driving, etc. I'm concerned about how I'll feel a month or so from now.

This might be too much information, but my breasts are HUGE. I went from a pre-pregnancy 36C to a 40E so I think that might account for about 2 or 3 lbs!!

Any thoughts or experiences you can share would be truly appreciated. Thanks.

[bebe]

Hello Beach Chick:

I was 5 4 1/2 in and 128 when I got pregnant with my twins. My OB wanted me to gain between 35 and 50 lbs over all and 24 lbs by 24 weeks. Based on my OB's recommendation you are right on track. I gain 22lbs at 24 weeks and 35 lbs over all (I delivered at 33.5 weeks).

I know what you mean about eating all the food they say you should eat. I felt the sameway. Sounds to me like you are eating fine. Indulge a bit and give into your cravings. Mine were icecream and Wendy's burgers smothered with everything.

Don't worry about the weight it will come of after you give birth. I lost 22 lbs at delivery and 8 more less than 2 weeks after (I did not BF). The remaining 5 is still floating around on my belly and hips but I will admit to still loving Haagen Daz and not doing any exercise.

My boobs were a 34 C before I got prego and were a 38 DD while I was pregnant. I too felt uncomfortable most of my pregnancy. Some women are just luckier than others. Rest when you feel tired and drink, drink, drink, tons of water. Avoid lifting heavy things (more than 10 lbs) and stairs if possible. At about 24 weeks the heartburn got unbearable for me so my OB had me take 2 Zantac 75 a day and that was a life saver. Also I had to take Iron supplements and was very constipated so I took Colace to ease the constipation.

Enjoy,

bebe

[TrickiWoo]

I was a little overweight when I got pregnant (5'2" about 140) and I gained about 20lbs in the first 20 weeks and it's a good thing that I did. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks and have been on a restricted diet ever since. My babies are measuring a great size (4lbs 6oz and 4lbs 3oz at 31 weeks) but I've actually begun to lose weight. My doc said it's ok as long as the babies are growing, but it's a good thing I gained what I did at the beginning or I could be having issues now. I gained 26 lbs total which is now down to about 21
Don't worry so much about the weight gain, you sound like you're eating really well, and yes, you are carrying two babies. Like bebe said, 20 lbs could come off with delivery.

PS - try the Tums Quick Dissolve, MUCH better and not so chalky.

[hmontgomry]

I'm almost 21 weeks with twins and have gained over 20 lbs, too! (actually around 25-ugh) I was a little larger than you 5'4 and around 140 (about a size 8) and the ob says nothing to me, either. I admit to eating a little too much, though-I always seem to snack on something. I don't eat big portions of anything...I just have to eat every 2-3 hours for some reason. I really need to cut down on the ice cream, but I think you are fine if you are eating that well! I wish I was eating as well as you are

[hope2004]

I was A LOT overweight when I started my pregnancy. At the beginning of my pregnancy I didn't put on a lot of weight but that changed at the end. If you want my honest opinion: Don't worry about it!! I'm not sure if you've read Dr Luke's book but you are doing awesome and your babies will do great if you gain a big chunk of your weight before 24 weeks. My best advice to you is not to worry what anyone around you is telling you. Yes, you will have quite a bit of weight gain, which you actually want. When I asked my peri towards the end, if I had gained too much weight, he told me to go home and eat, eat, eat Towards the end you will also find that it will become much, much, much harder to eat actually, because those babies will start pressing on your stomach, or if you're unlucky you will have some bad heartburn. Don't worry about walking ...I was constantly seeing all those singelton preggo women walking. What a joke. I bled almost constantly until I was 13 weeks. Like I was going to be out there walking!!!! Besides, I was hurting too much...sometimes I thought I could look down "there" and a baby would look up at me j/k ..but the pressure sure felt like it.

It sounds like you're eating a really great diet - and keeping it down. Congrats on your pregnancy. Enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Petra

[scorpio chick]

Based on the twin books I've read, it sounds like you're doing good. I wish I could eat that much. I lost 9lbs the first trimester due to bad m/s. I have managed to gain those lost pounds back and another 21 or so but still feel nauseous/throw up at times and don't always eat the best. I am 31.5w pg with twins. According to the twin books I've read, they said that 35-45 lbs weight gain is avg/healthy for a twin pregnancy. And that it's better to gain more of the weight early in case they come early and also because it gets harder to eat as much when your stomach gets compressed by your expanding uterus.

Make sure you get enough iron, protein and fluids too. Protein helps them grow and being hydrated reduces chances of early contractions.

[Micki]

Hi BeachChick:
with my twins I gained 70 lbs!!! I am 5.8 and was 120 lbs and went to 190
I lost 50 lbs and 2.5 years later I am pregnant again (with one) and at 20 weeks, I have only gained 8 lbs, so I am watching what I eat. I have noticed a huge difference in weight gain between the twin pregnancy and this pregnancy. My doctor did not seem too concerned with my weight gain.
I carried my twins up to 40 weeks and they were over 8lbs each and very healthy. The reason I gained so much weight was because I was put on bed rest at 15 weeks, whihc explains all the weight gain.
Micki

[Kristip]

When I foudn out I was carrying twins, my OB told me that average weight gains for twins is anywhere from 35 to 65 lbs. But she added, that they have had people gain closer to 100 with multiples and they take it case by case. I was a bigger gal before getting pregnant and only have gained about 28 lbs so far at 33 weeks. They dont seem too concerned as long as the babies keep growing! ( which they are)
Just need to keep baking them!!

[Megs25]

My doctor said the same thing. He expected me to gain at least 60lbs like most of his twin ladies. I am 5'11 and I started off at 153lbs and gained 77lbs!! I was scared of gaining too much weight with my pregnancy as I was gaining an average of 1-2 pounds per week! I ate really healthy (mostly fruit, skim milk, veggies, salads, sandwiches and had the odd bad treats !

I lost 40 immediately and lost another 10 after 2 weeks. I am starting to try to lose the extra 27lbs now but it was all worth it! My twins were delivered at 37w and weighed 5.7 and 7.0. I kept thinking the whole time it is my babies that matter most and I can lose any extra weight later!

Meg

[BeachChick]

To all who replied to my post:

Thank you SO much for sharing your personal experiences with me. I appreciate it and you've all made me feel better.

I've been SWAMPED at work for the last few days...I have a huge deadline to meet on Friday so I don't have time to type much now. I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate your input and support.

I have my Level II u/s tomorrow so I'll check back in on Wednesday and let you know how it turns out.