I'm nine weeks pregnant today! This is only my third weekly pregnancy update and I already don't know what to say, so I'm going to try out a new format. Tell me if you like it or hate it.
How far along: Nine weeks. Slowly and surely creeping toward the second trimester. I only have one more week left of post-FET (frozen embryo transfer) estrogen and two more of progesterone! Woo hoo! Leaving those medications behind feels like another step away from the world of infertility and it feels so good to be getting closer to those milestones!
Weight gain: My pre-pregnancy, pre-FET weight was 138 (and I'm 5'8"). I didn't weight myself during the cycle because I always gain weight on the medications and I was grouchy about it but trying to hope it would be worth it. AND IT WAS! So I'm guessing my pre-transfer weight was somewhere between 140-142. According to my bathroom scale, today I'm almost 145 lbs.
I've been doing a lot of reading about weight gain for twin pregnancies and apparently it is a pretty big deal. To quote one of my twin pregnancy books: "No one should ever tell a pregnant mother of multiples not to gain weight!" Well then.
I'm supposed to gain between 40-56 pounds (woah) and most of that should be in the first 1/2 - 2/3 of the pregnancy (double woah). That's a goal weight of about 180-196 pounds or about 1-1.5 lbs per week. So if you take my pre-pregnancy weight of 138, I've gained almost 7 pounds and I'm now 9 weeks along.... and those first two weeks (pre-ovulation) you're not even technically pregnant so I think I'm right on track! 7 pounds in 7 weeks.
How are you feeling: Same as last week: nauseated and tired! Plus I am now getting up 3-4 times each night to pee which adds to my fatigue. I guess my body is already preparing me to get up for late night nursing sessions! Despite being nauseated all the time, I'm hungry all the time. I joked on my Facebook page that so far pregnancy feels like how I'd imagine having a parasite feels, only with way more happiness! My doctor told me to eat frequent small meals. Weeeeeellll... I'm doing frequent large meals. My nausea is most manageable when my belly is full. On the bright side, this will help with my weight gain, right??
Also I'm always thirsty. That's probably why I'm always peeing.
Noteworthy moments: John and I scored a mint condition second hand glider off craigslist last week! It's sitting in the room that will become the nursery and our cat has enjoyed its comforts very much this week.
We were deeply moved by the adoption team at our church who bought IKEA crib I wanted (matching Arie's old one) and surprised us with it as a gift on Sunday! We felt so loved! With the glider, the cribs, and the dresser we bought last week we now have everything we need for the nursery! Once I feel better we'll get to painting and setting up. I can't wait!
Get a little spiritual: During our struggle with infertility I felt incredibly needy and vulnerable before God. Subconsciously I think I expected those feelings to fade once I found myself pregnant, but (of course) they haven't subsided at all. Now I feel vulnerable as I carry these babies inside. It's really hit me these past few weeks how the total dependency I feel on my Father is not a temporary problem to get through, but the actual true reality of my state of being. My infertility didn't make me dependent on God; it just made me realize how dependent I've always been and always will be. I've switched from seeing my vulnerability before him as a weakness and started seeing it as a strength. When I feel small and scared I thank Him for being my strength, no matter how weak I am!
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
Bump shot: Not yet! Although I am now uncomfortable in my jeans, so *something* is happening in there. I bet I'll be showing soon!
xo
How far along: Nine weeks. Slowly and surely creeping toward the second trimester. I only have one more week left of post-FET (frozen embryo transfer) estrogen and two more of progesterone! Woo hoo! Leaving those medications behind feels like another step away from the world of infertility and it feels so good to be getting closer to those milestones!
Weight gain: My pre-pregnancy, pre-FET weight was 138 (and I'm 5'8"). I didn't weight myself during the cycle because I always gain weight on the medications and I was grouchy about it but trying to hope it would be worth it. AND IT WAS! So I'm guessing my pre-transfer weight was somewhere between 140-142. According to my bathroom scale, today I'm almost 145 lbs.
I've been doing a lot of reading about weight gain for twin pregnancies and apparently it is a pretty big deal. To quote one of my twin pregnancy books: "No one should ever tell a pregnant mother of multiples not to gain weight!" Well then.
I'm supposed to gain between 40-56 pounds (woah) and most of that should be in the first 1/2 - 2/3 of the pregnancy (double woah). That's a goal weight of about 180-196 pounds or about 1-1.5 lbs per week. So if you take my pre-pregnancy weight of 138, I've gained almost 7 pounds and I'm now 9 weeks along.... and those first two weeks (pre-ovulation) you're not even technically pregnant so I think I'm right on track! 7 pounds in 7 weeks.
How are you feeling: Same as last week: nauseated and tired! Plus I am now getting up 3-4 times each night to pee which adds to my fatigue. I guess my body is already preparing me to get up for late night nursing sessions! Despite being nauseated all the time, I'm hungry all the time. I joked on my Facebook page that so far pregnancy feels like how I'd imagine having a parasite feels, only with way more happiness! My doctor told me to eat frequent small meals. Weeeeeellll... I'm doing frequent large meals. My nausea is most manageable when my belly is full. On the bright side, this will help with my weight gain, right??
Also I'm always thirsty. That's probably why I'm always peeing.
Noteworthy moments: John and I scored a mint condition second hand glider off craigslist last week! It's sitting in the room that will become the nursery and our cat has enjoyed its comforts very much this week.
 |
| "Thank you for my new cat chair." |
Get a little spiritual: During our struggle with infertility I felt incredibly needy and vulnerable before God. Subconsciously I think I expected those feelings to fade once I found myself pregnant, but (of course) they haven't subsided at all. Now I feel vulnerable as I carry these babies inside. It's really hit me these past few weeks how the total dependency I feel on my Father is not a temporary problem to get through, but the actual true reality of my state of being. My infertility didn't make me dependent on God; it just made me realize how dependent I've always been and always will be. I've switched from seeing my vulnerability before him as a weakness and started seeing it as a strength. When I feel small and scared I thank Him for being my strength, no matter how weak I am!
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
Bump shot: Not yet! Although I am now uncomfortable in my jeans, so *something* is happening in there. I bet I'll be showing soon!
xo
I have twin 13 month olds and I am SO excited for you. I look forward to reading your journey. I have had your name in my prayer journals for years. ❤️❤️ And yes, gain gain gain! It's the fun part of twin pregnancy! 😃
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful for your prayers! Love that I'm joining you as a twin mom!
DeleteI gained 50 pounds in 2 out of my 3 pregnancies and the one time I didn't it was because babe was 3 weeks early. I just didn't have the time to get there. Lol. And I only had singletons. Don't worry about weight gain. Eat healthy and eat when you're hungry. You will be fine.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what my mom said! Wise words. Thanks Kelsey!
DeleteYour spiritual point- yessssss. I remember sometimes waking up in the middle night just crying out to Him to protect and take care of my baby. And as a mama(which you obviously already know about!) that prayer never changes once they're on the outside. How desperately we need Him!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah girl. You gain that weight. Don't even stress about it!
We have been kindred spirits in so much of this journey! Thankful for your encouragements Courtney!
DeleteEk! Love it all! I used the BeMaternity BeBand (Target, $17?) before I felt comfortable transitioning to maternity clothing. I was terrified to shop at maternity specific stores for some reason, so just purchased a size up in clothes that stretched or grabbed a few maternity pieces at Target or the Old Navy in Grandville.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am giving unsolicited advice : I wish someone had told me how painful breastfeeding was so: warning! (a baby gnawing on an already sensitive area for hours a day- of course it is likely to hurt!) and getting a good double breastpump will be worth every dollar (and as awkward as it is, I would google and youtube the poo out of how to do it before the babes come!) That all said- every mama i know who struggles with breastfeeding feels terrible, so if it is a problem for you : know that there are others of us who still think you rock just for trying and will cry with you :)
Thanks for sharing your advice Kara! A breast pump is DEFINITELY on my list. I think maybe our insurance even covers the cost of one. Anyway, if I can get John to help with even one feeding (say... the 3am feeding!?) I will do that! I expect nursing two babies will be quite an overwhelming task but I will give it my best!
DeleteI have LOVED following your whole journey. Prayers work and I am so grateful for them in my own life. It is so refreshing to see you share the spiritual side of your journey as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI like this format! I like all updates, so that's not a surprise, but I know this format would be helpful for me writing weekly updates on something, especially when week 3 doesn't feel very different from week 2. And if they are broken up like this, it will be easier for you to compare how you're feeling now and at week 24. Easily seeing changes because they are written down is helpful for me because I tend to fall into the depths of despair because I don't notice gradual change or I just forget it. I'm not pregnant (or trying to be), so perhaps this is more relevant to my situation--working toward living well despite trauma that God allowed--so take it or leave it. :)
ReplyDeleteYes it's very helpful. Thank you for your comment! I can relate to what you said about how writing things down helps us to see the progress we've experienced!
DeleteSo happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHave you discovered the hair-elastic-on-your-pants trick, yet? It's great for the first few months, especially with long shirts or a belly band.
ReplyDeleteAlso, congrats!! I am so happy and excited for you as you grow these babies and anticipate meeting them and counting all 20 of their toes!
Hey there's a good idea! I've been leaning toward sweatpants... thanks for the tip!
DeleteWhen I was pregnant with my son, I was so focused on my weight. I foolishly had a "goal" to gain no more than 30 lbs... But soon realized that I ultimately didn't have much control over it. I ended up gaining 41 lbs and eventually lost it all, so it didn't matter. I say eat what makes you feel best during this exciting time!
ReplyDeleteI like that advice! Thanks!
DeleteIf you have said something about it in a previous post, I apologize.
ReplyDeleteBut you haven't said if you have contact with the biological parent(s) of the twins and what your plans are in regard to contact with them.
Perfectly fine if you don't want to share, I was just curious if there were any plans and how this will be for Arie who doesn't have an contact with his biological parent(s).
Congratulations to you! I hope you have an easy pregnancy.
Yes good question; this is a big issue in embryo adoption! These embryos were donated to us anonymously (well, with medical information but not donor names). So these babies will have a similar relationship to their genetic parents as Arie does to his biological mom. Thanks for your good wishes!
DeleteThanks for answering my question! I have been following your blog for years. Arie is so handsome and getting so big! I think it's wonderful he will be a big brother.
Delete