We’ve been a bit pre-occupied over here the past 25 weeks.

We’re expecting identical twin girls! Coming sometime in late December (and hopefully not any sooner). I’ve wanted to do a recap for awhile now (and actually had one almost all finished and then it never saved), so here we are! I’m giving as many details as I can remember, so buckle-up and dive-in if that’s what you’re interested in!

How we found out:

We had been trying fir awhile and honestly that period of ‘trying’ was exhausting and super isolating. For someone who is always used to ‘getting things’ when they put in the work, it’s hard to let Mother Nature ‘do her thing’. The month before I got the positive test, I actually just decided that maybe waiting a bit would be best - since we would be moving in the next few months and life would be a bit crazy. Well surprise on me! I didn’t really experience any symptoms that would indicate that it would be positive, but since I was a week late (normal for me to be late sometimes) and we would be going out to dinner (& I’d love a glass of wine!) I figured I would ‘be on the safe side’. I got one positive -shocked- and immediately had to take three more ‘just to be safe’. I’ve never seen anything come back so quickly! Turns out I was 5 weeks. The only ‘symptom’ that I can think I had was taking a two hour nap the weekend before and skipping my long run (just not feeling it). I wanted to tell Alex right away, but also wanted it to be special- so since it was a few days before his birthday, I decided to give him an early birthday card (I love giving cards!) and told him that way (that afternoon). I think we were still both shocked.

The first ultrasound & the waiting game

The wait between finding out we’re expecting & the 10-week ultrasound was long! I got a positive blood test shortly after the pregnancy tests and my HcG blood levels were quite high (so high that my doctor predicted that I was actually 3 weeks ahead of where I definitely was). I thought that was weird, but otherwise didn’t think anything of it. I felt ok otherwise during that ‘waiting period’ before the first ultrasound, but definitely really didn’t want anything besides cheese/ pasta/ bread/ butter. I also felt pretty exhausted, but otherwise was good. I continued to run & strength train, but kept it easier than I did beforehand (especially considering I was originally training for a 100 miler). I was super nervous going into the ultrasound (what if all the tests were actually just false-positives?!).

I remember the ultrasound tech finding one fetus and I immediately felt relieved. Alex then asked ‘ is that a second one?’ and my first instinct was to tell him to ‘shut up’ (albeit I didn’t actually say that), but then the ultrasound tech said that it actually was a second fetus! We were both laughing/crying with utter disbelief. The tech also asked if I had any previous ultrasounds showing any cysts (I hadn’t), so we immediately knew something was wrong. Waiting between the ultrasound and the doctors appointment (20ish minutes) was rough. I was able to see the ultrasound results before seeing our doctor and noticed that they measured a 12cm ovarian cyst and recommended following up with gynecology oncology. The wait for our midwife (first time meeting her) was so long. To shorten things up- we were then transferred from the midwife team to an OBGYN team to then the High-Risk pregnancy team all within a span of 30 minutes (also within an hour of finding out we’re having identical twins). The doctor recommended an MRI at 13 weeks (safe after the first trimester), to avoid lunges/heavy-lifting/only easy run/walks, and that he also did not believe it was cancerous in nature (thankfully).

I continued run/walking, minimal strength training (so not to burst the cyst), and counting down until the MRI. The nausea was all the time and fatigue was also a lot. Since identical twins have no genetic factors (1/250 pregnancies have identical twins), we really weren’t expecting it and even until after the MRI results came back (still had the cyst, but surgery would be too risky because of all the increased blood flow/two babies) we weren’t expecting to have a viable pregnancy. It wasn’t until almost 15 weeks that I finally felt like I could purchase two outfits (we knew by then that they were identical girls!) and that planning a registry would be OK. It really was an absolute whirlwind of emotions (and will still need to have the cyst removed a few months after I give birth) and also received the diagnosis of endometriosis (which is something I’ve probably had since High School).

The Second Trimester

We moved into our home shortly after 10 weeks and it was super challenging to not do any heavy-lifting with the move . But after getting the ‘green light’ to resume more lunging/strength training from our high-risk doctor, I started to feel more comfortable and confident in my pregnancy. We worked on our registry, painted the nursery, and started putting together the cribs. I have finally felt like I had more energy and we have continued to ‘settle in’ to our new home.

I’ve thankfully still continued strength training, run/walking, and swimming . I’ve done 3 in-person 5ks, two virtual 10ks, and a few virtual 5ks/ one sprint triathlon. Some days I miss racing hard and having big goals, but I know that I’ll get back there.

I think think the hardest adjustment has been to go from wanting so badly to have one healthy baby with our midwife team to having a high-risk identical twin pregnancy with an autoimmune diagnosis . There has absolutely been a ‘mourning period’ where I’ve had to come to terms with having two babies and the higher health risks that’s involved in the pregnancy and beyond (they will most-likely need a stay in the NICU) and will be delivered by 37 weeks (Christmas Eve). It’s not to say that I’m not incredibly grateful for the gift of two babies (the more, the merrier!)- it has (& I’m sure- will continue to be) an adjustment.

Things I’m:

• Most surprised by: how quickly my belly has ‘popped’, that running still feels good, that I’m still able to sneak in veggies at almost every meal, that people love to give you opinions on your pregnancy, how many people assume twins are only due to genetics, how expensive baby-related items are and how much of it we need (two of everything?!?), and how much I really haven’t hated pregnancy despite the complications.
  Mostly craving: Ice cream, salt & vinegar chips, cherry tomatoes, anything fried

• Loving: putting together the nursery, brainstorming baby names, feeling their kicks, picking out the cutest clothes, dreaming of things to do with our little sidekicks 🥰

• Things I could do without: every two week ultrasounds, the constant need to pee, everyone’s ‘opinions’ (albeit they always come from a good place), the constant numbness of my upper ribs whenever I lie down to sleep at night, having to buy maternity clothes (they’re expensive! They’re only going to last a few months!)

I think that’s all I have for my recap of the past 25 weeks for now, but hope to do more either weekly or biweekly recaps. If you’re pregnant/ have been- I’d love to know YOUR experience and also- must have baby items! The girls could be here in as little as 4 weeks (but hopefully not for at least 11! ) and we only have a few more ‘must-haves’ left on our registry. I don’t want to have a bunch of extra stuff!