I'm on a mission!

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love educating myself through books. While Paul and I were dating, I read several "how to" books on dating with a purpose, physical boundaries, keeping God at the center, and finding your spouse. Once we were engaged, Paul and I read several books on marriage, including one of our favorites, "The Five Love Languages." I have always been fascinated with literature that falls into these categories: self-help/spiritual growth/psychology.

From the moment I was diagnosed with endometriosis, my scope of study took a new turn. I became engrossed in books that dealt with infertility. I wanted to be an active participant in my journey to get pregnant, instead of just a bystander. Some of them were bent from a medical perspective, others were personal memoirs and many were books on how to thrive spiritually in the midst of your storm. Along with countless books, articles, and blogs on infertility, I began reading magazines and books on pregnancy and parenting. Most people were surprised that I could read on such topics, but it kept me hopeful, and my eyes fixed on the dream of being a mommy one day.

As you have probably already guessed, I'm still reading, and the focus is primarily on our babies' growth, my pregnancy, twins, and parenting. Since we just recently found out we have been blessed with two babies, I don't have many books on twins, but my friend has graciously lent me her book, called "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy," by Dr. Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein. So far, this book has been incredibly helpful and I'm only 75 pages into it. The focus is on how to do everything in your power (which they say is a lot!) to take care of your body, so that your babies can be born closer to term with healthy birth weights. There are plenty of books out there on how to parent twins, but this book is wonderful because it deals with how to care for them before they are born.

I started reading this book on Saturday night and I am BLOWN away by what I have read regarding nutrition and weight gain in a twin pregnancy. You've all heard people say "you can eat whatever you want, after all, you are eating for two!" I was surprised to read early on in my pregnancy that you are only supposed to eat an additional 300 calories for a single baby. So, double that for two babies, right? Well, according to this book (and I'm sure my RE would agree), pre-pregnancy you should take in about 2,200 kcal/day, singleton pregnancy 2,500 kcal/day and twin pregnancy 3,500 kcal/day...wow. That's like 3 boxes of Kraft mac-n-cheese per day!! There are also 3 weight gain goals that she recommends you strive to meet by 20 weeks, 28 weeks, and then a total weight gain by delivery (average is 36 weeks).

By 20 weeks: 25 lbs.

By 28 weeks: 38 lbs.

Total weight: 40-56 lbs.

Here is what the author, Dr. Luke says regarding this:

"Your weight gain up to 28 weeks has the GREATEST influence on the babies' rate of growth. Recent research on twin pregnancies has shown that the amount you gain BEFORE 28 weeks' gestation significantly influences your babies' growth rates both before and after 28 weeks--and all the way up to their delivery date. Therefore, your pattern of weight gain may actually be more important than your total weight gain."

Because twins growth weight starts slowing down sooner (around 34 weeks) it is essential to gain weight early on in the pregnancy to try and plump them up! On average, twins are born at 36 weeks, but it could be sooner or later.

There are many benefits to following the guidelines in this book, here are some of them:

*moms have less trouble with high blood pressure and preeclampsia

*lower incidence of preterm rupture of the membranes

*twins are generally born 20% heavier than the average twins

*60% of moms of twins deliver at 36 weeks or later, compared to only about 40% of twin moms nationwide

*babies are healthier at birth, regardless of when they are born, because they have grown well from the start of the pregnancy

My biggest challenge to following these guidelines, is simple, really...I'm nauseous almost constantly so every kind of food sounds gross, even ice cream :( How do you eat 3, 500 calories per day when eating makes you want to gag/throw up?? I have been given countless suggestions from everyone, including, my doctor, nurses, friends, family, and strangers--thank you all for your nuggets of wisdom and trying to help!! I've tried many of the tricks, but it always comes back. I receive temporary relief to force food in, but it doesn't last long. I realize that SOME relief is far better than NO relief at all, so I am grateful :) I also know that most women feel better by the 2nd trimester and can make up the weight then, however, that's not the ideal way to go. It's not about overall weight gain, but rather the pattern of weight gain.

I have a new plan, "a mission", if you will, and so far, it's going pretty well. I have decided to stop playing the conservative card with my prescription of Zofran (anti-nausea med) and to just take it every 8 hours, no matter what. Previously, I was waiting until I couldn't stand the nausea anymore and then I would give in a pop the little dissolvable tablet just minutes before I sensed I would be having a chat with the porcelain god. I'm not messing around anymore. I need these babies to thrive and be healthy.

The second part of my mission involves me eating every 2 hours from the time I wake up. The book recommends 3 meals with 3 substantial snacks. I found it interesting that the author's definition of a "substantial snack" was what my meals were consisting of. She says, a substantial snack is not carrots and celery when you are carrying twins, but rather a tuna fish sandwich, a large muffin with a tall glass of milk, or a frozen mac-n-cheese entree, etc. Dude...

So, this morning, I woke up, took my Zofran, ate my Clif bar and drank my water in bed. Then, I headed downstairs and ate a yogurt on the couch. I set my alarm for 2 hours later, so I would not forget to eat lunch. Alarm goes off, I'm not really hungry, but the nausea is under control, so I'm able to eat a serving of cottage cheese, an egg salad sandwich (thanks to Paul!), and a glass of this nasty orange metamucil...ahem...yeah, the constipation is no joke. 2 hours later, that alarm goes off and I still feel full and slightly nauseous, but I manage to eat a string cheese, and a glass of V8 fusion juice. That last bit wasn't exactly a substantial snack, but something is better than nothing.

My goal is to gain 10 lbs. by 10 weeks, which is in just 2 weeks :) I am going to do everything in my power to accomplish these goals and I have an amazing husband and all powerful God to help me get there! I have to brag on my spouse because he is such an incredible servant. He has been making me meals and snacks every moment he is home. Everything from smoothies to nachos, to egg salad, to jello with strawberries, to mac-n-cheese at 9:30 last night. I'm so blessed to have such an awesome helper! He is going to be a remarkable father :)

I know that I can do all these things, and still have complications in my pregnancy, pre-term labor, and low birth weight babies. This plan is not a guarantee and the author doesn't claim that it is. But, it's worth giving it a try and doing what I can to try and give these babies the best chance to thrive while inside.

Will you join us in prayer for healthy, thriving, plump babies born as close to full term as possible? Please pray that I will be able to choose to eat, even when it's challenging.

Also, I'm still spotting. I'm thankful it's not getting heavier or accompanied with cramping, but would like prayer that it would be resolved soon. I'm still resting most of the day, partly due to the spotting and also because of the nausea.

We love you!

Gretchen, Paul and the tots ;)