Hi everyone,
Nice to see the board a bit more active these days!
About the weight gain:
Technically, you shouldn't gain more than 2 pouds during the whole first trimester if you're expecting a singleton. At 10 weeks, my uterus still does't measure higher than my pubic bone. I, too, started showing towards week 8-9, my belly was hard too and I reassured myself that it wasn't fat, but it was all bloating. Whether you're constipated or not, bloating can still make you show. At 13 weeks, your uterus will barely measure above your pubic bone, so still well below your hips. I lost my belly at week 10 when the bloating suddenly went away. At the beginning of the week, I could wear my normal pants and close them, whereas the week before, I had to wear the bella band or maternity pants all week. All bloating and, with my IBS, I'm already super prone to bloating anyway.
That being said, I try not to care (and failed miserably today). I caress my tummy even if I know that my baby is actually way lower (and I'm actually caressing my bowels, lol!). I am proud to show my belly and I don't try to hide it. People keep telling me that I won't show before a long time because I'm so tall (6'). My colleague, who is the same height and the skinny type, only started showing at a staggering 8 months with her first baby. When you read other threads when they're around 20 weeks, you see people discuss how they're still not showing and wonder when it will happen. Point is, it's not important.
I don't know how much I've gained so far, and I don't want to count because depending on numbers on a scale has always made me stressed and depressed. I sure shivered when I saw the number on the scale at my ob-gyn apt on Thursday. Technically, I'm now 10 pounds away from my ideal weight (on the scale). I've gained quite some weight when I was on the BCP long ago (as a contraceptive method). Therefore, I've prepared myself to gain a bit more because of all the hormones they're flooding me with during three whole months in addition to the hormones my body is producing. Plus I had a big surgery at the end of May, and all summer I wasn't allowed to exercise because of the wound. So right before I became pregnant, I had probably gained some 3-5 pounds already.
I don't like to gain weight, I worked hard to go back to a nice figure some years ago, but I try hard not to fret about it either. I have to eat often, because I'll feel very sick if I don't. And yes, I did eat cookies and cake, I love to bake, and my French PIL bought TONS of bread during their stay, but I'll make an effort from now on. I try to eat as healthy as I can, I walk an hour each day to and from work, and I do yoga classes once a week. I couldn't possibly do more because I was too tired and I didn't want to put that precious pregnancy at risk. Now that I feel less tired, it's different. After my prenatal tests are done, I'll start dancing flamenco once a week. That will kick me back into shape a bit. I might also do aquagym classes for the same reason, and because it will be fun. I'll try to drag my best friend into it.
Right now, however, I had a long talk with DH, right as I was typing this. His father will help us, and they'll carry the futon, TV and stationary bicycle upstairs. We have a nice room full of windows, an extension to the house added behind the garage. Eventually, we'll pierce a door that will create acess through the living room. But right now, we'll remove the stuff that belongs elsewhere (tires, bird seeds, old stuff the previous owners left behind, leftovers from the renos) and we'll transform it into a second living room and training room. That way, I'll have yoga classes on Mondays, on Wednesdays I'll do 30 minutes of cycling, Fridays too, and on Sunday mornings I'll do my 50 minutes Walk on to weight loss DVD (Stotts Pilates). I might lose a a few pounds, which will do me good, and from then on gain just what I have to.
I just don't want to do like so many women after they give birth. My father's wife claims she lost all the weight she gained during her three pregnancies, and yet she looks pregnant at 50 years old. She has that nice round hard belly at the front because she didn't work her abs after she gave birth. My mother looked really fat after she had me, but mind you she had stopped smoking when she became pregnant, so it really didn't help. My MIL is morbidly obese, and has been since she had her three children. You should have seen what a complete knockout she was when she got married. Sure, their husbands love them, and it's not all about appearances and weight. But I'm just concerned to follow their steps and I want to remain healthy. I want to fit in those pre-pregnancy clothes and be in shape after I deliver. Not right way, but within a few months if possible.
Ok, rant over. Feels better now though. I like when I have a plan and clear objectives, always makes me feel better.
Valerie,
Wow, that baby seems to have growth sprees, lol! Maybe he's trying to catch up for the scare he gave you, and wants to be in good shape and healthy for your next ultrasound! Can't wait until Tuesday!! Keep the happy eating!
Toobee,
At 9 weeks, your uterus, which is adapting for twins, measures a bit past your pubic bone, but the fact you're showing is probably a nice combination of bloating and babies as well. Don't worry about gaining too much weight, because gaining a bit more weight during the first trimester, when you're expecting multiples, is actually healthier and prevents complications later. How much weight you should gain depends on your pre-pregnancy weight. If you're worried, do discuss it with your doctor, because comparing here might just not help, because our bodies and weights and heights and medical histories are all different. Including the hormones we were prescribed, and their dosages, which also have an influence on weight gain. I too got thicker all over my waistline before showing a baby bump, which others noticed, which was hard... and deflated last Tuesday because it was all bloating. Two miles a day is still good, don't beat yourself up. Wait until your energy levels come up, probably next week, and then you can increase your exercises gradually.
Okay ladies, gotta run! Have to take a shower, get that lunch going and leave for a nice afternoon of hiking with the PIL, DH and the dogs. The fall colors are breathtaking here and we have amazing weather!
Have a nice weekend ladies!
Love,
Sophie xxox
in 3 days. I'm eating non stop, it is absolutely ridiculous. If I don't have a healthy baby in there, then I don't know what's wrong with me. My AP asked me to see my belly and she said that I was showing already and that my belly looked so cute! I loved it. 
Sounds like everything is moving along for you
Due dates
