Guest Pregnancy Journal – 13 Weeks
This brave second-time Mum shares her 13 week twin pregnancy reflections — including postpartum depression fears, raising 3 under 3, and the shock of discovering she was carrying non-identical twins.
Content note: This article discusses postnatal depression (PPD).
13 Weeks Pregnant with Twins – Two Peas in a Pod
Babies are the size of: A peapod (two peas in a pod)
Cravings: Apple juice
Symptoms: Reflux, indigestion, constipation and food aversions to almost everything
I’ve been feeling…
A bit anxious about how life will change with two newborns.
I have a 23 month old son who is my absolute heart and soul, and I can’t quite grasp how I’ll share my attention between three children. I’m also scared about the postpartum period.
I hate postpartum. I had postnatal depression after my first baby. My mum isn’t in the country to help me. I do have my mother-in-law, which is better than nothing — but I know I’ll need strong support.
Can you tell us about your experience with PPD?
My Plunket nurse first suggested I might have postnatal depression.
At the time, I just felt hopeless. Like nothing would ever get better. Like I was doing a terrible job as a mum.
My son had reflux and colic. He slept terribly. Everything that was out of my control triggered me. I couldn’t fix his sleep. I couldn’t fix the colic. I couldn’t control the medical issues. I couldn’t sleep myself and I barely ate.
When I told my GP I thought I had PPD, he didn’t even assess me properly. I sat there crying with my three month old on my lap and all he said was, “Can you ask some friends for help?”
It was horrifying.
PPD gets swept under the rug far too often. I wish I had pushed harder, sought a second opinion, or started counselling earlier.
It lasted from birth until about 8 months postpartum. I am well and happy now, but I’m wary it could happen again. This time I have tools, a wonderful counsellor, and a much better doctor.
How did you find out you were having twins?
At our 8 week dating scan, the ultrasound technician said, “So there’s two in there.”
My partner and I just laughed through the entire scan. It felt surreal.
They are non-identical twins — dichorionic diamniotic — meaning two separate eggs were fertilised. Two sacs, two placentas.
I did have a dream a few days prior that I delivered twins and woke up thinking, “What a nightmare!” Turns out my subconscious knew.
What feels different about this pregnancy?
The exhaustion is next level.
I had early morning sickness this time, which I didn’t have with my first. I’m already visibly pregnant at 13 weeks. And being pregnant with a toddler is no joke.
I’m starting to think about…
Life beyond the postpartum stage.
Beyond the baby and toddler chaos. I think about us as a family of five, grown up. I feel so grateful that we will have three children — more than I ever dreamed of.
I am most looking forward to…
Watching my twins grow together. They’re already active womb-mates — lots of kicking and nudging each other.
I’m also looking forward to seeing how their big brother Wyatt becomes a big brother to two.
Recently, I’ve been talking to…
My cousin in Houston, Texas, who is nine months pregnant with her second baby. We haven’t seen each other in 17 years, but pregnancy reconnects you in powerful ways.
Will you find out the genders?
Yes, we will find out.
I had a vivid dream they were a boy and a girl — we’ll see if I’m right.
The best reaction to your pregnancy so far?
Everyone assumes we’re joking when we say we’re having twins. And they can’t believe they’re due on Christmas Eve.
It feels special. We haven’t had twins in our family since my great grandmother — though one of those babies was stillborn, something I only recently learned.
If I could say anything to my babies right now…
Grow well, babies. Hang in there. Everything will be okay. I love you both so much already.
And maybe a little less kicking and punching each other.
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Want to Record Your Own Pregnancy Story?
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