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Can’t Sleep at 30 Weeks With Twins

by Petro.
(South Africa)

I’m a 24-year old, 30 weeks pregnant with mono-chorionic twin boys. It’s my first pregnancy, and I’m not always quite sure what is normal and what is not. No women in my family or on my husband’s side have ever had twins, and neither have any of our friends, so I don’t know who to ask.

When I complain to my doctor about how uncomfortable I am, she says that it is to be expected, but I need practical solutions, instead of the pregnancy magazine advice to "...make yourself as comfortable as possible."

For the last week or so I've had immense trouble sleeping, since I am no longer able to lie on my back, as it hampers my breathing, lying on my stomach is out of the question, for obvious reasons, and my hip-bones, or upper legs go numb when I lie on my side for a period of longer than, say an hour.

Throughout the pregnancy I've been sleeping on my side, but it seems I'm getting too heavy.
The pillow between the knees doesn't seem to make any difference either. I'm scared that this is a sign that I'm getting too heavy, and that the babies are preparing themselves for birth. They are both still growing at the rate of single babies, and my belly have lowered and expanded in size to such an extent that none of my maternity wear covers it any longer. I've also discovered a multitude of new stretch marks on my lower belly, which seem to have appeared over night.
What are the signs that the labor is eminent? I hope to carry these two for as long as possible, as every day of gestation is vital. Is my level of "uncomfortability" normal, and what can I do to alleviate pain? I've already stopped working. Bed rest won't be plausible as I experience pain, when trying to rest in bed. Anyone?

Comments for Can’t Sleep at 30 Weeks With Twins

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Mar 21, 2016
 hey
by: twins

I'm am 16week pregnant with twins boy I can not sleep at all and it's crazy
Feb 12, 2013
 Swollen feeet n hands
by: Pummy

I am 30weeks pregnant with fratenal boy & girl twins. I have been struggling to sleep since week 26. I tried so many options but have failed. Now my biggest concern and discomfort is my legs, after sitting and standing for a while i cannot manage to walk upright as my body feels so heavy. I walk more like an elderly granny going side by side. My feet are forever swollen and massaging it hurt even worse. Also my hands cant fold a feast every morning and sometimes persist up till lunch time. I cant even staple a thin document @ work and is causing me trouble. i want to give my kids my utmost best by incubating until the last day when they naturally comes on April but its not an easy road.
Aug 08, 2012
 Join the club!
by: Anonymous

Hi I am 29 weeks 3 days, I hear you I have had problems with sleeping for a while now and our bed resembles a pillow mountain. A couple of things that have worked for me - take a comforter (a really soft one made of feathers if possible it moulds better) and fold it (I do mine into quarters) then make sure that is positioned under your hips, I then add my maternity pillow on top so I can slip it bewteen my legs and a couple of pillows to keep my head up to avoid heart burn - this I find takes some of the pressure off my hips its a bit of a pain when you wnat to change side but you soon get used to it - If you want to invest I have heard that the tempur pressure mattress is excellent but my husband hates them as they make you really hot.

Good luck - not much longer now and then sleep truely will be a thing of the past :-)make sure you get those afternoon cat naps in if you can as well
Jun 20, 2012
 Pregnant with twins at 30 weeks
by: Anonymous

I understand what you are saying. I am 30 wks pregnant with twins. I have been on bedrest since 19 weeks. I am 5 ft 1 and I weighed 148 lbs prior to getting pregnant with twins. I have been flown and transported by ambulance to a Maternal Fetal Center for preterm labor. I am to getting very uncomfortable when trying to sleep. No amount of pillows is helping. Drs tell me is normal. I have a hard time walking with all the pressure. I have a 3 1/2 year and I didnt start with pain until 36 weeks with him. My dr says when you are pregnant with twins you feel like you are pregnant 4 weeks ahead because all the added pressure of 2. I wished I could say it will feel better but I think we both know not until birth. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Jan 02, 2012
 sleeping with Identical twins.
by: Jaydene

I am 30 weeks pregnant with identical twin girls. I don't sleep through the night because the twins send me to the bathroom a minimum of every 2 hours all night long. Lying on my back is only comfortable for a few minutes. I've gotten into a habit of changing positions everytime I go back to bed and that has helped. I do feel heavier but I have no pain, I just feel swollen.

Weight may be an issue. I think women hear that you must eat for two and gain 30 pounds so they TRY to gain weight. There is no need to do that. Just eat when youre hungry and try to make sure you eat balanced meals. Maybe too much extra weight is contributing to pain. NOTE: I started out at 5'4 and 285 pounds. The only weight I gained was what I lost when I had morning sickness. I am the same weight now as I was when I conceived.
Nov 02, 2011
 I kno what u mean
by: caeyla

I know exactly what u mean because I am 30 weeks now and I am pregnant with fraternal twins 2 girls they are due dec 29th and between the one being in my ribs and the pressure on my hips I can't get no sleep and I don't sleep during the day because I have a 2 year old girl she keeps me up or I am constantly cleaning one day I was cleaning for 6 hours. YEAH I am nesting.
Jan 08, 2010
 I understand
by: Anonymous

The last few weeks are SO hard! YOu just feel SO miserable! Even rolling over in bed is monumental. I found a body pillow to be helpful. It would fit between my legs and also help support my belly. Never lay completely flat on your back as tis compresses the vessels that provide blood to the baby. Left side is best as it maximizes blood flow. It's tough, but you can do it! A warm bath might also feel good.
Jan 07, 2010
 Very Common
by: Kellie Asaro (site founder)

The type of pain you're describing is very common in pregnancy, but generally a bit worse when carrying twins. All of the constant pulling and stretching really does a number on one's body. I had the same trouble sleeping. I would be so tired too! My hips would just ache and I had to switch sides about every 1/2 hour or so. Keeping a pillow between my legs only offered minimal comfort. I remember thinking to myself, "boy, twin pregnancy hurts"!

Anyhow, my best advice is to try sleeping in a semi-upright position with pillows under your knees and behind your back and sides. It's what I did and it helped, although didn't completely alleviate the pain. It basically took most of the pressure off of my hips. If you have an e-z chair or recliner, even better...sleep in it!

Best of luck!

You may want to join our social network for parents of twins...there's lots of moms there going through twin pregnancy ;)

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