Twins due very soon, really panicking

[SoonToBeSix]

I am being induced with my identical twin girls in less than two weeks am quite scared. Pregnancy was planned but still haven't got over the shock of two babies.
I have four other children youngest is only 18 months and he is quite full on.
I don't know anyone with twins near where I live ( Liverpool) does anyone know of any twin clubs or ways to get in contact with other mums.
Please tell me it will all be fine and I will cope as I feel quite tearful and anxious.

[SoonToBeSix]

Anyone ?

[Mabelface]

Don't panic, is what I'll say. give me a mo and I'll get some links for you.

[Mabelface]

www.twinsclub.co.uk/forum

www.tamba.org.uk/local/clubs/north-west--clubs--local

These will be a good start for you. Congratulations, by the way. The fact that you're well seasoned with babies is definitely in your favour. I'm a mum of triplets, who'll be 15 next month. :)

[SoonToBeSix]

Thank you that great, yes I did think I was an experienced mum but feel overwhelmed with the thought of two at once.
Wow , triplets are they girls or boys or both? I have a 15 year old dd.

[andadietcoke]

It'll be fine. You will cope. There will be bad days, but in time they will be outnumbered by the good ones. Take help whenever it is offered, even if it's someone who can take them for a walk for an hour while you sleep or spend time with your other DCs. If your DH isn't able to help with the night feeds and you have space, consider decamping to a spare room and sleeping with one either side of you. My life (and sleep) got so much easier then.

It'll be fine. Promise.

[Franchini]

My Id twin girls are due in two weeks too. I have a 2 yr old dd also. We are almost in the same boat.

[SoonToBeSix]

Thanks diet coke I will definitely accept any help offered. Unfortunately we don't have a spare room and I really want to breast feed. How old are your twins?

[SoonToBeSix]

How are you feeling Franchini? Whereabouts in the country

[Mabelface]

2 boys and a girl, plus a 21 year old son. I was lucky in that they came home from special care well trained. routine is your friend and you'll cope. It will be knackering and if you've friends who will help, grab every offer.

[stinkypants]

I am only 14 weeks pregnant but already have 2 children and am in shock at the thought of 2 more. But I'm so excited as well. It will definitely be hard work and I think some advice I had has stuck in my head, just to remember that it really isn't for long that they'll be little and hard work, and if the housework etc etc all slides that's fine. Definitely going to actively ask for help and actually schedule it on calendar so I know there is help on its way. Rather than say you will ask when needed I would pin them down. Even the neighbours!
It will be fine and you will definitely cope -look how experienced you are. They'll be great little mates too.

[chocolatedrops31]

I'm due tomorrow with twins (have a 2.5 year old) and also terrified! Can't believe I'm going to be handed 2 babies tomorrow and I'm supposed to know what to do..don't think i would ever feel prepared though ..

[andadietcoke]

They're 6 months on Thursday. They're my first babies though, so I have no idea how hard it's been compared to having one. Pregnancy was the same.

It's been a learning experience. People are just so, erm, 'interested' in twins, and are largely lovely, although last week one man asked me what I'd done wrong to get two, and told me I'd wished on the wrong star. I cried.

[SoonToBeSix]

Thanks for the replies, they are reassuring will be taking up all
offers of help.
My babies are very much wanted its just scary when people say how hard twins are plus I have other children.
Ds still wakes for a feed in the night and I thought he would be sleeping through by now.

[SoonToBeSix]

Diet coke that man was horrible what a awful thing to say.

[beachesandbuckets]

Hello, don't be scared! I have 2 dcs (now 5 and 3) and my twins are now 6mths. We have survived, and you will too!!! As Mums we don't have much bloody choice anyway do we, who is going to sub for us?!
Don't listen to the horror stories, its not all bad. Second, go into it with very low expectations. I thought my life would be hell, so have been pleasently surprised. Three. Try to keep the older kids routine as same as you can, the babies just have to fit round it. Mine still go down at 7pm after bath/wash, story and song, albeit in very early days lulabies will done with 2 screaming babies on my shoulder! We were also fortunate to have spare room, so had a Moses basket on each side and I dealt with babies, so Dh was fresh to deal with kids during paternity leave/weekends and any of their night wakings.
Don't listen to horrible comments when out and about, I just glare now.
And I have survived by thinking that at least I have had older dcs, hats off to Dietcoke and others, I would have found having twins first time round really hard, at least you will remember all the stuff from before. Oh and cut corners, my babies have a bath only twice a week (older 2 had them nightly), jars (older 2 had pureed organic home made), go to sleep with older two larking around on landing (perfect silence and tip toes for older two), you get the picture, and as a result are very easy going and patient most of the time. Good luck x

[beachesandbuckets]

Ps I cried on the way to the hospital to be induced, thought my life was over, felt so guilty for older kids, but everything turned out well. Pm me if you have any questions. PPS. I am breastfeeding, simply because (a) formula wld bankrupt us, (b) I can although appreciate many mums aren't able to, (C) its so much quicker as feed them together for 30 mins and have more time to do all the other stuff, (d) get to rest and eat biscuits!

[MultipleMama]

It's okay to be overwhelmed. I had 4 DC before My times came along they're 5,2, MCMA dts 17mo, DCDA dts 21wo (12adj). The ID twins were 12mo when b/g twins were born.

It's chaotic, overwhelming, hard and somedays I feel like I'm drowning but after awhile a routines fall into the place. B/g twins are ebf on demand and one is high needs so we've had to adjust and learn new things.

We have frozen homemade meals to save time, we have a "basic" bedtime routine, we're also in the process of hiring a weekend housekeeper - can you afford something like this? We previously found it a great help.
As you have 4 already, I'm pretty sure and confident that your twins will blend in fine! :)

It's totally possible and doable without a breakdown Congrats on your twins!

[Linguaphile]

Anda--seriously?? Why would someone say that? Holy rude, batman. I think the only time I cried was when a fellow twin mum who had managed to exclusively breastfeed for 2 years looked at me like I was a lazy git and said, "I never had ANY trouble breastfeeding MY twins" when I started feeding dts with bottles at 3 months. Cue tears and self-loathing.

I can't imagine what it would be like to have twins and 4 other kids, so lots of sympathy and no words of wisdom there, but as far as twins go, honestly having ours has been a real delight, especially since we got them on the same schedule and got a good routine. People are very understanding and willing to help, we've found. We've got enough volunteer sitters that we can have a night out once a week! Frozen meals are also a boon. You can assemble and freeze several slow cooker meals in one go, which is great.

Definitely get in touch with Tamba in your area--they're a great resource!

[SoonToBeSix]

Update: I went into labour this morning have my epidural sorted so just waiting for their arrival. Am
Only 34 weeks so they will need special care but been told they will be fine.

[andadietcoke]

Good luck! Hope it all goes well

[neversleepagain]

Good luck

My waters also went at 34 weeks.

[sillymillyb]

Oh good luck, I will be thinking of you

[beachesandbuckets]

Good luck, wishing you all the best x x

[OiMissus]

Good luck!
What a lovely thread!
I'm 41, with one DS. Ttc. Would love twins - just so I can have more all at once as I 'm getting old.
I hope everything goes well for you all.
Good luck! X

[MultipleMama]

Good luck! :)