Twin and multiple AN thread

[Mummyofonesofar]

Hi, just wondering if there were a few of us around so we could have a little support group for expectant twin or multiple mummys? 11+4 today for me and mostly very excited but also very scared of all the horror stories and hope we can all reassure each other?

[JessieThom]

Hello! Yes please! That would be very much appreciated indeed!

I'm 15+3 with fraternal twins (babies 2 and 3 for me) and navigating a twin pregnancy is a whole new world! Like you, very excited and a little scared so a little community to share that with would be amazing!

How are you feeling? Morning sickness etc passing yet?

J xx

[Mummyofonesofar]

We think ours are fraternal due to what we have seen at scans at 8w and 6.5w but no confirmation yet. I have the 12w scan tomorrow. Babies 2+3 for me too. My DS just turned 7, how old is your DC?

I am still gagging on toast or the textures of things but definately less nauseous and have only been sick once in the past week. Starting to have a little more energy - I had been struggling to cook in the evenings and not just go to bed at 6! So being able to stay awake until 9.30 again is nice.

Have you been very tired? Sickness all ok now?

[JessieThom]

Great, they were able to tell me concretely that ours are fraternal at the 12 week scan, so fingers crossed you'll know for sure tomorrow. Best of luck, are you looking forward to it?

My LO is 20 months and a bundle of energy and joy. She takes a lot of time and attention but I want to give her as much time as possible right now as I think she might struggle when these two arrive.

Yeah, I struggled with sickness until around 11 weeks, then it miraculously improved over night. I was very glad it was summer as I had an excuse for giving us all cold or raw food and not cooking much! I'm still feeling quite tired but definitely better than I was a few weeks ago, I'm still waiting for that glorious second trimester glow that I felt in my first pregnancy though!

Have you been given any idea of how often you'll be seen over the next few months? I seem to have scans and appointments scheduled almost every other week at the moment!

J xx

[Mummyofonesofar]

So glad you joined this thread!! I am looking forward to it but nervous too, I had a mc of a singleton in May at 8 weeks so though I saw the twins at 8w, I will be happy to be out of tri 1! I read far too much about vanishing twin syndrome, DP can’t make it tomorrow so taking SIL and a friend. Our hospital can’t do the nuchal screening for twins so DP is coming to another scan later this week or early next week which is further away and I would get lost!

Wow 20 months with twins on the way! I always worried about an age gap (DS isn’t related to DP but has been his Daddy since he was 4) and worried about when we would add to the family, but am now so glad of the gap. Was twins a big shock to you too?

No idea how much I will be see yet, the community mw I saw didn’t know anything about twins really, just told me I would get a consultant and most of my care would be coordinated with the hospital. I hope I get my first consultant apt after my scan tomorrow, mw isn’t seeing me again until nearly 17w! I read online that if they are fraternal then I will be scanned every 4 weeks from 20w. How often are you being seen?

[JessieThom]

I know, it’s really nice to have someone in the same position to talk to about it all! I have other friends having babies around the same time, but none with twins and although I know every pregnancy is different, I keep wanting to say “But this is REALLY different!”… not sure that would go down too well!

I’m so sorry to hear about your mc, roll on the second trimester! Do let me know how the scan goes, I’ll be keeping fingers crossed for you. :) It’ll be nice to have two scans in one week too, and that your DP can come to the next one.

Yes, it was a total shock – we don’t have any recent history of twins in the family so I wasn’t expecting it at all. With hindsight I guess I probably did have some signs but I didn’t see it that way at all – my morning sickness was worse this time around and I felt like I started to show sooner, but I just assumed that was second pregnancy stuff. Do you feel bigger yet? I’m getting a bit nervous about how huge I’m going to be and the later stages… I didn’t show until gone 20 weeks with my LO but this time I already have a little bump.

I’m being scanned every 4 weeks too, but I’ve had appointments of some sort about every 2-3 weeks since I booked in. Luckily I my hospital is quite close to home and on my way back from work so it’s fairly manageable.

Have you told your DC about the twins coming? How is he taking it? My LO has no idea what’s going on!

[Mummyofonesofar]

Scan went perfect. They still aren't sure about fraternal or not. She thought here was only one placenta today but said the next scan will have better equipment and see more. Moved me forward so I'm now 12+3

DS has known since I tested at 9dpo! He kept it a secret and burst today when he could finally tell people!

[Mummyofonesofar]

I'm very round already. Bump today!

[JessieThom]

Ahhh lovely! Congratulations! When's your next scan going to be?

You look great! I'm a bit bigger than that... I'll snap a picture later on and add it here.

I had a horrid dream last night where it was the last day of my maternity leave and I still hadn't decided whether to go back to work or not. I was looking through all these prices for childcare and different options then looking at my payslip and it didn't add up so I was crying to DP that I just couldn't give up work... ARGH! Hopefully I'll manage to get my head together before that point.

[Mummyofonesofar]

Next scan is next Wednesday, they can’t do my nuchal screening at my hospital as the machines aren’t good enough to measure for twins apparently. So get to see them again so soon!

I keep having awful dreams too, these hormones have a lot to answer for! But after hardly any sleep Monday night with scan nerves, it was so lovely to sleep 10-6 this morning without even waking for a wee or a drink! I think I am going back at least part time when they are 1. I work for the NHS so get an enhanced maternity package if I return for at least 3 months – I can always quit after that if we are worse off!

[JessieThom]

That's great! When they told me I'd be seen much more often with twins I was worried it would feel very intrusive and I be difficult to manage, but I'm really enjoying seeing them so often now. ...I guess I might change my tune further down the line.

I'm in a similar situation as a civil servant, the maternity package is good anyway but there are incentives to go back. My gut feeling is that I'd like to go back full time, but I'm just not sure that's realistic... I think I probably have to wait and see how it goes. I'm definitely going to keep my LO in nursery full time for a bit after these two arrive though!

Hope you're having a good day - I'm working from home, hence lots of mn-ing!

[Mummyofonesofar]

They said if they are identical then I will be scanned regularly from 16 weeks which is a lot of visits when my hospital is an hour away to drive to and park! So I may resent it down the line. I saw another twin lady who was just about due and she had her scan to be told they were both breach and it would be elcs. Have you opted for elcs or trying for VB depending on position?

With one baby plan was always to go back full time, but not sure we can afford the childcare for two full time, so a bit up in their air at the moment!

Good idea keeping DC1 in nursery!

[JessieThom]

I'd like to try for VB if I can, but I know that can be quite rare with twins and it depends so much on the positions etc, so I'm trying to keep an open mind. If I had free choice I'd go for a water birth but I don't want to set my heart on that and then panic if I have to have a CS. How about you?

BUMP:

[Mummyofonesofar]

Are you allowed in a pool with twins? Thought I would have to have a lying down and monitored birth, would be lovely to try the pool. I couldn’t use it with DS as he was overdue and apparently that made me high risk.

I would like to try a VB with an open mind that I may end up with an emcs or planned depending on position.

Lovely bump!

[JessieThom]

Thank you! I don't know about whether you can use a pool or not... haven't even thought about having those conversations yet, but I don't see why not in principle.

Have you started shopping yet? We haven't bought much yet but will need to get some things despite having hand-me-downs from DD.

[Mummyofonesofar]

I tried to ask questions at my booking appt, asking what birth options were open to me, they said they would discuss all that at about 35w! I said half of twins are born before then and they said "oh right, well ask your consultant when you get one" Not very helpful!

I have bought two vests, some muslins and 6 bottles in case breastfeeding doesn't work out! I have some clohtes from DS (so hope I get a boy) my DB and SIL are packing up their baby clothes (including lots of mine that I gave to them) as their DS is nearly 2. Another SIL thinks she has a cot somewhere. I was so adamant first time about having lots of new but this time it will be as much second hand as possible! I am also going to a second hand sale in a couple of weeks so hoping to pick up some bargains!

[JessieThom]

Yeah, its amazing how few of the medical staff I've seen are prepared to comment on twins, surely it isn't so uncommon that we're the first to ask!

I've bought two new car seats, since I saw some on offer and DD is still using hers and dug out her old clothes and the pumping equipment that I barely used with her. I'm hoping for at least one girl, so we can re-use everything, we even have some stuff that I'm sure was only worn once or twice. We should just swap if I have boys and you have girls though! Otherwise I'm hoping for second hand stuff since lots of friends have recently had babies.

[Mummyofonesofar]

Good idea to swap! I was surprised that the staff really had no clue. We aren't that rare are we?!? Saying that...no one has joined this thread except us! (Grin)

[JessieThom]

Very true! The multiples page generally isn't that busy but I just assumed that's because all the mums are so busy with their twins+!

[Mummyofonesofar]

They must all be busy but I thought there would be more pg ones just busy worrying at the moment! I am very grateful to have you with me on this journey

[JessieThom]

Same here! We can keep eachother company and handhold through the process.

Have you told your employers already and/or thought about when you might finish? I told mine quite early as I was really struggling with sickness and had to take a couple of days off, but now they're really keen to know when I want to go on maternity leave so they can sort out recruitment etc... I have no idea! With my first I finished the day before my due date and she arrived 12 days late, but I know this time will be very different.

I'm starting to panic a bit now about my DD and getting her ready for the change; we've been trying to talk to her about it but she really hasn't got a clue what's going on. She also still nurses before bed most nights and I need to nip that in the bud before these two arrive, which I probably would have wanted to do at this age anyway, but I just don't have the heart to do it right now. I'm planning a library trip tomorrow for suitable books!

[Readyforthefuture]

Hi ladies, mind if I join you? I'm now at 24 weeks today with fraternal twins (two girls). I've found up till now it's been pretty similar to single pregnancy but with some of the symptoms exaggerated (morning sickness was crazy). This is my first pregnancy though, so I guess this is the only normal I know.

I've only just told work my maternity leave plans, I told them after the 20 week scan as you know a bit more about potential complications then.

[JessieThom]

Of course not! It would be lovely to have another expectant mum to share this crazy journey with.

Congratulations on your twins! :) I'm really looking forward to the 20 week scan, did yours go well? It feels like a real milestone.

[helybel]

Hi, I've popped over from another thread to join you all too if that's ok (thanks JessieThom)!

I'm 18 weeks with fraternal twins. All going pretty well so far apart from disturbed sleep. Got an insatiable appetite too which I'm quite enjoying!

Slightly easier on the work front, because I'm self-employed so when I've had enough I'll jut give up. Although I'm rota'd up to my 30 week point (could be being ambitious on that one!)

[Kickedinthetits]

Hello, can I join? I'm 33+3 with dcda twin girls, although obviously as they are the same sex we won't be certain if they are identical or not until they are born. Two separate placentas so more likely fraternal!

Exhausted at the moment! One 3 year old dd as well and I finished work last week so busy trying to rest as much as possible at the moment.

[43percentburnt]

Hi, can I join too. Am 18+ 3 with dcda twins. We have our second scan in 2 and a half weeks but don't want to find out the sex.

Am exhausted! I work ft, dh is a sahd to ds 2.1 and dd 16. So these babies are babies 3 and 4. Was definitely a bit of a shock to be having twins. It's thrown my birthing plan out of the window. Had a water, hypnobirth vbac with ds - was great, music, low lighting, aromatherapy etc. I'm thinking c-section this time.

The practicalities are a bit stressful, our cars are too small, neither will fit 6 people and neither have 3 isofix in the back. Was also planning on working until week 38.