Twins!

[HystericalParoxysm]

Had an 8 week scan today and discovered I'm expecting non ID twins
I sort of expected it but it still feels surreal. Explains the sickness and the fatness though!
They will be babies 3 and 4 for me. Do you get different antenatal care with fraternal twins?

[Purplehonesty]

Wow congratulations!! How did you suspect it was

[HystericalParoxysm]

Really bad all day sickness, jeans too tight already, so incredibly tired, all more pronounced symptoms than in my other pregnancies. And just a gut feeling I guess. Now worried about losing one or both of them but also how I am going to cope with 4!

[andadietcoke]

Hi, congratulations! I have dcda twins - am 27w. I started seeing the consultant at the hospital at 12w, and had scans at 12 and 20 weeks, with the next ones booked for 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Have seen the consultant and the mw at the hospital every 4 weeks so far - haven't seen 'my' midwife since 16w. Bloods at 20w and 28w, 5mg folic acid and iron tablets from 20w. Think that's everything, but this is my first pregnancy so I don't know how it compares to a singleton pregnancy.

[MultipleMama]

You should be referred to consultant-led care not midwife as it's a high risk pregnancy. You will still see a midwife though. And have more scans. I have scans every 2 weeks - well daily, as I'm having complications. My first set were ID and had a higher risk.

[harrygracejessica]

It'll be consultant led care and for non identical a will be scanned every 4 weeks :-)

Please don't take it for definate they are non identical though as identicals can be in 2 sacs and 2 placentas :-)

[HystericalParoxysm]

Harry - I discovered that whilst Googling last night, I never knew that fraternal twins could also be identical!
I am already a high risk pregnancy due to my medical conditions so would always have been consultant led. Thank you for all your replies. Is there anything else I should know about twins/twin pregnancies?

[neversleepagain]

Congratulations, my non ID twins are nearly 8 months old. You will be scanned every 4 weeks from 20 weeks onward.

[andadietcoke]

Think it depends on the hospital re scans every 4w - despite the NICE guidelines recommending this I haven't been scanned between 20 and 28w and neither have other dcda pregnant people I've come across.

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

Congratulations!
My twins were also no3&4! I was in total shock for weeks.

How old are your other dc?

Mine are old enough to be of great help, luckily.

[HystericalParoxysm]

My others are 5 (with SN so more like a 1 year old) and 3. I am now worried about vanishing twin syndrome and that there will only be 1 baby (or even none?) at the next scan. Does anyone know what the stats are for this? Tempted to just take to my bed for the next 7 months...

[andadietcoke]

I was the same! I wanted to hibernate. In fact, I still do. After seeing two heartbeats the risk of vanishing twin goes down massively. I ended up having a private scan at 10w because I was so worried about it.

[CrabAppleTree]

Hello OP
I am in the same boat - I have a 5 y/o and a 2 y/o and found out this evening that I am 10 weeks preg with non ID twins
Can't really take it in.
And yes it's 3 and 4 for me
Claire = what is your life like?!?
I am total shock.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Crab - can we cling to each other for support please?! 4 under 6 is exciting but terrifying

[harrygracejessica]

My twins were number 2and 3 and then 4 and 5 as we have 2 sets :-)

[Franykins]

How do you all know they are non ID twins? I was told mine are non ID too but have since found out from on here and reading online that actually they can be ID even if they have own placentas and own sacs. All depends on when the egg split if they are ID. If it splits within the first two days (I think) of conception they will be ID but with their own placentas and sacs.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Yes, Frany, I put non ID in my OP through ignorance! Mine are DCDA but I have since learnt that 1/3 of ID twins are this type. It'll be fun to find out!

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

CrabAppleTree

let's say that life has got very interesting!

JOkes aside, it is VERY intense, financially crippling, and physically draining, but when my odler two play with the twins (now 16 months) and make them giggle it is absolutely lovely.

And dd1 is so very proud of her large family, we live in a country where more than 2 kids is a rarity and she enjoys all the attention (can't say the same for myself, but you get used to it).

Congrats!

[CrabAppleTree]

Claires now I see where your user name comes from. !
I am worried about the ££ side of things - we do have most things and have family who will help with hand me downs for car seats etc - but I thinking things like Swimming lessons (and for that matter how I am ever going to get the older ones to extra curricular activies )

My sister had a nice idea that each of our other DC will have a twin each to play with whcih is sweet.

I am just learning about Id/Non Id and how twins work
SO much to think about, I think my brain might burst.


Hysterical = absolutely let's cling to each other.
x

[Franykins]

HystericalParoxysm Hehe I did the same when I started a thread about my DCDA twins, currently 15+5 and ended up being rather well informed and then did some more research. I can't wait till they are here to find out

We found out at our 12 week scan and are so excited

[CrabAppleTree]

Apologies franykins you are not so far ahead of us, how are you feeling? (not reading properly, actually not doing much properly today, still in a complete daze)


Been thinking about the hospital we had booked in with (I was hoping for a home birth but guessing thats out of the picture) and now wondering if I should change so want to make a new appt so we can get 12 wk scans done at the right hospital.

Also thinking about what we're going to do for a car.

When we are going to "go public" on things?

I didn't even know there was such a thing as Vanishing Twin syndrome. I spend a fair amount of time lurking on MN, (have n/c for this) and hadn't seen it

SO many more things to worry about.

But also can't stop grinning!

PS Apologies for the kiss = that's a bit overfamiliar at this stage, have been texting those who do know madly and was on text mode (!)

[Franykins]

CrabAppleTree haha a kiss is always friendly and welcome

To be honest I've sailed through so far had no idea it was twins before the scan as only been sick 5 times in total! Had cramping and sore boobs to begin with but they have pretty much sorted themselves out now (although already a cup size bigger) I'm now in the stage of not feeling pg other than the bump and the very odd fluttering. But all is well as at our first consultant app on Monday we heard their heartbeats for the first time and one was having a party in there!

I know what you mean about cars, we have to now get a 7 seater as DP has two sons from a previous relationship and we have them week on week off. Also the house is now far too small! We have a 2 bed and the boys share as it is, we thought we would have time to move before falling pg but fell in the second month of trying (thought it would take ages as had been on the pill for almost 16 years) Needless to say was a bit of a (very) happy shock.

I originally wanted a diff hospital but now finding out its twins the one I've been booked into is the best option for us as it has a on site special care baby unit so I'm going to stay put now.

I told close family and friends I was pg at about 6 weeks, just people that could support me if anything went wrong, but we told the boys after the 12 week scan and then made it public. Mind you I wouldn't be able to hide it now as to be honest I look about 5 1/2 months at least.

I can't stop grinning either

x

(sorry for the essay!!!)

[harrygracejessica]

Regarding swimming etc, that's one activity I refuse to not pay for, my eldest 3 (single and twins) have just started at £60 a month then the little twins will need to learn but one of them will need separate lessons as has epilepsy and its not controlled so ill pay for private lessons with those twins together so I think it'll be about £120 a month on swimming.

It is hard at the beginning but you will find little things which help you and a routine which suits your family.

Testing whether identical etc is called zygosity testing and is £80 through the multiple birth foundation :-)

[elisio1]

Hi crabappletree and Hystericalparoxysm and Franykins

I'm in your position 20 weeks on. I posted back in Jan when I too found out I was having twins (with almost 3 and 5 year old boys already) and was absolutely shocked and daunted.

I can't report on the reality of life with 2 plus twins as I'm still pregnant - 36 weeks. But I can report on the pregnancy. Mine are fraternal twins, and I have had no problems with the pregnancy at all, so please be reassured on that front (as there are a lot of horror stories out there). I am still very mobile, able to take my boys to pre-school, attend pre-school functions, toddler groups etc and have no problems sleeping! I did get very anaemic at one point, but plenty of people do in any pregnancy, and of course iron sorts that out pretty much straight away.

My twins have had no problems so far and have only been having extra 2 week scans from 30 weeks - up until then, nothing extra to singleton pregnancy. They are currently both lying transverse, so elective c-section is probably on the cards in a few weeks' time.

To be honest, I have struggled more psychologically with the whole thing. I say this not to sound negative but to just say you're not alone if you're feeling scared and daunted by the prospect of 4 under 5/6.

I did get very low for a few weeks around half way through wondering how I would cope, whether I would continue to enjoy motherhood etc, but feel quite a few notches better now, still daunted, but in a more normal way iykwim. If you do find you are feeling similarly, go to your GP. Mine has been brilliant, and there are quite a few support systems you can be plugged into. Homestart is also a great place to contact- they offer volunteers experienced with young children who come into your home 4 hours a week to help out.

There are some lovely mums on here in our situation (but several years down the line) who have been helpful and reassuring. Sokmonsta and Threebeeonegee, I hope you don't mind me mentioning you- as you have both sent me very helpful messages.

I have also found it helpful to talk to families of 4 in our area (there are still some around, even in this age of 2.4 children!), so maybe you could do the same?

In the meantime, good luck with your pregnancies and get very good at accepting help from anyone who offers!

[beachesandbuckets]

Another one here, 30 weeks pregnant with non identical twins (I think) and a (just) 5 year old and a 2 year old. Name changed, used to be Holidays.
Pregnancy so far has been completely straightforward (touch wood) and I even hosted a party for my ds the other week - 35 four and five year olds!!!
Still working and plan to til I drop - for financial reasons as quite worried in this regard.
Shortly off to buy car - ford galaxy has been recommended to me as its a 7 seater and they seem to come in quite cheap.
Since 28 weeks, I have been scanned every fortnight (even though no problems with the babies), this must be my hospitals policy. Consultant won't discuss birth options with me until nearer the birth day, one is pointing downwards, one is transverse. Am slightly worried about this as my ds came in 6 hours, dd came in 20 mins and don't want to get caught short delivering twins anywhere other than a hospital.
Been on a steep learning curve, so any questions please ask! Am quite excited really tho know its going to be incredibly hard work.
Good luck x

[elisio1]

Hello beachesandbuckets, glad you're still hanging in there! Hope your twins turn so that you are able to at least consider a natural delivery. I had scan yesterday and , since both of mine are transverse, am booked in for C-section next week. Eek. It has all felt so surreal up until now, but now have to face reality!

Do you know what gender your twins are? Mine are b/g and my older son is desperate to meet his sister twin but is rather dismissive of the other! Hopefully DS2 will look after him!

Glad you're getting excited. I am feeling better about the whole situation but still slightly terrified about how much life is going to change!

We're getting a Ford Galaxy too! Neighbours with 3 older kids have one and swear by it.

Keep me posted..