IT'S TWINS!! What do I need to know??

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

So excited but still in shock. Today I had my first scan and saw that I'm having twins . It's safe to say I certainly wasn't expecting that! I can't stop looking at the scan pic and warming to my little bundles lol. If you have had twins did you find this pregnancy different to a single child pregnancy? I have 1 dd already but not sure what to expect with this double one. Fwiw I'm a twin myself so for some reason thought I'd have a smaller chance of conceiving twins. My twin and I were a month early too..how early or late were your twins?

TIA

[Schoolaroundthecorner]

Congratulations! Are you a non identical twin yourself? Apparently that makes you more likely to have twins, identical twins are random I think I read.

There's a multiples board here where I'm sure you'd get lots of advice. Best of luck with the rest of the pregnancy!

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

Hiya didn't know about the multiple board so thanks. No I'm an identical twin myself. The sonographer said my twins are identical too

[Tftpoo]

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy! My identical twins are turning one on Saturday. ID twins are random (about 1 in 300 pregnancies I think) but non-ID twins can run in families. In terms of what to expect in pregnancy, you will probably have more scans than a single pregnancy and I think it's usual to be induced by around 37 weeks for fraternal twins (if they haven't made an appearance already). Oh and you can probably expect lots of comments along the lines of "ooh, double trouble!" throughout pregnancy and afterwards!

Mine were delivered by c-section just before 36 weeks because my waters went early. They were tiny when they were born but are catching up nicely now. Good luck!

[Tftpoo]

Sorry x-post. Where I live, ID twins are usually induced at 36 weeks. Not sure if that's the same everywhere.

[Beggy15]

Congratulations! Twins are adorable

My mums a twin had two sets of twins and my sisters had two sets of twins and triplets! They think I may be having twins but I doubt I am.

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

Well everyone's now saying myself or my twin would've had twins at some point! I'm just thinking of when to start my mat leave. Was originally thinking of starting at 36 weeks but think that'll be too late with twins

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

Tft where do you live? I'm in London so not sure how it's dealt with here

[FreeButtonBee]

Congratulations!

Twins are very hard work but lovely too.

They normally don't let you go beyond 38 weeks with twins - I was 38+6! so they don't necessarily come early.

I had horrendous MS with my twins - just awful so if you have missed that, lucky you!. I was v tired and uncomfortable by 30 weeks and would recommend trying to finish up by 32 weeks at the latest. Hosp bag packed from 28 weeks, I think was the recommendation.

[Tftpoo]

I'm in Cambridgeshire. You can ask your consultant for a copy of your trust's multiple birth policy which tells you all about what you can expect antenatally and at the birth then discuss it with them.

Have you come across TAMBA (twins and multiple birth association)? They have loads of info on their website. There's lots of info you can download for free and if you join then you get discounts at some shops (inc. Mothercare - v useful if buying a double buggy!) and some holiday places. They also have a list of twins clubs around the country. They run some really good courses too - I went to one on breastfeeding twins which was really useful.

[TheEagle]

Congrats glitz! Lovely news

I'm 22+4 with DCDA twins (2 separate placentas, 2 separate sacs, probably not identical)

I'm having a lot more scans and appointments - if your twins share a placenta you may be scanned even more frequently, possibly fortnightly.

So far I've found the pregnancy ok but it's hard running around after my 15mo and I feel much more tired than I did on my first pg.

Consultant is going to section me between 37/38 weeks (all going well) but they have discussed the possibility that twins may come earlier.

Good luck with your pregnancy and hope you're feeling well

[TheEagle]

Oh and they expect me to finish up work by about 32 weeks.

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

Thanks for all your advice and experiences!! I will defo look into tamba thanks for that.

MS stopped last week I'm currently 11+5 going by the ultrasound dates. I sometimes feel nauseous until I eat then I'm fine. Going off coffee which used to be my lifesaver. Switched to decaf but still need that taste. I was told I'd be having scans every 4 weeks

[neversleepagain]

Congratulations.

I had my dcda twins at 34 weeks and finished work at 30 weeks.

I remember the shock of finding out at my 13 weeks can well.

Twins are hard work and have turned our lives upside down and inside out but I wouldn't change a thing.

[weelamb123]

Yes twins are very hard work, be prepared!! And good luck xx

[slightlyinsane]

Congrats glitz, my I'd girls are nearly 8 months and an absolute joy.
My pregnancy was hard work although I didn't realise it at the time. Listen to your body and when it's telling you to rest do it!
Which hospital are you at?
As per the NICE guidelines you should have fortnightly scans not 4 wkly.
My girls arrived at 36+2 after my waters went, there's a lot of info out there that will mess with your head when it comes to duedates but from my personal experience and all the twin parents I'm in contact with 36 wks comes in at the safest time to havethem.
With regards to finishing work it's hard to say, all depends on how your pregnancy goes and what type of job you do. I'm lucky (according to my dh) that I'm a sahm but I do remember hitting a brick wall around 30wks and didn't manage to get up and running properly after that. I think the statistics say around half of twins arrive at 35wks.
If you want anymore info on what to expect, what you should be getting with regards antenatal care I'm happy to give you all the info you need. Congrats again xx

[Meplusyouequals4]

congratulations.

I'm also a twin and so is my partner. We would love to have twins but it's not happened yet.

MIL says twins are easier when born as they keep each other company and sooth each other. her twins shared a cot till they was too big to fit together then they had side by side(literally touching) cots and still slept right next to each other. DH is now 27 and he and his brother are really close.

good luck with everything.

[kaykayred]

Others with much more experience can advise, but with twins:

1. I believe you really need to discuss any sports/activities that you do with the doctor or midwife. Sometimes they are less happy for you to remain active with multiples, or might tell you to stop much sooner than with a single pregnancy.
   
   
2. Due to the room they take up, you MAY be told to go on pevic rest, which basically means no sex. I don't think this is very common, but it's when the twins are being carried very low. It's more common with twins than singletons for obvious reasons!
   
   
3. Your maternity clothes probably won't fit you by the end of the pregnancy. I've seen a lot of women lament the fact that by the end they can only wear one thing! If you've already got maternity wear from your first, you may want to use that for as long as possible, but be prepared to buy a couple of extra things in an even bigger size towards the end.
   
   
4. With the birth, unless you have complications you can choose how you give birth to the first baby. However, bear in mind that there is a pretty high chance that the second baby will need to come out by caesarian. Sometimes it all works out fine, but often the second baby just won't get into position properly. It might be worth considering whether you want to risk recovering from both a vaginal birth AND a caesarian, or cut out the middle man and just go straight for the caesarian. This obviously completely depends on whether the woman is totally set on giving birth in a specific way or not.
   
   Twins are utterly wonderful. Congratulations!

[TheScenicRoute]

Congratulations!

I'm 35 weeks on Thursday with boy/girl twins, and my consultant scared the life out of me telling me I wouldn't cope working beyond 31 weeks. Well I'm still at work whoop whoop, but finishing on Friday and im being induced at 37 weeks, so only 2 weeks to go Once I leave.

They have told me the whole pregnancy to expect a probable C section, but now because they are both head down they tell me I'm going in for a natural labour... Mentally I am NOT prepared, but will go with the flow.

[Rebecca1608]

Woohoo congratulations :) I'm 17 weeks with identical twins. I had 2 early scans, my 12 week scan and now I'm going every 2 weeks for scans to a hospital away up until 24 weeks. My 20 week will be done in my local hospital. I'll be consultant lead but will be induced at 36 weeks if I haven't started myself. My twins share a placenta. I'm hoping for a c-section

[HelKat207]

Hello! Congratulations!!
I'm two weeks away from having my second set on non-identical twins! I went to 40+2 with my boys (natural..ish birth) and I'm having a c-section with these girlies at 38! Very scared but very excited too!
Xx

[Adarajames]

Congratulations on your BOGOF!
More recent research says identical twins do also run in families, just not as predictably as non ID do.

[mandy214]

Congratulations! I'm a non-identical twin, have non-identical twins and my twin sister has non-identical twins too.

I think you'll have more scans I think, especially as they're identical and they're likely to be pre-term. They are hard work - not sure the comment about them being easier 'cos they comfort each other is true in the early days. Might be when they're toddlers, not when they're screaming in tandem . Good luck!

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

slightlyinsane atm I'm booked in for a scan every 4 weeks. Only had 1 so far got my next in 2 weeks. I'm 13+3 and feeling surprisingly energetic!

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

Thanks for all your supportive messages and experiences!! I'm kind of hoping I'll be given c-sec as an option as the thought of vb with 2 is bloody scary!

HelKat was the caesarean offered or did you have to beg for it? I'm hearing all sorts of things!

mandy the myth didn't follow through on your family then! That's amazing

TheScenicRoute that would scare me too! How did you manage working so far into your pregnancy? I think I'll be sofa rideen by then!

I've still got a little while until my next antenatal so can someone please tell me about consultant led care. What's the difference? TIA