Twins Club

[Amberc]

Here's the new thread!

Hello ladies can i join you please

had ivf on 10th f december, tested realy early and got bfp. I have had a scan at 6+3 where my doctor said she can ONLY see 2 lol, bth heartbeats were seen. I have another scan tomorrow at epu, and my booking in with a special midwife due to our last baby being born sleeping at 18 weeks.

just wondered if you ladies can tell me how often they scan you ad how often you are seen?

lisa
xxx

Woop new people! Welcome.
I'm not far ahead of you restingkitty, 20+2 currently.

Jess4ever I've been scanned every 2 weeks since 16 weeks, before that the only scan was 12 weeks.

Hi newbies, welcome!

I cant believe I've only 7 weeks left till due date, my OH is in denial, he tells me he cant believe there are two babies in there. He's had to quit his job though so currently looking for a new one which isnt good, but since he's been off work he's been doing all the washing up and spending more time with us so it's not all bad. :)

Still havent bought the pram or cot yet on account of me waiting for the maternity grant. Still not sure if it's worth buying a moses basket or not. Not planning on buying two though.

How are you getting on Magic and thingamajig?

Hi all! Let me give you one piece of advice. Keep those babies in you as long as is healthy. Much as mine are 'a good size' they are still 3 weeks smaller than s full term singleton and ate finding everything that bit harder. Bf is almost impossible which is the biggest problem. With hindsight I wish I had waited till 38 weeks. Still the babies are doing well. No jaundice and weightloss of only 5% but being weighed daily. I am missing my little boy something chronic but making the most of this time alone with the babies with the expert help of on tap midwives. Home tomorrow and I'm petrified!

Hello to everyone especially the newbies!!

snowfalls I was 37+1 when I delivered. Induced a couple of days earlier than planned due to blood pressure going through the roof.

holidays we haven't used a moses basket at all with the twins. We put them in a cot from day one side by side, although they probably were small enough to have been able to so that in a moses basket to start with. We swaddled them until they were about 5 weeks old too which they seemed to like as they slept slightly better at night when they were swaddled.

amber glad to hear the babies doing well, and you'll be glad to get home! Nothing like your own bed even if you don't get to spend much time in there! And don't beat yourself up about BF. Its doubly difficult with twins. I am only doing 3 feeds a day and then still having to top them up with a bottle. We're hanging in there and I suspect will do till they decide they can't be bothered anymore.

And hello to all the newbies. Hoping you all have uneventful pregnancies!

Hi to the newbies.

Jesse I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your first child. That must have been unbearable and I wish you all the best with the twins. My pregnancy is the result of ICSI and I think I had two scans at the assisted conception unit, then they discharged me into the NHS so you get the standard twin approach after that. If yours are non-identical then you'll get the usual scans at 12 and 20 weeks, but then I think the next is 28 weeks and then every 4 weeks from then on. It would be more frequent with i-d twins as with Snowball. Midwife appointments are pretty much every 4 weeks throughout, in my experience so far (I'm 25 weeks), and you'll get lots of monitoring for BP and glucose.

Hope the return home tomorrow goes well Amber. I can imagine you're apprehensive! Have you got family coming to help out? Hope the babies regain their weight and BF becomes easier for you - perhaps being in your home environment might make it a little more relaxing even though you do lose the midwives.

Smokey - what do you mean by swaddled?

I forgot to tell you all, had a scan yesterday, twins are growing well and apparently even have enough room in there (i was doubtful and asked the sonographer who told me they seem to have a good amount of fluid around them so seem fine).
:)

Hello! Please can I join your thread?

I've just found out this morning that I'm expecting twins!! I'm absolutely over the moon but am still in total shock as well! I went in for an early scan (am only 7 weeks) as I thought I was having a mc (I had a mc in May 2010) only to be told that I have TWO babies and both are fine - and we saw their little heart beats!!

SO emotional and excited and overwhelmed. These will be our first children so we'll be going from a family of two to a family of four all at once!! Something tells me that we'll need a LOT of support!

Lots of Newbies...so a big WELCOME !

JESSE so sorry to hear about your baby.... But a massive congratulations on your twin news ! and a huge congrats and hello to all the others that have joined.

Ive MCDA twins (identical) and because of this I have been scanned EVERY week from week 14. But I have to add this isnt normal, my boys arent behaving like normal twins apparently ! there were issues with growth and amniotic fluid. I am now back to two weekly and see my consultant every two weeks as well. But have hardly seen my midwife. actually feel like im living in the hospital.

amberc good luck going home, you will be totally fine... x let us know how it goes. When you have a minute to breathe...do u have any support at home? I am a bit worried now as ive been told they are considering delivering mine at 34 weeks...but I am ready for a fight if they are both ok and im ok then dont kow why I cant deliver at 36...which I though was full term for twins??? am I wrong??

ladies am I entitled to the mat grant?????

hippy no sadly you and I will just miss out on the grant! You had to be 25 weeks as at 1 January I believe, and we were around the 23 week mark. So we were close but no cigar - very annoying.

Thanks for the weclome (I popped in briefly last Friday, but now the shock as abaited I feel more ready to become a more permenant resident if that's ok )

Congrats amberc

We had our first NHS appointment. Booked in for 8.45. Eventually got out at 11.15 WTF?! Appointment comprised of a scan, infomration gathering chat with MW, information gathering chat with cons and a lot of waiting around in between. Hey-ho.

Anway, my two are still doing fine which is good to know. Consultant's plan A is to deliver naturally at 39 weeks. We shall see...

A (distant) colleague at work with twins said that 2 of these clicky linky were something they "could not have lived without" especially when it came to synchronised bottle feeding. Just thought I'd share

Cerubina I used to be Loujalou from the Assisted Conception thread but had a name change. I hope Kavanagh and Rumpole are doing well. I managed to conceive naturally in the end the month I went to the FC. Am now 17 weeks. Did you find out the sexes or waiting for a surprise?

Hi Halle! Nice to see you and congratulations on your pregnancy, that's brilliant - hope it is going smoothly. Are you expecting one or two? If two do feel free to join us here.

Ha - Kavanagh & Rumpole are doing very nicely thanks! Both are still surprises as we have always leaned towards not finding out and couldn't come up with a reason why that would be a problem, even with twins. Just means we have to have three different name combos ready to go and keep the decor neutral which we prefer anyway!

BB our first appointment took ages too, perhaps that is just the way of them. Otherwise they've been reasonably efficient - do expect a long appointment for your 20 week scan though as they take ages over twins. Sounds as if your consultant is less risk averse than some then if he's not defaulting to planned CS - I think that's good as with us I'd rather everyone keep an open mind about what to do until anything occurs that makes a CS inevitable. Glad you are feeling more on an even keel since last week.

I'm expecting the 20 week scan to take a long time - only because the receptionist made a dramatic teeth sucky noise when I asked what I should do if I needed to change the appt...(she was a charmer!)

BB impressed that you have been allowed to see a consultant. My MW said that I couldn't see one until we had reached "viability" (she said 24-25 weeks)

I am expecting one. Had 2 sets of twins over earlier. That was enough.

cerubina that is CRAP !! cant believe we missed out by two weeks !! ah well...... win some loose some.

20 weeks scan does take ages ! still astounds me how they can see everything so well. we are thinking of getting a 4d scan done..has anyone else had this done..do u think its a waste of money?? am not sure we can afford it but then dont want to regret not having it as cant see me being pregnant with twins again

I can honestly say i have the most weirdest feelings going on in my stomach. well actually lower down. Both my twins are head down and have been like that apparently for a few weeks... so I look like I am carrying all the weight just above my lady bits !!! am still stretchmark free..at what point are they due to make an apperance ???

@ kitty's receptionist sucking her teeth. I think they all go to the same charm school

We're also going to go for the "surprise" option cerubina. Unless I'm overtaken with a desire to buy blue/pink.

12+4 weeks and still not showing? How long have I got folks?

Also interested to know the answer to hippy's stretchmark question

From what I can remember, by the time I announced at work I had a pot belly, then by 15 weeks it was fairly clear I was pg with a bump emerging above the belly button too. Things really exploded between 17 and 18 weeks when I suddenly looked like a real preggo and now I look as though I have a beachball up my top!

hippy and I are at the same stage and I am also stretch mark free so that's 25 weeks...I imagine we won't get away with it too long after 30 weeks?

Hi guys - haven't been on here for a while so thought best check in.

I'm 34+3 weeks now and my god am I feeling it. Driving is a no no as is going anywhere alone. I'm feeling really quite vulnerable especially as my babies have been either lying across or breech so if something did happen and I was out alone I'd be in a bit of a pickle! I didn't think my skin could stretch much further but it's amazing that it does - and I've still another 4-5 wks left to go. Re stretch marks - all you early peeps, I strongly recommend co co butter morning and night religiously from as soon as you find out!! Start moisturising. As yet, I've escaped the stretch marks but there's time yet.

I've an appt tomorrow with the consultant so I'll be asking for a second opinion re delivery. A c/s is on the cards which as you know, is fine with me, but to have to wait another 4-5 wks seems an eternity esp when I'm so limited to what I can do. And I get soooo out of breath doing just nothing. It's crazy!

Managed to get hold of a pregnancy suit from an old midwifery colleague and had my hubby wear it for a while. He said 'god, its heavy, a pregnancy can't weigh this much!!!' Welcome to our world men!!!!!! They've really no idea do they!?!

Btw Congrats Amberc - can't remember if I congratulated you but what fab weights and lovely names!!! You must be thrilled! I think this means I'm next?!? Have we an up to date list??? Hope you manage ok at home with family life and the breast feeding.

Anyway, hope everyone else is ok and welcome to the newbies.

I am deluded and praying that I dont get them.... I am bio oiling every morning and night and using neals yard mum to be oil in my bath..have also used the coco butter..infact have been using anything I can get my hands on... the I read that thats all nonsense and its hereditary....so we will see.

cerubina we are literally days apart !! My boss asked me today when am I thinking of giving up work....? I was thinking the end of Feb? then that will give me a good few weeks to relax and get settled at home, although they arent due till 26th April, I have been told that they will come at 36 weeks... so thats the beginning of April?? am not sure....what are u doing?

Hi everyone! I'm new to this group as just found out yesteday at 13+5 I'm expecting twins! We're very happy and shocked! These are our first children too! So many questions, so many emotions - thank heavens you're all here :-)

They have separate placentas but I don't know how I know if they're identical or not? I saw their little heartbeats and their brains and nuchal is fine, thankfully.

Also confused about how you judge maternity leave when expecting twins?

Plus, I'm big already and uncomfortable in my work clothes - I'm worried if I start wearing maternity clothes now, soon I'll barely remember a time when I didn't wear them!

Morning all, had flu jab on Tues eve and been wiped out for 2 days even though it's not a live vaccine. Bleurgh! Glad I feel better today, many jobs to do today.

Welcome to all the newbies - loads of you how lovely!!

Cake4breakfast I love the name! If they have separate placentas they are most likely to be Non ID (or fraternal). They should have confirmed "choronicity" at your scan - what do you notes say? Most books/sites etc that I have read say around 28-30 weeks for maternity leave but depends on your job. I gave up at 29 weeks and was more than ready! By 28 weeks you will basically be full term singleton size! WIth mat clothes just remember you are going to sprout much quicker so wear what is comfortable even if it means you are wearing your mat clothes for longer!

Brassica you will wake up one morning and will have popped!

jesse how did you get on with your scan and the midwife? I have been in your situation having lost DD2 at 21 weeks and have had a bereavement midwife do half of my midwife appointments. It has been great having her for support and lots of reassurance.

Restingkitty at the receptionist! Re consultant appointments, take it as a good sign, I think basically if everything is going well the consultants stay away as long as poss. I have only seen the twins consultant once, because they are ID and I have an existing medical condit. I wont see her now until 34 weeks for a delivery date.

Hi MrsStevo how are you feeling a few days in after twinshock ??????

Stretch marks - EEeeeeeek!!!! I Bio'd/Cocoa'd every day from when I found out until about 24 weeks when the itch set in and now I can only use aqueous cream........mind you 30+ weeks and no lines is quite good but I am waiting for them to appear before my eyes.

Tabby wow another 4-5 weeks! I feel for you as I am struggling already esp with driving, hard to turn with 4 feet in your ribs. Good luck with your appointment today I hope you get brought forward slightly. at the pregnancy suit.

Amberc how are you getting on with your girls at home???? Bet it was lovely to see your DS again, how is he with the girls?

Cerub hope your NCT was informative and your ribs are bearing up! Looking forward to the tour tomorrow? I feel a little anxious about stepping onto the labour ward tbh having been there before!

Hi Holidays doing good thanks, counting the days!!!! We have bought most of our bits now, DH is going to do the twins room at the weekend and we will sort out all the bits from when we had DD. I have a moses basket but I really don't know if we will use???? If we do it will prob be for downstairs. Ladies who have popped what did you do???????????????????????????????????

Hi Snow, Thingy, Smokey and JJkm - how are your double bundles doing?

We need to update our list don't we? If any of your new ladies fancy adding yourself on feel free to do so.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi cake4 I only found out last week adn know how you are feeling! I think sperate placentas = non-id. If one egg had split for id twins you'd have just one placenta.

I'm due at the end of July. I'd like to work as long as possible, but I'm open to the idea that this might not be possible. Especially as I have a 2 hour drive to get there/back. I've told work I am clearly a cost-cutting corporate girl as they are getting 2 (maternity leaves) for one!!

A bit of a stretch mark prevention product tart then hippy?

Welcome cake4breakfast and congratulations! I agree you may as well get comfy in maternity clothes now, you'll need them soon enough and there is no point being uncomfortable. Have you announced at work?

hippy we are only a day apart then! Your due date has come forward a bit by the look of it, you are now the day before me. Nice to have a twins twin! You are supposed to give your employer notice of your maternity leave by the time you are 25 weeks (15 weeks before EDD as they put it). So best decide ASAP - personally I am finishing up on the 18th Feb, which is 30+2. I reckon that'll be about my limit anyway with commuting and sitting at a desk all day. Mind you, a 2-hour drive each way sounds a lot worse BB.

Magic I am so sorry, I hadn't realised that you had also lost a baby before. It must be nerve-wracking to go through this afterwards but good you are getting dedicated care. Getting the nursery set up sounds like lots of fun, will make it all very real won't it! I am not planning to get a Moses basket for ours but the buggy we will get comes with carrycots so I assume these will work fine for porting them round the house when needed?

Ribs feel much better since Weds - I asked the midwife about them and she said basically it is a consequence of limited space + two babies, it might get better if they change position but it might get worse if they have to spread further. Somehow being told to get on with it has made it all a bit more bearable! Or maybe they have slightly shifted. Anyway, it's not quite as achy and strained as it has been. I'm now employing an extra pillow between my legs at night time as she said to do this before you have any pelvic/back aches and pains. Takes a bit of getting used to having another thing in the bed and rolling over is a bit of an exercise, but I'm sure it's worth it.

Got a nice weekend planned - a massage this afternoon, tomorrow acupuncture plus hospital antenatal plus test driving a car, and then on Sunday round to a friend's for tea who we haven't seen for ages. Might also grasp the nettle and order the buggy and nursery furniture if we can find time - it seems ridiculous but somehow committing to buying this stuff feels like a big deal and I keep wanting to put it off. Does anyone else keep procrastinating?

You're right Magic, the list is getting seriously out of date now we have so many new ladies on here - here's the last one I could find (updated for Amber's delivery) so please feel free to add/update yourselves.

Sassy34264 #2&3 EDD 12/09/10, Lancs, Jacob and Isobel born 13/8/10
strawberrylace #2&3 EDD 1/12/10, Suffolk, surprise Zoey and Lucas born 23/10/10 by c section
jjkm #1&2 ADD 29/1/11, outside the UK, Girls born 25/10/10
Lavitabellissima #1&2 EDD 13/12/10, SW London, Identical girls Vivienne & Florence Born 04/11/10 c section (early 34&3)
smokeybacon #3&4 EDD 25th Nov, Nottingham, Freddie and Tobias born 06/11/10, natural birth after induction.
Jenzopos #1&2 EDD 23/11/10, Charlotte & Anna, Manchester 18?/11/10
Swazzee #1&2 EDD 02/12/10, South London, Adem 6lb 3oz and Rafi 5lb 13oz 21/11/10
Amberc #2&3, Madeleine & Isabella, delivered by C Section on 07/1/11 at 37 weeks, Kent

??MamaMojito nee JacksMummy73 #2&3 EDD 14/12/10, Bucks, Surprise??

Tabbycat76 #1+2 Edd 21/02/11, Suffolk, surprise
Holidays2010 #2&3 EDD 18/03/11, SW London, surprise
Thingamajig #2&3 EDD 20/3/11, Cornwall, identical girls
Magic8ballhastheanswers #3&4 EDD 22/3/11 South London, ID, Surprise
Cerubina #1&2, EDD 27/4/11, SW London, non-identical surprises
Hippy3 1&2 edd 26/04/2011 Poole, Dorset. ID twin boys.
VictoriaSecrets #1&2, EDD 17/05/11, Basingstoke, too soon to tell, so surprises!
Snowfalls108 #2&3 EDD 29/05/2011, SW London,ID surprise