Twin's Club 2! All Welcome! :)

[holidays2010]

Continued on from Here
Tried to update best I can with limited info and time, but here's the list on the new Twins Club thread, please update if I've missed anything!

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 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 15/11/10 6lb 7oz and 7lb 5oz
Swazzee #1&2 EDD 02/12/10, South London, Adem 6lb 3oz and Rafi 5lb 13oz 21/11/10
Amberc #2&3, Madeleine (6.3lb) & Isabella (6.11lb) , delivered by C Section on 07/1/11 at 37 weeks, Kent
Thingamajig #2&3 EDD 20/3/11, Cornwall, identical girls Hannah (5lb4oz) and Louise (4lb4oz) born 13/2/11
Magic8ballhastheanswers #3&4 EDD 22/3/11 South London, ID girls born 27/2/11
Cerubina #1&2, SW London, Sebastian (3lb 4oz) and Rosamund (3lb 9oz) born 8 weeks early on 26/2/11 by emergency c-section
Holidays2010, 2 Baby Boys born 06/03/2011
CantDrinkAnyMoreMilk, Scotland, Baby Girl and Baby Boy born 01/03/2011
crazydayz, Thomas and Isobel, born on 28/4/2011 by C-section at 7lb 3 and 6lb 14

Tabbycat76 #1+2 Edd 21/02/11, Suffolk, surprise
VictoriaSecrets #1&2, EDD 17/05/11, Basingstoke, Prob Non-ID twin girls!

Snowfalls108 #2&3 EDD 29/05/2011, SW London, ID surprise
MissyMolly #1&2, EDD 29/05/2011, Midlands, non ID boy and girl
RestingKitty #1&2 EDD 15/06/2011, South London, boy & girl
Propercrimbo #2&3 EDD 16/07/11, North Lancs, not finding out
Brassicababe #1&2, 22/07/2011, Lincs, non-id, surprise
MorningsMadness #2&3 EDD 14/08/2011, Surrey, Non-ID twin girls
MrsStevo, #1 & 2, EDD 23/08/2011, Lincs, MCDA ID
Redshaw, EDD Sept 2011, MCDA ID
Tiggersreturn #2+3 EDD 26/09/11 NW London DCDA - not finding out
DoubleDiffedDachs, #1&2 EDD 5/10/11, Twyford (Berks), DCDA, too early to tell!
Fluter, EDD October 2011, Non-ID
PeelingmyselfofftheCeiling #1+2 EDD ... , DCDA
mybootsaremuddy 6+7 EDD 7/7/2011, surprise
silverangel #1+2 EDD ..., ID

Thanks. They missed that there were 2 babies in there at the first scan, and at all subsequent appointments when they were checking the heartbeat. So, imagine our surprise at the 20 week scan when the ultrasound technician said "Erm, did you know there were two babies in there..?" :)

overthesea I am truly amazed that they missed that there were 2 babies, but on the other hand what an amazing surprise for you! :) Do you know if the twins are identical or non-identical? Have you been in the US for the whole of your pregnancy so far?

Morning! I am celebrating reaching 34 weeks today! Hurrah!

Tinks - good luck for today, hope it is a positive appointment and you come out feeling totally reassured. Let us know how you get on. What a HIDEOUS midwife by the way!!! Hope you don't have to see her again. I too have had my fair share of shitty midwives too - some didn't know what MCDA twins meant (I also had to tell a Registrar-level doctor that MCDA always means identical ) and some have just been very insensitive indeed. My experience of being scanned every week means I never see my community midwife and see different midwives each week at the hospital - no continuity at all. That seems to have changed since DH had a grumble on my behalf!

quempin - I'm with you on the 'over the moon / scared stiff' feelings! I think it is hard for DPs to completely understand what being pregnant... with twins! ... actually means for us in practice. I have found my DH to be amazing at times (when we were going through the TTTS nightmare he was an angel) and utterly useless to the point where I could punch him at other times. I have had to become very directive about what I want / need!

overthesea - Welcome and Congratulations!!!! I too am gobsmacked that they had failed to notice 2 babies until 20 weeks! You must've practically fallen off the bed when they said there were 2 in there!!!! But it is fabulous news, congratulations. Very exciting indeed! No idea about dealing with a toddler and newborn twins as these two are my first. But I believe that there are other ladies on the thread in your position.

ladybird: Yes, I've been in the US for the entire pregnancy. I think they are not identical, they are DCDA twins, so they are probably fraternal. And I've decided to give myself a google ban about googling stuff about twin pregnancies, it's making me freak out! So, focusing on the wonderful surpise part of it all!

Hello all - can I join too?

I am 27+3 today and totally knackered! have one DS who has just turned two and these two (non ID) are due on 8th October. I don't know what I am having - originally thought one of each due to very different heartbeats at 16 weeks but at 24 week scan had an inkling it was two girls! But we are not finding out, much to DH's (and his family's) dismay!

It's so interesting reading your threads - heartbreaking at times, my heart goes out to Dachs and the worries some of you have had.

On the positive side I am glad I don't seem to be the only neurotic pregnant one! So far things have been relatively smooth once I got over the HORRENDOUS ms at about 4 months, had some slight worries over diabetes and an e-coli scare but they turned out to be fine in the end. The only thing I am really struggling with is my size. I am bigger now than I was full term with DS! And I too was in maternity clothes not long after my 12 weeks scan. Am now mostly too big for most of my mat clothes so living in tents dresses!

Oh and I agree on google - the NHS should find some way of blocking google from the IP addresses of all pregnant women

ooh MrsSteve 34 weeks is fantastic - such a great feeling to know you will have your little bambinos soon!

Hello to the newbies. Cannot imagine finding out at 20 weeks overthesea, I nearly fell off the bed at 11 weeks so hats off for sounding so calm about the whole thing!

I've just had a 20 week scan and all seems ok, although one was being a bit unco-operative so have to pop back again next week. Have just read in one book that they do the anomaly scan later for 'bigger' ladies - I was only a size 12-14 going into this pregnancy so really quite offended . Size of a bleedin' bus now, but no one wants to weigh me!

Had an interesting trip up to NICU on the consultant's advice - she recommends all multiple mums to be go up just in case they need it. On arrival I explained why we were there and the doc said 'Hmm, yes Dr X does tend to like to get twins out early and send them up here, I sometimes wonder why she does it'. . Was actually really good to hear that it wasn't just me who hates the witch thinks some of her policies need questioning, and suggests although I might have a fight on my hands to resist early induction, there should be support elsewhere among the staff.

Ladybird how was your scan? Think it was today?

Been lurking but not much to say yet as not had my scan yet - 7 days and counting.

Hey peeling good news on the scan and even though you have to go back for the second one, at least you get to have another look at your twins really soon!

Overthesea wow - what a shocker! Can't believe a sonographer could miss twins at a 12 weeks scan?!

Hi to everyone else!!

I am 11+5 and am sure I am showing - can this be possible with first pg? Well it isn't my first, but my first only got to 17 weeks sadly.

Sorry to quicky post and run.

Good news from me, hooray! My 12 week scan went well - both babies growing nicely and nearly the same size which I'm relieved about. Combined test results came back low risk. It took ages to measure both of them as one was hiding behind the other and they were both moving around so much. Was massive relief that DH could make it, as would never have kept DS under control by myself for so long. Am booked in for another scan in 3 weeks time to check everything is progressing well. Am still feeling slightly adrift as no-one will tell me when I will get to see the specialist twins consultant - everyone seems to be saying it's someone else's job to refer me. I also can't get a straight answer about frequency of scans - even the specialist twins midwife (who I probably won't be formally referred to for another few months at least) said she thought they probably scanned ID twins every 4 weeks - aaargh. I think I'm just going to have to wait until my next scan and badger them for fortnightly scans from then on.... In the meantime I am seeing a normal consultant's stand-in (I'm sure this translates as junior doctor) next week, as the consultant is on holiday. I predict having to explain TTTS to him rather than getting any useful questions answered - like when all this pain and bleeding will stop!! (Sorry, rant over!)

BB3 welcome to the thread! Congratulations for your advanced state of 27+3! I'm not surprised you are knackered with a 2 year old keeping you busy. I'm exhausted already with DS and he's nearly 4, so at least he can feed himself, dress himself, be effectively negotiated with and bribed! Am sorry you are feeling huge already, however your words have a lovely soothing effect on me as I feel enormous and totally ashamed of being in maternity trousers at 12 weeks!

Peeling I'm glad your 20 week scan went well (and hope that the unco-operative one behaves a bit better next time!) Am seriously shocked about your NICU story??!! Which hospital are you at?!

MrsS Big congratulations on reaching 34 weeks!! Hope you're feeling well. x

Sorry ravenlocks our posts crossed. Hope the next 7 days go really quickly for you! In terms of showing early on - I think after your uterus has been stretched once it is happy to do it in double quick time the next time round - that's my excuse anyway! And there are 2 of them in there after all!! Take care of yourself and please let us know how you get on in your scan! x

Afternoon all!

Welcome to BB3. Sounds like you've had your fair share of complications in your pg too but pleased all is well now!

ladybird - hurrah for a good 12 week scan!!! And peeling - hurrah for a good 20 week scan!!

Any news from tinks? Thinking of you.

All well over here. Had my weekly doppler / fluid level check this morning and all was ok. FINALLY got infection blood results back and they were all clear . The sonographer couldn't measure the brain ventricles as babies were being their usual pesky selves and not lying the right way. Fingers crossed they are fine again and babies will be healthy. They estimated that the babies would be around 4+1/2lbs if they were born now, more like 6lbs if they carry on the same trajectory until they are delivered at 36+6. I will be over the moon if they end up being 6lbs and healthy little bambinos. 17 sleeps until they arrive now .......EEEEEK!

Hello all

Ladybird and peeling yay for good scans and wiggling beans!

MrsStevo glad all looks good - 6lbers would be fantastic hey but 4.5lb even now is a good size. Can't believe you will see them in just over two weeks! That's so exciting!

I bought the pram today, got the bugaboo donkey - I was adamant I was getting the Baby Jogger city select until I went and tried them all out and fell in love with this one. It's completely the opposite of what I originally wanted (side by side, not tandem) but it's just so gorgeous and very practical and I got different colour sets (ref and cream) to go with the black frame. I decided to get the maxi cosy car seats and everything all in one go (they will all arrive together in about 2-3 weeks) but I almost fainted when the final price came in! Still, it's done and I have something to bring the little beans home in should they decide to make an appearance!

It's a scorcher today - so hot! I need to crack on with some work as I spent the morning skiving in John Lewis but I just can't get motivated!!!

Hi All,
Sorry I've not been an active participant lately. Don't worry nothing awful - just hectic, tiring, looooooong week!
So Kings went well. Had another scan and guess what - 2 sacs! Oh, it was the best membrane I have ever seen. I bawled like a baby.....again. Got to listen to the heart beats - most amazing sound ever.....cue more tears!
Staying at Kings so they can keep an eye on the TTTS but they can't see any evidence of it just yet. 14% growth difference but they are not worried just yet. They have written up a care plan for me and have already booked me in for 16 & 18 week scan. I truly am lucky to be under the watchful eye of the team at Kings.

Sounds like everyone is doing well on here.

Well I don't know about you lot but I am on cloud 9 at the moment!!!
Lots of hugs, Tinks xxxx

Hi everyone,

Tinks that's such great news that you are MCDA, I'm so pleased for you and can imagine the relief you feel after all that worrying! Sounds like you are being looked after very well. :)

quempin I am always shocked at how certain people ask if someone is pregnant when there is not an enormous definite bump (which is the only time that I would do it!). It is really risky!!

BB3 very exciting news about the Donkey. I am v !

Mrs S am so pleased that your doppler/fluid checks and blood results were all fine. Your babies are such a good size already! I know two people who had twins of 4 1/2 lbs and under and none of them needed any special care. It is really amazing that they will put on so much weight in such a short space of time if you go on a couple more weeks though!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

MrsS I have just read through the thread about your TTTS and I am totally gobsmacked by everything you have been through. You poor, poor love. I can't even imagine what kind of emotional rollercoaster you have been through over the past few months. All I can say is a massive well done for getting through it and retaining your sense of humour and your MN-ing skills. I'm sure I would be a gibbering wreck by now. The fact that you are at 34 weeks with all good test results is truly wonderful and I hope that you now feel much more relaxed about everything. I think it is safe to say that parenting those two little babies once they have been born is going to be a lot easier than everything you have been through so far!!! You have really inspired me to push hard for fortnightly scans, to not put up with being messed around by doctors who have no clue about ID twins and to be super-vigilant about checking my symptoms. Although I am scared senseless by the whole thing, I would much rather have all the facts so that I can deal with it if I need to. I am now going to present you with an enormous chocolate fudge cake and a huge medal for getting through everything so brilliantly!! (You are allowed to share it with DH who sounds like he has been amazing too!)

I have made it to 12 weeks, just need to get to Friday now for my scan!

Tinks great stuff re the membrane and the quality of care you are getting.

I haven't had anything 'different' to a single pg as yet - apparently I will get consultant led care and go to a twins ante natal clinic - and I don't even know what that really means yet! But I think things may be a bit different for me with DCDA.

MrsS wow - you are sooo close!!

Ladybird GREAT news on the successful 12 week scan. I am so hoping I can report similar news on Friday. In truth I am terrified of vanishing twin and also of being told that neither of them have made it as I really have very limited symptoms. DH trying to keep me positive.

BB3 also and your Bugaboo Donkey!

Quempin are you me?? Bump is also coming and going - bigger at night than in morn, and could be down to me eating like a horse for weeks. Am also a size 10 and wondering if I ever will be again. Although I haven't been sick once and barely any nausea atall.

Here's hoping that come next weekend our minds will be at rest - until we find the next thing to worry abt!

Tinks so glad all is well. Kings is supposed to be amazing. I live 2 hours away but work so close to it on a daily basis that I was almost tempted to transfer there when I found out I was having twins but then figured at this stage I wouldn't want to be commuting to London for appointments and the birth could be a bit of a nightmare!!

ladybird people actually look at me with a face of horror / shock when I say I am not due until October - I get the 'Three months' how on earth will you get to three more months look! (And sometimes comments!)

Quempin raven Once upon a time (about 3 years ago) I was a comfortable size 10, then I got pregnant with DS was JUST and JUST getting back into my size 10 clothes when I got pregnant with these two (so a good 18 months) and within 7 weeks I was gone. You sound just like I did at that stage. Could eat bread and cheese until the cows come home and before we found out it was twins my ever-so-tactful mother said 'I knew you were pregnant a month ago (which would have been about 5/6 weeks) because of the weight you put on! So I think it's normal to get thicker more rapidly! My pre-pregnancy clothes are in the loft. I am giving myself 18 months to get them down again afterwards. If they are not out by then I am admitting defeat and throwing them away! Also on symptoms, I had ms from week 2 (I knew I was pregnant despite the tests saying negative) but when I hit 3 months I had a lack of symptoms for about 3 weeks (I FREAKED at the time but soon after wished for that time again!) and I didn't feel the babies move until about 19 weeks pg which really bothered me as I felt DS at 16 weeks so couldn't work out why I couldn't feel 2 of the beggers! Now I freak out when the babies are quieter than normal - there will ALWAYS be something to stress about in this pregnancy!

MrsS agree with ladybird you might be one of those very few mothers that can cope so much better with the two-year-old tantrums biting and hitting because they will be so much more special!

Quemp I didn't have the downs test. My hospital don't do it automatically with multiple births so after the 12 week scan I had a chat with the doctor about the options (and if I wanted it they would book me in for a scan later that week). He said to me the combined test is done as normal but it's not as valid (the nuchal fold measurements are but the blood tests are harder to define) so if the risk comes back high they will do the amnio on both babies. I decided (much to DH's upset) not to have it done. But that's how they explained it to me so hope that helps.

The donkey package (such an awful name!!!), was £1200 in JL - that was the frame, two seats, two pram bits, the base and two hood / foot muff cover things. I then got the maxi cosi car seats and the dual connector (which was almost as much as one blinking car seat) so paid £1498 altogether. It's is a lot of money and DH wants a new second hand car for work so has been moaning about how he could buy one cheaper than the pram but I figure that with 3 DCs I will need something practical for me. It was the ease of taking off seats / prams / car seats and it's folding etc that sold it to me (and it was very pretty compared to the one I was going to get). Also, I have nothing else really to buy (apart from another moses basket) and some clothes, everything else we have from DS1 so my justification was we spent about £800 on all his bits so with two, technically they are being treated equally! (You know I could find a reason for anything!!! !!!.

Wow mammoth post I best go and get on with the ironing!!!

Hi everyone,

ravenlocks congratulations on making it to 12 weeks! Hope the days go really quickly for you until your scan!

quempin congrats to you too! Just following on from what BB3 said about the downs testing... I had basically read exactly what BB3 was told about the the testing for twins - that the nuchal fold measurement was still valid but the blood tests might be off. At my hospital they do the combined test as a matter of course for twins so I asked the guy who did my blood test about 100 questions to try to work out what happens... He said that they adjust the formula they use to calculate the risk for twins, so that it doesn't give an inaccurate result. To be honest, I wasn't convinced whether that would work, but he was adamant that it was the way they did it. He did say that they did factor in the other scan measurements (head circ, crown to rump etc) as they were also relevant for downs testing, along with the mother's age etc to get the most accurate probability. It sounds like different hospitals have different policies on this though, and also my hospital gives you the results of the combined test as soon as you have had your scan (about an hour after the blood test) but I know other people have had to wait up to 10 days for this... One thing I would say is (if you decide to have the combined test and you get a same-day result) tell them when you are having the blood test part that you are having twins, otherwise they will do the results based on one baby and then have to re-do it all afterwards. Phew, hope I haven't confused you even more!

BB3 I can see that I am going to be getting the same comments as you about my size in a few months time - please let me know if you have any sarcastic replies to recommend! At least you will be at your biggest in autumn, not the height of summer which must be really hard. I think your justification for buying the donkey sounds perfectly logical! I am amazed you got your DH to agree to it though - that is the power of being pg with twins??!

ladybird TECHNICALLY he didn't agree to it. He knew the one I was originally looking at was circa £1k with the car seats and everything and had grumbled slightly but was ok with it. I was shopping with my mum (secretly hoping she would offer to pay but she didn't! ) who actually was the one that pointed this one out as she didn't like the baby jogger one and well I phoned DH to tell him I was getting a different one and to ask his advice on colours for the two hood/muff bits (which I disregarded because it didn't look right ) and then texted him the amount afterwards when it was too late!!! He was fine at first as I was having a wobble about the money but now likes to have a little dig (all in fun) at the life of luxury the twins will leave while he is rattling about in a at with bad suspension to and from work!!!

Bloody iPhone - life of luxury twins will HAVE while he rattles to work in a CAR!!!