Twins Club 3!! All welcome :-)

[dreamfeeder]

Hello to everyone expecting twins!
Join us here for some mutual reassurance

MrsStevo, #1 & 2, EDD 23/08/2011, Lincs, MCDA ID,
Tiggersreturn #2+3 EDD 26/09/11 NW London DCDA - not finding out
silverangel #1+2 Sophie, 3lb3 & Alice3lb1 born at 31+2 on 01/08/11 EMCS
PrincessScrumpy #2 & 3, girls
BB3, #2&3 (#1 DS) DCDA girls born 20.09.11 by EMCS at 37 weeks exactly - Edith-May 5lb 11.5oz and Ayse-Rose 6lb 1oz.

PeelingmyselfofftheCeiling #1+2 EDD, DCDA, Boy and Girl, Born 14 Sept
Twinnerves, DCDA, #2&3, girls Francesca and Isabella, born 18/11/11 EMCS 6lbs 6 oz and 6lbs 9.5oz
xkatyx , ID girls, DC 8,5,9months, EDD 21/12/11
Quempin #1&2 EDD 27/1/12, ID surprise
Ravenlocks DCDA, #1&2, EDD 28/01/12
Tabbycatt, DCDA, 2 boys, DC 2 & 3, EDD 30/1/12
Claireinmodena DCDA, Boy & Girl, DC 3 & 4 (!!), EDD 23/02/12
Dreamfeeder, DCDA, DC 2 & 3, EDD 12/4/12
BigBoobsAtLast, MCDA, DC 2&3 EDD
CarrieInAnotherTWOBabiTWINS DCDA DC 2&3, EDD 28/06/12
Caesnake, DCDA, DC 2&3, EDD

skitoo, they said they don't normally discuss let alone decide on delivery til 34-36 weeks (seems ridiculous to me as some people will have gone into labour by then) but as i had a difficult delivery plus third degree tear with dd I have elcs option regardless of twins position. I met another twin mum though who's babies are 9 months and as they were head down CS wasn't offered to her, she had them naturally. I was scanned every 4 weeks from 20 now every 2 but no cervical length checks.

Right, bath time calls...

Oh, and for my DCDA twins my 20 week scan was dead on 20 weeks. Our hospital trust has a red alert for maternity services though so I'm always slightly wary... Have had lots of scans though and ok so far but its infant and maternal deaths that have got the trust to this red alert stage so i like to see what care others have!

Hello lovely mummies, right, I actually had to make notes with a pen and paper so I could remember what everyone said! Pregnant brain, times a million (also laughed my head off at kettle in the microwave...)

skitoo - I think you can get help from Homestart (if that hasn't been cut by the blooming government...). They have volunteers - my mate who had no help whatsoever with her twins (no family, no money for babysitters let alone anything else) got two hours a week from hers. She said they mainly used to just natter, but she said it was a god send and they're still mates. Might be worth exploring?

Also, a general thing with help - it might be that you don't need help with the babies as such (in fact you might want to keep them to yourselves to begin with to bond etc), but more with getting household stuff done. One suggestion I heard is have a list up on the fridge and anyone who visits to coo over the babies has to offer to do one thing on it. Can be just emptying the dishwasher or putting a laundry load on. I've instructed all our friends here that I DO NOT NEED ANYMORE BABY GROWS thank you, but I'd love a meal I can put in the freezer.

teds - I had my 20 week scan at 20 weeks so not sure what that policy is to do with. Don't worry about it though, they all seem to do things differently. I've had a scan (with DCDA twins) every month and now I've reached 31 weeks I'm getting one every fortnight then it'll ramp up to every week depending on how long I go. They always measure the cervix here, but they don't necessarily tell you they're doing it - so you may have it had without realising dream. It's often one of the reasons behind deciding on prescribing bed rest.

Telling work - just do it and don't worry. They should be pleased for you, and you having twins wont affect them really, you don't get twice as much maternity leave (mores the pity). With people asking about the whole IVF/twins in the family thing - I was a bit taken aback by it, but then realised people are just so amazed that it can happen they're actually being genuine. There's some great responses above, but here in Canada having IVF doesn't carry any stigma so its kind of a non-issue.

BB3 - yey about DS!!! That's fantastic news, you must be so relieved.

dream - please don't feel weird about wanting a c-section, as we've said before your birth is your birth and you know what is best for you and your babas. If you get date booked that'll be a good way of making you feel calmer. Also, if you do go into spontaneous labour pre that date you can just have in your birth notes that if they get in a situ where forceps or tearing may occur to have an EMCS. I've known other people to ask for this. Also, I think our babies, although big now, wont be as big as our DD's once it comes time to give birth as you'll be doing it earlier, so hopefully there would be less chance of tearing. But anyway, I'd be very clear about getting a date and VERY clear that you do not want to risk tearing if you do go into labour.

Sorry - that's a long post isn't it!

Oh and skitoo, I'd get the IL's to book a bnb for the first few days. Then they can pop in, help tidy up, cook and do some shopping for you and then LEAVE! I wouldn't have been able to relax with my IL's in the house and that's really important when you're bonding/establishing bf/getting used to the little blighters. And you must make sure people realise they should help with HOUSEWORK and not just hold the babies all the time. Rant over and out.

Lol, I love the job list on the fridge idea so all visitors have to do something useful! I asked in the scan if they could get any indication of early labour especially with twin one being so low and the sonographer said no, not from a scan (?!). In our trust there is not a single sonographer trained to do a nuchal fold scan so I doubt its done without me knowing, I always have a good look at the scan report and now the growth charts afterwards out of interest anyway. I had a friend who had a prem delivery in our hospital trust and she had internal scans for cervical length with her second pregnancy, not regular ones... and still had a second prem labour!! But 35 weeks second time so much better.

Ooh, yes, you can self refer to homestart skitoo, I must try it... You don't alwayys get much and officially they don't do housework but there's a thread on here saying some people's volunteers have done laundry, light housework etc, or fed babies while they did something, or even just sat with babies downstairs so they can have a lie down upstairs in peace. Or just chatted! And my dd wasn't massive-50th centile, so 7lb 5.5oz at birth, I was just just traumatised by a loooong labour after induction for rupture of membranes and no labour, on an 'unfavourable' cervix so constant talk of CS (which I was desperate to avoid then) then big tear, in theatre within 15 min of delivering as i was haemorraging so missed my first hour with dd and found the whole thing a traumatic experience. Especially being stuck flat, with a catheter in after the op and being unable to hold dd, and dh left the hospital at the kicking-out time and she started vomiting- swaddled on her back, and I really, really struggled to get to her. No buzzer in reach. I think at least with a CS the mw's are more aware you need more help and in our hospital you were put nearer the desk. But that's why I'm so worried about a vb.

Sorry dream, I wasn't being clear, I just meant this lot are more likely to come early so will be smaller, individually, than our DD's. Does that make sense? Regardless, I still think once you get the date of c-section and talk over what happens in case of going into labour before then you'll feel much better.

I remember you saying about scans in your trust - here they just do it as part of the ultrasound, so not internal, just measure it along with all the other things they measure. Apparently it's not much of an indicator anyway...

At this twins group I went to on Tuesday one mum had her boy/girl twins at 38 weeks and one was 7lb 1 and one was 6lb 14!!!!! I was a bit gobsmacked at those weights at 38 weeks! Good for her. EMCS though in the end. But I've got it now, yes, likely to be a bit smaller. It wasn't as useful as I'd hoped though (going to the group i mean) as there were 2 mums and one dad, and most of my questions were regarding bf, positions, advice, how to cope with your older child etc and one mum had fed for 3 days and one for 10 days and first babies for both and that was it so.... Nice to meet them though, they were very lovely and welcoming.

That's good It's not an internal scan- this is totally ridiculous and i will probably regret confessing it but I love the thought that if i do end up having a CS no-one will have to see my hideous, varicose-veined bits!!!!! . Honestly, I'm disfigured!! (The sane part of me knows noone would care if I had vv's in labour, probably least of all me...)

Anyway, must get off phone, ate with dd, all on track for less reflux-y (I hope) early ish night- though no good being in bed on mn on phone!!!

Gah, dd had lulled me into a false sense of security and made sure dh and I are very tired today!

bb3, if your sister helps with your 3, when is it most useful? Getting them up, or evenings, or overnight, or in the day? (In tiredness, I have decided to at least see what some help, some days will cost...) Glad your ds is getting better. The girls sound like they're more rewarding every day- I love picturing them lying next to each other 'chatting' to each other.

Deciding if i have the energy to take dd to the zoo today while dh does some work. Yawn. We'll see!

Dreaming - in the day, definitely in the day! any time it's process driven (up, breakfast, dressed or evening bath, change and bed etc it's relatively easy as you do it on auto pilot -e.g. Girls in bouncers, ds in bath / ds with book/DVD while girls are fed and changed (if one decides to start screaming well that's just tough) but it's out of these times when they all need entertaining it is helpful, (and you can prepare dinner or just sit!! if I had to pick a time it would be between 1-5pm as the mornings fly by! Night times at the beginning you'll need dh to help with burping etc but as they go for longer it gets easier xx

I'll upload some recent pics tomorrow as they're so big now xx

Thanks bb3. Looking forward to pics of your girls!!!

Still waiting for DD to go to sleep, as usual... despite a busy day, outdoors loads and only a one hour nap. Note to self: do not take 16 month old to zoo, on reins, with pushchair for nap and nappy bag in tow, alone at 28 weeks pregnant with twins. It's exhausting!! DD thought it was great, but it's not a minutes rest for me when her nap involved pushing her round too. DD is now really into giraffes and penguins, I am ready to drop- but of course, just going to bed isn't really an option as DD is protesting about this bedtime/going to sleep business too loudly from her room...

I am going to hunt for my old hypnotise yourself into thinking birth is a doddle CD. In case. It worked like a dream last time!!

hope everyone else is ok- all those with their babies and all those still cooking them!! xx

Dream, you are slightly crazy taking a little one to the zoo at your stage!! You're a very good mummy for putting yourself through that for her enjoyment!

I hope Isla goes off soon, Kara and Edie are zonked but Ayse is looking up at me with a grin that says she is not going to sleep any time soon

Claire, does your quietness mean we have babies?! I'm getting very excited for all your new arrivals!

We had my dn (8 months old) with us from Thursday to today and I have to say just having that one extra baby is truly knackering! It's made me question my desire for another little one!! I've decided I would like another one in the future (but not for a couple of years) and now the girls are getting a bit easier, the risk of having twins again is slightly less scary (although I'd still think one was just fine!). I'd love another little boy (although another girl would also be fine!).

Dh has just gone to make tea and bring chocolate! He might drive me crazy some times but it's times like this I remember why I keep him around

Just a quick one to say I'm still here, just keeping myself busy! We're finishing emptying dd1's old room yo turn it into the nursery. Also going through all their toys and clothes to put away/get rid of stuff they dont need/use anymore. The amount of crap toys they have is just shocking! not quite there yet but major improvements today!

Sorry I wont reply to any posts, I need my bed now, so tired! Hope you're all keeping well!

Glad you're all doing well - BB3, your DH sounds lovely and naughty Ayse getting ideas!

Glad you're getting time to get stuff sorted claire, sleep well.

I had a bit of a melt down last night. Watched the latest One Born Every Minute (seriously, why do I do it) and just ended up in inconsolable tears about the birth, the twins being breech, how I'll cope once they're here. Blah blah blah blah. I really need to start going to bed earlier, past 10pm I turn into a hormonal wreck. Anyway, went to yoga today and feel better(ish). Must try and concentrate on just enjoying DD and resting....

And I just found out my best friend is getting divorced and I'm over here and can't do anything to help...blah blah balh. Just feel a bit negative today...

rednellie, I know exactly the kind of melt down you're talking about. I panic about both kinds of birth, whether despite my fears a vb would be better (I also worry I wouldn't be able to push effectively with the painful vulval varices), that they would do an episiotomy 'electively' anyway to stop me tearing, as has been discussed when vb talked about at appointments (no thanks, its the peroneal healing that hurts so much) but then I also freak out about choosing major abdominal surgery. A good part of the reason I exhausted myself taking dd to the zoo is because I worry about not being able to do these things with 3 (definitely not by myself!). and we'll not even think about dd's sleeping now... Argh!! we should be cheered by bb3 who said the worrying about coping is worse than the coping itself. What a shame about your friend getting divorced.

bb3, I know that grin! The one that makes you smile and despair at the same time!!! Hope they all gave you some decent sleep in the end. It's so lovely watching babies get more and more alert and aware and become more and more developed in their own personalities.

Good going on the nursery Claire. I still haven't even sorted the huge amount of boys clothes we've been given to see what's newborn etc as until dd's furniture is delivered there's nowhere to put it. I am looking forward to cotbeds being delivered sometime in February, but again, until we get rid of the double bed wedged in that room now they can't be assembled . Still, I have far more time than you- is it 2 1/2 weeks til your CS, unless you go into labour before then? So close!!! (Like bb3, every time you've not posted here I wonder if they've arrived!)

What do you lovely ladies think of Idris? It's actually Welsh and Arabic, so appropriate for both me and DH. I think Idris and Bran sound lovely together...thoughts? (Also, Idris Elba in The Wire was amazing...not that that's got anything to do with anything.)

I like Idris. I think it would go with any of your others too, but does sound good with Bran.
Idris and Bran
Idris and Math
Idris and Madoc
I like all the combinations!

'D'h has announced he's not sure about Sebastian again, thinks its a mouthful (rubbish) or a bit posh. So I'm a bit miffed, its the only name I really love and never waver about!

Sorry about your fridnd rednellie must be hard being far away

Not a dull moment in our household, the girls have got nits, I spent a whole morning combing long hair... Second time since start of school, I sooo hate thd luttld buggers, what is their purpose in the world?

Re my cs, they want to change the date as they have too many on the 13th, hospital wants me to go on the 17th, when I'll be 39 weeks, apparently these days guidelines are not to book it before then. I begged asked to have it on the 10th, as I am struggling so much already... I have ond pair if trousers + leggings I still fit in, and only a pair if pumps I can squeeze my sausagy feet in. Plus struggling to dlerp, walk etc and really piling on the kgs! I havent heard anything back yet though, so we'll see.

take care everyone,

Ps I really like thd name Idris

oh no claire!!! I keep reading threads on the TAMBA website about how it's nuts to end a healthy pregnancy early and the NICE guidelines have misinterpreted the AIMS evidence they've used blah blah blah encouraging people to carry on as long as possible... just the thought- I'm so uncomfortable with the rib pain etc at 28 weeks I can't imagine 38 weeks.... I will get there though. I hope you get the 10th instead. My over-the-bump maternity jeans are already too tight, and dig in, so I have to keep pulling the over-bump bit down every time I'm not moving round and pull it up again as briefly as possible, plus any trousers like that give me such bad bump-itch... leggings are most comfortable I think. Nits, I dread the day. Do you have to do special shampoos etc too, or does combing alone get rid of the little blighters? I bet the wieght is just the babies though at this stage, they'll be laying down their fat sotres ready for birth, but that doesn't help you move around. Chin up, you're so nearly there!!!

anyone who's had their twins- or given this any thought- are you getting /using ginormous nappy bags? Especially with 3 in nappies, I had the sudden realisation I probably won't fit everything in one normal sized nappy bag which is often full just with DD's stuff! any recommendations/ suggestions?

I like Idris too, although I like bran and math also and Maddox so i'm no help whatsoever!

Claire if it were me I'd say no if you can, not only are you uncomfortable, the guidelines are there for a reason and I personally wouldn't want to risk a placental failure until there was enough evidence to back a later date - that's just me though, the choice has to be yours really.

Re changing bags I got one off amazon the babymel 402, it's two slim changing bags (with two mats etc) that connect together so you can choose to take both or just one side - I use one side (bag) for ds and the other bag for girls - it's also black and red and goes with the pram / car seats I have x right I'll attempt a link from my phone here

We have teething! Edith May has two little teeth peeping under the gums! And both girls are gnawing, dribbling and screaming! The past two days have been a challenge to say the least! And dh goes away for two weeks on Wednesday!!! DS is pushing his limits too - knowing I'm tired and focusing attention on the girls has led to some rather naughty behaviour!! Grrr sorry I'll stop moaning - they are both asleep (temporarily I expect!!!) and I need to shower!

Hope everyone's ok xxx

BB3 - teething! Blooming ada, that's something to think about. I read an article somewhere about a mother of dcda twins who realised they were probably identical after they kept cutting teeth/reaching milestones within 24 hours of each other. Not great timing though if DH is off and away - at least if your DS is being naughty it means he's feeling better!

I really like Idris so I think that one is sticking. I'll just have to keep having children so we can dish out all these names. NOT! DH has said this it it and he wants to get the snip, I think that's a bit final (and secretly would quite like more), but there's always the possibility of another set of twins. now that would be interesting...

dream, I'm living in the maternity pants from M&S - look vaguely reasonable (not from these photos, but I promise they are) as they're black and they don't rub anywhere. Here they are Also, M&S maternity giant knickers are amazing.

I am KNACKERED. Couldn't go to sleep till half one last night then was up at 3, 4 and 5am and when I did sleep the dreams were so vivid it wasn't particularly relaxing. Also had a phone call from the OB this morning saying my iron levels are a bit low so that's another thing to deal with. I was thinking about the whole due date thing even before I saw your post claire, even though I was so anti induction last time round and fought it off, this time I can definitely see how attractive just getting them out would be closer to the end. I'm 32 weeks now and they seem to have grown another yard and four limbs over night - this is not comfortable. I'm pretty sure late pregnancy is designed to be god awful so the thought of newborn babies seems like an attractive alternative!!

Ah nits, I seem to be immune, but DH isn't - a friend of mine who's girls always seemed to have nits never passed them on to me, DH met them once and had weeks of combing them out. I think he quite enjoyed squashing them one by one...

Waves hello to other twin mummies - hope all the scans etc are going well.

Mine are definitely not identical they look sooo different! I will get round to posting some pictures soon, it's been a bit manic.

I want more just not for a while (at least 4 years). Apparently there's a one in nine chance of having a second set of dcda twins so I am a bit nervous about the prospect of it at the same time xx

Crikey 32 weeks! That's come round do soon!!!

So soon!