Twins Club 4!! All welcome. :-)

[rednellie]

Right ladies, welcome aboard for mutual hand holding. Here are the stats - they're probably all wrong!

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, ELCS 23/12/11 Rosie and Hollie
Quempin #1&2 EDD 27/1/12, ID boys, T1 5lb5oz, T2 just under 5lb, ELCS 36 weeks
Ravenlocks DCDA, #1&2, 6.01.12 T1 Boy, 4lb 12oz, T2 Girl, 6lb
Tabbycatt, DCDA, 2 boys, DC 2 & 3, 2/1/12 at 36 weeks, VB, T1 5lb 5oz, T2 5lb 11oz
claireinmodena dcda bg born 8/2 Emma (2,870 kg) and Riccardo (2,310 kg)
StinkingBishop 2 &3 DCDA girls EDD 19/3/12
RedNellie DC 2&3, DCDA boys, EDD 28/3/12
DreamingOfPeace, DCDA boys, DC 2 & 3, EDD 19/4/12
Skitoo: DCDA Boys, DC #1&2, EDD 14/05/12
Bigboobsatlast: MCDA Boys, DC #2 & 3. EDD 23.05.12
Buonasera, 1&2, DCDA, EDD 22/05/12 (???)
Lilyni DC 4&5, DCDA, EDD 12/06/12
goimgmadtrying: mcda id girls dc 3&4!!!! edd 05/08/12
Teds DCDA #1&2 EDD 31/07/12
Kazar99 DCDA EDD ???

when i went in my son was a little older but what we did was make a really big deal of him having a sleepover and we got his bag ready at the same time, he was going to stay with grandma which he'd never done before, as it was we dropped him early in the morning and was home at tea time, he was really annoyed and so slept out anyhow, not sure how that would work with your dd

names we like evie, grace, ava, maisie can't think of the others at the mo, :)

oops and lily which is what both boys want as they have gf called that!!!

Hello. Apologies for going off grid but was sort of busy giving birth and all that ;)

Charlotte Iona (6lb 3oz) and Romilly Beatrice (5lb 8oz) delivered by EMCS last Tuesday (bit of a horrendous birth but all's well that ends well).

Am completely utterly in love with them both.

They've both put on weight since the birth, which is a relief seeing as my nipples look like something out of a horror movie, a mother's love and all that...have got them into a 4 hour pattern and they feed together. For now!

Have started a blog too. Because I don't have enough to do ;)

Good luck everyone. The snuggly, beautiful, apricot jam smelling, suckling on each others' noses loveliness of twins defines 'worth it' :D

Stinking CONGRATS, fantastic news . Lovely names and great weights, sorry the birth was a bit of an ordeal though. Sounds like you're doing amazing already too, tandem feeding and 4 hours!!! Would love to read your blog if you fancy nipping on and giving us the url . How long did you have to stay in hospital for and did the girls need any special care? Piccies please when you get a chance xx.

And not long for you now Dream, just a week and you'll be meeting your little men, or maybe before.... Hang in there xx. Sorry I can't offer any advice for DD but lots of fussing for her as suggested by Going sounds like the thing to do. Have you bought her a couple of toys to be gifted by her new brothers - think someone suggested that before. And don't be embarrassed about the help, it's great!

Rednellie your boys look cute as . Hope all is still well and you're all enjoying your newborn snuggles.

BB3 hope the girls are better now, can't believe they're 6 months already .

Going, love Freya and in fact all of the others suggested. We didn't get very far down the road with thinking of girls names as I was sure from day 1 that they were both boys.

Baileys sorry to hear you had such an awful appointment with the consultant, was that at Oxford? We're at Oxford and can honestly say that all of our care has been 1st class. And how sweet of your sister, that's really lovely and one less worry for you.

Desiren, looks like we've got a race on as you're just a day ahead of me . I'm experiencing loads of pressure too but more on my bladder which apparently isn't allowed to hold more than a few mm of fluid any more [ hmm].

Waves to everyone else, hope everyone is making the most of this beautiful weather.

Teds, my old timer, hope you are well too .

skitoo it's likepeasinapod.com/ shameless plug! Pics on there.

Girls were born by EMCS on Tuesday morning. Had gone in Monday for induction at 38 + 0 which went 'fine' apart from I went into hyper contractions, with no monitoring and DP running round the hospital trying to get help, Romilly's heart beat went through the roof, they gave me something to counteract it, stayed up all night with the midwife...they refused to believe I was dilating, when they finally checked was at 10cm surprise surprise...started pushing at 9.30am finally, they lost the heartbeats (despite me repeatedly suggesting the scalp electrodes), ultrasound wheeled in and didn't work...massive rant from me resulted in one mw stropping out, good riddance...we were an hour without knowing if they were OK...new consultant finally came and said EMCS was only safe option. DP in floods. But op was fine and fantastic anaesthetist - was joking with him while being sliced open about the twins being destined to love the West Wing music given had watched the whole series in pregnancy so he got the music on his iPod and linked it to the speakers in the theatre :)

9 and 10 on the Apgar score, they came out pink and crying almost instantly.

Crapness continued - they forgot to test the blood sugars, by the time they did on Day 2 Charlotte was < 2 so we had to hotfoot it to special care for the evening to get them pumped full of sugary formula...they didn't take my bp or bloods till day 3 and, surprise, iron deficient and high bp...list goes on. Will do a ranty blog post at some point because I think there are real lessons in terms of standard of care - a lot down to the system (changeovers, no one with overall responsibility etc), some to language (sorry) and some just to attitude frankly.

Argh. Argh. Argh.

Anyhow. We pretty much insisted on being discharged on Day 3, and had a midwife on our side, which was great. SO glad to be home.

going Freya was one of our choices and almost used it for a middle name - only reason for not was that I had a dog called Freya when I was wee!

Oo someone is crying...

Congrats stinking. And welcome to the world little ladies! I love the names - how is your ds enjoying his little sisters?

I've been reading your blog and the girls are gorgeous!

Congrats stinking on your arrivals! The picture on the blog looks scrumptious but I'm sorry the birth and the last few days sound like they have been tough ones.

I will catch up with all you other ladies (promise ) but am feeling very stressed and hormonal and have spent most of the day in tears - we're having massive building work done at home and the whole week has just been a catalogue of disasters .

In better news we had a lovely (if very long and achy) scan this morning and all looks well. Both are wriggly and healthy and each one weighs 1lb 1oz which apparently is just right. And it looks like we are having a little boy and a little girl. Any combination would do me but both me and Mr T are happy .

Sorry the birth didn't go quite to plan but at least they are here safely x

oh Teds - HUGE congratulations! Yay for little man and little lady! Such exciting news.

I know how you feel on building. We were having major work done in the early stages of my pregnancy and we were delayed massively by snow and waiting for the right windows and other jobs etc all the while I was sleeping on the living room floor of my mothers with DH and DS. It was horrendous and I was raging at the builders (everyone else kept saying that 'I should be patient' and 'these things happen') but you will get through it and it will be worth it when the LOs arrive x Sending virtual chocolate xxx

Congratulations stinking. Good to hear you're enjoying them loads now. Look after your nipples!

Teds what great news - am really excited for you. And don't worry about being emotional. Emotional = normal during pregnancy and doubly so with more than one.

Hello everyone else, we're still doing grand here. They seem to have times of day where they cluster feed and then good long stretches where I catch a few szzz and they're awake more so we're having lots of lovely chats. And it's not just me who thinks they look totally different - everyone who's visited does too so I'm sticking to my guns that they're non-ID! DD is also being a marvel now she's got over her cold, she was sitting in my bed this morning checking over her babies (two dolls), she listened to their chests like the midwives and then breastfed both of them - CUTE.

Life is starting to return to normal - no more appointments for a while, I'm up and about. Got all 3 kids out in the car yesterday to go and show off the boys at DD's nursery, so there is life the other side...DH and I did hit a wall last night though, very tired and I had a dream where DT2 had stood up and peed all over our bed and I woke up insisting DH change the 'wet' sheets. Which he started doing until he realised that I was being mental...

Haha! at mental. I do think they look a bit different in the pics but you can tell they're twins x

Dream - are you ok? How are the pains? You're quietness today makes me very excited wonder if your little lads are sneaking out early?

rednellie you give us all hope you sound very sorted and reassuring!

stinking boo for the standard of care but I definately melted inside when you describe the girls sucking each others noses. What a moment of joy

skitoo my appointment was in Swindon so don't feel too stressed out about it, she won't be my primary doctor I think as I now have my appointment through for Oxford for Friday.

I just feel more confident going somewhere that regularly sees triplets and will be able (hopefully) to answer my huge list of questions. We are having the colour Doppler scan I think so should know by the weekend if both twins are viable or whether we need to consider selective termination. Feel a bit more sorted in my head about the pregnancy, but don't dare think about anything beyond - my head just explodes. Think I will contact the TAMBA helpline to have a rl chat with someone as still don't think it has fully sink in that we are having more than one. Did anyone else struggle with it, or am I just being rubbish

Hmm just watched OBEM for first time since knowing I will definately have a CS feel a bit knowing that I will not experience another VB, as had really good experience with DS1. Even watching the twin CS made me realise that we will be unlikely to get to hold the babies before they get rushed off to SCBU either. Think I just need to go to bed and get som sleep

Hi everyone, sorry for being missing for a while - sickness in the Bigboobs house! All better now though.
HUGE congrats to you Stinking, love the names and amazing weights - sorry the birth did not go as smoothly as hoped, but like you said you have your two lovelies here now to help you recover and forget (we do forget quite quickly don't we? I can't remember too much of DD birth anyway!).

Bailey, please dont beat yourself up about still trying to get your head round having more than one - we have all been there, are still there on occasion and I think that Rednellie and BB3 both said that it was not until they actually had and held their babies that they could believe there were two! And you have an extra for luck to get your head round!! Contacting TAMBA is a good idea. I know someone who has recently had triplets and I know they have found them a real support.

Great news Tedds - one blue and one pink, how lovely. Noe you can start thinking of names as well!

Sorry lost track - is it you lilyni and Going thinking of girls names? I love Ada - that wouldhave been my girls name but can share it as I am having boys!! (and there wont be any more after these two!). Like both of you I like old fashioned / traditional names - and think girls are easier than boys to name! Any more thoughts? Thinking of two is so hard isnt it! We have decided on our boys names but not going to share just yet!

Dream - really not long to go now. How are you feeling? have you been in monitoring this week? How many days now ? NOT MANY!!!!

I had a scan with consultant yesterday. Everything was ok but there is now a difference in their weight of nearly 0.5lb. Twin one is 4lb 5 and twin two is 3lb 14. Consultant said the different is not big enough to be overly concerned (difference can be sign of TTTS), but I can't help but worry as they have been the same until now.

Still not particularly clear on birth plan, as consultant does not want to talk any 'definities' when advice will change depending on how the babies are doing. At the moment he says he may let me go to 37 weeks and I am going for natural birth (both head down at mo). But the added risks are on my mind - I just wish someone would tell me the best thing to do as I really dont feel qualified to choose between CS or VB. I asked about having a date to go in to be induced and he said he will wait till next scan two weeks time) and see how things are going, and then if all ok wait till scan after that before deciding when to deliver - and then he also says that it is VERY LIKELY that I will go in to labour before 36 weeks any way! why does he always say that!!!!

So 32 weeks now, so only have 5 weeks max to go - may be less. :-)

At least feeling a bit more organised now. DD's emergency bag packed (in case she needs to go and stay with a friend at v short notice), as well as my bags. And DH painted the babies' room a gorgeous blue yesterday - it looks lovely. But it does mean we have to make sure the door is always shut and no one sees it as no one knows that we know we are having boys!! The blue might just give it away.....!!!

Hello to anyone I have missed.

Off to wash through MORE baby clothes (and eat enough breakfast for 3!).

Oh baileys I know triplets come with their own complications but I had an EMCS with the girls and got to see them (and have skin contact with them face to face) almost instantly then was holding them within 20 minutes. Obviously if they need extra help you might not get this but you never know... Don't panic too much, we just can ne'er predict what will happen. Are they worried about the twins at the moment? How many weeks are you now?

Pops in impatiently waiting for news from dream. I've got it in my head now that something is happening for you so crossing everything for you (Which also helps my own cause as 3 babies play havock with your bladder ).

stinking congrats on the birth of your girls sounds like an eventful one but your girlies are here safe and sound, lovely names and good weights :)

hi everyone else what beautiful weather were having :) hope your all enjoying the sunshine, now where has our dream gone???! hopefully off having her boys will await eagerly for news/confirmation sending you lots of love xx

boobs glad you like the names! I actually had an MN vote and went in with the full top ten and bored the midwives senseless during the night ;)

I really wouldn't worry about the weight difference, especially if they're diachronic? Mine had an even larger difference which I think was entirely down to space (Romilly was high up and behind my ribs) and she is making huge attempts to catch up now, which I'm sure she will.

I got the whole 'most twins are born before 36 weeks' too, but 40% aren't, so...I'd just, difficult as it is, trust Nature. If they need to come out, they will. If they're having a jolly snuggly time in there, they'll stay put.

bailey completely understand the weird head-getting-aroundness of it. It still seemed dreamlike even when I was kissing them after the CS. It's only since we came home TBH that it's sunk in. Brilliantly so :)

BB3 DS is being fantastic and is clearly smitten. Put it this way - I haven't been able to take a photo of him for about 5 years, but now he just gazes adoringly at his sisters and...SNAP! He's done some feeds (I'm topping up with formula at the end of each BF), a bath...we haven't quite got to nappies yet but hey, Easter hols start tomorrow so there's no escape. Proof of the pudding was he left his Facebook page open and I saw he'd posted the news and a photo within about an hour of getting home. Bless him.

dream where ARE you?!

wow stinking what great news - CONGRATULATIONS!! Sorry you had such a rough time but glad your girls have arrived safely.... gonna have a peak at your blog ......

teds - a boy and girl - how lovely!!!!

baileys - hope you are ok - hope you get on well with TAMBA - have noticed on their FB page that there are loads of families with triplets who may be able to give you advice - try not to worry (easier said than done i know).... will be thinking about you

bigboobs - hope the babies' weight even out for your next scan - cant believe you've only got 5 weeks left to go - sounds like your nearly organised for it!!! Great job!!

dream - ???? you have us all in suspense when we dont hear from you - hope you're ok

I had appt at diabetic clinic today - good news that blood sugar levels are still being controlled by diet alone. Didnt get to see consultant or get scan today but saw the grumpy last obst walk past and she still looked grumpy!!!!

When do the docs start discussing birthing options/dates? 32/ 34 weeks?

evening ladies, dream has been awol for nearly 48 hours!!!! last time she posted was 10pm on Tuesday very unlike her so i hope everything is ok, and your just off having baby boys please drop on and let us know when you can your ok xx

Hello all!

I am just having glitchy phone issues, loads more aches and pain and am a bit knackered... Told you lot, my body just doesn't know how to go into labour, I'll be knocking around til next Wednesday when they'll be evicted .

Last trip to ante-natal clinic today. Twin 2 had done something so painful at 1am last night I wondered of he'd turned head down, but the registrar had a good feel and insists he's still breech. Confirmed part of my increased pan is totally split stomach muscles- I've got this wierd ridge where stuff is sticking out that muscles are no longer holding in- making everything more sore. And according to the doctor a clear gap in the muscles lying down. Gah. Maybe I'll have to actually exercise my stomach muscles after the birth to sort this out!

Massive congratulations stinking, I also love your names and you did so well with the weights. Bit of a disaster at delivery, clearly, but at least it ended with your gorgeous girls- had a quick look at your blog. Very lovely indeed . And so nice your DS is enjoying them too! I hope he can't hear them at night though

Fab that you're managing diet-controlled method lily ignores fact I still don't think I could actually cope without chocolate . I had my CS booked by then, but think it's partly as they know DH etc, and a friend wasn't given a date til her 36 week appointment. So guess it varies. I'd be hoping for info by 32/34 weeks though (I was desperate for it!!)

teds, a beautiful boy and girl for you! Now prepare yourself for all the 'ooh, how perfect, a ready-made family, you won't need any more now' comments Try not to lamp them one. It'll be hard though... Congratulations, and I'm pleased you're happier you're having your babies. OTT hormones have been par for course for me. I have been crying very easily this whole pg . Without building work, which is such a stressful time anyway...

bigboobs I'll hope scan wasn't great- all the palaver over my twin 2 seems to have been scan error. I will cross everything they're more similar again next time, and at least you're at a good gestation anyway- I loved being in the '3's weeks, better prospects all round. I have found it really hard all this talk about going into labour any second... certainly hasn't happened for me, but has me symptom-spotting like a fruitloop all the time....

hello goingmad hope you're well and girlies behaving for you, still somersaulting?!

Hope your scan is good baileys, and your twins are doing well. TAMBA will be great for you I think. Apparently there's a good triplet and quad mummies fb group where some of the good ABC everest triple buggies sell (seem to be the no.1 triple buggy of choice despite being import only new- mine seems good), plus loads of support. Says the RL triplet-mummy-to-be I met.

I had a total, complete, utter meltdown today after my ante-natal clinic appointment. I'd gone alone, and DH had DD. I left her napping. I'd warned him she did 5 poos yesterday and a horrible, horrible one at her music group in the morning. I got back to a totally hysterical DD with horrific nappy rash (she's never, ever had nappy rash before). DH couldn't clean her up as she was too sore, she couldn't even tolerate a cool bath. It was the most upsetting thing, especially as I feel it was a totally preventable adult-induced injury to my PFB. I was fuming and gutted.... Couldn't help getting really upset with how distraught little DD was, even though it made whole situation worse. Nightmare. DH then fuming I'd worsened situation and blaming him repeatedly for an accident (i know he'd not have left it if he'd realised). You can imagine the pleasant words....

Anyway, my epic post must be over now!!??

love to all, hope everyone ok and a bit less mental, grumpy and sore than me

lol, x-posts goingmad Everything hurts, I'm so grumpy, you're v lucky to have not heard from me last 48 hours

glad to hear your still with us and we don't mind grumpy that's why were here :) not much somersualts but regular movements, argh for dd bet she was so upset, but its so hard when their upset:( hopefully things will look up, i bet its fab being in the 30's im so pleased to be at 20's i keep thinking another couple of weeks they'll be viable :)

thank you for helping with making me comfortable with names, mine were going to be Harley and ethan if boys:)

Hi all

Thanks for the kinds words regarding my dad passing , it has been hard but I just try to keep in mind how happy he was that I was giving the family twins.

Anyway had my scan today and got told basically I've got 2 weeks to evict them or their sending in the bailiffs. Everything is going well according to scan just under 5lbs each but now I'm panicking about what size clothes I bought and if I should buy some smaller sizes. This issue I have is that I'm willing to try natural ( one is head down and already had 2 previous births without issues) but the other twin is breech and I'm scared about how they will get that one out and then needing a cs anyway so if they don't obey the court order and leave on their own accord should I opt for cs? My my there is sooooooo much to think about recovery/support etc. it's all abit much when you just want a decent nights sleep.
stink I read your blog excellent! reading your birth story sounds like how I expect my experience to go at my hospital not to far from yours. ( also a saarf east girl).
Well done to all the other expectees!
Finally I'm used to pink, glittery and sparkly things the selection for boys is very limited not had as much fun shopping this time round at all

desiren, I have tortured myself with this decision too. I had a difficult first birth, and one is now breech, but I decided against induction so had opted for ELCS at term even though at that point both were head down. One is now breech, but not the presenting twin. My ELCS is in 5 days and I'm worried about the recovery rather than the actual op/birth, and picking up my 18 month old! bb3 reassured me by saying she could hold her eldest straight away if he was passed to her and she didn't have to lift him or put him down. I'm optimistically hoping for speedy recovery! I was told a breech delivery was 'somewhat more painful' (I though normal was agony!!) but they will deliver breech if they can't turn T2. How many weeks are you in 2 weeks? Clothes wise I figure if they're too big they'll at least be covered, and if you need smaller there's 24 hour supermarkets and online shopping with next day delivery and they certainly won't freeze in blankets and too big clothes, so I'm not getting smaller. But I'm now 37+1!!!! Expecting baby elephants!!!! How old are your girls again?

nappy rash update (I know you're all dying to know ) Looking a bit better, but still traumatic changes, poor button.... Still, all good practice with the cotton wool and water again!

I am maybe a little less hormonal/tearful today, but definitely suffering a lot to try and keep up with DD/moving about...