Expecting twins in 2020?

[Passionfruit20]

Is anyone else expecting twins (or more!) in 2020? I just found out I am. They’ll be our first. Technically due in April, although reality means probably March. Would love to share with other mums in the same situation as I’m now reading a whole new set of baby books and articles!

Hi ladies hope its ok for me to join?? Ive had a read through phew what a rollercoaster here!! Glad to see all the safe arrivals and lots of positive thoughts to those close to popping.

Im 28+3 today with mcda girls due 25th may but will be more like april. I was very rough and still am somedays with sickness and tiredness i have medication but i know its all worth it. We have 5 kids between us and both work full time well i went on sick used holidays then maternity leave now work have been great....mostly!!

How are you all in yourselves now have you got everything?? Any mummies have any tips for is about to go thru labour??

So so many questions am i the only one thats like...erm is this even happening to me?? Sorry to gatecrash

Xx

@Twins2020 hey, congratulations! I'm 3 days behind you, with boy/girl twins! I've an appointment next week to get my date for section but likely to be the first week in May. Are you planning a section of vaginal birth?

We've got most things....I think! What about you?

Yes, I have that same feeling everyday! How is this happening!

These babies will be my first. You have your hands full already!! No wonder you've gone off already. I've two weeks left in work and cannot wait to put my feet up.
I've been really lucky, no sickness etc. I'm just getting uncomfortable now and swelling a lot!

#Jemstar33. Ohh we are close!! Im hoping for natural i have with all of mine....so far!! If i had to have a section then so be it. Im stretching at having an epidural. But so long as they are happy and healthy i would drag my vag thru barbed wire although it already resembles that lol sorry tmi!!

No sickness wow i take my hat off to you i havent been able to move without throwing up everywhere....i thought sod work our health is more important than there output!!

Swelling i feel ya i had to take my ring off and i feel naked without it. But i have it on a bracelet for now i did hint he could just buy me a temporary bigger one haha!! And i have one pai of primark pump that fit its been fun waddling thru all the rain i them with my feet farting away...

Congrats on your journey so far!! We are all set so far i think lol xx

Congratulations @Twins2020 OMG you're going to be very busy 😃 no wonder you're so tired. I've had sickness and fatigue until last month, now just depends on how much I sleep, most days I only manage 5hours...

I feel the same, I've got so many questions! Specially about delivery. I think I'll opt for epidural + vaginal, but knowing I might end up with a C-section, and that's if they don't arrive early! It'd be easier in your case as you've already had previous vaginal deliveries. This will be my first one as for @Jemstar33 and also expecting boy/girl twins. I'm a few weeks behind you two, currently 22+6.

We've got the pushchair, car seats, bouncy chairs and a travel cot. I haven't bought any baby clothes yet, I'll wait until we get the nursery ready in a few weeks time.

It's all getting very real now ☺️

Hi all, just after some advice as to what size bits to buy? I’m starting to panic a little that we’re not too organised yet...I’m 25 weeks! Should I be buying tiny baby/upto 6lb? Has anyone found a decent list anywhere of basics of what will be needed and how many? I feel in the dark! So excited though!! 🤩🤩

@Ladybug84 I'm struggling with the sleep too! How are you getting on with names?
I take my hat off to anyone going for vaginal birth although the recovery makes it very tempting!!

@Jaxx14 you know I still don't have a clue what to buy but have just gone ahead and got a mix of first size/tiny baby and then the majority 0-3. I would concentrate on 0-3 and then when you get nearer add in tiny baby things maybe. That's what I'm doing. I don't want to over buy on tiny things.
I'm just buying sleepsuits and vests mostly. I think I have about 30 0-3 vests

Xx

My twins were 5lb 5oz and 6lb 3oz. Both were in tiny baby for first 3-4weeks. They are now nearly 6weeks and in first size up to 7.8lbs. Newborn which is up to 9lbs is massive on them. 0-3 is normally for up to 12lbs. Some shops have different weights for sizes so double check when buying.

I found Tesco tiny baby came up the smallest. To be fair I just bought lots of Primark white vests and sleepsuits in tiny baby as they are cheap and found the twins had a lot of poo explosions in the first few weeks so it wasn't devastating if I had to throw a few away.

@Jaxx14 this is what the NHS recommends for one baby, so you could take it as reference? I'm the same, I don't much about what to get so I've been reading a bit.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/what-you-need-for-baby/

Think that people will most likely get you clothes from newborn and bigger so my plan is to buy premies and first size and then go from there, I don't have much room for storage 🙈

@Jemstar33 struggling! I can't make my mind up, with the boy's name because we only have agreed one (Liam) and I don't know if I love it that much, and with the girl's because we like a few I don't know which one I like the most 😂 (Alicia and Olivia are the main contenders). What about you?

@Wishing56 Congratulations on the same arrival of your little girls ☺️ and thanks a lot for your tips. I'll plan a trip to Primark and get a few vest from there. How have these 6 first weeks been? Have you managed to establish a routine?

Save* not same

Safe!! Oh my god 😂 I better go to bed now

@Ladybug84 not going to lie it has been tiring, but at the same time amazing. The first 3weeks were a bit of a blur of recovery from c section and getting to grips with everything. These are my first babies so I worried about everything like am i doing things right, is this normal etc. I have been lucky and my OH was off for first 2 weeks and after that my Mum doesn't work so comes and helps me most days. I also go and stay with her once a week so she does some night feeds so I get some sleep.

As for a routine, not really managed to get that sorted yet although feel like we are getting there. I have fed the twins on demand.
For first 4weeks they would feed every 2-3 hours, and I would set alarms to feed them af the 3rd hour if they hadn't woken up. Once they got to 4weeks they were then over 7lbs so I was happy to stop the alarms and they wake up now when they want feeding. Most days they feed at the same time but some nights they do get out of sync and feed at different times.
From 4 weeks they also started to go longer between feeds. They have been pretty good the last 10days and now go 3-4hrs in the day and overnight they go 5hrs between feeds which has been amazing!

Whilst it is hard, seeing their individual personalities come out already has been amazing to watch and they are starting to smile now which is incredible.

Just enjoy all the little moments and that soon outweighs anything else.

@Wishing56 I can only imagine how hard it is and tiring, it's one of my worries. But I try to think that it's not forever and things will settle after the first few weeks. I mean, how good it is that your babies already manage 5hours sleep overnight! That's fantastic 😊

I do think it is very unfair that the partners can only take 2 weeks parental leave, Specially for families expecting multiples... we have to rely on family and that's not always possible. In my case, my mum doesn't work either so she's flying in for a month to give me a hand once the twins arrive.

I'll take your advice and enjoy as much as I can from those first moments. I'm sure they are truly priceless. I cannot wait ❤️

@Ladybug84 it is total crap that they only get 2 weeks. My OH contract even specifically states multiple pregnancy does not entitle you to extra paternity leave.

That's great that you will have your mum as a support. If you are bottle feeding I highly recommend doing overnight in shifts. I go to sleep at 9pm and my OH does feeds up until 12am. I then do feeds between 12-6am. OH then helps with one more feed before he goes work. I also try and keep the girls in sync so will wake one up by changing her nappy.
A twin feeding cushion is so useful to be able to feed at the same time (bottle in each hand, and then take turns winding).

Any questions you have just ask!

Hi all

How is everyone? I'm struggling to sleep at the moment but feeling pretty good otherwise.

I'm 32 weeks now and wondering if anyone has/had a date for their section, when did they get it?

I last saw the consultant 3 weeks ago and was expecting a letter in the post to provide date and the hospital I'll be going to ( there's a pool of 3 hospitals and it's whichever has room) but I've not had anything yet. Although I know they're probably snowed under right now!

I've a follow on appointment next week so will chase up then anyways. I'm just curious.

Hope all is well with everyone xx

@Jemstar33 hiya those last weeks get tough trying to get comfy.

I got my date at my 34week consultant appointment. That was only because I pushed for it though. They initially said they would give it at 36weeks but I said i needed more notice so they got the diary out xx

Can I join this thread? Not sure if I joined before but it popped up again!
33+4 with boy/girl twins. Section date has been booked! Super worried about how I will cope alone on PN with two/ after the section. Has anyone else thought about this? Was due to speak to midwife today and wanted to discuss....but she’s just emailed to say she is self isolating for 2 weeks.

Has anyone done any twin classes? I’ve had (still have) such terrible anxiety about something going wrong that I have been focussed on getting through the pregnancy and not actually considered the possibility of bringing 2 babies home/ how to look after them!

Thanks a lot @Wishing56 I'll put my foot down next week and hope it gets me somewhere. How are your girls? Xx

@robs20 Hey! I'm a week and a half behind you with boy/girl twins too! Great news that you have your section booked already. When is it?

I've been trying to focus on the pregnancy too and not the actual birth or afterwards
Rules are changing daily so I'm hoping in 5 weeks time they have relaxed a bit and I can have my partner with me but if that doesn't happen...I'll be screwed lol.
All of my classes have been cancelled unfortunately, I really wanted to do the twin breastfeeding one.

@Jemstar33 it’s booked for 22 april. I haven’t told anyone else the date :) I’m finding the anxiety around birth/ not knowing if the babies will be ok (lots of complications throughout pregnancy) really gets the better of me at night, and then in the day I’m at bit more rational.

A few questions about stuff....have you bought a pushchair/ which one? What are you planning for babies to sleep in during the day? We haven’t bought anything apart from a second car seat yet.

Re breastfeeding I watched a video (think it was on the nct website) - they recommended rugby hold to feed both twins at the same time. Do you plan to express colostrum beforehand? I’m worried it will take a few days for milk to come in after the section and this might help.

@robs20 eeek that's not long at all! So that'll be just before 37 weeks?

I've worried the whole way through too, the kicks have helped to reassure me but I do still worry about them being ok.
Sorry to hear you've had complications.

We've bought the mountain duet v3. I liked the out and about nipper but didn't like how the carry cots looked. Also, can clip in car seats with the mountain buggy.

I've bought these kinder kraft 5 in 1 seat/ crib etc that I'm planning on putting them in during the day.

Yes, I'll defo express beforehand if possible. I'll have a look at videos. Thank you! Xx

Hi everyone,
26+4 for me, also b/g twins and I've been feeling pretty tired for the last couple of weeks. I'm not sure how I'll cope until due date as I'm feeling so uncomfortable already with muscle aches and stiffness. The isolation is not helping much 😅 and I'll still be working from home for the next 5weeks so bound to my laptop for most of the day 💩

@Jemstar33 @Robs20 sleeping at night is tough. On a good day all I can manage is 5hours straight of shot eye. My anxiety has shifted from worrying about pregnancy issues to worrying about how I will cope with 2 babies and no help from anyone if we carry on like this for 6 more months...

I went to a Preparing for parenthood workshop (2h) organised by Tamba last month and I was planning to attend antenatal classes at my hospital but now that's all been cancelled. Last week I bought the digital pack from the Positive Birth company (hypnobirthing) it was on offer for only £12. I'm hoping the videos will help me feel more prepared and in control of the situation, whatever it is to come my way 🤞🏼 maybe an option if you think it might help you relax a bit?

We have bought a second hand bugaboo donkey2 set that looks like brand new, it's a bit wider than other options but it works better for us. To sleek it is safe for the babies to co sleep until they're 6months old. They recommend you keep them in your room until then as well. We've bought a cot bed that will go in our bedroom for the night and a travel cot that also has a changing unit on top that will go in the living room to sleep during the day. It depends on what works for you and the space you have at home. Our bedroom is on the small side and it'll be a squeeze but it's only for a few months.

Really hoping the breastfeeding works for us, that would be another worry less as it seems to be a nightmare to buy baby formula atm.

I've seen my consultant only once, last week she was self isolating so they did a normal scan and gave me an appointment for 4th May when I'll be nearly 32 weeks. So I'll miss one routine scan but as things stand you don't know if you're better staying away from the hospital or not. They said all looked fine last week so I'll just have to trust them 😕

One thing I wanted to ask is why are you both having sections? It's that a personal choice or are the consultants more inclined to go for sections with twins? I'll find out more in May but I'm curious.

Sorry for the long post, I need more friends to talk to during isolation I think 😂 xx

@Ladybug84 also bored wfh here!! Trying to decide whether to get a second hand donkey or mountain buggy. Like @Jemstar33 I didn’t like the teeny tiny carrycots on the out n about.

I have a hypnobirthing book so might try reading that! Keep trying to remind myself that there are only certain things we can control atm so not to stress about everything.

I have seen my consultant 16 times (!!!) and had 3 cardiac scans and an mri. Will be glad to never have to go to the hosp again!! I would definitely avoid the hospital if you can/ if you are happy that the babies are ok.

I am due to have a section for a couple of reasons. I had an emcs last time and this time have polyhydramnios which can make vaginal birth dangerous. Also, I have quite bad ptsd from my last birth, my daughter was very poorly when she was born and a year later she died in the hospital where I am giving birth so it was decided that a more controlled delivery would be better. Having said that, I am going to discuss vbac with the consultant next week. The potential faster recovery/ shorter hospital stay is really appealing in the current situation!

Where are you both based? Wondering if you are close by! Would love some twin friends locally.

Hey @ladybug84 I've been looking at the positive birth company too and I've decided if babies come before c section then I'm going to try vaginal birth. I've been doing a lot of pregnancy yoga and the breathing techniques are fab. Hope it's still on offer!

My consultant put me off vaginal birth if I'm honest, and the only downside for me re section is the recovery and length in hospital, especially now!

The bugaboo's are really nice sturdy prams. I did look at them them but was too wide for our doors.

Ours will co sleep at night, we will bring one cot into our bedroom and see how it goes.

@robs20 I remember you from earlier on in the thread and you mentioned about your daughter. So sorry.

I'm based in Glasgow, where are you?

How are you both getting on with names, are you going matchy with initials or completely different?

@Robs20 I'm so sorry about your daughter. Hope it goes well for you this time no matter what you decide.

@Jemstar33 only just today I've tried prenatal yoga, I found some videos on YouTube and omg I'm so unfit! Only managed 15minutes... I'll be persistent tho and I'll do another 15minutes tomorrow 😂

I think we got to an agreement with the names, we have struggled with the boy's name. The initials do not match, both start with vowels tho.

I live near Nottingham and I'll give birth at QMC hospital. They've just released their new policy, no visitors and only a birthing partner during active labour. I'm mentally preparing myself to deal with all this on my own, better to have low expectations... xx

@Ladybug84 @Jemstar33 think we have two vowel names too! We are set on the girl name and it is a similar style to dd1. I’m not 100% sure about the boy name, but my husband loves it. I’m still on the lookout for traditional (but not overly common) boy names and hoping when they are born we can decide.

Same here re birth partners. I am at St Thomas’ in London. Spoke to the midwife today and she said 2 nights is normal to stay after a section (I was in 3 nights last time....) but ladies having vaginal births are mainly leaving the same day, discharged directly from the labour ward. It is tempting to try that instead.......