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!

@Robs20 @Jemstar33 so one in Glasgow, one in the midlands and one in London, we couldn't be farther apart 🙈
I'm the same with regards names, I like traditional names that are uncommon and it's really difficult for boys.

@robs20 @ladybug84 I'm also finding boys name more difficult although we do have one in mind. We're not having matching either and we have a traditional name for both. The names we have in mind both have 4 letters.

Same on hospital policy here. It's another reason why I like the idea of section as it's planned and partner will be there throughout until a few hours after birth. With vaginal birth they're not letting partner into the hospital until 4cm dilated.

I couldn't imagine going through any of it on my own. Gutted.

I'm finding yoga more difficult each week with the size of bump. Tbh I thought bump would be bigger by now, but still 5 weeks to go so I'm sure it'll get there!
Defo bigger than a full term singleton pregnancy but it still blows my mind that there's two in there!!

My last appointment at 29 weeks both weighed 2.5lbs. They have been pretty similar in terms on measurements throughout. Hoping that continues.

When do you guys finish up for maternity? I'm on holiday this week and was last week too then my maternity starts from Monday, so 33 weeks. I'm a bit early but was needing it as being in the office sat down constantly I was swelling most days.
Now we're working from home constantly I could have pushed it back but it's been nice to just be at home without having to think about work. Luckily I've been organised so have most things needed for hospital and baby so have been getting bags ready and arranging nursery. I didn't buy any tiny baby clothes so have ordered online and been washing etc. Not bored yet!

Has my 5 hours sleep now, that's me awake! Xx

Hi @Jemstar33 the girls are doing really well thanks. They are coming up for 9 weeks now (time flies by!). Since around 6/7weeks they have been going 3hrs between feeds in the day and then 6hrs between feeds at night so I have been getting a good amount of sleep. They have actually slept through the night a few times too (10-6) which seems to be getting more regular so its nice to see light at the end of the tunnel 😂

Hope you ladies are all well and your births all go as smoothly as possible.

I had a planned csection and it was honestly the best experience. I would 100% do it all over again! The pain from my sciatica was worse than the pain from the operation and I was back on my feet within 4 days - i still had to take things easy but I felt ok. Just keep up with the pain relief as easier to keep at bay than being in pain and having to wait for meds to kick in.

Only bit of pain i really felt was getting out of bed but once I got to standing I was fine. I highly recommend sleeping sat up a bit. At home I slept on 4 pillows to begin with, reduced to 3 after 10 days and back to my normal 2 after 4 weeks.

@Wishing56 nice to hear from you and your little girls! Glad you've recovered so nicely. How are you coping with all this isolation business?

@Jemstar33 I'm a bit behind you in pregnancy so I havent discussed my birth plans with hospital yet, but I think I'll stick what I had in mind which is asking for epidural and try vaginal birth first if it is possible. It's terrifying having to be alone in hospital, but we don't have any family living nearby (my family is all abroad and my in-laws are 1hour away) so I think I'll find harder the recovery from c-section in isolation without having an extra hand. My mum was going to fly over and stay with us for the first few weeks, now that's out of the window... I'm not sure if MIL would be allowed to travel up to give us a hand if things slow down a little when they come, there are so many if's at the moment... One good thing is that OH has a really understanding manager and he'll consider flexible working for him when the time comes given that it's twins. That's so nice since he's only been working for them for a few weeks and not even the Government gives us extra time off for multiple pregnancy. It made me really emotional yesterday and had a little cry over this, love to see all the kindness from our community coming out ❤️

Same here with the belly size, it's only going to get worse considering I still have 11 weeks to go and I already feel as clumsy as a turtle trying to get up from bed/sofa

I'm working until 14th May (6weeks left), I'll be 33 weeks then. Using over 3 weeks annual leave before my ML which starts on 8th June if babies don't arrive earlier. I wanted to use those last weeks to organise things at home and pamper myself a little. I work in the chemical industry and we're still operating as usual, so working from home doesn't makes me less busy, in fact the opposite, have got extra admin work just because I'm sat in front of a laptop all day. Tbh I cannot wait to finish work, the motivation is not always there and I have to use the little bit of energy I have in using my brain 😅 so I don't get a chance to do much in the house or prepare for the babies. Still have to finish bits and bobs around the house after a 3year long renovation! I've got a long "to do" list, can't wait for mid-May to arrive!

I haven't ordered any baby clothes yet, that's the next thing I need to do this weekend just in case they come early!!

@Ladybug84 i found it very hard at first as my mum had been to help me everyday. But i have got used to dealing with the girls by myself now and we have got into a little routine. A twin feeding pillow is a godsend.

Feel bit sad that the girls gave missed out on seeing family and going out and doing stuff but I am trying my best to do things at home. I have signed up to online baby massage that starts soon and having 'coffee morning' with other mums over skype.

@Wishing56 I can only imagine how hard it's going to be on our own, that's why my meltdowns this week have been over the postnatal phase. Changes are hard, once we accept we have to adapt to this new situation things will look a bit better. It's great that we can still do things online 🙏 and communicate with others, I wouldn't be able to handle it if we didn't have that.

When I think of all that money invested in car seats... 🙈 we have bought 4, two are here and 2 in Spain. We were planning to go to a friends wedding, they're feeling optimistic and think they'll go ahead with it, but I'm not so sure life will be back to that level of normality by then.

Hi girls,

How are you doing?
@Robs20 how are you feeling? 2 weeks to go isn't it? Did you buy the pushchair?

Nothing much to report here, other than I'm really enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather. That's helping me to cope with the wait until my next consultant app/scan growth (still 4 weeks away).

I'm 27+5 today. We've got the main equipment (pushchair, car seats, cot...) but nothing else. I only started ordering baby clothes and other things I'd need last week and it's a nightmare to find newborn clothes that haven't sold out yet, I guess people have been panic buying those too?? 🤦🏻‍♀️ xx

Hi @Ladybug84 yes, 2 weeks today! It is coming around quickly.....

We didn’t get the pushchair yet. I still can’t decide what to get. We do have a single pushchair from before that we can use along with a sling in the short term.

When are you working until? I’m finishing next friday (36 weeks) and the ironic thing is my husband has been furloughed as of tomorrow so will be off when I am still working!!

Hopefully by the time you need the baby clothes the shops might be open again! We bought a couple of things but not much. I have washed all of dd1’s clothes and realised how much pink we have (!!!).

@Robs20 it is!

You really don't need the pushchair just yet and the car seats will only be used on the trip from the hospital to the house, at least for a while. I think it's going to take months to go back to "normal".

I've got 5 weeks left of work, annual leave starts on 14th May when I'll be 33weeks and ML stats 8th June. I can't wait, I already lack motivation at work 😅

I don't want to get too much, but I'll start placing orders now rather than waiting last minute just in case. I like to be prepared. Xx

Hi ladies

Hope you're both doing good!
@Robs20 2 weeks!! How are you feeling about it?
I've been at the hospital today for a check up, 33 weeks. My boy, who has always been the biggest of the pair, seems to be falling behind. They didn't seem too concerned but back in two weeks for another check. Hopefully it'll all be good.

Still waiting on date for section! Going to leave it a week and then call.

@ladybug84 I've been trying to get hold of tiny baby things too but they're sold out everywhere. Such a pain that next has closed too! Xx

@Jemstar33 sorry to jump in Matalan and Asda had some tiny baby stuff in stock online. Asda is called 'Up to 6lb' for their tiny baby range. As their 'First Size' is up to 9lbs (and come up big.. my girls are over 10lb and it still swamps them).
Tesco also sell lovely packs of tiny baby clothes which are really reasonable.
Tesco come up small, Asda come up big, Matalan are pretty accurate. I always check the weight and height of sizing in each shop as it can differ a lot.
Next also seem to come up bigger.
I tend to shop at the supermarkets as its good quality at reasonable prices.

@Jemstar33 glad your appointment went well. If they were concerned they would have said something, and it's good that they're seeing you again in two weeks.

@Wishing56 thanks! I find the sizes so confusing, it's different for every shop so better go by the weight as you say.
Unfortunately Next is not taking any orders and the rest of the shops have very little stock. I ordered a few things from Morrisons last week and on Monday got an email saying it was cancelled because they had run out of everything in my order...😕 I had a look at Matalan and got disappointed very quickly too... I'm going to Asda tomorrow to have a look because there's no much on their website and I'm sick of wasting time online, I only need a few sleepsuits and vests 🤞🏼

Thanks @Wishing56 I didn't realise how many sizes there were! I have a mix of all but mostly 0-3. Same @Ladybug84 there's not a lot online. Luckily I got 6 vests and 10 sleepsuits from John Lewis a few weeks back in tiny baby. That's all I've managed to find! Will check supermarkets too.

@Wishing56 any tips/ advice you can share on things you didn't expect/ worth reading up about?
My antenatal classes were cancelled due to the virus so I'm looking at courses online. Have a breastfeeding one booked and I've watched some tutorials on how to bathe them etc. I'm not completely useless but I suppose I'm a bit clueless around sleeping and swaddling. Hopefully midwives will show me in hospital. Are your girls co sleeping? Xx

@robs20 how are you doing, you all set for Wednesday? I have my section on the 6th, two weeks after you.

I hope you're ok and all set. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Xx

Hi @Jemstar33 exciting that you have a date! I am in limbo between wanting this to be over (fat and waddling, waking up every day between 3-4am, heartburn etc etc) and absolute dread that things might go wrong on Wed. Atm the babies are safe and I really don’t want to face anything bad again.

But on the plus side, I finished work on Friday so am enjoying sitting in the sunny garden! I think I am mostly organised...got a list of stuff to add to the bag on Tuesday eve and a few bits of washing still to do.

Have you been given any indication of how long you will stay in for? I was hoping for one night, consultant told me to prepare for three, and a midwife on Friday said to prepare for five (they have stopped community home visits for weighing on day 5 and 10 here so would want to weigh babies on day 5 in hosp). Whilst I am dreading so long in hosp, I am trying to remind myself how amazing it would be to bring 2 babies home after a few days :)

@robs20 I feel exactly the same. I'm full of fear at the moment.
My heartburn has also gotten so much worse. I think it's defo normal to be worrying but everything will be fine. We've just got to be positive.

I've had no indication on time but I'm hoping a couple of days too. It's hard to know how much to pack, especially given we're not allowed visitors! Really hoping it's just a couple of days, I dee like my partner will miss out on so much and I need his help tbh!
Fingers crossed all the worrying will be for nothing.

You will be amazing and you'll have your babies next week eeeeekkk!! Xx

@Robs20 Good luck for today! Hope everything goes as planned and you recover quick. So exciting to finally see the faces of your little ones ☺️ Thinking of you!

@Jemstar33 so exciting for you to have a date as well! 2 weeks left! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I'm now 29+5 and feeling all over the place about giving birth to these two... excited and impatient some days and scared to death another days 🙈
As well as anxious with the movements, so difficult to know if the boy is ok with an anterior placenta I don't feel anything, less than 2 weeks now to my next scan 🤞🏼

Xx

Thank you @Ladybug84 it's great to have a date! 2 weeks today!

My boys placenta is also anterior but I have been feeling him more the past couple of weeks. Off the to the hospital today for another scan, hoping he has improved since the one two weeks ago.

I've been having the same thoughts, I'm up and down but mostly excited!

Good luck @robs20 eeekk xxx

Hi @Jemstar33 and @Ladybug84 thanks for your kind wishes....sadly no babies today. I was admitted with pre eclampsia on Monday and since then it has been a bit chaotic. Section was brought forward to yesterday then cancelled, then today was cancelled in favour of Friday, then just as I was about to eat this morning they said we would go ahead today....only to postpone to tomorrow once I was in the gown ready to go! They want to have nicu beds available for both babies and the neonatal team have more capacity tomorrow.

@ladybug84 my twin A also has an anterior placenta and it has taken ages to feel proper movements. Hope you get some reassurance at your scan.

@jemstar33 good luck with your scan today!

@Jemstar33 good luck with your scan today! Was he measuring low in the last one?

@Robs20 oh no! What an absolute nightmare for you ☹️ especially with all the new measures for Covid-19... I assume they have the preeclampsia under control if they are making you wait, I thought you were passed your 36week mark? Are they waiting for NICU as a precaution? Hopefully your babies won't need it 🍀

Xx

Oh no @robs20 I bet you're feeling fed up. Has your partner been able to come
In since you were admitted on Monday?
I hope you get to have section tomorrow. The fasting alone is enough to tip me! You need to eat!
How did you notice the pre eclampsia, did you start swelling badly or was your urine checked. I'm unsure how much swelling is a worry.

Thanks for the good luck xx

@Ladybug84 thank you. Boy (twin 1) has always been the bigger of the two but lay scan they said he was falling behind so I'm hoping it was just the way he was lying and he'll be back on track today 🤞🏽 xxx

@Ladybug84 @Jemstar33 it’s all a bit confusing tbh, the drs seem to disagree. Yesterday they wanted to wait until Friday (37 weeks) but the drs today think the PE is too risky to wait. They called my normal consultant (who is on holiday) and she said to go ahead today, but with the beds issue it will now be tomorrow! On the plus side, I have a lovely midwife today :). My husband isn’t allowed to visit the hosp but he is bringing some snacks today and I am going to meet him outside.

They want to have nicu beds for a couple of reasons - both twins have polyhydramnios and in case that is being caused by something bad, and also in case they need extra help after the section. Apparently babies can be a bit shocked when they come out so can have mucous on the lungs/ need cpap. Being slightly early they might also need help feeding/ with blood sugars I think.

With the PE, I had it in my last pregnancy (headaches and high bp) but actually came in on Monday with reduced movements. I think there is only one other person on the ward!! This time I have all the classic signs....protein of 65 (above 30 is the cut off), high bp, headaches etc. I finally had breakfast at 11am.....the best rice crispies ever!!

@jemstar33 let us know how you get on with your scan :)

@robs20 I hope the snacks and meet up with your husband made you feel better! Have you had any further changes or are you set on tomorrow? Are you finding the stay ok?

At least you know babies are in good hands and there's space for them if any NICU is needed.

My appointment went well thank you! They think they're weighing at 5lbs 1 and 5lbs 4 but that could be out a bit. So it looks like there was just a glitch with boys measurements last time thankfully!
I've to go back a week Monday and Tuesday to have the steroid injections and then that's me set xxx

@Jemstar33 that is great! How many weeks will you be on your c section date? I keep asking about steroids but they have told me I don’t need them.

We had a lovely picnic outside :). I think its happening tomorrow but who knows.......

@Robs20 I see... I just hope they stop changing the schedule for you 😥 it must be really hard and I'm sure you're fed up of being at the hospital on your own.

@Jemstar33 good news with the measurements and nice weights considering they're not full term yet 😃

Would you like to join a Facebook group for twins 2020 if I create one? (Assuming you have FB 😅 I nearly got rid of it before covid came along). I think it'll be nice to have a small group of twins mums to talk to. I find it easier to follow than Mumsnet

Xx