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Connect with mums-to-be with similar due dates to share experiences and support.

Expecting twins in 2020?

602 replies

Passionfruit20 · 16/10/2019 07:37

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!

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Bubble29 · 02/06/2020 07:48

Antenatal appointment

Hi all, I'm having DCDA twins and currently being scanned every 4 weeks. I had a scan last week when I was 24 weeks and had my bloods, urine and blood pressure taken whilst there. Am I still expected to have a 25 week appointment with my midwife? My appointment hasn't come through but didn't know if that's because they're so relaxed or because I'm being scanned and checked every 4 weeks.

Thanks

MilsCookie · 03/06/2020 18:49

@ChampooPapi honestly thank you for all the info, it's definitely given me a lot to think about. I'm still considering it but like I said might wait until the 12 week scan and also by then hopefully I'll feel more certain that things will be okay. If I'm honest I still can't imagine getting further than that because of what happened last time Sad.

Hi @Bubble29 sorry I'm not sure about that... maybe it's different like you said because you're being scanned every 4 weeks. Might be worth calling them to check?

How is everyone else doing? xx

Bubble29 · 03/06/2020 18:56

I called the midwife and she still wants to see me face to face! They said they'll put a plan in place based on my monthly scans. This is reassuring as I've read that some places aren't doing face to face midwife appointments- tbh, I'm happy to be checked more often 😊

I've been feeling so good and then today fatigue and nausea hit- think it's because I had broken sleep. I better get used to that!

Anyone else loving feeling the twins move? Mine are so active from about 8pm. At my last scan they had moved and were now both head down. 24+3...... hoping they stay in there for another 14 weeks!

Wishing56 · 04/06/2020 07:51

@Bubble29 i still had midwife appointments and was scanned every 2 weeks. My midwife said to me that scans and consultant appts were mainly for checking the babies and midwife appts where to check in with me.
I found that consultant appts were a lot more medical whereas I could ask my midwife lots of questions. Xx

Bubble29 · 04/06/2020 08:23

@Wishing56 Thanks for clarifying, that makes sense. 😊

Piglet11 · 04/06/2020 08:59

Hi @Bubble29 sorry to hear your experiencing nausea and fatigue, I’m 20 weeks pregnant on Sunday and am suffering from serious bloating and back pain, did you ever have this? I absolutely love feeling the babies move, really reassuring!

Anyone else suffer with digestive problems and back pain at 20 weeks, any recommendations on how to ease it?

LittleMiss7 · 08/06/2020 17:38

Hi all! Can anyone recommend any books re twin pregnancy /twins after birth please? Feel like I should probably swat up a bit! X

Wishing56 · 09/06/2020 19:46

@LittleMiss7 i haven't really found any good books for twins.
Twins trust website has good info, i also follow lots of twin mums on Instagram and Youtube for good tips etc.

My hospital does a specific twins antenatal class which was amazing for getting twin pregnancy tips and meeting other pregnant twin mums so i would check with your midwife if that is available. If not NCT do a multiples antenatal class which again was really good to discuss birth options and breastfeeding, co-sleeping etc.

LittleMiss7 · 09/06/2020 21:46

@Wishing56 you're lucky that your hospital does twin antenatal classes! Ours aren't doing ANY classes at the moment unfortunately so we've signed up for some NCT classes so we've got something as neither of us have a clue! 😂 which hospital are you going to? X

Bubble29 · 09/06/2020 22:01

I agree with @Wishing56 I haven't found any good books. I've joined the local twin group of FB and follow twin parents on IG.

Annoyingly the hospital multiples sessions have been cancelled at the hospital. Frustratingly they're doing zoom antenatal sessions for singleton pregnancy's but aren't offering this for multiples. Likewise our NCT multiple workshops as also cancelled! Going to have to wing it even more now 🤣

Wishing56 · 09/06/2020 22:12

@LittleMiss7 i was under Broomfield Hospital (in Essex).
I found even the normal NCT classes good especially for meeting other mums even though they were all having singletons. We all still chat now and all have the same worries etc.

I found Youtube really good for watching tips from other mums. Lucy Jessica Carter is a good one as she did a twins packing list, twin routine, c section questions etc.
On Instagram twinningituk is a good as she is a sleep consultant, doula and maternity nurse (lots of good stuff in the highlights sections)

NCT only really got me prepared for labour but i chose c section and they didnt cover it all that much so found youtube videos of people talking about c section recovery useful.

Definitely see if there is a local twins group in your area.

LittleMiss7 · 10/06/2020 16:02

@Wishing56 thanks for that! I'll look her up on YouTube - the more help and advice I can get, the better xx

ChampooPapi · 11/06/2020 10:26

Anyone got the Gina ford twin book? I know she's a stickler for very strict routines which I would never dream of attempting to follow to the letter, but she always has some really good tips for certain things

Moo2019 · 30/06/2020 10:41

Pregnant with MC/DA twins officially due Jan 2021 (so more like early Dec). Anyone else in the same boat?

I’m getting nervous about TTTS and the babies being premature as well as all the things we will need for twins... and how on Earth we will afford it. Childcare for two is a really scary thought. Would like to chat to anyone in the same position!

Beth804 · 03/07/2020 16:45

@Moo2019 Congratulations! I'm being induced 4 weeks today, definitely on countdown now, also really struggling with general moving around!

Natural to be worried about everything, but they will keep a close eye on you. I'm having DCDA twins, so less risky, but been in and out of hospital quite a lot with obstetric cholestasis, and despite covid, I've felt very well looked after 😊

I'm shitting myself about paying for nursery next year, genuinely don't know how we'll do it, but just going to have to hope we can 🤷‍♀️ Not much choice!

Wishing56 · 03/07/2020 17:48

Congratulations @Moo2019! My MCDA twins are now 5months old, but like you I was worried throughout pregnancy about TTTS but I was closely monitored and didn't have any issues with the babies.
I was scanned every 2weeks and saw my consultant after every ultrasound. My 18, 20, 22 & 24 week scans were carried out by multiple birth specialist team. After 24 weeks went back to normal ultrasound team as they said risk of TTTS reduces after 24weeks.

My girls were born at 36+4 and didn't need any special care. I was very ready for them to arrive.

You can get some great stuff 2nd hand and i swear by primark vests and sleepsuits. At least the babies will be the same sex so you can just share all clothes between them.

As to childcare i am not sure what I am going to do when I go back to work next year as financially doesn't make sense for me to go back full time. Hoping my work agree to part time. But i am not going to worry about it for another few months as what will be will be. We will have to get round it somehow and I just want to enjoy my time with my girls without worrying about the future.

Moo2019 · 03/07/2020 20:34

@Wishing56 thank you so much for your message. It’s lovely to hear a positive story and some helpful advice. Congratulations on your twins!!

Yeah I think your right, work and childcare is a problem for another day and there will be a solution!!

Moo2019 · 03/07/2020 20:35

@Beth804 thank you so much for your message and best of luck with your induction!! How exciting that you’ll have your babies home soon xx

polonez · 08/07/2020 14:51

Oh, we have twins and for all parents here I'd advise getting ready for difficulties. Our kids are awesome but twins always demand more time, more money, more cautious. Now they are not toddlers already but still, it's not easy to look after them. To make their living in their room more comfortable we decided to buy a twin over full bunk bed to free some space in the room due to the fact that we removed one bed.

ChampooPapi · 18/07/2020 21:27

How's everyone doing? I'm nearing 22 weeks Tuesday, starting to feel a bit anxious again but that's normal I think as I'm in the between scan period, next one is on two weeks and last one was two weeks ago. I am now going to proceed to wish away the next few weeks of my life, sigh... Pregnancy is just one long wait isn't it?! I will be so happy to live in the moment again and stop wishing life away.

I've been granted a c section for 37 weeks so guess that'll be the first week of November, going to have a 'natural' c section where the babies push themselves out slowly, well that's the plan anyway 😬

LittleMiss7 · 18/07/2020 22:11

@ChampooPapi definitely normal I think to feel anxious in between scans although I don't think I feel quite as anxious about them now the 20wk scan is out of the way - I wouldn't say I'm relaxed about them either though 😂 I'm now 26+5 and insanely breathless at times. Must admit, I'm starting to get a little fed up of feeling whale like already and can't wait for them to arrive - does that sound bad?! 🙈 if you don't mind me asking, when did you have the chat re your birthing preference? I've been told we'll have the chat when I'm 32wks but I know I want a c section and am keen to get a date in the diary. Dreading the convo though as my midwife seems to want to go down the natural route when she's briefly mentioned it before xx

Bubble29 · 18/07/2020 23:08

@LittleMiss7 @ChampooPapi

I'm 31 weeks tomorrow! Trimester 1 fatigue has returned and I feel like I'm growing daily.

Our last scan was 3 weeks ago at 28 weeks, we have mentioned ideally I want a naturally delivery at every scan but our last scan showed both twins were breech. The consultant was keen to get a date in the diary in the event we need C section, she said she would rather secure a date rather than me being allocated one further down the line, plus she said the end of Aug:start of Sep when we are due is really busy! I actually got to pick the date too! She also said if we don't need it then there is no drama, so at least we know the latest date they'll arrive. Our c section is booked for 37+2.

There is no harm in talking about it early!

Beth804 · 19/07/2020 15:16

@Bubble29 @LittleMiss7 @ChampooPapi
Hi Girls, I'm 35+2 and in so much pain 😩🙈 Sorry not to be more positive! Babies are so heavy now it feels like they're going to rip through the bottom of my bump! Can't walk more than about 20 steps! But being induced a week on Friday at 37 weeks so not too much longer!

We had casual conversations about birth at various appointments, but it was at 32 weeks when we actually talked things through and he booked the induction in. It definitely feels better having a date to work towards!

My DD was induced, so I'm just sticking with what I know I think. Didn't really consider a section, but depends if babies are playing along I suppose! T1 was head down at last scan, so that was good, I have another scan on Wed to check too 🤞 xx

ChampooPapi · 19/07/2020 15:45

Hello everyone 👋 so great to hear from you all. You are absolutely ready to get those babies out at over 35 weeks @Beth804 I can only begin to imagine how incapacitated you are, and so heavy, painful and uncomfortable. Only ten days and those two will be in your arms 👣👣💜💜

@LittleMiss7 regarding c section, after talking to a midwife friend as well.as my mother who is a former nurse, plus the mumsnet army of course! I fully did my research before my 20 week scan so I was armed with the facts, as well as knowing from that research that if you waver at all it's very likely they will say 'oh let's talk about it next time...'. I knew I had to say with absolute clarity that I wanted a c section and there was no convincing me otherwise, there would be no wavering, I was 100 percent certain I would not want any intervention due to being asked to have it with my last natural labour where I declined, so I'd actually been in that situation where you are having to choose yourself or your baby. I choose myself essentially in that 'moment'.

I pushed this factor that although I had had two natural labour's and would go for another with a single pregnancy, a multiple had about a 2 percent chance of NO intervention (so forceps, hands, manual turning, vontuse, episiotomy... Ect ECT). Also there is about a 20 percent chance at my hospital that one will be born naturally and the other by emergency c section. The last thing I wanted to do was be this pushy c section woman, but hell it's two babies coming out of my vagina this time so at that twenty week scan and my first consultant it was the first thing I brought up.

I said my piece, explained my absolute no tolerance to any intervention, dilation checks, internal heart monitors on the babies heads (which are also incredibly common in multiple natural births) and the fact that my last labour was 45 minutes so the anxiety about going early in the supermarket with twins was also a kind of terrifying factor.

You are absolutely with a multiple within your rights to ask for ANY birth option. It's your body and there are two babies which means you are high enough risk to ask for a c section and get one. However you need to have your reasons of course set out plainly, as well as being completely honest with how much it's stressing you out. It's not a time to be accomadating, you are aloud to ask for it.

But plenty of twin births are natural and the recovery is so much faster from natural births generally, it's quicker to usually establish breast feeding and they will of course give most twin birth an epidural injection ad they can induce and plan these things. So they do obviously want to give you all the options and if I hadn't had any other children before I probably would try for an induction and vaginal birth. It's those two last labour's that have inform d my decision as well as my research and personal feelings about interference internally during labour.

Everyone is different and what's good for me could be the worst choice for another woman looking at a birth plan for twins.

So that's it really. If it's what you definitely want go in hard with your reasons, the facts, and say you want to.sign off on it there and then. That doesn't mean the date and time is booked, it's a pre form that is you giving your consent to a c section that you can still change your mind at any time, but it's put in your notes so it's decided and there for all to see unless you decide different.

Good luck, you just have to be really certain with your Consultant and to frankly say if it's not signed off on you can request a different consultant who will sign off on it

ChampooPapi · 19/07/2020 16:06

Oh and after I said what I wanted at that 20 week consultant appointment she said 'Great, I'll go get the consent forms then for a c section'

Signed off on it there and then and I walked out with such a weight lifted.

I think even they are relieved when someone actually knows why they want it and have researched themselves, it makes their job more straight forwarded I imagine

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