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!

@QueenOfThePumpkins Like @SleepingStandingUp I have PGP and at 25 weeks I'm starting to struggle now, can't tie shoelaces, getting out of bed is a marathon in itself. The stairs at work are hell! I am finishing up at 31 weeks which will be just before the Xmas break and it cannot come soon enough!

@QueenOfThePumpkins I'm due to finish up at 34 weeks, all being well. Fortunately I have a short commute by car and I'm still pretty comfortable driving. My car is one of those compact SUV types so I kind of step up into it rather than down, which makes it easier. I got a saloon car taxi the other day and my DH had to lever me out 😂

Sorry to hear that a few of you have been struggling with PGP/SPD, hope you have all had easier days today
At least your car should do for when the twins arrive too @lifesnotaspectatorsport, that's another thing we're going to have to think about changing soon... our little runarounds won't do when there's a double buggy and things to carry!

I went back for my Doppler check today. Positively there was no more evidence of absent flow, though resistance is still over the 95th centile for that twin :(
Conversations were had about viability and very premature delivery so I am feeling a bit low now... they're going to scan again in a week when I'm 24w and it's going to drag so much!

@QueenOfThePumpkins sorry things are hard going atm, I don't really understand much about the flow and resistance but glad tbryre monitoring you closely and hopefully that means they can be on top of it and do what's best for you all. Hopefully they can keep them inside you a little longer.
What's your nearest bbig hospital if they need to come early?

Thanks @SleepingStandingUp. It is really technical stuff, but it basically means that one of the twins doesn't seem to be getting enough blood and nutrients through the umbilical cord. So there's a danger they might slow or even stop growing. Both were growing well last week, but growth scans are only meaningful when done every 2 weeks so got to wait another week to see whether things are slowing down at all. It can also be a warning sign of pre-eclampsia, but my BP and urine are fine at the moment at least. It makes me really angry about the missed aspirin, because it sounds like that could have helped to avoid this situation if I'd been on it earlier

If born before 28 weeks (scary thought) then it will be Leicester, which is about an hour away. I've heard they're very good there so there's some comfort in that!

@QueenOfThePumpkins sorry you're having to go through this. The unknown is so scary.
In my experience neonatal is an amazing place, they work actual miracles. No one wants a baby in there, but they involve you as much as they can in the care of the babies and honestly the staff felt like family even after our relatively short stay.

The week will go slowly, I highly suggest getting signed off from work and resting as much as you can with tv box sets.

In the US a high protein diet would be suggested to try to increase their birth weights, although that advice is considered anecdotal in the UK.

Thank you @twinmum2017, it's reassuring to hear that your experience of neonatal was as positive as these things can be. Luckily I'm off work next week on leave, so that's come at a good time. I'd heard about the protein too, so been and stocked up on protein rich foods. All the professionals I've spoken to have said there's nothing to back it up, but given there's not much else I can do it must be worth a shot!

I just figured it couldn't do any harm. If you have any neonatal questions I'm happy to answer them if I can.

If you get a date for early delivery then you could also ask for a tour. It's quite a shock seeing all the machines etc and I was glad I didn't have the emotion of poorly babies and lost birth hormones at the same time.

Good experiences of NICU here too, 12 1/2 weeks with first born. And yeah, Leicester is meant to be really good.

Def ask about steroids and excellent suggestion about seeing NICU. Its loud and scary but it's the safest place in the world

Oh @QueenOfThePumpkins I feel for you. At least they are still both growing really well so hopefully you've got a little fighter in there. It sounds like you're in really good hands. Are they boys or girls, do you know?

As for the car, well, it's only a small SUV sadly so I don't think it will fit two baby carriers and my son's Group 2 child seat. Ah well, it's an excuse to upgrade! Luckily we had it on a lease so we can change it quite easily.

30 weeks today, tired and achy. But appreciate I'm lucky they have got so far safely.

@SleepingStandingUp Was your little boy premature?

He was 5 weeks early but he was born with a congenital Diaphragmatic hernia so he'd always have been poorly

@SleepingStandingUp I had to look that up ... the brave little guy. It must have been incredibly hard for you and your DH. Hope he's doing well now.

Yeah he's good, in mainstream school which we didn't always think would be a thing, still on o2 and partly tube fed but he had a really hard 18 month start to life and he's doing incredibly well 😍😍

Ok hand hold please, just found out today that we are having babies 3 and 4. Was feeling fine so complete and utter shock. No twins in family etc. Others are 5 and 3, twins (feel scared writing that) are identical (two sacs, one placenta).

This thread is making me smile so much as this time last year I was pregnant with my twins. They were born at 33+6 and the smallest was only 3lb 8oz. They spent 3 weeks on SCBU.

The first few weeks are really hard BUT you get through it and I can honestly say it’s absolutely brilliant having twins. Don’t listen to anyone’s horror stories. They make me laugh so much every day, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Good luck to everyone xxxx

@Chaosonthehorizon congrats, how far are you?

Thanks so much for the kind words and advice ladies. It's lovely to have some support from people who understand. Most people (including me until 5 months ago) have no idea what a worry this type of pregnancy can be!
We don't know the sex yet @lifesnotaspectatorsport, trying to keep it a surprise

@SleepingStandingUp that must have been so incredibly difficult for you and your family... I'm glad your son is doing well and has made it to mainstream school, you must be proud of him ❤️

Congrats on your pregnancy @Chaosonthehorizon. Once the shock wears off the fear should start to as well It is quite startling to hear the news isn't it!

Glad you are enjoying your twins @bridgetjones1, experiences and advice from you twin mummies is always welcome!

Hoping the shock wears off soon! We are sorted for one but now have to get more stuff somehow! Will be 11 wks tmw. Already having to lean on friends for help with the others for appts as my hospital is quite a way away, that is the main thing bothering me at the mo

Know how you feel Re having enough for 1, I kept all DS's stuff but of course that single pram is now no use... Found friends and famy very eager to give us stuff (alas not a double pram) as the twins will be one of the last babies between us which helped. Also twin selling groups of Facebook are really good for batches of basics - Vests, sleep suits etc as well as matching pairs of things.
You on fortnightly scans? It can fel pretty intense. How old are your others?

Oh that is good to know. Yes I am and the logistics of that could be a nightmare. We have a knackered double buggy and am just hoping that we can borrow other stuff or be given it as a hand me down

There's lots of double prams etc on the sites too, just depends if there's anything local to you.

Just popping on to say congratulations @Chaosonthehorizon, and to (without terrifying you) ask you to make sure you are aware of the symptoms of TTTS. It's rare so don't panic, but my hospital weren't as clued up as I'd hoped and it was only down to luck that I had a planned scan when I did that my babies survived.
The fortnightly scans are a pain, but so so necessary. My hospital were fab and booked the whole lot in right away so I knew I had 8am every other Monday right up to 36 weeks, hopefully yours can do something similar to help make planning for them easier!

Thanks twinmum2017 I actually only know about it due to reading a post on here, maybe yours so thank you. Ah I will ask from the beginning if they can do that.