Anybody else pregnant with twins – or more?

[nh101andhertwinbeans]

My twins are due in May and it would be nice to have other multiple-mums-to-be to chat to!

Hi Millie, I saw a physio a few weeks ago and she gave me a tubigrip-type support band which I have found really good. I haven't been wearing it in bed though cos it wasn't so comfortable but now I am finding my tummy gets sore when I try to turn over in bed so maybe I need to start wearing it.

My due date was changed based on 12-week scan, I am hoping to go as long as possible but I suppose the ideal would be when they are big enough to survive without special care, but no longer than that because I will be enormous! So 37 weeks would be ideal. I don't mind if it's a bit longer - I just really don't want to be induced cos apparently it can negatively affect all your natural endorphins so the pain is so much more and you are more likely to end up with a section.

Come and join us on the Due In June thread...
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/2290/485081?stamp=080312123119

Hi everyone

Twinkle - I haven't had a huge amount of movement at all, more tickles than kicks mostly. So of course I have worried sometimes that they are a bit quiet, but I suppose every baby's different? I also think you're amazing for having 3 already, not to mention the building works.

I just had a few days off work and spent it trotting around sorting things out instead of chilling on the sofa. I actually fell asleep at the hairdressers. At least I don't look like Wurzel Gummidge any more.

Outinthesticks - twin girls - me too!!! Every scan i ask 'are they still girls?!'

Neenz/Millie - I know what you mean, getting off the sofa is almost impossible and turning over at night too. DP keeps laughing at my turtle-on-back impressions.

I went to see a physio too which was great as I was having a twinging pain and almost couldn't put my right sock on anymore. Apparentyl it is all about strengthening core muscles at this stage i.e. do the pelvic floor exercises and add buttock-squeezes/pelvic tilts. And squeeze your butt muscles when you stand up to support the lower back so everything stays in place.

Hi all,
Back from the scan/clinic.Both babies fine and did co operate for measuring.They are both very similar size wise,i then saw the consultant who is pleased with things.they have booked me in for another 4 scans at 24,28,32 and 36 weeks and said they will add more if i need them Im never going to be away from the place.They are still planning to do my c/section at 38 weeks if i get that far
And they are both still surprises;)

Twinkle

That's great news Twinkle. Very strong of you not to find out the sex!

I am in a quandry at the moment about what the consultant said to me last time I saw him. He said he wanted me to have an epidural in case the second twin is still breech after the birth of twin 1, but I am not sure that it is necessary to have an ep for a breech birth, and from what I have read an ep can make it harder for a breech baby to come out.

I am thinking of hiring an independent midwife cos although my consultant is really nice and is supportive of me not having continuous heart monitoring and being able to move around etc, there are no guarantees that he will be there during my labour and I might have midwives who are not supportive either. I have just spoken to an ind MW who said she can't deliver at my hospital but that she could act as a doula for £500. I am very tempted. I think that is a great price for having a real MW there, even if she can't actually do the delivery!

Hi Twinkle

Great news about your scan. Isn't it fab to see them!

Neenz I have hired a doula for exactly the same reasons. I was really nervous if it would just be me and DH. We are both completely inexperienced, so if any midwife or doctor said 'you should do this now' there is no way in that situation either of us would object. Even tho we are both right argumentative sods usually! I mean how would we know? So we've found a fab Doula and are both really happy with her and looking forward to it now. Her job is to support us both and be on our side and explain things so we can make our own decisions without feeling pressured, and 'protect our space' from unnecessary interference.

Most of the hospital staff we've dealt with so far have been fantastic but like you say, you never know who will be on on the day/night ... and what kind of pressures they will be under too.

And yes it is a great price. All the Doulas I spoke to were £600-700.

Twinkle - how big are they and what positions are they in?

Mine were in exactly the same positions as the time before ... but they reckon that's pure coincidence

Good evening all, I am still with you 38 weeks today and they are planning to let me go full term. I went for a appointment on Wendesday and my iron from a previous blood test was 8.8 which they said is very low, they started to talk to me about having an iron infusion or if my iron did not improve i may have to have a blood transfusion when i give birth, scared me to death. They said i could not have iron tablets as they would not work in timeso they wanted me to have another blood test and would call me later on in the day to let me know if i had to go back in.

Then of course when she went to do my blood pressure it was sky high, i had to have my blood pressure checked several times and another water sample as they said i may have a water infection due to something found in my water.

They called me later on that day to say my iron was up to 9.3 and that iron tables would do for me. I was very relieved

They informed me next week at my appointment they will do an internal and see how things are maybe do a sweep and stretch.

I am still hanging on to hope they will arrive on their own very soon. At my scan they were both head down.

Glad you are all ok.

Wow mods fingers crossed for you!!!

Both heads down that's great - can't imagine they have much room to do somersaults at this stage.

Midwife said at antenatal class last week "have a hot bath, a hot curry and some hot sex. Might make the baby come and it might not, but at least you'll have enjoyed the bath, the curry and the sex."

I thought ... well a hot bath sounds nice ...

Ha Ha Pazza i agree with you about the bath and the curry but think sex is out of the question lol.

I just think they must be very happy in there feeding them and kee must ping them warm they know it is going to be a bit mad when they get out.

Well it's fantastic if you go to full term and great that they are supporting you in that. Every day inside counts!
How are you feeling tho, are you really tired and unwieldy and not sleeping well, or are you feeling generally good?

I'm 30+4 and feeling good, would be really pleased to keep them in till 38wks like you.
Although I am impatient to have see them, when DH said yesterday "well there's probably a 50% chance they turn up in about 5 weeks time" I suddenly thought EEK that's really not long at all, haven't got all the stuff ready, panic panic!!

Keep us updated won't you.

Modsa LOL at the bath comment! DH is getting the easiest sex ever at the moment cos we have to do "spoons" - although I am sure the sight of my ass is not the turn-on it once was! . I really hope mine stay in until 38+ weeks - you must be giving them a really nice place to grow. It's great news about the iron. Having read so many natural childbirth books now I am cynical about every intervention and whether it is really necessary so it is great that tablets will be fine.

I went for a tour round the labour ward yesterday and spoke to a midwife and an obstetrician about having a natural birth with no monitoring and having the epidural line put in but without the drugs (which the consultant had said was all fine).

The midwife said "I have never heard of that being allowed" and the obs said "well if I attend your birth you'll have to be monitored and if you're having the ep line put in you have to have the drugs". So I was a bit annoyed but not surprised. And that is why I asked about it cos I am not having my consultant say yes yes yes to everything I want and then to get there in labour and find that he is nowhere to be seen and all the midwives and obs saying 'you can't do that'.

Also, the obs said that if I give birth at night there might only be a registrar in attendance and if he/she is not experienced at turning or delivering a breech, I'll have to have a caesarean for the second twin!! I couldn't believe it and I do not think that is satisfactory.

There should be a guarantee that at least one person at my birth can turn or deliver a breech baby! So I have lots of questions for my consultant at my next appointment. If he can't guarantee that someone will be there who can do breech birth then I am switching hospitals.

When I said no monitoring I meant no continuous monitoring - he said they can do it intermittently with a hand-held device but I fear I'll end up with the belts and maybe even the dreaded scalp electrode.

Hi Neenz - sounds like your hospital are being a PITA!

Hope you can either find someone with some sense there or find another hospital. Do you know how many twin births they do in a year?

I talked to the Head of Midwifery at my hospital and she was really helpful. There seems to be a fair bit of jealousy between midwives and docs and the midwives seem to be more keen to 'keep things normal', even for a twin birth, and keep the docs away if possible!

Morning everyone,
Hope you are all well.
I went to my first twin group yesterday It was really good, everyone one friendly and i picked up lots of useful tips. It is held in an indoor play center so DS2 had a fab time Also they is no charge and they provide free snacks and drinks!!! apparently its funded by the local health authority (Amazingly)The weather here is awful freezing cold.
Hope you all have a nice weekend
Twinkle

I've joined a twins club too - not free unfortunately! I think it was only £7.50 a year though... Not been to a meeting yet cos still working but once I start mat leave (two weeks and counting) I'll be going to one.

Have a good weekend!!

The twins are here !!!!

Harry Ronald and Millie June have arrived.

My waters broke on Saturday morning at 12.20 i called the labour ward and was told to go straight in as was expectin twins. contractions started about half past twelve and were only at the most two minutes apart. Got to hospital and had internal examination was only 4 centmetershas gas and air, half hour later was getting pressure in my bottom told midwife she checked me was fully dilated and nearly ready to deliver. Had epidural was advised to incase of problems delivering twins. Two fifty Harry was born and weighed 7.3 eight minutes later Millie arrived and weighed 6.5 1/2 all seemed to go too smoothly felt like i was dreaming i was breastfeeding them both at three twenty was amazing.

Came home same day just after dinner, as i am breastfeeding them they are constantly on the breast if its not them together they are taking it in turns i am so tired first night got about three hours sleep and last night only 45 minutes but going to try to stick with it until my milk comes in at least.

Modsa - congratulations! What a wonderful birth story. Lovely names too. I am so glad it went well for you. Sounds exhausting but you seem to have mastered the art of BFing twins OK!

I am sure you are very busy but could you let me know how the epidual went? When was it put in, did you find it affected your ability to push, did you have any other intervention (episiotomy. ventouse etc). Were both the twins head down at the start?

I am so so pleased for you!!! Well done!

CONGRATS modsa
Sounds wonderful and i love the names too
Good luck with the b/feeding
twinkle

Neen

The epideural at first just took the edge off the pain and i could feel each contraction but then they told me they needed it in case there were any problems and that took everything away, it did spoil things slightly as i could not even feel the contractions they were telling me when to push, i dont think i really needed the top up. No other intervention needed i had a small tear but no stitched needed.

Both twins were head down from around 34 weeks and stayed that way throught the labour.

Breastfeeding very exhausting especially having toddler too dont know how i am going to cope when my DH goes back to work think i will have to resort to formula.

Thanks for the reply Modsa. My MW said yesterday that she has delivered twins without an ep before but it seems like you got the best of both worlds as you didn't need other interventions eg ventouse. My twin 2 is breech at the mo so it is a big decidion whether I take the chance, don't have the ep and hope that she turns on her own. If I don't have the ep and she needs to be turned or delivered breech - ouch!

Could you maybe rotate them one on the breast and one on the bottle for each feed? It must be hard with another LO to look after. You'll do what's right and I am sure there will be loads of busy-bodies sticking their noses in in RL so you don't need me doing it too!

Congratulations Modsaluk!!!

What an amazing birth story - well done!

The names are lovely.

Any chance of a piccie???

Hope it all goes well and you get some sleep soon

Pazza xxx

Hi All ...

Congratulations Modsaluk! Your babies were super weights and I love their names! Hope the breastfeeding settles down .. everyone says to give it time but I know that's easier said than done with a toddler to look after.

Twinkle - glad your scan went well (even if it is a fortnight since I looked in here!!).

I hit 30w yesterday. Both babies were lying across the way (transverse?) at my scan last week. Consultant not too concerned at the moment but it's absolute agony on my already frazzled stomach muscles. Think they may have moved slightly since but don't think they've flipped to head (or even foot) down. Groan. Is anyone else feeling like me? Not sleeping, exhausted (naturally), big, sore, breathless - the list could go on? C-section is scheduled for 38+1 - can't see me lasting out that long. See consultant again at 33w so we'll see how things are then.

Sorry ... I'm a real bundle of misery!

Hi Millie,
Transverse sounds very uncomfortable I am 22weeks now and feel so tired.... im sick of dh always been away, house upside down with decoreating and 3 DC to look after.Sorry im moaning I already have a c/s booked for 38 weeks but i cant imagine going that far and the consultant said anywhere between 35-37 weeks is common with twins.
twinkle

Hi Twinkle ... my heart goes out to you if you have 3 other DC to take care of and your DH is away! My DH is supposed to travel with business but hasn't been away since January - feel guilty about that but I guess that's life. The midwife called me yesterday to say my Hb (iron) level is only 8.3 and to get me started on a double dose of iron tablets each day. I'd actually called the hospital the day before to see if I might be low and was told that if no-one had contacted me within 2 days of blood test, then all was well. Huh ... she phoned 8 days later! I've been feeling dreadful all week with dizziness added to other moans and groans, aches and pains. Guess that explains why. Hope the iron tablets kick in soon and I get a bit of energy back - think everyone here would breathe a huge sigh of relief .

Hope you've been getting some rest over the weekend.