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Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

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Original poster

When to take maternity leave?

15 replies

glamourbadger · 08/02/2006 20:03

I am 23 weeks pregnant with twins (identical girls!) and I need to provide my employer with a date for my maternity leave within the next couple of weeks. I have no point of reference for a twin pregnancy and I am struggling to decide on a date.
Wondered if anyone could pass on advice?
I sit at a computer all day so my job isn't physically demanding - however I am growing at a vast rate so starting to find the commute increasingly difficult!
Really appreciate any thoughts from Mums who have been through this - cheers

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

harrogatemum · 08/02/2006 20:09

Hi Glamour Badger (great name btw). I had twin boys in November 2004. I got increasingly large and unwieldy and ended up finishing work when I reached 33 weeks. My reasoning was that I thought that it would not be long before they were born as they normally come early. Imagine my surprise when 6 and a half weeks later at almost full term I was in hospital being induced! I must say that they were probably some of the nicest 6 weeks of my life - watching crap daytime telly and surfing the net whilst eating cheese on toast and drinking tea. But enough of that - it is difficult to know what is the best thing to do due to not really knowing when the twins will come along! Are they your first? It also depends on what you plan to do afterwards - will you go back to work and if so how long do you want to take off?

FrumpyGrumpy · 08/02/2006 20:15

Oh boy, I expect the replies will be varied! Personally, I had a really easy pregnancy with my DTs and ended up overdue at 41 weeks with a normal delivery (one breech). More than I managed with DD. However, I think everyone kind of looks at around 32-36 weeks as being the time to call it a day workwise (health permitting). Could you give work a late-ish date to buy yourself time (presuming you're planning on going back) and then hi-jack that if the need arises? Things change so often (day by day) with twin pregnancies that this is difficult. You will definitely get replies here but keep checking over a day or two. I'll bump for you when I'm on. Best of luck honey.

FrumpyGrumpy · 08/02/2006 20:17

Hi HM. How things?

TwoIfBySea · 08/02/2006 20:20

I had just left my job at 24 weeks as maternity was not an option and I was sick as a dog so not much use to anyone!

But had I the choice (I was going to be a SAHM so not coming back) I would have left at 30 or so weeks.

jambuttie · 08/02/2006 21:32

I had twin boys non identical in Jan 2004. I worked up till I had them too but them mine were born at 29 weeks so a little unexpected.

harrogatemum · 09/02/2006 08:01

Hi FG I am good today - DH got up with the boys at 6 so I had a lie in until 7 bliss........Now got to get a rush on and get them and me up and ready!!

FrumpyGrumpy · 09/02/2006 14:10

Hi HM, crazy when 7am is a lovely lie in eh! Glad you ok.

Bumping for glamourbadger.

Original poster

glamourbadger · 09/02/2006 19:28

Thanks for all the kind replies! Think I'll aim for 34 weeks and see how I go. Some new ailment seems to befall me each week (indigestion, fainting, insomnia) - I dread to think what the next 3 months holds.

This is my first pregnancy and I have to say it's not a particularly enjoyable experience. I've gone from running 10km to being unable to walk up a flight of stairs without a rest - feel like my body has been hijacked by some overweight granny. I used to look at pregnant women and think life would be same, just with a lovely bump. How incredibly naive!

Nice to read these posts and know everyone goes through the same thing - I don't know anyone with twins so appreciate the advice.

OP posts:

harrogatemum · 09/02/2006 19:39

Ask us anything you like Glamourbadger - we have lots of experience! Whereabouts are you in the country? You might find there is a twins club in your area, most towns have them.

TwoIfBySea · 09/02/2006 22:22

Glamourbadger, it was when one would be kicking me in the stomach and the other kicking my bladder that got me! Or the fact I couldn't wear shoes I had to tie for a couple of months. Or the fact I couldn't get out the bath without DH's help.

They made a happy woman very old!

goldenoldie · 10/02/2006 15:56

I was completely knackered when expecting my twins, so much so that the GP signed me off work (sick) at 20 weeks.

FrumpyGrumpy · 10/02/2006 19:51

Hi glamourbadger, I think being pregnant and having twins is something only those that have done it can ever understand - your body has been hijacked!! It gets so tight with all that packed in doesn't it. I didn't know anyone with twins either and MN has been a life saver for me many, many times. Just to come on and say whatever, no matter how big, small, silly or sad is such a great support, and at any time of day! I hope you'll remember we're here for you when they're driving you bonkers.

Original poster

glamourbadger · 10/02/2006 20:08

Hearing other people's stories I realise I've got off quite lightly - had dreadful morning sickness but apart from that it's not been too bad. It's hard not to compare yourself to women with 'normal' pregnancies. I've felt so guilty having to take time off work and have to keep reminding myself I'm growing two babies.

Roll on maternity leave! Must say the thought of a few weeks of eating crumpets in the bath whilst reading Heat magazine do sound rather appealing. Knowing my luck the babies will arrive the day after I leave!

Harrogatemum - I live in North London and discovered there is a twins club that meets each week in a hall round the corner. Be lovely to meet other people who have been through the same experience, it's been a strange journey for me and my husband so far

OP posts:

harrogatemum · 11/02/2006 06:32

GB - I'm not surprised you think its strange - people always asked us if we were joking when we told them we were having twins!People even asked me if I was sure as I'm nearly 6ft tall and so didnt really get a bump (am long of body) until about 20 weeks. Please fire away with any questions you want to ask! Everyone has had different experiences.

maggiems · 11/02/2006 08:41

I had twin boys at 36 weeks and worked up to 4 days before .It had originally been decided to bring me in at 38 weeks and i had planned to work up to the week before. I had an easy pregnancy, no sickness and tiredness . My boys were 4 lbs so I was not that big although it felt like it at the time. I also did a lot of swimming during the pregnancy which I think increased my stamina levels no end. However i know that I was also very lucky to have the energy to do this in the first place.At the time , I wanted as much time with the boys after the birth as possible before going back to work fulltime. However in hindsight I think I should have availed of the opportunity to have crumpets in the bath whilst reading Heat. 4.5 years on I have still hardly managed a bath let alone crumptets and Heat magazine. A quick shower is about all I can fit in.Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

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