pregnant with twins

[pop]

I have just found out I am pregnant with twins. After the initial shock/euphoria/relief at having a reason for being soooooo sick, I am now feeling quite scared about what is in store. I have a 2 year old and am worried about the implications for me throughout pregnancy/health of the babies and the effect on my toddler. Any advice/comments/shared experiences would be very welcome.

Whoops sorry, really did NOT mean to offend, which is why I put the three smileys in to indicate it was an affectionate observation . ( good example of other current thread on "tonality" !)
Callie I always enjoy what you have to say, I trully was NOT being insulting.
I can't type either and am far too lazy to preview messages.
Again sincere apologies for any unintentional hurt caused. It was not meant at all.
At this rate I will have to change my name to Quarelsome Queen!

can I really believe what I have just read? what an absolute waste of a perfectly good thread, with genuine issues, concerns and statements. Everyone is entitled to their opinion,informed or personal choice. I find it hard to swallow, and am left feeling I have just witnessed some vicious attack, I am shocked and disgusted that some people can be so offensive and rude, using every little comment to fly off the handle, you talk about stooping low to criticise a spelling but just how low have you stooped callie? grow up!

Please can someone tell me what Letterland is - is this some sort of secret place whre you have secret nicknames like fairy stories. Yes, we all use names on her that are part real names and part made up but is this 'letterland' something different.

Can you please stop the friction on this thread, there are more interesting things to talk about surely?............ I actually didn't get down as far as the original topic, what's the news there on Multiple Births. Just a little ole single one would do me right now........sigh...

Hi mommy. I have absolutely no intention of getting caught up in the heated debate on this thread, but I'm happy to enlighten you about Letterland: it's a method of teaching children to recognise letters and to read - every letter of the alphabet has a persona. A is Annie Apple, W is Wicked Water Witch, E is Eddy Elephant, R is Robber Red etc etc. Q is indeed quarrelsome Queen, glad I didn't choose that one since I'm certainly not! Hope this helps.

pop, how is the twin pregnancy coming along? When is your due date?
Hope the sickness is wearing of abit.
Good luck!

sorry, should have read "wearing off a bit"

Hi, Annie apple, Sorry if I came across as sharp about the spelling!! I understand you were not being picky I just misinterpredted you! Put it down to my pregnancy hormones.
Tranquility, I cant believe you have led such a sheltered life that you feel you have through a "vicious attack" after reading this thread.
Don't you think that is an insult tp people who have truly been victims in real life??
I realise tranquility is an alias and I do have an inkling who you really are but don't plead all ignorance and naiviety when your post was itself designrd to provoke.
I feel a bit like a victim of an attack from YOU tranquility! LOL

Hi jasper

I am still feeling pretty awful to be honest and am now at 21 weeks. I feel like I have still got such a long time to go although the consultant says to aim at 36 weeks rather than 40. I think that having had one pregnancy already you think you will know what to expect but this is all so different. Anyway am getting scans every 2 weeks already so am being well looked after.

I feel for you pop. I am finding it really hard just carrying one.
My personal view is I DON'T forget the pain of childbirth, but definately DO forget the pain of pregnancy!

Jasper,what stage are you at? Are you suffering from sickness or other 'minor' ailments - I say that very sarcastically 'cos everything is always listed under that in the pregnancy books - obviously written by someone who has not experienced some of the less delightful aspects of pregnancy!

Hahaha pop, a woman after my own heart!
The stage I am at is can't breathe, can't sleep, can't eat, can't walk. Sickness is possibly the only "minor ailment" I am NOT suffering from.
The official estimated date of delivery is three days from now. I have been feeling this bad for about six weeks.
I too am amazed at the reference to "minor ailments" in pregnancy books and mags and really envy those who enjoy the pregnant experience.
I remember my sister, pregnant with her second whizzing around M&S with me , not pregnant, struggling to keep up with her, with about a week till her baby was due! Clearly pregnancy affects us in all different ways.
The one saving grace of feeling SO awful in late pregnancy last time around was that literally within hours of the birth I was feeling fantastic.(by comparison)
I do hope you are feeling a bit better or if not, at least have plenty help with your other little one so you can get lots of rest.

I sooo agree with the 'minor ailments' thing. I felt so ill during my last pg I used to go to bed at night hoping I wouldn't wake up in the morning. Minor, eh???

Good luck, Jasper, hope you don't have to wait much longer.

Thanks Suedonnim.
Just a thought. I am 39. Do you think I am basically too old to take preganancy in my stride?!

Hi, Jasper, looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep tonight.
Age certainly didn't improve my pregnancies, as I was into my 40's with No4, but whether it's due to being older or just the luck of the draw, I've no idea.

No - age is not an issue - I am only just thirty and really find myself resenting all the people who say they don't even feel pregnant!! I am looking forward to feeling OK - that whole comparison thing is so true. It's like when people say to you when you are pregnant and not sleeping oh just wait till you have to get up in the night with a baby but I remember the bliss of lying in bed after coming home from hospital and being COMFY for the first time in ages - totally different from tossing and turning all night and clicking every time you move! Good luck Jasper with your iminent arrival - at least the end is in sight!!

Oh jasper, my sympathies. I remember being pregnant with my second when I was 41. It WAS harder second time around. I began to move so slowly in the last few weeks. All the best. Hope you don't have to wait too long now.

Pop

Am in the same position as you now at 27 weeks with twins and a 20 month old with tantrums. I am getting to the point of being permanently uncomfortable for eating, sittig to work, sleeping etc. But am hanging in there at least until 36 weeks and will jump up and down with vigour to encourage any delivery!!!. Well in theory thats how long I think I can stick it for.
Good luck and chin up

Hi Barnzee sympathies to you for being in the same situation!
We have had a nightmare week after being told last week that one twin was not growing we were told to prepare for being delivered this week. I had steroid injections and have been in twice more for scans and doppler tests as well as being in twice over night with strong contractions! Yesterday's scan showed some growth of the little one so we have another week until the next scan. I am finding it really hard as I do not know whether I am coming or going and everyone keeps telling me to rest which is easier said than done with a bouncy 2 and a half year old! Anyway - sory to moan but thought someone else might have had a similar experience - if anyone out there has then please add a message. I am now 31 weeks preg. so doctor says babies would have a really good chance.

Hi Pop, Just had the same experience myself this morning I have one twin smaller than the other and now have to go in next week for another doppler and the week after for a 2nd growth measurement. They can't say until then whether it is just small or dropping off weight as they only have todays measure to go on. The consultant did bandy around steroids and caesearians but preferred the reigstrars comments on the assessment unit, wait and see at 30 weeks. So praying there is some growth to try and get them to 34 weeks. Really sympathise with you, I can't quite see myself feet up with a book with my 20 month old either, ready advice, but often impractical. Think positive though you're 31 weeks now, next week is 32 and if a little more growth occurs then it will be 33 until the next scan. So each week the lungs are getting better and stronger.

Take care and good luck

Hi Pop, Just had the same experience myself this morning I have one twin smaller than the other and now have to go in next week for another doppler and the week after for a 2nd growth measurement. They can't say until then whether it is just small or dropping off weight as they only have todays measure to go on. The consultant did bandy around steroids and caesearians but preferred the reigstrars comments on the assessment unit, wait and see at 30 weeks. So praying there is some growth to try and get them to 34 weeks. Really sympathise with you, I can't quite see myself feet up with a book with my 20 month old either, ready advice, but often impractical. Think positive though you're 31 weeks now, next week is 32 and if a little more growth occurs then it will be 33 until the next scan. So each week the lungs are getting better and stronger.

Take care and good luck

Very best of luck, barnzee and pop. There can be a sizeable difference in the size of twins with no ill effects- my own had a weight difference of a full 2lb at birth and seeing them at 3 yrs it's clear that they are just built very differently. I hope all goes as well with your babies. Hang in there.

Hi Pop - mine came out at 30.5 weeks having first tried to appear at 25. They had twin to twin transfusion syndrome - a common condition with identical twins whereby connections in the placenta mean one twin gets too much from the mother and one too little (mine were very different weights at 25 weeks). I went into labour at 25 weeks because the twin that gets too much basically pees so much that the amniotic fluid swells (polyhydramnios) and the pressure triggers labour. They stopped it by draining fluid from me much like an amniocentisis (took out six litres). I had steroid injections and basically had to take it easy from there but my waters broke at 30.5 weeks. Both twins came out the roughtly the same weight (miraculously) and the lungs were sufficiently mature that they didn't need a ventillator. They had 5 weeks in special care but were basically fine, just small and in need of fattening up. Born at 2 12 and 2 14lbs.
No idea whether you might have mild twin to twin (are yours identical?) but either way at 31 weeks and with the steroids they have more than a good chance. It's not easy coping with premmie babies but it's also not as bad as you might think... I can go into it later if you like. Anyway best of luck - those steroid injections are hellishly painful aren't they?

My friend delivered identical twins at 32 weeks after they developed twin to twin, and she developed pre eclampsia at the same time. They weighed in at 4lb 6 oz and 5 lbs and were fine, came home from special care after only 3 weeks. They are 18 months old now and seemingly very advanced for their ages. She had to have regular check ups for them but has never had any problems. Good luck, I hope this helps you feel a bit better.

thanks for the reassurrance. Mine are identical and there seems to be a big gap between them now. I find it really unsettling waiting for the next appointment and preparing yourself for whatever is going to happen. I had kind of got my head round the fact that they were going to be really early but having had 2 OK doppler tests I am now thinking that I will still be here at 38 weeks! Great for the babies but I think I would be chair bound by then as I am finding it pretty hard going now and I have only just turned 32 weeks. It is so difficult to tell what the consultant is thinking and what he sees happening. There are 2 other girls at the clinic who had the steroids at 28 weeks and have gone on to deliver at 38 and 39 weeks so who knows.

as for the injections - I think I have a very padded bottom 'cos I seem to be the only person who didn't find it too bad - I knew there was a reason for my ample buttocks!!!!!

Hi - new to this thread as I found out last week that I am expecting twins later this year. 13 weeks now with a year old ds!

Since the news, dh and I have been reading anything we can get our hands on (incl mumsnet obviously!) which can be reassuring but is mainly terrifying. There seems to be sooooo much that can be difficult with the pregnancy. Reading the latest emails gives great encouragement that I will get support here but also gets me doubly scared. DS was only 5lbs anyway so am dreading these being tiny tiny wee. Am I getting myself too worked up? Probably!

Also, how do you find out about whether they are identical or not? In the scan they said it was very hard to tell and that sometimes they have to wait until after the birth to look at the chorion.

Wow, I am thinking so much about you guys right now, you sound so sorted and calm. GOOD LUCK.