31+4 with DCDA twins and just looking for a bit of companionship during the countdown...

[legallyblond]

.... That's it really!

I have an almost 3 yo DD (she'll be 2.11 if they arrive when anticipated) and am still working full time (10 hour days as a lawyer) and, just this week, the exhaustion has hit. I'm planning to work until 34 weeks and have an elcs booked for 37+3.... It feels a long way away!

I am starting to get nervous about it all (I have been nervous throughout though!):

• nervous about bf - I ebf DD until we did baby led weaning and then carried on bf until she was 2, but a bit scared it won't work with 2, also becasue no sign of leaking colostrum and much smaller boobs than last time... and I never pumped or gave DD a bottle (of either my milk or formula - she was a total boittle refuser), so will be clueless (and disappointed that I'm not giving them the same as DD) if bf doesn't work or they're in NICU...

• nervous they'll be permature - I really, really want to make it to 36 weeks at least and would LOVE for them to just wait until the elcs date (for practical reasons like childcare too!). I had a "scare" at 23/24 weeks when my cervix was v short so I had a cervical stitch to prevent them coming. It did the job (my cervix doubled in length and has stayed long) so I am VERY grateful for getting this far, but stilll.... I dread the thought of NICU...

• nervous about the elcs and the recovery - I had a natural birth last time (albeit with an episiotomy, so recovery wasn't a bed of roses) so have no idea really... plus there's DD.. eek! I have chosen elcs becasue (a) they're transvers and breech now; and (b) in any event, I am uncomfortable about the potentially avoidable risks of an induction gone wrong... (that is despite being induced with DD at 40+12 and it being ok - G&A only and episiotomy the only real complication)..

• nervous about life with a toddler and twins. Need I say more? Still, I keep telling myself, I know what to do with one, so worst case, I just do everything twice, right??? In a sense, I feel pretty confident about my mothering ways (basically the opposite of Gina Ford I'm afraid!), but do keep hearing everyone saying how awful it will be with twins and how I MUST get a routine. I actually loved the newborn stage with DD and found it pretty easy (bf was great for me), so I am nervous that my bubble is about to be burst...

I guess all this is normal but just wanted to vent / share! Plus share the ride with those in a similar position....

Glad to hear you're still hanging on there Anda--I agree with the others about going in if they're quiet! Nobody is going to think you're going ninja-panic on them for asking to be monitored for decreased movement at 37 weeks!

Totally identify with you guys on wonky bump syndrome. Twin 1 is further down in my pelvis than twin 2, so mine is lopsided with t1's bottom hitting about halfway up on the left and t2's snuggled just under my ribs on the right. Loads of limbs right in the middle as well, which makes for lots of visible alien-like activity. So weird... Feels like I'm pregnant with a litter of hyperactive puppies.

Appt went well except that my hot, swift walk to the train, combined with aforementioned aches, made me throw up. :( Waste of a good iced mocha, that. All good otherwise, and it looks like the girls are both holding steady right at the 50th percentile, 5lbs 8 and 5lbs 12 respectively, both head down. Low bp, clear urine, and lots of slighly condescending little 'you're doing so well!' comments. All set for induction next week, so doing lots of walking to ripen things up.

Lingua - so exciting!!! I was induced with DD and I seriously recommend raspberry leaf tea - I drank it by the gallon and my cervix was nice and "ripe" when the time came....! Once they give you the pessary, that is the time to pace the hospital and bounce on the birthing ball like crazy... Don't lie in bed!

Oh and my d day is in 2 weeks 3 days.... Eek. And they'd better not come this week as DH is 14 hours away until Thurs..... Gulp.....

Lingua, sorry to hear you lost your mocha!
Legally I think my delivery "deadline" is 12th Sept - just a day or two after you ... I'll only be 36+3 but that's what they have as optimal for MCDA. Good tips on "ripening" - they aren't keen to induce me if things don't happen by themselves, so I think I'd better start doing what I can to help my body get on with it soonish! Maybe from next week onwards.

Anda update us when you can x

Still here! Both babies have been wriggly today - just need them to behave tomorrow then I feel like I'll be in the home stretch - appointments Monday and Wednesday before my section on Thursday.

Think my bump has dropped a fair bit which makes me worry about Twin 1 - she was massively squashed before and must be even more so now, poor little thing!

Hopefully by this time tomorrow the house will be ready with the exception of the cot beds, which my dad will build while I'm in hospital.

There's a few things we still need to buy so that can be Tuesday's job!

How's everyone else?

Oh good, Anda, so glad you're ok. Just days to go for you! Don't try and do too much, will you!

Amazing - had another checkup today, and I think the Registrar was bored because he decided to scan me to check presentation as I hadn't had a scan since 36w (36+6 today). Twin 1 is still breech, and Twin 2 is still oblique, but has completely flipped and gone from head down to feet down - how on earth didn't that little gymnastic activity hurt like hell?!

They are incredible, aren't they? My twin 2 went from head down to breech without me noticing, though the bump did change shape a bit!
Good luck with tomorrow's shopping.
I'm doing ok, but v tired all if a sudden. I just feel like labour might start any time, though no show or anything specific to suggest it really. My next (and last) scan and checkup is in 8 days.
Legally, hope no excitement in your house with DH away!
Lingua, when is your induction?

No excitement so far... Phew! Anda - I'd it Thursday for the c section... Eek! 48 hours and they'll be in your arms.

Mine is 2 weeks today....!

Both my two were breech... But not sure now. They had s crazy couple of days of movements but have quitetened down a bit yesterday and today, so I wonder if they've settled somewhere new. We'll see on Fri...

Oh and Anda, what are your hospital doing about steroids in the end given its def a c section? As I said, I have them 48 hours before mine...

legally at my last appt at 36w they said they wouldn't give me steroids. I'm 38w today and have my pre-op tomorrow so it's looking like that's still the case.

Funny how different hospitals do thinks! Apparently, for a planned CS pre 39 weeks, my hospital always give steroids... Bizarre! One more day - I guess you'll be heading to the hospital this time tomorrow!!!!!!

Ha legally I thought of you and laughed this morning - seems it's not only different hospitals, but different doctors...

After the scan on Monday I've been having trouble deciphering movement as what I feel doesn't make sense. They couldn't get a trace on Twin 1 so sent me down to u/s who scanned me and found Twin 2 is exactly where she was at 36w and hasn't flipped at all - the registrar must have been counting the same head for both babies!! While I was waiting the mw came down and asked me if I'd had steroids as there was nothing in my notes. Explained that I hadn't, that I'd asked and had been told (after the reg checked with a consultant) that I didn't need them. She kept asking me to confirm that the reg had checked with a senior doctor, and then at the end the sonographer asked me to go back upstairs where they told me the consultant on call wanted me to have the steroids after all. So I've had one dose this morning and have to go back at 10pm tonight for the next lot. Bloody hell, that's a painful injection by the way!!

So after all that, I've had the steroids, I've got my ranitidine, and all being well I'll be first on the list at 10am (emergencies permitting). Feels very surreal and clinical at the moment, but less anxious than I was this morning. Apparently I'll be in a 4-bed ward tomorrow night, and then in my own room. Absolutely terrified...

Really good luck for tomorrow Anda - you'll be just fine. Feel for you with the steroid injections - I had them a few weeks ago when there was concern, and they are certainly sore! Surprised they think you need then at 38/39 weeks but often these areas of variable practice are where the evidence doesn't offer a clear answer ... Haven't checked out the evidence for steroids that late on though so who knows.
Babies in your arms tomorrow - how lovely xx

Cheery - at my hospital they do steroids where ever they can for a c section right up to 39 weeks babies, although its term, the baby misses out in the squeezing and stress hormones that occur during natural birth, both of which make a huge difference to the lungs. Without the steroids, c section babies often have (minor) breathing difficulties. Apparently they last for 6 weeks though, so at least you won't need the jabs again!

Can't wait to hear from you tomorrow Anda - our first babies on the thread!!! You'll be fine x

Lingua - what day does the induction commence?

Good luck today Anda! Hope it all goes really well--update when you can. It's going to be so lovely having those babies I your arms!! Can't wait till it's my turn next week.

Induction is officially set for Monday, though I go in for a sweep tomorrow to get things ripened up. Fingers crossed all goes well and labour isn't complicated or too drawn out!

Thanks! Just waiting now - was supposed to be first but there was an EMCS at 9. Am compression stockinged and gowned up and absolutely terrified!

Good luck Anda!!! Thinking of you x x

Let us know when you can anda..... Our first thread babies!

Wow!
Thinking of you anda

Sorry for the lack of update - got swept up in everything!

Charlotte Sarah arrived at 10.52 yesterday, weighing 5lb5oz followed at 10.54 by her little (big) sister Sophie Lindsay, weighing 7lb13oz. Both babies are on the neonatal unit as they've had some problems with their breathing, but they're out of the incubators now; just need some help feeding, and keeping an eye on. We're all fine, just finding it hard not having them close by.

Congratulations!!!!! Sorry they're in Neonatal, but I'm sure you'll have them back soon... So there was a big twin in there! So happy you're all fine, although hope they're with you very soon. How was the c section?

Congratulations Anda! Fingers crossed you'll all be united and home swiftly xx
Lingua hope the sweep went ok and wasn't too uncomfortable. Sounds like you're likely to be next!