Expecting twins early January 2018

[dangle90]

So recently found out me and my OH are expecting twins early January! Total shock they will be our first.
Just wondered if anyone wanted to share the journey! Would be nice to have someone to chat to along the way! :)

[moggle]

I'm 15 weeks just about. I've just started pelvic floor exercises too. Never quite got fully back to normal after DD (not sure anyone does though 100%, really) so I know I'll have my work cut out this time... I think I had an app on my phone last time to remind me!

[dangle90]

Hi ladies! Nice to hear from you all.
I am growing daily too! Can't complain about my hair and skin though! My hair seems to be lovely and growing fast! I'm been lucky so far! You looked on any Facebook selling pages for mat clothes moggle? Can get some good deals if you don't mind second hand!
I know you know already moggle as you posted on another thread, but we found out last week we're having 2 girls! I've somehow managed to refrain from not buying anything yet

[EricaSeas]

Congratulations! Mine are nearly three now and it's been a real adventure, but wouldn't change it for anything.

[thecookies]

Hi guys. Hope you are all doing well. Congratulations dangle90 on finding out they are both girls! How far along are you now? I am now 18 weeks, just 2 more weeks until we learn the sexes!
Hi Newchip! I'm sorry to hear it's not very easy for you with the weight gain. Hopefully as your bump becomes more obvious as a pregnant bump you will feel more confident x. I feel really proud to show of my bump now.
I have just bought some more maternity clothing as all the hand me down jeans have been skinny and that's not my usual style. I have found all the clothes I bought from vertbaudet have been great quality, great sizing and fit and decent prices. Would definitely recommend them.
My friend just recommended I buy a 'Jane medical set' which has a pacifier thermometer and medicine dispenser. She also recommended a tommee tippee bottle prep machine (£60). She uses it 10 times a day with a single baby so for twins it looks like a must have.
Oh, and I've also booked a 4D scan which is done at mothercare. We are bringing both our mums which I think will be nice for them. X

[moggle]

If they are screaming you won't be able to use the dummy thermometer, although my daughter would have loved it, she is a dummy addict. We have a Braun in ear thermometer one and it is very good (can use for older children and adults too). You can even do it when they are asleep. They are more expensive though, I think mine cost about £25.
All medicines for children will come with a syringe like that so I would ignore that when you're working out if it's a good deal.
The perfect prep seems to be a must have if you're bottle feeding - if you wait until Black Friday (end of November) to buy it always comes on a lightning deal on Amazon.

It's funny about my baby bump, it's actually the only time I wear tight tops! The rest of the time I have too much of a muffin top but once there's obviously a baby in there it looks much better! I am glad for the cold weather in a way as I have pulled out all my long sleeved maternity tops from last time. I didn't seem to have many short sleeved tshirts but I am sewing myself some this time.

[dangle90]

The scan sounds lovely cookies. I'm 18 weeks too had an early gender scan. My bump is more noticeable that others some days i look pregnant other days I just look fat 😂

[thecookies]

Dangle90 that is pretty cool, I bet you were so excited having the early gender scan!
Thanks for the advice moggie, I'm a first time mum to be so it's really handy to have the practical advice! The in-car thermometer sounds better, if it can be used for all ages then you'd definitely get your money's worth. That's a good tip about black Friday.
I'm very similar about wearing tight tops but have been happy to show off now with my new baby bump!

[thecookies]

*moggle
Silly auto correct!

[thecookies]

Has anyone looked into pregnancy pillows yet? I think I'm going to need one soon but want one that will also be good for twin feeding.

[HeartburnCentral]

Cookies I've seen special breastfeeding pillows with a back support
for twin/tandem feeding but I don't think it is suitable for sleeping (too big/chunky and it's like a 3/4 circle). I used standard pillows or the V shaped pillow with my previous pregnancies. 1 pillow between my knees, one tucked under my bump and one firm one to support my neck. I'm trying to keep to my left side but I'm used to either sleeping on my tummy or my right side.

Lots of girls on the way here, I'd love to know what our babies are. They seem a lot easier going than my older two. Nothe much sickness and stretched out wiggling around

Salsa, thinking of you. I hope you are keeping well and everything is alright.

[moggle]

Yeah I have a long pillow which i used for sleeping last time, and also a pretty standard breastfeeding pillow. But I don't think either will cut it for tandem breastfeeding twins as you can't just shift position like I could with just one baby. I managed to get a free Harmony twin feeding pillow off someone on a FB site so I'd look on those. Our local twin/TAMBA group also has a selling page too and I've seen them secondhand on there for much cheaper than the RRP so that's another option.

[thecookies]

Thanks HeartburnCentral and Moggle. I might just try using normal pillows in between my knees and under my bump and get a special one for feeding.

[Pisces2]

Hey everyone, congrats to you all on your twin pregnancies. I found out a month ago that I was expecting moni di twins. I'm so incredibly happy but anxious. My booking scan is next Tuesday and I'm so nervous. I hope to god they are still ok. They were measuring 4 days behind from a previous scan. I've gone through 6 years of infertility, losing one baby early on at the start of this journey. So this is the first time I have been able to get pregnant in nearly 6 years. I had went through numerous stim cycles and I had a failed ivf in January. This was spontaneous. I won't settle until my booking scan. Any advice on how to quell anxiety?

[dangle90]

Hi Pisces ! And congrats!! Sounds like you've had a really tough time!! How far on are you now then? I was an anxious wreck for the first 12 weeks, don't really have any tips as I couldn't seem to calm myself down, I've been so much better since the 12 week scan though just knowing statistically they were out of the "danger zone"! X

[Pisces2]

Hi Dangle, thanks for your reply. I am almost 11 weeks now. I can't believe how bloated I am. As the day goes on my stomach keeps expanding so much that I look almost 6 months pregnant by the end of the day. I've already had to get elasticted trousers and ditch my fitted tops in favour of loose shirts. I hope everyone else is doing ok xo 😀

[thecookies]

Hi Pisces 2. I'm no expert but I honestly think that trying to stay positive helped my embryos to survive. Every time I would start to think something negative I would push it out my mind. Maybe some gentle walks would help burn off a bit of anxiety x

[moggle]

Hi Pisces wow you must be stressed. Our twins and DD were all from IVF. Only a week to go until your scan. I'd sometimes say to people in this situation have you considered a private scan but I think with twins it's best to stick to the more knowledgeable consultants and they are definitely in the NHS.
I don't know if it helps but our little didi twins have always been measuring quite behind. They would have adjusted my due date by 5 days I think at the 12 week scan but because it's IVF they know exactly when they were conceived :-) Everyone seems happy with them but I know it is different with mono twins. Lets hope yours are just a little naturally dinky too.

[HeartburnCentral]

How is everyone getting on? All bumping along nicely here. Getting bigger already. I'm still on the hunt for a buggy! Feeling good this week so hopefully I can get some stuff done while my fatigue is on holidays

Cookies I saw a second hand sleep pillow online the other evening. It does surround body support bump/back/neck/arms. I'll have another look later and see if I can get the brand details for you. Wouldn't be suitable for feeding but would be great for sleep and general support. I might get one myself.

I know it's early but does anyone have a list for the hospital bag for twins. Anything I have seen online seems like they're packing for a month and with limited space on the ward I don't want to look like I'm moving in there permanently

Pisces thinking of you. Keep positive. I do affirmations and meditation to relax and ease my anxiety. I'm not an expert but from what I have seen about other mono di twin pregnancies, it is "normal" sometimes for one baby to be bigger but they can catch up as the pregnancy progresses. x

[moggle]

Heartburn I was thinking about hospital bags the other day. I was thinking I'd just take the same as I took in for DD but a few extra of everything for the babies (babygrows, vests, nappies, muslins). I'd stick the feeding cushion and some spare pillows in the car to be fetched later, and then probably have a second backup bag at home for in case we end up staying in longer. I do mostly trust DH or my mum to fetch the right things from home if things happen unexpectedly! We've been told we'd get one of the private rooms with twins rather than being on the usual postnatal ward, if that's so then hopefully we could fit the kitchen sink in if necessary!

[moggle]

I guess I will have a look at the lists for post caesarean too as that is more likely this time... I'll end up with several bags in the spare room with little signs on: "In case I have a c section" (big pants!) "In case the babies are really small" (size 0 nappies and prem/tiny baby clothes) "In case we have to stay in more than one night" (more clothes for everyone and nappies)...!!

[dangle90]

I keep going from been exciting to been scared and nervous! Wondering how wel manage with money, childcare ect! I know it will all work out in the end but doesn't stop me worrying!

[Pisces2]

Cookies, moggle and heartburn central, thank you all for you kind replies. I try to do affirmations for twin pregnancy most days. I found album on iTunes which is lovely

itunes.apple.com/gb/album/hypnosis-for-twin-and-multiple-pregnancy/id886043296

I will be 11 weeks tomorrow. Dangle, I can completely understand going from anxiety to excitement. I had a meltdown earlier when I found out my work only pays 90% for the first month and then I have to go on Statutory maternity pay, which is really crap. Then no pay for three months. They should make more allowances for twin mums, as well as mums in general.

[HeartburnCentral]

Thanks Moggle I think I will make stacks for DH to bring in when needed. I've been told depending on the birth weights and wellbeing, our dc might need to spend time in the specialist unit. A private room would be lovely, I'm not sure about our Hospital policy, they're like MI6 when it comes to discussing later in my pregnancy.

We go through all those emotions too Dangle but I assure myself we will manage and we will be fine. There is a lot of added expense but we are blessed to be having our babies and we will have each other to share the journey with and rally each other on the tough days. There are other
Mums of twins online who offer great advice. Having newborn twins is daunting but it is a very special and unique experience that not everyone gets to experience. If I think about all the stuff I need to get and all the stuff we need to get organised I feel overwhelmed so I'll do it by degrees.

[dangle90]

Thanks both of you, the days of feeling blessed certainly outnumber the days I feel anxious, it's just when I start thinking about when I go back to work and the cost of childcare, working won't really be worth our while, but I'll have to go back so I don't have to pay my maternity leave back. Also I do like my job.
Pisces, no wonder you had a melt down! That's terrible! I really think there should be more help for twin parents. I think we are going to look into the £500 maternity grant has anyone else looked into it?
I work for the NHS so I'm really lucky maternity pay wise

[moggle]

I'm in the public sector too so our mat leave is quite generous. I did look at the grant but we won't qualify unfortunately.
So had the 16 week scan today, both babies were very accommodating and flashed us their willies!!!! Eek!!! So a fair amount of new clothes needed... I'm glad I bought so much unisex stuff for DD now :-)