Anyone expecting twins April/May?

[Amelia891]

Hi!

I’ve recently found out that I’m expecting twins early May. Over the moon and super excited but obviously also a little nervous! I have a DD who will be 3 just before the twins arrive. Anyone else here expecting twins around the same time? Would be great to have someone to chat to who is going through the same thing!! x

@Amelia891congratulations on the pram!

After the 20 week scan I have gone on a bit of a spree. I’m working from home until the national lockdown ends to am trying to take advantage of having the time. Have a few second hand bits for them now and am sorting my home out so it actually has room for them and all the things they need. Anyone else been buying?

@Amelia891 that is organised! I keep seeing stuff in the Black Friday sales but then I remember I’m only 15 weeks or so.

I am starting to show noticeably now, not quite a nice neat bump but definitely that pre-bump fatness around my middle! I told work last week, was dreading it TBH but my boss was lovely and really supportive and doesn’t want to lose me, which was a huge weight off my mind. Everyone I have told has been thrilled to hear some happy news in this miserable year.

I am a bit worried about making it work financially. Currently I pay all the childcare for DD but it’ll double when the twins go and DH was huffy when I mentioned I might need helping out with that, as it’ll swallow up most of my salary. I have a small extra investment income but it’s unpredictable and has fixed costs I have to pay each month, regardless of income. Fortunately we have emergency savings we can dip into but it got me thinking, how do other people manage 3 or more kids financially? We have a decent household income yet are still concerned about how to make it work!

I don’t really want to give up work as my job was a rare find, part time and pays well, so if I leave it’s unlikely I could return at the same pay and conditions. Plus when the youngest ones turn 3 we get the free hours, which will be a big saving. I also enjoy the “me time” I get there!

@Gidget19 it’s getting close for you now, over halfway! I’ll pass the 20 week mark at new year so maybe the January sales will be my buying spree.

@TheMagicDeckchair that’s great news about work being supportive. My experience too is people being happy for some good news this year.

I have no idea how people manage with three kids. Childcare is my biggest stress. Single income and two childcare places will leave me with nothing every month.

@Gidget19 are you entitled to any benefits? We don’t get anything as DH is too high an earner, yet we’re certainly not rolling in it!

Hi Everyone
I’m 11 weeks today with identical twins (conceived through ICSI) have my 12 week scan next week at 11+6 days. This is my first pregnancy and I’m so worried. Seen my babies last week at a private 10 week scan and they are moving around and doing so well but one measured 3 days behind the other so I’m worrying now. They are def in the same placenta but unsure if they are in separate sacs hoping hospital will tell me next week. So glad I found this thread just feel I have no one to talk to who understands how I’m feeling. Also been so sick so feel bad for living on crisps and cereal lol

Hi all. Just had my 18 week scan with the consultant and got mixed news. Both girls looking very healthy, everything is perfect except there is a 20% size discordance which the consultant said was ‘a bit concerning’ and they’ve now upped my scans to weekly. It’s not TTTS, I have no other markers, but they want to keep an even closer eye on me in case it develops into that. Consultant said though that small twin may catch up so next few weeks will be fairly important to see what happens. Not really sure how to feel. Worried but also trying to be positive as I know worrying will make no difference and technically they are both still healthy and growing. How is everyone else?

Welcome @Natalie8984 and congrats on your twins! I know exactly how your feeling, I think everyone else thinks ‘yay how lovely twins!’ And of course it is very lovely but it also makes pregnancy a lot more stressful!! I wouldn’t worry though about the 3 days difference, at 10 weeks they are so small thats probably only a millimetre or two different? I know from what’s going on with me that it’s if there is a 20%+ difference they worry. But you’ll be under consultant care like me and scanned every 2 weeks if they are sharing a placenta so will be kept a very close eye on.

Hi @Amelia891 I’m sorry your visit didn’t go exactly as you’d want but it’s good that you’re staying positive. I think the size thing is something people don’t think about until they are having twins. So many people I’ve spoken to have that ‘yay twins’ reaction and think it’s just growing two kids instead of 1. Then I’m there thinking of how long I can keep them inside and cooking away and if they are both growing and how small is the smaller one now. It’s daunting.

Welcome @Natalie8984 and congratulations on joining the club. Twin pregnancies are stressful but also super special. I only manage to focus on the super special part some of the time but that’s better than I was doing at the start of the pregnancy. Both of my twins were moved up three days at my 12 week scan because they were measuring a little bigger than average. Then at the 20 week scan they were both smaller than average with twin 2 being smaller than her sister.

@Amelia891 that must be worrying for you. There’s no point me saying don’t worry because I’d be exactly the same as you. I suppose you can take heart that they’re keeping a very close eye on you all and will be ready to intervene if necessary. I had to have extra scans when DD was about 32 weeks as they identified high cord resistance and started talking about steroid injections to prepare her lungs for early induction! It was actually fine, the problem righted itself and I was induced at 38+5 anyway as my waters went early. I think sometimes the medics can talk about the things that can wrong but it doesn’t always happen that way. Seems there’s no end of worrying with two!

@Natalie8984 welcome to the club! I felt like you do when I first found out, quite alone, scared and overwhelmed. It got better once I had my scans and NIPT results and started telling people. But it is a daunting prospect.

I met my consultant this week, he was a really lovely guy and encouraged me to ask as many questions as I wanted! I had a very quick scan to check the heartbeats, he was very keen to show the medical student as they don’t often get to see twins on a scan.

Thanks @Amelia891 @Gidget19 @TheMagicDeckchair
I was in shock that I’d been so lucky to be pregnant with twins but then the fear set in. Think I will feel better once I get to the hospital next week and know they are being monitored. You have all made me feel abit better so thank you.
@Amelia891 Good news it’s not TTTTS and they are both healthy! But I’m sure you are worried it’s good they will scan you weekly so hopefully that will put your mind at ease a little.

Had another scan today and little twin has caught up again a bit 🙌🏼 So all good. Scans are still staying as weekly. What a rollercoaster!!

How is everyone?? Any updates? Hope you’re all well.

xx

@Amelia891 that is promising news- so good that they’re closely monitoring you. It certainly is a rollercoaster!

@Natalie8984 when are you at the hospital this week?

Not much to report here. Had my 16 wk midwife appointment this week, listened to the heartbeats which was great. My blood pressure was up that day, not sure why as it was fine at the hospital and when I took it yesterday at home.

Bump feels to be growing fast now- I reckon at 17 weeks I’m more like I was at about 23 with my first. Plus the heartburn and pregnancy insomnia have started.

How is everyone else doing?

Oh ladies I have had a crazy emotional week. Thought we lost them on Monday, I had a huge bleed with lots of fluid and ended up in hospital. First doctor mentioned the M word but once they scanned me the both of them were jumping around like nothing was going on. No explanation for what happened no amniotic fluid lost either which was great.
@TheMagicDeckchair had my 12 week scan on Wednesday they were very happy with both babies less than 10% difference between them strong heartbeats and seen them kicking little legs in the air so I was delighted. Back again in 4 weeks.
Thankfully bleeding stopped yesterday and starting to calm down a little. I’m 12+1 today we had planned to tell all the family this weekend but after what happened this week I’m so nervous to tell them.
@Amelia891 glad to hear little twin is coming along great news!

Glad to hear everyone is doing ok. I’ve got an appointment at the prematurity clinic next week, have no idea what to expect from that. At 23 weeks now and they have suddenly had a growth spurt. First pregnancy so I have no frame of reference but people seem surprised that I still have months to go when they see the bump!

@Natalie8984 oh no that sounds so stressful!! So glad they are both ok. How are you feeling now? Did you tell your family in the end?

How was the prematurity clinic @Gidget19 ?

No scans for me this week but 2 next week. I’ve started to get a few bits together for my hospital bag and I’ve started majorly decluttering the house. Still feels a bit soon at 20 weeks but I’m getting pretty big already so thought I’d get started!

@Amelia891 Yes told the family of on Saturday night then it happened again early hours of Sunday morning back down to hospital and diagnosed with SCH. It’s a blood clot behind the babies they didn’t seem to concerned it’s not near the placenta and said it’s small so will hopefully have got smaller when they see me in 3 weeks again.

Anyone any experience with this? I started to read online which was a really bad idea. My consultant doesn’t have a great bedside manner so thought I’d read up myself and just added more stress.

So exciting getting your bag prepared and I’m sure you will be glad to see them again before Christmas!

Hope everyone else is keeping well x

@Amelia891

Clinic was good, they check the cervix and said I’m low risk for preterm labour and I got a glimpse of the girls waving away too!

I’m using the next two weeks to get myself sorted for them as I want to do it before I’m too big to be useful.

@Natalie8984 that sounds so stressful. I’m pleased they don’t seem too concerned though. Reading up is never a good idea and yet we all do it!

@Natalie8984 I’m so sorry you’ve had such a stressful time with the bleeding. With my DD I had a bright red bleed at 12 weeks and they thought there was a patch of something on that scan. Anyway she was absolutely fine, so maybe it is just one of those things?

@Gidget19 glad your prematurity clinic appointment went well. Is it standard to attend this if you’re having twins? Re bump sizes I reckon I’m about 6 weeks ahead of where I was in my singleton pregnancy- so at 23 weeks with twins you might be more like 29 weeks if you were expecting a singleton.

@Amelia891 I have my 20 week scan on 29th, just realised it isn’t that far off. This second trimester seems to be flying by! I haven’t started packing my hospital bag yet, nor have I bought anything. I have loads to do but it just feels too soon at 18 weeks. Maybe I’ll have the confidence after the next scan to start getting some little clothes. I’m also hoping to confirm the sexes before I start buying!

@TheMagicDeckchair I feel the same about my second trimester. I’m enjoying it so much more than the first and want it to last a little longer. It was my 20 week scan that kickstarted my buying, suddenly felt ready to start thinking about what I needed and getting organised.

@TheMagicDeckchair oh and the clinic said anyone who is high risk, for whatever reason, is invited. I only went once and they discharged me again on the spot after my appointment. Some are seen more regularly.

@TheMagicDeckchair yes it seems to be quite common, the bleeding is on and off now she said to expect that so hoping when I go back in 3 weeks that it has got smaller or gone if it’s still coming away.

Ladies any recommendations for a pregnancy pillow. I know I’m only 13 weeks but my goodness I’m so uncomfortable in bed, sore back sore legs, I even tried sleeping upright lol seems things progress much quicker with two!

@Natalie8984 I have a U-shaped pillow, it gives some back support too and if you roll over it has another side. So I’d recommend that shape.

My friend has leant me a big u shaped one but I’m not using it yet, I find a normal pillow in between my knees helps my back enough at the moment, although I’ll probs be moving onto the massive U shape one soon.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that you all have a great day tomorrow even if your plans have changed (mine have- Tier 4!)

Enjoy all the Christmas food and take it as easy as you can! Xx

Yes happy Christmas everyone- still in tier 3 here (have been for most of year) so keeping to our original plans of seeing close family- we’re all in the same bubble anyway.

We have family and friends in tier 4, it’s tough for them this year.

Merry Christmas! Tier 4 already here, luckily I’d already relocated for Christmas before it was announced and haven’t been out at all.