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

@TheMagicDeckchair

Not going to lie the night times are hard! During the day it's fine - with lockdown and not having a choice about not going out maintaining breastfeeding every 3 hours is pretty easy and we are in a good routine (also home schooling a 4 year old). Night times though can be brutal as only sleeping for 2 hours Max at a time before they are awake! I'm not tandem feeding as found it hard to feed both at the same time.

On a plus note because I'm exclusively breastfeeding I was back down to pre pregnancy weight 2 weeks after the birth! Best diet I've ever been on!

Hi Everyone,

Lovely to hear your news @ivfbeenbusy - sounds hardcore! @Weenie12 I hope your boys are still fighting well :)

I'm doing well thanks - I'm 23 weeks today - and I've started to get really big - well, really big is a joke compared to how big I will get, but I've started growing a lot more rapidly these last few weeks!

Can I ask what to expect at my first consultant appointment? It's next week and I don't know what kinda thing they're going to go over - any ideas?

Thanks all xxxxx

@ivfbeenbusy I remember those early days well with DD- it’s the part I’m dreading the most. Well done on the feeding, does that work out with having an older child to look after as well? DD will be 3.5 when twins arrive and I couldn’t imagine how I’d feed them both and care for DD. But I’m certainly hoping to do some breastfeeds as the weight loss is a huge bonus!

@MRJ86 I’ve had a few consultant appointments now, it usually ties in with my growth scans so we’ve reviewed those, and talked about birth options and what is considered term with twins. There’s an opportunity to ask questions so I asked what to expect for a twin birth in terms of what medical staff are in attendance and what the postnatal arrangements are at the moment (obviously subject to change). They’ve all encouraged me to ask questions so definitely note down anything you’d like to ask before you go in.

@Emsix I am probably not allowed to post on here as am well out the other side but....I have a 6 and 4 year old and we welcomed ID girls last may in the first lockdown. I was terrified when we found out but honestly apart from the hard work, it is utterly amazing and our older two adore their sisters.

Hi all,

Congrats @ivfbeenbusy @Weenie12

My twins arrived at 29+4 last Saturday night. 2lb 12 and 2lb 8, so both very little but doing well in the NICU. Very scary birth, I won’t go into details as I don’t want to scare anyone but we are all very lucky to be here. Recovery has been tough but after 6 days in hospital I’m finally home, although back in NICU all day everyday to see my girls. I’m pumping every 3 hours day and night and getting a really good amount of milk for them which is helping me a lot mentally as it’s making me feel more like their mum.

Hope everyone else is doing well! Xx

@Amelia891

Huge congratulations on your twins arrival! Sorry you had a scary experience - mine was horrific too and it's only now 6 weeks later I'm having flashbacks of what happened that morning.'it was so quick and panicked DH didn't make the birth so had to do it on my own which hasn't helped as feel like I can't talk to him about what happened and how close it was for all 3 of us

@TheMagicDeckchair

MY older DD was initially very good and understood that my focus had to be elsewhere during feeding but I can sense her feelings are changing a bit the last few days as she asks
Now when they are going to be finished so we can carry on doing something together (as I'm
Not tandem feeding feeds can take an hour by the time I've changed and fed one and then the other). I think it's a good thing that she's back at school next week to keep her occupied

@Amelia891 congratulations on your twins’ arrival. It must have been quite an ordeal but I hope you are starting to recover and the babies are doing well.

@ivfbeenbusy it will be easier when yours is back at school. DD goes to nursery 3 days a week so that will take the pressure off a little, although the 2 days they’re all at home will be tough. I already feel guilty that I can’t do much with her due to my size and limited mobility. I don’t even trust myself to take her out for a walk alone as I can’t run after her if she bolts!

Thanks @ivfbeenbusy and @TheMagicDeckchair

My girls are still doing well in the NICU. They started breastfeeding last week (at 31 weeks) which according to the nurses is very early (this is on top of nasal tube feeds too) and are now both 3lb. I had some lovely double cuddles today, think it’s finally sinking in that they are mine! I feel so lucky.

Just can’t wait to get them home, it’s exhausting being in hospital all day everyday then coming home to my older daughter and trying to give her all the love and attention she needs too. I feel so guilty all the time.

My husband wasn’t at the birth either, he arrived just as they put me under a GA and it changed from a cat 2 to cat 1 so he’d just got all scrubbed up then had to wait outside anyway.

Hope everyone else is doing well! xx

@Amelia891 sounds like your girls are doing really well! Getting them breastfeeding so young is great, and they’re good weights. What names did you pick?

It must be exhausting being back and forth. Have you had any indication yet when they might be discharged?

I’ve had a couple of extra scans due to there being a large discrepancy in the fluid levels between the twins. But at last scan they were starting to even out so hopefully that will continue.

30 weeks now so feel like I’m on the home stretch. Lead twin has turned head down so we may be able to try for a natural delivery if he stays in place.

How is everyone doing?

@Amelia891 how are your little ones getting on?

@TheMagicDeckchair - how's your comfort level?

@ivfbeenbusy - How are you getting on?

I'm 26 weeks today, so getting slightly more uncomfortable as the time goes on - also excited. However, I do feel like time is standing still!

xxx

@MRJ86 I’m struggling physically with the size and weight of my bump. I’m a bit of a hormonal mess too, short tempered and tearful. Almost 32 weeks and you’re right about time standing still! That said once they arrive it will fly by, I’m sure.

Do you have a rough idea when you’ll be having them? Drs have said no later than 37-38 weeks so that’s up to 6 weeks for me.

@TheMagicDeckchair I'm not sure when I'll be having them! They said 37-38 weeks to me too which is early June - however, they have mentioned a few times the likelihood of a premature arrival. We've not discussed it in detail yet though - just very high level.

I'm the same as you - this last week I've definitely become more and more emotional. I spilt a small bit of tea the other day and felt like my world had fallen apart. Highly disproportionate reaction to the whole thing - my poor husband. Starting to get some back pain when working all day (wfh at a desk, so luckily not commuting etc) which is getting on my nerves a bit!

Wow - you could be any time now then! Have you got everything ready/prepared? X

@MRJ86 I’m almost there- the twins’ hospital bag is packed and I just need to throw a few things in mine- only a handful of clothes fit so I can’t pack yet. My midwife told me to have my bags packed from about 28 weeks. But fingers crossed they’re still holding on. Each week is a milestone as you get closer and closer to the 37 weeks.

@TheMagicDeckchair where are you up to?! I haven't been on this thread for a while! I'm 28 weeks and about to get my hospital bag ready. Still doesn't feel real though. I'm so not ready for the arrival of twins (and have just been reading through another thread with similar almost-dread) but at the same time this pregnancy is such hard work, for one reason or another all day every day!!!

Thank goodness for mn as I wouldn't dare say any of this out loud for fear of sounding ungrateful.

I think the comment about one day having a lovely full house hits the nail on the head but it's just the getting there...not that any of us know what the reality of newborn twins will be like yet...

@MumOfThreeToBe2021 I’m still hanging on- we’re now at 34+2 and in hospital pretty much every week for scans keeping an eye on fluids, growth etc. They have concerns about tw1’s growth dropping. But we’re very close to the line now.

I know exactly what you mean about the pregnancy- it’s so tough, especially with having a little one to look after too, and all the extra scanxieties and hospital appointments don’t help. But then I also worry it’ll get harder when they actually arrive and I’m trying to cope with two newborns and recover from the birth. I can’t “enjoy” this time as I’m so damn uncomfortable, fed up of barely being able to move and scared of the birth.

I need to keep away from certain boards/threads on here which talk how horrible life is with 3+ kids as it only makes me feel worse! Luckily I’m in a WhatsApp group with other expectant twin mums and it’s been such a lifeline to have that support and understanding.

How are you managing? Are you having lots of appointments too?

BTW hope everyone else is ok. I’m not sure whether anyone’s active on here now.

@Amelia891 hope your girls are doing well. Are you at home yet?

@MRJ86 how are you managing?

@ivfbeenbusy I’ve seen you elsewhere and you seem to be doing great- you give me hope that the newborn period won’t be as tough as I imagine!

@TheMagicDeckchair not long to go now - it must be getting exciting!

I'm managing ok - just increasingly uncomfortable and still a bit nervous about how long I've got left! I'm 29 weeks today so fingers crossed they stay in for a fair bit longer! Been diagnosed with gestational diabetes which has been a bit of a blow as I was really enjoying my food and have had to completely overhaul my diet (I've not been insanely unhealthy, but white bread and potatoes, fruit etc have had to go) - I'm going to miss my weekly pizza!

Do you know what type of birth you're going for?

@MumOfThreeToBe2021 I'm trying to sort my hospital bag out this week too - I had an appt at the hospital yesterday and they advised me to get it ready by the time I'm 30 weeks - so best get to it!

Lovely to hear from you and I hope everyone is keeping well. Please keep the posts coming as I find it really helpful knowing how you other ladies are getting on.

xx

@TheMagicDeckchair

I'm doing great! Honestly I've found it all pretty easy since they came home from NICU but I'm not the type of mother who stresses about every little thing 🤣 I'm also ticking off my DIY to do list and painted the kitchen last week! And working my way through long forgotten recipe books! Twins are sleeping for about 5 hours overnight now which feels like much longer after so many weeks of 3 hourly feeds

Definitely invest in a tommee tippee perfect prep machine - it's been a life saver!

Hi all!

Sorry for the slow reply! My girls came home last week after 6 weeks in NICU, at 35+3 corrected age, 3lb 11 and 4lb 2. It’s amazing having them home and not having to travel to the hospital everyday!

So far, it’s been great, not sure if this is just the calm before the storm though as they still sleep a lot and are feeding pretty well, although my smaller twin is still a fair bit smaller and not as hungry as her sister. My 3 year old has been great, she looks in the cot and smiles and sits with me when I breastfeed but apart from that she’s not hugely interested yet! We’ve kept her routine exactly the same though which I think has helped.

I’m breastfeeding which is going well- I built up a big supply pumping whilst they were in NICU so have a big freezer stash to fall back on. We have to bottlefeed them a tiny bit of expressed milk each feed too so we can add their Fortifier which is a powder they give to low birth weight infants to add extra calories, which makes the whole feeding process a bit longer prepping bottles etc but is obviously necessary. We haven’t been getting much sleep overnight but not because they are crying, purely because the feeding process for two takes so long! Eg. 10pm feed, by the time we have changed, breastfed, bottlefed, winded and settled both of them, it’s normally 11.15 ish and they feed every 3-4 hours so wake up again 1.30am ish for the next feed 😅

@ivfbeenbusy great to hear how well you are doing!! @TheMagicDeckchair @MRJ86 @MumOfThreeToBe2021 hope you’re all feeling ok! Keep us updated with how you are doing xx

Hi, just thought I’d drop by with an update on mine. They’re 11 weeks old today, 36+6 corrected and still a long way from coming home but they are doing well now. We’ve had a very very rough ride but they’ve beaten some unbelievable odds and we’re so proud! (Also exhausted!)

Glad you’re all doing well and getting those babies home!

@MRJ86 sorry to hear about your GD diagnosis, it must be frustrating having to watch your diet during pregnancy. I flit between wanting to keep the babies in as long as possible and just wanting them out now!
I’m hoping to try for a natural delivery, although if they have to be delivered before 36 weeks then chances are I will need a section.
I have a growth scan tomorrow to check on twin 1’s growth, as his growth had dropped down the centiles. Dopplers and fluid levels good last week so hopefully we can hang on another week at least.

@ivfbeenbusy you’re doing great! Hope I get some 5 hour stretches of sleep, that would be a dream. Are you fully formula feeding now or combi feeding?

@Amelia891 glad to hear the girls are home, sounds like you’re all doing well, and setting into a routine.

@Weenie12 I’m really pleased to hear your boys are doing well. You’re doing an amazing job with them and I look forward to hearing that they’re coming home with you.

@TheMagicDeckchair

I'm fully formula now - I have to go back to work full time when they are 20 weeks so was never going to breastfeed long term - so I moved them on to full formulae around 8-10 weeks. Mainly because big twin (who was the size of a Singleton weighing nearly 7lb when he was
Born even though he was 6 weeks early!) is a milk monster and I felt like my poor boobs just couldn't keep up 🤣 - it has definitely helped them sleep better though. Although not tonight - big twin is wide awake cooing at me from
His cot whilst his sister is snoring 😴

They are too big now to share a cot so they are in their own cots but they often keep me up at night "shouting" at each other through the cot bars

Thanks @ivfbeenbusy. I’d been planning to definitely breastfeed again when I found out I was pregnant, expecting a singleton. But two is definitely another league, especially if there’s already a little one at home. It was nice having that sitting around at home bonding and establishing feeding first time around, but I can’t see it happening this time.

Like you I’ll try and breastfeed initially, certainly get the colostrum in the early days and then move onto formula/mixed.

@TheMagicDeckchair

Breastfeeding twins was the best diet I've ever been on though - I was back to pre pregnancy weight within 2 weeks (and with the twins in hospital I was pumping every 3 hours to build
Up supply and take it to the hospital)

@ivfbeenbusy the weight loss is one of my main motivations! Did you manage to pump, feed and look after your older child too? It sounds like a juggling act.