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Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Original poster

11 weeks just found out it's twins

29 replies

NikkiMcV · 08/02/2022 21:08

Hi everyone, I've just joined this looking for some advice/tips from anyone out there expecting twins/with twins already!
It's my first pregnancy and I've just had my first scan and found out it's twins! I'm about 11 weeks. I'm feeling quite nervous because I've read there can be more risk with twins but I really don't know much.
I'm also interested to know if there is anything I should be doing differently to look after the babies & myself in a twin pregnancy? Taking extra supplements etc
Finally, I have been having lots of thoughts about the practical things..like what you need to buys for two, and how it works actually getting around with two!
Complete newbie over here so any shared experiences would be nice to hear 😊

OP posts:
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Kite22 · 08/02/2022 23:08

I know nothing about having twins, but just bumping for you so someone who can reassure you comes along Smile

Congratulations Flowers
Exciting times ahead.

littlebilliie · 08/02/2022 23:18

Congratulations twins are fab. I would read some American books on twin pregnancy they are all about nutrition and feeding up your babies and you before they arrive. In the UK they don't want you to eat more but I know that bigger babies are easier to feed, sleep and thrive. I could follow the whole eating plan as it was too much but I made sure I was increasing calcium and protein during my twin pregnancy. Good luck it's an amazing journey

whatcangowrong · 09/02/2022 08:43

I can't help you much OP but I'm also 16 weeks with twins. I posted some time in December on this board and ppl were very helpful so you could look that post up. Is this your first? I have one dc already who will be turning 2 when the twins arrive! Yikes.

Can anyone recommend a specific twin book? One on nutrition So far I've just been listening to my body which isn't particularly telling me it wants much more food.

I think you're also meant to up your folate, iron, and vit d. Vit d is good for preventing pre term birth apparently. I also take a prenatal fish oil and choline which is meant to have similar effect to folate. I read a good book on non twin pregnancy called brain health from birth which has a bit about all of this.

TheMagicDeckchair · 09/02/2022 22:06

I spoke to my midwife when I found out I was expecting twins. The only thing I had to change was to take a small dose of aspirin from 12 weeks in addition to usual pregnancy vitamins. But that was due to being 40 and having a multiple birth. I ate well- twins were 7lb 1oz and 6lb 5oz so good weights.

In terms of things you need, when they arrive a double travel system you can clip isofix car seats onto will make life easier. I have an older singleton and it’s not as easy to just grab and go with two babies. A twin feeding pillow to feed babies on and rest them. If you’re bottle or combi feeding, buy bottles in two different colours so you can differentiate.

Mine are same sex and a similar size so they wear the same clothes, so I don’t need twice as many. I had two bouncy chairs when they were little, but lots of toys etc you won’t need to double up on.

Gunpowder · 09/02/2022 22:19

Awwww congratulations! Do you know what kind of twins they are yet? i.e DiDi/MoDi/MoMo

My boy/girl twins are four now and although it was incredibly hard for the first few months it’s so special having twins. They have separate beds but whenever I go and check on them at my bedtime they are sleeping together. It’s adorable.

Practically, if you can stretch to it I agree two bouncy chairs and a twin feeding pillow are very useful for the early days. Most twin mums I know have a mountain buggy duet (I wish I’d got one!). It’s worth investigating local twin mum groups as IME there is a kinship and people give lots of stuff away or sell it on cheaply.

My other tip would be do any prep you can before you are 20ish weeks pregnant. I can’t stress enough how tiring and uncomfortable twins pregnancies are in the last few weeks so it would be worth getting everything sorted as early in advance as you can. You probably won’t want to be decluttering or building cots at 34 weeks like you would with a singleton -and they might have arrived by then anyway.

Good luck, good luck. I am so excited for you.

Hopingforarainbow27 · 12/02/2022 12:15

@NikkiMcV I just found out I'm having twins and they will be my first. They are identical and like you I have read there could be complications so I am scared! I have had two miscarriages so I feel like I've went from one worry to another!

Katjolo · 16/02/2022 21:38

Found out today that I am expecting twins. Great to find this thread.

xxKatie9806xx · 16/02/2022 21:41

My twins are 10 now but I still remember the day I found out…such a shock.

I love being a twin mum. Congratulations.

Lawnpop · 16/02/2022 21:48

My twins are 4 now. I won’t lie, twins are tough especially in the early months. I look back on that time and it’s a total blur, not helped by the fact that mine were premature. But life is much easier now and having twins is so special. Join the Twins trust. There’s a brilliant Facebook group breastfeeding twins and triplets UK if breastfeeding is something you’d like to try.

Lawnpop · 16/02/2022 21:51

Try and make contact with other twin parents, it’s such a different experience having two babies compared to one that I found it could be quite lonely and that mums with single babies couldn’t quite understand in the way other twin mums could.

JennyForeigner · 16/02/2022 21:55

We have twins, born August 2021. They are a delight - we've always put them together in a big cot, and they hold hands, always sleep facing each other and have slept through the night from six weeks. They seem to derive comfort just from being with another warm little body.

Sure it isn't always like this, but don't panic either. In my experience they are easier than one!

JennyForeigner · 16/02/2022 22:00

Also my advice would be 100% to buy a Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep, aka the miracle machine sent by a generous God.

It delivers a bottle of milk at the right temperature in

blueplantpop · 16/02/2022 22:07

I have twins and they are a real pleasure. Pregnancy went without any hitches and was induced at 37 weeks as they were getting large - 7.5lb and 7lb respectively. Straightforward birth. Worked until the week before I had them and only spent one night in hospital. Breast fed them both which was tricky to start with but much easier in the long run as was tired so I could just stick them on and watch tv - twin feeding cushion was a godsend, you can get secondhand. My twins get on so well and always have each other to play with so easier for me to get on and do jobs around the house. Had to be creative with childcare when I went back to work - but it was a rest sitting at my desk and having adult conversations. Good luck x

Hopingforarainbow27 · 16/02/2022 22:26

Any of you had twins that share a placenta and they've been ok?

snowdropsanddaffodils · 20/02/2022 15:45

@Hopingforarainbow27

Not me personally but a know a few people whose twins shared a placenta and they were all fine x

Araevix · 24/02/2022 13:36

I’ve just found out I’m 7 weeks with twins too, I already have one who is 2 will be three in October , I don’t even know what the point of my post is I’m just looking for Any advice really

Original poster
NikkiMcV · 24/02/2022 14:05

Thanks everyone for all your comments on original post finding out I'm pregnant for the first time with twins, I'm taking it all in everything you have commented!
I'm nearly 14 weeks now and as time goes on I'm feeling much more positive and calm about it all. To everyone else who has just had news it's twins I definitely freaked out too! It's ALOT to think about and so normal to have worries. Keep the advice coming any twin Mums out there!! Smile

OP posts:
Justawannabemam · 18/03/2022 07:33

Hey can I join in here

Hoping you still get notifications. Albeit a bit different I've found out I'm having triplets. We have 2 in one sac and 1 singleton. I had a 6 week scan and the one measured 5.2mm and the 2 measured 3.7mm and 3.3 mm. Just wondered if anyone had measurements from scans and is this relatively small compared. Got another scan in 2 weeks to check on the growth

Scared and worried to say the least. I'm so scared incase they are poorly and won't make it.

Fredstheteds · 24/03/2022 19:00

@TheMagicDeckchair

I spoke to my midwife when I found out I was expecting twins. The only thing I had to change was to take a small dose of aspirin from 12 weeks in addition to usual pregnancy vitamins. But that was due to being 40 and having a multiple birth. I ate well- twins were 7lb 1oz and 6lb 5oz so good weights.

In terms of things you need, when they arrive a double travel system you can clip isofix car seats onto will make life easier. I have an older singleton and it’s not as easy to just grab and go with two babies. A twin feeding pillow to feed babies on and rest them. If you’re bottle or combi feeding, buy bottles in two different colours so you can differentiate.

Mine are same sex and a similar size so they wear the same clothes, so I don’t need twice as many. I had two bouncy chairs when they were little, but lots of toys etc you won’t need to double up on.

Oh brill to know- 9 weeks and twins and 40... thank you!
twinsetandpearl · 25/03/2022 19:37

@Justawannabemam

Massive congratulations! Triplets would be amazing! I have IVF twins from a double transfer

There is a other mum to be having triplets on the multiple boards - I'll see if I can find her x

twinsetandpearl · 25/03/2022 19:40

@Justawannabemam

@tripletmommyabi - she was posting recently in the premature birth boards as her are due next month x

RedWhiteOrBlue · 25/03/2022 19:42

@NikkiMcV Ohh congratulations!!! Flowers

tripletmommyabi · 25/03/2022 19:47

Congratulations! I'll be watching this thread for tips too haha. My triplets are due next month and I honestly have no idea what I'm doing but I'm sure no one really does first time round. One of my biggest tips with what to buy is make sure you split it into piles, I thought I'd bought loads and divided it into three and literally had nothing.

Justawannabemam · 25/03/2022 20:52

@tripletmommyabi hey . I'm so glad I've found you. So im having trippies too. Due end October. Could I PM you. Maybe we can share tips . Well I'll probably be coming to you . Hope your well.

tripletmommyabi · 26/03/2022 12:19

[quote Justawannabemam]@tripletmommyabi hey . I'm so glad I've found you. So im having trippies too. Due end October. Could I PM you. Maybe we can share tips . Well I'll probably be coming to you . Hope your well.[/quote]
So nice to find another triplet mommy! I can always try and help with any advice but I've just sort of had to go with the flow. Hopefully I'll figure out what I'm doing once they arrive haha