Anyone else pregnant with twins - or more? Or anyone who has twins - or more - who wants to hold our hands...

[GettingBiggerBird]

Hoping to drag my fellow pregnant mums and those whose bodies have been recently or not-so-recently liberated over from our ante-natal thread. We're not as experienced as those on the d'y ever ones but a lot slower . And any new ladies please join us, here's the list so far:

PazzaPlusTwo: twin girls born April 28th 2008 - Anais and Carmen
Neenztwinz: twins born May 6 2008, Esther and Theo
Accessorizequeen: twins born Sept 27, Felix and Bridget - East Yorkshire
Merrymarigold: non id twins (girl and boy) born 22 Oct, Jude and Mirissa - Forest Gate, East London
jennyroper: id girl twins due dec 15th - New Zealand (but am proudly British)
Anjlix: id twin girls due 24 dec (37 weeks) - London, booked at St Thomas.
GBB: b/g twins due Dec 25 - Hackney, London
PBH: twin girls due 9 Jan 2009
MEL2005: twins due(40w)10th jan 2009, Norfolk
Pheonixnights:Non ID twins due 17th Jan
Ewemoo: id twins due end Jan 08
Tallulahbelle: twins due Jan 08
Nellstar: id twins due 18 Feb 2009 (well, that's 40 weeks)
Balamorybaby: twins due 11th March - East Sussex
Barbarella: triplets due 9th April 2009
Swerve: twins due 28 May 2009

Schmauskin - I bring and good wishes from the crazy D'y ever thread, Shabs sends her love. They miss you!

Hullo all, sorry you're suffering Fran, how old are they now? It got better for me at 8 weeks and now (they've just gone 3 months). It does only take a little thing to change to make things better (although more sleep is pretty much a panacea for all ills) so god yes, if you can get some paid help do. Makes such a difference.

But I do use quite a bit of formula . If I didn't I wouldn't still be feeding at all I think. Whatever gets me through intact. Feel as though I am hurtling towards PND as it is really. I think when they're sitting life will get a LOT easier, I remember that with ds2. They already love having some lurvve from their elder brothers, lots of kissing!

Hello all,

Fran, Phoenix, NQSBB, I am in awe of your BF adventures. I could not deal with the no sleep. But I like to sit in the stands and cheer for you.

Had my 6 week check. Every one is doing great. Girls are out of the preemie zone and feeding every 3hr. It feels like a great break between feeds. No one is actively smiling yet. Any idea when that starts?

Now the adventures with double buggy will begin. I am beginning to see the pros and cons. Always wanted to get th lightest, slimmest buggy until I found out I have having twins!

Well, duly reprimanded by Mars ('Ma' as my DD calls her), I am staying away from the formula for now - especially as it feels like my supply is even lower so don't want to make that worse. But the amount of milk I expressed this a.m. was pathetic so it's back to me doing pretty much all the feeds as usual for a couple of days. I hope you're right, AQ and that 'little thing' you talk about changes for us soon. Even with a bit more sleep the last couple of nights I'm still soooo tired. I'm just about to get a bumper delivery of stuff from my homeopath, I really hope it works.

Anjlix, so glad everything is going well. I think smile-time is any day now for you, isn't it? Maybe a bit later because they were premature - is that how it works?

If anyone out there can give some calming words would be grateful. Moving tomorrow, section booked for Wednesday, understandably insomniac. Feel bossed around and on conveyor belt by consultant who won't even give us an appointment but gets one of her juniors who seems to know less about monochorionic twins and ttts than I do to 'talk me through the plan" (which merely consists of them having randomly chosen a section day); scared 36 weeks on the nose too early and angry at DH (probably unreasonably so) for not sorting us out with somewhere to live sooner. All very upsetting for DS to move, have his mother disappear to hospital and get usurped by two brothers all in 5 days. Quite certain all you knackered mothers are up doing something useful like bfeeding rather than letting off steam on the internet...

Nellstar, am up bfeeding but got so hungry felt I had to come downstairs and demolish 2 hot cross buns
Arggh, what a horrible situation, you must be so stressed. If it were me tbh, I'd say it's my body, my babies, if you can't give me a decent reason why not delay the section for a few more days at least. They can't drag you in!Seriously, if you feel out of control at this point, it will only get worse & you'll find everything even more stressful after they're born as will ds. You're also more at risk of PND in a situation like this, sad to say. As you say it's 36 weeks on the nose, they've just picked a random day prob. (IME) because it suits the consultant and not you. for crap consultant because they're not all like that.

Anjilix, don't babies start smiling 4-6 weeks so that would be the corrected age for them, how preemie were they? Tis lovely when they do and even lovlier when they giggle as ds3 does all the time now reflux sorted (big sigh).

GBB, how's the sleep. You're absolutely right about formula, I said to HV just yesterday that the only reason I can get away with using it is because I have massive oversupply and always have.Kudos to you for sticking with it, I can see where I've fallen down over the months but all in all fairly happy that I'm doing 90% bf with dt's! I do like the look of awe on people's faces when I tell them. That and getting to 39 weeks seems to give me superwoman status around here and I need every boost my ego can get.

must go back to bed now before another of my brood wakes (big sigh). Older boys both ill as well as me.

Thanks for all the encouragement you lovely mummies. Anjilix NQSBB Merry Phoenix Hope things are getting better for you all, good to have people to share the struggle with. Have had hideous few days, but having a peaceful moment in which to catch up on thread.

Despite the difficulties my girlies are truly gorgeous, the other day - they both did really big smiles at me at the same time, brought a tear to my eye.

AQ they're 8wks now and I think having another growth spurt or something - damn its hard. I keep thinking/hoping that at 3 months it will get a bit more manageable. Hope you and your boys are better soon. Have you been able to get any help for PND? It would be sad for PND to rob you of the lovely moments that you get with having twins.

Nellstar Wow you really are in a tough situation, I think what AQ said it right. The consultants are there to advise you, you should feel like you are in control of what's happening to you as far as is possible (not always possible once mother nature takes over), if people are making decisions on your behalf they should be discussing it with you thoroughly and should have your agreement before arrangements are finalised. The consultants or any other hospital staff do not have a right to force you into anything, it is ultimately your decision to go ahead with c-section at 36wks or to say you want to wait - they should help you make an informed decision about what is best for you and your babies. I hope you're able to talk to your consultant a bit more - or could you ask for another consultant? Good luck.

just joined mumsnet and on while they are napping so i am not up and down stairs loads as they settle now mine are 19 weeks and i am slowly getting a grip any nice to speak to others with twins as it is really hard going sometimes (have had a bit of a hard week with them!!!)

Nellstar. With my MCDA twins they wanted them out between 35 and 36 weeks. My private consultant did not want to give me any date before 37 weeks. They came out at 33+6. It was frustration city with all these dates swimming in my head and not to mention TTTS scare. It does not hurt to book a date. You could go sooner and end up with emergency section. So it works in your favor. Is there any chance you rebook the date if you get to 36 weeks?

AQ Mine were 6 weeks early. They smile but it is not in response. I think it is still gas. They are able to focus with both eyes at objects. Now that they are 7lbs they can also howl. Which is quite scary. They were so tiny, they could only manage a whimper.

I am curious what you are doing for PND?

welcome kjtwins, you're just a few weeks ahead as my dt's are 16 weeks now. And getting more gorgeous every day (IMO!).

anjilix, 7lb, they must be sooo tiny! Mine are nearly 13lb each now, I'm having to buy some 6-9 clothes for them as they're quite long. I'm sure they'll smile any day now

bigbird, just one night of better sleep changes things honestly. Mine are more interested in their big brothers now so stay entertained watching them, you forget how quickly they want to interact! The baby gym v. popular with dd, she sits under there cooing for a while if I need to feed ds3 separately & keep her happy.

fran, now that they're nearing 4 months I can definitely say 3 months was a turning point. I finally came up with a routine last week after 'tracking' them for 9 days, only for them to completely trash it all weekend grrrr. They're having a reliable nap in the morning so I can get a shower, put the dishwasher on etc. The feeding frenzy does die down eventually but I am finding it easier now to give in and settle myself on the sofa for a long one (they just had nearly an hour followed by 7oz of formula each so if that doesn't knock them out nothing will!).

I've been ill for a few days and have noticed I'm not feeling so low which is great, must have knocked it out of me. I do find pulsatilla a great help for the weepy days. I've had depression a lot before so know the signs and also how to manage it for myself before it gets too bad. Went out to dinner with dp last night which was lovely, helps to get out of the house now and again.

AQ ooh daily showers, I'm looking forward to finding the time for that again, I feel like a right grub now. And a meal out, good for you. We managed a candle lit dinner at home for out wedding anniversary, but had to take it in turns to eat whilst the other held a crying baby. So roll on 3 months, although I shouldn't wish this bit away, these are probably the last babies I will have.
What's pulsatilla?

Mel How are things going?

NQSBB* Have you had your trip to norfolk? Hope you're not here now the weather is hideous. Did the buggy perform well off road?

Things are going a bit better for us, have managed to arrange a bit more help, and we had a pretty good nights sleep - amazing how much difference it makes.

Hi all

Not having twins just wanted to say congrats!!!

Am very , my mum has 3YO identical twin girls and they are daft as a brush but lovely

You will find the time to get things done eventually get back to normal life again but take your time because they grow up soo fast dont they and with twins you need to keep your eye on the ball before you know it one will be in at the laundry and the other one splashing in the loo

hi accorisequeen what have you got i have a boy and girl love them dearly had a much better day today went to a twins club its lovely to speak to other twin mummies

Thanks aq, frangi and anjlix for your advice. Having moved our internet has been down. The move was sort of awful but now it looks like we've lived there for years and despite lack of sleep (chronic reflux) I feel more relaxed. Have had to have steroid injection yesterday and today for their lungs and came across two absolutely lovely midwives - the one today delivered my first baby at home! So feel reassured to hear from her (someone very pro home and natural births and anti sections) that even she thinks it's best with one placenta identicals to get them out by section now, however unnatural it seems. Am going to try to relax today and focus on the babies arriving tomorrow (MIL looking after DS1). So thank you all and will update you anon, though it may not be for a while obviously! Hoping so much they are fine and healthy and not too tiny.

not much time to write, but all the best Nellstar, thinking of you.

Hi everyone!

Would just like to add myself to the list (if the list is still going).

I'm now 25 weeks with MCDA twins (technically due 3 May) and also have a 17 month old DS.

Good luck Nellstar

Welcome mum2william and congrats on twin pregnancy.

Hope all is well with twin mummies, threads gone a bit quiet for a few days?

Feeling knackered but quite positive, Isabel has now slept for over 8hours for 3 nights and Eleanor has managed either 5 or 6 hours - but not on consecutive nights yet. So hopefully it won't be too many weeks before they sleep through - won't put the champagne on ice yet. Have also managed to find someone lovely to help out on the afternoons that my mum can't get over to help me. Things are looking up , just need to get the hang of tandem feeding!

Well done Frangi! It will come (tandem feeding). Proud of you.

Hi all, up in Norfolk now having a holiday - ha ha. The weather is feezing but the change of scene is nice. Our nghts are still terrible and my supply still doesn't seem great so bf is a big challenge and I am looking forward to things changing sooner rather than later! Both babies have colds and of course DS is feeling particularly sorry for himself .

Hello again mum2william, how are you feeling?

Welcome KJ, glad to hear naps become reliable!

Looking fwd to hearing from Nellstar...

sending love nellstar. Don't (or at least try not to) worry, I've had clients with DTs born younger than yours who have done very very well in a short space of time.

Thanks for encouragement Mars. You kindly replied to my email, and I've been meaning to get back to you about tandem feeding - do you have any top tips?

My little ones struggle as milk comes out quite fast so they fret and come off - I know this will settle as they get bigger and are able to cope with my milk supply. And I struggle with getting them in a good position so they won't keep popping off. It doesn't seem to work for them if they're laying with their bodies tucked up against my side - can't seem to maintain a good latch. If they're more parallel to me they get a better latch but they're now so big they just slide off the edge of the cushion. So if anyone has advice on positioning I'd love to hear it.

Oh and Mars, you'll be pleased to know I've abandoned routine feeding and am now feeling much happier about demand feeding. I'm now trying to get nap times into some sort of routine so at least I know when they're tired, and then it seems that all the moments in between naps are times for feeding constantly as I'm feeding seperately at the moment. Apart from being permenantly attached to the sofa it's going well.

NQSBB Hope you enjoy Norfolk - it's pissing it down here again in Diss, must be chilly near the coast.

yes ive found now with mine (19 weeks) that they are tired 2 hours after waking up and as they always get up at the same time they nap roughly at the same time every day i just watch for tired signs and put them both down even if one isnt so sleepy they have some quiet time or some alone time with me.

hi all, yes its not nice here in norfolk at the moment, i hope you are having a good time
NQSBB.
we have had a hectic week as last thursday Oscar was admitted to hospital for pyloric stenosis (where the muscle at the bottom of the stomach thickens and blocks the bottom of the stomach so milk cant pass through) it causes projectile vomiting and weight loss which is why i took him to the doctors. i was lucky as my doctor knew what it was and sent us to the hospital. usually doctors say its a bug and send babies home and usually they are really ill by the time they eventually get to the hospital. there was another little boy there with it he was 6 weeks old and had been vomiting for two weeks. Oscar had only been vomiting big time for a day so he only needed to go on a drip for a day to rehydrate him and he stayed on it until his operation. the other little boy was in care and cried all night and day as he was only visited by his foster mum for a short time in the evening. it was really terrible as the nurses were too busy to spend time with him and all he wanted was a cuddle.
anyway Oscar had an operation on saturday to cut the muscle thats blocking the stomach so he can feed again. it went well and we are all home now.

my monsters are three weeks now. Alice is 7lb 8oz and Oscar is 5lb 12oz. I am breast and formula feeding as i have to get the calories into Oscar but he cant have too much volume at once or he is sick. they are only up once in the night and it only takes 45mins now. i feed every 3 hours in the day which works out really well.
anyway hi to all the new ladies.

Hi Mel
Glad Oscar's op went well, must have been quite traumatic for you, thank god doctor picked up problem quickly. So sad about the other lonely little boy in the hospital, they should let volunteers go in and cuddle the babies who don't have mummies to do it.

My little girls and myself are full of colds, so lots of night waking, but sure it will all settle down in a few days.

Hi all found out this week my twins are boys was lovely seeing them, they were so active.