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

Hi GBB- Has anyone given you an explanation why they would want to induce? I asked the consultant at my appt yesterday but she was somewhat unconvincing. Muttered something about unexplained stillbirth beyond 38 weeks. Am left quite unsure of the risks & really don't know what to do for the best. Fingers crossed for spontaneous labour before have to make that call.

Tallulah, so far the consultants I've seen have said as long as growth OK they'd let me go to 40 weeks. But given 40 weeks for me is Christmas Day, I wouldn't be surprised if they started pressurising me the week before about setting a date - and I don't know I'd have the strength to resist by then .

Thanks GBB. Can't understand why they're so adamant here that 38 weeks is it. Basically been given 'choice' of section or induction on that date. Surely NHS should have more unified policy.

Tallulah.. ask for Research Based Evidence. Tell them you want to have a copy of this. If they tell you you won't understand it tell them that that is not the issue and you would like a copy of the research so that you an make an informed decision.

With more and more twins going to 40 weeks I think that mumbling about stillborn babies sounds like a scare tactic. So ask for the evidence and then make your decision. I can never understand the rush when there is no medical reason.

Lovely news Barbarella, it's always comforting to see them wriggling in there.

Tallulah My 2nd twin was head down at 30wks, by 36wks she'd gone breech, and it looked like she might stay that way. It wasn't until labour that she surprised everyone by doing a little flip, no one had noticed and all were surprised to see head crowning and not bottom. So there's always time!

Pheonix and Tallulah don't be pressured into induction unless you feel it's what you want, or the consultants have very good reason for doing so. After they'd established that hind waters on one of my twins had broken, but I wasn't having contractions the hosp gave me a while to see if things would progress naturally, but they didn't. So had membranes ruptured. This seemed the least invasive form of intervention, but the contractions once they started came on really fast and strong. I do wonder whether this was because things weren't allowed to progress entirely naturally - but I'll never really know. Also I didn't want to put the girls or myself at risk of infection.

Anyway my worry was that one intervention would lead to another and I'd end up not having the natural birth that I'd hoped for. It's a difficult decision to make, being pregnant with more than one baby is exhausting, you feel drained physically and emotionally, in most instances you know it's best for your babies to stay put for as long as they can, but having them early is very tempting just to put an end to the anxiety and the physical discomfort. Hang in there if you can, a few weeks more may seem like ages now, but once you're cuddling your little babies it will be a dim distant memory.

Absolutely agree with Fran there, I found it extremely difficult to keep turning down induction when I was in such pain, particularly from the spd, BUT all forgotten now and I got the birth I wanted. I had an induction turn into section before, just wanted to try and avoid it again really. If there's no reason for induction, why do it until absolutely necessary which my consultant said was 40 weeks.

Well, I chickened out of my sweep today - DH wants to get some work finished so I'll wait until next week. Actaully I'm not feeling quite so restless and uncomfortable so thought I could wait a bit longer. And all this talk of the value of holding on a bit longer must have got to me . Hope everyone else is well?

Thanks for advice everyone. I realy don't like idea of induction at all & have fear as you said, Fran, that one intervention leads to another. Have also been told that will have to have epidural 'just in case' & that will only be allowed 20 mins between delivery of 1st twin to get t'other out before they start interfering again.I narrowly avoided induction with DD,(41+1) I arrived at hosp on induction day already 7cm, & 3 hrs later she was here, G&A only, not a stitch or tear. She just needed that wee bit more time. I just hate that this won't be the same, & that all the interventions may well be unnecessary.

Mars I was so tired when I saw consultant & DD was running amok after 1 1/2 hrs in a waiting room that I didn't really qust her any further. I was relieved that she'd agreed to let me go for vaginal delivery as last time she was pushing for a section. So when she then said we'll bring you in & start things off at 38 weeks although I asked why so early I just wasn't up to fighting my corner. Will take all advice on board though & try really hard to be more assertive at next appt.

Sorry that turned into a bit of a long whinge. But it's my birthday today & I'm (whispers) - 40, so am allowed to be down in the dumps.

Happy birthday, Tallulah! Hope your day perked up, with your life just beginning .

I had a scan at 6 weeks which showed 2 gestational sacs, no heartbeats as yet, and my bhcg was 49000. I have had problems with spotting almost constantly since I found out I was pregnant and have to wear pads all the time. The scan showed no significant reason for bleeding from the womb, and doc seems totally unconcerned. I lost a baby in January and am worried about miscarriage. Is it common for spotting to be going on so long - it is very mucus-y as well. (apologies for graphic terms) I am worried. I have a scan booked next Thursday. I have had dreadful back ache, and feel so sick, awful really. I do hope it is normal pregnancy symptoms. Are they worse for twins?

Hi Ilovemyfamily - I am pregnant with triplets and had dark brown, mucousy type discharge from 5-7 weeks which freaked me out. It turned out they thought that it was implantation bleeding and/or sometimes embryos can rupture a small blood vessel in your womb while 'burrowing in'.

As for pregnancy symptoms being worse, mine definitely were. I started getting morning sickness a few days before the day I was due to take pregnancy test (mine were IVF so you always know exact dates etc.) and became vomiting and nausea 24/7 between weeks 6-14. My doctor says you often have worse or 'exaggerated' as they call it! pregnancy symptoms with multiples.

If it makes you feel any better, sickness etc is a good sign of a strong pregnancy so try to remember that it is a positive thing - even if it doesn't feel like it! I also had a miscarriage with my first IVF pregnancy so I know what it's like to be so worried about the next one. Hang in there and try to think positive thoughts until the scan next week

Good luck! XX

Hi Ilovemyfamily, and hopefully congratulations. I think a few of us multiples mums had early bleeding, and so early scans where we found out The News. Hopefully nothing to worry about. And yes, for me all the pg symptoms have been worse this time round, I sailed through with DD. Fingers corssed for next week.

Ilovemyfamily Firstly congratulations. I'm not an expert but I believe symptoms are more exaggerated for most mums pregnant with twins; more sickness, more hunger, more tiredness, more heartburn etc. Hope you're able to get through the next few weeks without too much anxiety.

GBB Well done, keep hanging in there.

Tallulah Happy birthday.
Medical staff really can be bullies, and as you say it really is hard to fight your corner when you're exhausted, have a toddler in tow, and your body is flooded with crazy hormones.
I was told that having an epidural and having canula fitted ready for drip was standard procedure. I refused epidural, which midwife was fine about, I was concerned it might slow things down and lead to more intervention. I accepted canula, but when consultant suggested using drip to restart contractions for twin 2 I asked if I could breast feed twin 1, this started contractions off. I had 1hour and half gap between twins arrival, there seemed no need to rush and midwives were not concerned. I wasn't constantly strapped to a monitor, each time they listened in babies were doing fine so they let me be.
I wrote out a whole list of things that I did and didn't want to happen when my twins were born. I went through it with consultant (he wasn't in agreement with too much of it, but was prepared to discuss it), I kept a copy with my hospital notes and discussed it with an experienced midwife once I was admitted to the delivery ward. My midwife was brilliant and talked absolutely everything through with my husband and I so we were able to make decisions we were happy with.
I think it really helps if you can be clear about what things you really do and don't want providing that twins are safe. Even better to have it written down so you don't have to repeat everything to each new member of staff that arrives on the scene.
Sorry I really have gone on a bit, I really hope you are able to have a birth where intervention is kept to an absolute minimum.

Thanks Frangi - that's really helpful. Will make a list for next appt & discuss with consultant. My main beef is that none of the 'procedures' are to do with my individual pregnancy, just general statistics.

Frangi you're s a star! Well done you.

Tallulah sorry for missing your birthday. Fabulous forty eh? You go girl!

GBB Well done darling!

ILMF ditto what the ladies have told you. Looking forward to hearing your good news.

Tallulah How are things today? Did you have a good birthday in the end. You're right about the statistics, there doesn't seem to be many/any(?) on twins pregnancies/births. My consultant tried to force me to have a scan I didn't want by suggesting one of the twins could die if I didn't. Not a very kind or responsible way to talk to a pregnant woman, it made me really anxious for the next month or so. When I asked him to quantify the risk of that happening at that stage in my pregnancy (about 24wks) he had no idea. Every time I asked for more statistical info to help me make informed decisions I was in a round about way told there wasn't any.
I think my consultant was a bit sexist as when I went in with my husband he was nicer to me and talked through things more clearly.

Hi everyone - quick question. I have just started getting very itchy all over in the last few days, and made the mistake of looking up rashes and itching in pregnancy on the net. Of course, I have found plenty of stuff to make me panic, including info about cholestasis. Anyone had it? I seem to remember MerryMarrigold might have had some itchy rash but not sure she's about now. I'm going to go to my GP tomorrow but would be great to hear if anyone else knows anything about it.

Have you changed any powders, creams etc? Are you wearing different clothes? I ask because my pregnant friend started itching all over when she started wearing maternity tights.

OC is rather serious GBB. So... do consider getting it checked out.

Found out on friday number 4 is actually number 4 and 5

Still early day only 9 weeks but over the moon.

I had OC in my first pregnancy, but not with my DTs. OC normally manifests itself in the third trimester in itching on the feet and palms of your hands (although I itched all over my body and throughout my pregnancy!). Sometimes itching is simply a sign of your body and skin expanding! But to be on the safe side, insist that your GP sends you for a liver function blood test.

Do not worry (and step away from google ). If it is OC, then they will pick it up via the blood test and you will be monitored closely. I see from one of your posts further down, that you're 37 weeks already, and about to have a sweep - if it is OC, I think they would want to induce you at 37 weeks - this is what happened to me with DD1. I had a nosey at your profile and saw that you are in Hackney. I used to live in Hackney (in London Fields) and had all my girls at the Homerton. Are you at the Homerton? And is your consultant Mr Dorman? I grew very fond of him during my pregnancy.

Hope this (limited) info is of some use...feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

TKB - thanks, very helpful. Yes to the Homerton and to Mr Dorman - small world! I don't have the classic itchy palms and soles, and because it is relatively mild ATM, the delivery suite semed OK to let me wait until tomorrow to come in. But as I'm not very mobile I'm going to avoid the GPs and go straight to the Homerton tomorrow to get it checked out. What was yout treatment, if you don't mind me asking.

Welcome to LargeGlass, and congratulations. How are you feeling?

"Wonder how Jenny is coping with just one arm? I can't imagine, I struggle with two good ones and I don't mean that to sound remotely trite."

hello AC
am doing pretty well with the one armed twin plus toddler childcare merry go round. I would absolutely love to be able to feed them both at the same time (am bottle feeding - breast feeding was laughable - naked breasts being flung about when latching on and off and swapping babies etc)
but apart from that it is pretty similar to general life using one arm - everything just takes a bit longer. I don't like not being able to pick them both up at the same time but then I can't be annoyed because I know I'm soooo lucky to have twins. They are awesome - I love it. How are you feeling? when did you give birth? Mine are 3 and a half weeks old now and snoozing behind me while my son is hopefully running off mountains of energy at childcare. Any minute now I'm going to stop mucking about on the computer and get on and do some housewifely jobs....
Stangely enough it was 8 years ago yesterday that I lost the use of my arm and I was thinking how amazed I would be if someone told me all that time ago that in 8 years I would be living in New Zealand and have twins and a toddler.

Finding it hard to keep up this week, my two elder boys both have their birthdays and then I have to think about xmas, urgh! But congrats largeglass and welcome to the club!

JR, so great to hear from you & congratulations! You've got such a positive attitude to life, I love your posts Did we hear your birth story yet?? I'm glad you're coping well with it all and enjoying your dt's. Funny you say about not picking up at the same time as I rarely do that and I can, hmmm.I worry about dropping them.I think mine are absolutely lovely, really starting to appreciate them more every day. They're 10 weeks now and blossoming every day, smiling loads and really interested in what's going on. Christmas will be really fun. What does your toddler think to it all?

Hope about to sprog mums aren't feeling the pain too much!

GBB I didn't actually have any 'treatment' as such, although I believe there are creams or medication they can prescribe. I just had loads of blood tests throughout the pregnancy as although the results were higher than normal, they weren't awful. But in my 37th week, the levels did increase (sorry, my memory isn't what it used to be and I can't remember exactly the correct term) my consultant (not Mr Dorman for this pregnancy) decided I should be induced. But it was Mr Dorman who decided, after 2 days of unsuccessful induction, that I didn't need a CS, but could do it on my own. I had an epidural, he broke my waters for me and DD1 was born 9 hours later.

So although I ended up with quite a medicalised birth, I am glad that it was a vaginal birth, and I have Mr Dorman to thank for that .

Good luck for tomorrow.

Hi all - just back from hospital and blood tests for liver function are fine for now, so I get to see how things go for another week, yay! Thanks TKB for your help. With a bit of luck, they'll have come by themselves by then.