My boys weren’t very early - born at 35+1 - but one had IUGR so he was very small, he had a very rare endocrine condition that kept us in nicu for a couple of months and meant close monitoring for his first 18 months, he has some brain damage and his optic nerves didn’t fully develop. He and his twin both have ASD - it’s hard going sometimes but they are my absolute world and so incredibly lovely, better behaved than most two year olds (so far at least - the terrible twos have yet to reach us!).
I do remember the consultants talking to me about the increased risk of prematurity and developmental issues with twins, and the higher risk of maternal health problems, and I didn’t really listen to be honest. I don’t think I really grasped it at the time, and when they were in nicu I just got on with it, I didn’t know any different.
The important thing to remember is that the most likely scenario is that you and your twins will be perfectly healthy, and if things do come up then you will find the strength to cope with it. I have surprised myself by how much I can handle, I’m much more resilient than I thought I was before I had them.
My pregnancy was okay - I had awful fatigue and nausea, then felt great for a while until SPD kicked in. I was edging towards pre-eclampsia by the time I had my emergency section because one wasn’t moving. I did get seriously depleted of nutrients though, even a couple of years on and with treatment I’m still struggling to get back on track.
My friend had her twins at 27 weeks - they had a long hospital stay as you’d expect and one did need surgery early on but they’re 2 now and doing incredibly well. They’re both talking, hitting all their milestones, way further ahead than my two.
Most of the health issues my friends little ones have are mild - one had cataracts and has a mild visual impairment, one has seizures, a few have very mild CP, speech delay is more common in twins so we are around the age where a few are struggling with that but most are hitting their milestones as you’d expect. Two others besides mine have ASD.
I’m sure your little ones will be absolutely fine but believe me, if anything like this does happen you will cope - I never thought I’d be able to take care of and support twins with neurological disorders and other disabilities (my own health isn’t great) but I’m surviving and it’s all worth it.
Your DC will absolutely love them too - my friend had hers the other way round (twins followed by a singleton) and the relationship between the three of them is absolutely beautiful.
Twins can be so hard at times and people don’t really understand unless you’ve had them - seeking out other twin mums has probably saved my sanity, it’s so good to talk to people who understand.