Expecting Twins!

Congratulations!

If you watch TLC or Discovery Health channels on cable they are always doing pregnancy shows and alot of the time they have specials on multiple births that are really interesting and educational.

I know there are clubs and groups like Mother of Multiples throughout the twincities you could join as well. They have cool huge garage sales where you can buy or sell matching twin items.

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Congratulations on your twins! Its exciting to hear, and also a little fightening at first, not knowing what to expect!! I have four kids, Dallas is 5, Gabe is 4, and our boy girl twins, Kaleb and Kendyl are almost 17 months. I was VERY excited to find out about twins, but I was also nervous, because I'd had cerclages with the pervious two pregnancies, and worried if it would be enough with twins.

The HUGEST difference for me was int he pregnancies. After having singelton pregnancies, I found the twin one to be EXCRUCIATING on the sheer SIZE alone! I reached the size I was FULL TERM with my singletons at 17 WEEKS with the twins! I started contracting at 17 weeks as well, because to my body, I was already big enough to be done! I was on and off bedrest through out! The other big difference is that while 24 weeks is viable for all babies, it is HIGHLY HIGHLY encouraged that twin pregnancies go till 28 weeks at a minimum so that both babies have a better chance. But that being said, I know my doctor wasn't comfortable with multiples going past 38 weeks gestation. I deliverd my twins at 37 weeks exactly, by repeat c secion. Oddly enough, they were my longest pregnancy!!

The morning sickness is also different with twins. I don't know how far along you are, but if you're early enough on, you'll know what I'm talking about. Just about every twin mom that I've EVER talked to went through starving, and being able to eat two crackers and feeling full. Then ten minutes later being sick as a dog! I hope you can avoid this, but it does pass!!

Twins are SO much fun, and DO NOT listen to everyone when they say "oh, its gets easier after the first year." I didn't think that first year was hard at all. If one woke to eat, I fed them both, to keep them on the same schedule, things like that. Now that they're 17 months old, life is getting interesting! They can run opposite ways and can climb everything, and can work together to get into trouble! Also, I heard alot of "get all the help you can!" When what I found was that if people wanted to bring meals, or come play with the older two, that was the biggest help, because too much outside activity with the twins got their schedules messed up, and I payed for it more at night! So I did it alone, with just my husband and I, and I prefered it that way! I know everyone is different, but thats what worked for me!

I always said that I'm glad I had my singletons first, so that I had that experience under my belt before having two at once, but I wish I'd had my twin pregnancy first, so that I didn't know how much HARDER it was on my body than just one!!!!

I wish you all the best of luck with your pregnancy!!!! Feel free to send me a message if you want to chat more, or if you wind up on bedrest, and just want someone to talk to!!!

Oh yes, and be ready to hear alot of "are they identical?" (weather they are or not, its usually the first thing asked!) and alot of "gee, you have your hands full!" Thats my BIGGEST pet peeve of going out with all four kids. People stop me to tell me just HOW full my hands are, when they are making things more difficult by not letting us get our things done!!! I've adapted the saying "my hands aren't full, my heart is." And it is truely how I feel!

You can reach me at:

____@____.com or on yahoo instant messenger: Todd_and_Jamie_1125

J.

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Hi K.!
Congratulations on your expected arrivals! I also have twins. I belong to a great club called Multiple Connections. It is for mothers of multiples. Our website is multipleconnectionsmn.org. it is a great place to get support from moms also pregnant with twins and moms who have already been through it!

I have only been pregnant with twins, so i don't have a singleton to compare to. I was very fortunate as I was induced at 38 weeks. I took it easy most of the time and especially the last 6 weeks.

Feel free to contact me with questions!
L.
____@____.com

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My twins were born Nov of '04. The pregnancy was really better than I would have thought. I hate throwing up and only did 7 times although there were a lot of times I came close. After the first Trimester things were pretty good until much later in the pregnancy. It was a bit uncomfortable to sleep but manageable. I did get a good amount of stretch marks even though I put coco butter on everyday. Now I have so much extra skin but I guess that is to be expected and well worth it of course. I delivered via C-section (which went great) at 36 weeks because one of the boys was much larger than the other. The nice thing about twins is that the doctors watch you closely and you get lots of ultra sounds. The one thing I wasn't prepared for is becoming a mini-celebrity. Whenever you go out people stare and talk about your twins (like you can't hear them). If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer them....but like everything else I am sure your experience will be much different than mine! Congratulations, you will love it!!

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My twin girls are 3 weeks old, born just short of 37 weeks via emergency c-sec. The pregnancy was hard toward the end. As others have said you reach full term size early on in pregnancy compared to singletons. Be ready to go on bedrest if you are cooking the babies well, the bigger they are the more uncomfortable you'll be. I made it till 33 weeks then had to stop work and stay home. Make sure to always take it easy and don't try to be a star housemaker or cook. You will probably retain a lot of water towards the end so less time on your feet is better. I gained 60lbs and lost 50 of it within these 3 weeks, so don't sweat the weight. As far as the twins once they are born - it is difficult but you will do what you have to do and make it through. I have a 13mo old boy and 2 3wks old girls - it is very difficult. I keep the girls on the same feeding schedule, but it is a lot of work but worth it. I often feel it would be so much easier if... or will this ever seem normal... or can I ever go out of the house with the kids again... but realize it is the stress and lack of sleep that makes me feel that way. In my opinion take the help if you have it. Just havnig someone entertain my little boy helps out a lot. Hopefully your other kids are a little bit older and can help out. I am still new to being a mother of twins, but know it is a challenge for me, but hoping I will soon be good at it and it will be a natural daily pattern.