General Discussion ~ Twins & More #3

Hello mums and dads of multiples :)

Please feel free to introduce yourself and your twins or more, maybe also describing the hardest part about being a parent to a multiple as well as the best part! Enjoy!

Reply to this post with the below details to be added!

Twin / Multiple Mum Summary

Name:
Location:
Conceived:
Gestation:
Names & Ages:
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc)

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Name: Vanita (mumbundlezofjoy)
Location: Melbourne
Conceived: Identical Twin Girls
Gestation: 33 Weeks
Names & Ages: 6 years old (6 mins apart)
Notes: Monochrionic, bioamniotic, vaginal birth

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Name: Justine (Juzzy7)
Location:
Conceived: Fraternal Twin Girls
Gestation: 32.2 Weeks
Names & Ages: Haylee & Tianna, 3 years old (10 mins apart)
Notes: 3 1/2hr labour, vaginal birth, no drugs

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Name: Odette
Location: VIC
Conceived: IVF but twins everywhere through both families as well
Gestation: 31 weeks but DS stopped growing at 29 weeks
Names & Ages: Ariel (DS) and Immogen (DD)
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc) Frateral b/g

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Name: Yvette
Location: Melbourne
Conceived: Identical Twin Girls
Gestation: 38+2
Names & Ages: Asha Frances & Lauren Rose, born 24th August 2005
Notes: Monochorionic, diamniotic. Vaginal birth.

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Name: Tiffany (tiggy)
Location: Ellalong, NSW
Conceived: 1st and 2nd sets both conceived after ten cycles of clomid. Was 2 months into a six month break for both.
Gestation: 35weeks for 1st set, currently pg with 2nd
Names & Ages: Imogen & Madeline 9yrs & Bean & Sprout (in utero)
Notes: Emergency caesarian birth, Both sets Fraternal

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Name: Jo
Location: Vic
Conceived: Via ICSI IVF
Gestation:
Names & Ages:
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc) Fraternal

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Name: Clare
Location: South Australia
Conceived: Naturally with no history of twins on my side (DH's Grandma had four sets)
Gestation: Currently preg
Names & Ages:
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc) I am prety certain they are fraternal

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Name: Fiona (twinmumplus1 on BB)
Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Conceived: both sets naturally
Gestation: 1st set lost one baby at 10 weeks, second set made it till 35 1/2 weeks
Names & Ages: Gabi is 3, Caleb and Declan are almost 16 months
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc) Gabi was a fraternal twin, the boys were identical (monochromic .. classed as monoamniotic at the end .. they tore a small whole in the seperating membrane)

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Name: Tam
Location: Beaconsfield, Vic
Conceived: IVF
Gestation: Currently 28w 4d
Names & Ages: Declan & Rylee (Boy and Girl)
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc) Fraternal

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Name: Miky
Location: Melbourne
Conceived: october 04
Gestation: 31.4 weeks
Names & Ages: Cate and Milla 91/2 weeks
Notes: (e.g. bioamniotic etc) Fraternal but extremely alike

Hi Everyone,

JOJA, that is great that you had your twins naturally, it's great to see that a lot of you have, I hope to be able to, but I guess I'm preparing myself for what may happen also. Your twins had great birth weights for being delivered at 35 weeks, I can only hope that ours will be the same :)

I've been out and about looking at twin prams today, so tell me girls, what do you have, and what do you like about it? There are a few more than I thought, at this stage I'm leaning towards the new Valco, it is very well priced, and looks good too :)

I've also been out on the weekend and started stocking up on the basics, like nappies and wipes, but we thought we better get the pram organised, so I can lay-by it, and pay it off while I'm still at work.

Another question I have, for those of you that worked, how long did you stay? I realise that it all depends on health, but I'm interested to see what the average is for people.

I think the excitment is starting to take over now, I'm still scared, but I'm getting more used to it too. Everyone seems so excited too, which makes a hell of a difference,

Enough dribble from me.

Emma :)

Kelly - I hope it all goes well for Hayden at the specialists.:hug: It can be scary when your baby has to have an op.

Emma - we just put Valco on layby too - I had several recommendations on BB and elsewhere.I also checked a few different brands at Baby Expo and it was very stable and easy to manoveur.

A lot of people with one bub stop around 30weeks -or earlier at their own choice. Many twins mums I hear work till about 28wks depending on their job and how strenuous it is - I will work up to 37 weeks but I can take EXTRA time off as I need it ... our own business and I sit in a chair anyway at :computer:
I need to work to finish end of year and tax stuff before I have the babies.

Kel - The birth story will be here eventually.....I had all of my dramas before labour, so it should be short and sweet hehe. One of these days very soon, I will even update my website.

Kelly - Both my guys have umbilical hernias and they also had inguinal hernias. The paed surgeon did both sides as there is a chance of it occurring on the opposite side as well. Make sure it gets done in the next week as while it is a small operation, it can become serious if left untreated.

Can't remember who asked about prams. WE have the adventure buggy, but most probably would have gone for the valco as I believe the new model out had adjustable handles which is one of the main reasons we went for the ad bug.

Tam - Are you still hanging out there?

***Question for experienced twin mums***
What an earth did you do when both babies were doing their block at once? I've had this a couple of times last week and the worst time this afternoon. They both just wanted to have a screaming fit as they both refused the boob, nappies were changed, burped etc..

Edited to add : sorry emma, it was you who asked the pram question. As for nappies, you are going to need a lot of them.......we do half cloth and half disposables, makes the shopping bill easier to take hehe.

Thanks mumofbundlezofjoy – you make me feel a lot better, co-incidence Hayden is twin 2 also

Grosby – I have the babylove pram (3 wheeler( didn’t like the valco due to the way to back of the seat went up and down. Lots of prams use zips and buckles but babylove is a level, much easier

I worked till 28 weeks, could have worked longer but I was tired. I has my boys by c/s at 38weeks 6 days so I contribute all the rest I has to lasting that long

Joja – thanks for the hint about both sides, I’ll ask him about that tomorrow, I’d hate him to have to go through a second op later

I understand about both doing their block at the same time –:eek: very hard when you are home alone. I am lucky that Steve works from home most days, but next 2 days I’m doing it alone so hope they behave

Kelly, sorry to hear about Hayden, I hope it all goes well for you all. I got a brochure on the Babylove today, cause they didn't have them in stock, when Hubby and I were out yesterday we noticed a twin pram, and I think it may have been the Babylove, so I'm going to check with the stockist, and see when they will have them in.

Jo, it's funny you should mention cloth nappies! I bought a stack of them, lots of Bubba J's and Baby BeeHinds before I knew I was having twins, and just wonder how you find it with washing them? I really wanted to use cloth, but thought that I would use sposies for a while and see if I could establish a routine, and then see if I can cope with cloth, how often do you use them? It's such a shame, cause I've got some really cute nappies, and was so looking forward to using them! So it's good to see someone else with twins is using them too.

As for the work thing, I guess I will just play it by ear, and see how I feel, it's too hard to tell now, and I do only work two days a week, so it's not like I'm full time or anything, but it is nice to just dag around at home, plus it gives me a bit of time with the little man before the twins arrive!

Trish, it sounds like you have a good plan there, and I understand that when you own your own business, you still have things that need to be done, but like you said, you can take the time off if you need it. Did you get the new Valco? I heard that they are going to have seperate covers, so you don't have to pull the whole cover back if only one baby is crying, they don't have the new model anywhere in Adelaide yet, it's supposed to be coming out in June?

Thanks for all the advice girls, I'm glad that I can ask you all my questions.

Chat soon,

Emma :)

Yes, we got new model they said with adjustable handle and I think it had two separate covers.

I guess when the twins are small you leave them laying down - when bigger maybe it will be a hassle like Kelly W said with zips etc and babies in there.

I can't remember which but one twin pram had jogger / large wheels and it felt unstable & wobbly ? :dunno:

I am glad we have the older twin mummies for advice.

I am planning on using disposables when tiny ... cloth are too bulky and they grow too quickly for the fitted ones -then later half/half ... if I have time that is ;)

At the baby expo I saw a few twin valco prams ... maybe it was all I was looking for.

hi girls,
The valco seems to be the pram to go for at the moment. If you are unsure, you can get them pretty readily s/hand as they are so popular.

When my two did their block at once, I use to put them in the car and drive, and they would calm down. Or in the pram and walk.

Otherwise we had an electric swing, so I put one in the swing and one in the baby carrier.
The main thing is to change the environment so that it gives a chance for them to simmer down.
HTH

i worked until I was 27 weeks f/time and had to stop due to doctors orders - he told me that either I give up, or my babies will suffer as there is not enough energy for them to grow and me to work. I still worked p/time up until the day beforeI went into labour at 30 weeks. I had intended on working until I was 33 weeks, but had them at 31 weeks. So much for my play hey!
BTW now you can get premmie huggie disposables. Definately worth knowing about if your bubbas are under 5 lbs. Wish they were around when my bubbas were born - the valcro use to go all the way around them and then do up the front!

I worked up to 32 weeks 3 days, and the girls were born at 33 weeks 4 days, I definately say finish sooner rather than later if you can KWIM?? One twin mum I know finished at 19 weeks, and held on to her bubs until 39 weeks ( she was desperate to get them out by then, they were 8 pd each :eek: )

I had a childcare pram ( only one of few about waaaaay back then LOL)

I used disposable only, I lived up bush, and the water had to be trucked in frequently, so with the cost of water, cloth were not an option.

I agree JO, when they both threw a spaz at once I put one in the sling, and carried the other one,tooke em for a walk or put em in the car ( and they nearly always went to sleep), or went a visitin!!!!

I know I will do less work at work than I will at home and besides my DH is here to wait on me ;) and rub my back, make me cuppa.

I do get very tired now but I will see how I go the next few weeks - might stay home some days.I agree the longer bubs stay put the better.

OMG -:eek: :eek: 39weeks ... I think 37 will suit me fine. Kelly W did fantastic job with her guys but I think it will be way too uncomfortable.

I rang Huggies to enquire about extra(prem) small nappies and they have to be bought from one specialist outlet ...not sure on price.

I am still around. I worked up to 35 weeks. And well when they did their block together when they were younger, I didn't know what to do either. Now that they are abit older, I can work out what is going on a lot easier.

you can get the prem nappies from baby target stores. I saw them there ages ago.

Thanks Odette, if need be I will keep eye for them.

Tam,Jo,Kelly, - what size nappies did your bubs have at first ?

what does everyone advise as be$t nappies in terms of fit /size / brand and price ?

The Babylove seem a good price and a have a few samples .

Someone on BB said Aldi's were great ??

Huggies Newborns are obviously good but more pricey and maybe too big when they are only 2-3 kg!

Anyone tried Woolworths Select ?

We have used Babylove. They are narrower in the crutch and are smaller than the Huggies

We are using nappy service for 12 weeks but also use some disposables when needed, found local manufacturer where you can get seconds (I cant find anything wrong with them) 100 for $15

Steve got me their pricelist yesterday and anyway they also sell Huggies neonatal nappies (up to 4kgs) Price is $24.60 for pack of 40 (don’t know if that is cheap or not) If it is maybe it might be worth buying by mail order if you need them – details are

Naelfran Pty Ltd
5 Kevin Avenue, Ferntree Gully, Vic
Ph: 03 9758 044

Babylove & Huggies, as Tam said, the babylove fit a little better, this was one of the reasons why I went for cloth as well, a much more snug fit and even now I find that the cloth holds the poo in better than the disposables where it leaks out down the legs ewwww yuk!

Emma - I'm only a new cloth user, never used them before and find it all very simple. There is some great threads in the nappies/toilet training threads to check out. I'm only using the old fashioned nappies atm, but do have a baby beehinds and ezy nappy to try out. I've also been using the bummis covers over them, snibs, plastic pants and cloth overpants as well until I find what I like the best. I'm not using them full time eithor, a night time they go into disposables and if we are going out for longer than 30 minutes they go in disposables as well. Washing is simple, after advice from people on this site, I only dry pail them, but will soak really yucky ones, I use a disposable nappy liner as well, I guess I use them more than disposables, as mentioned before I find them a better fit, and I enjoy folding them as well.

Trish - We just started off with newborn.

thanks the Babylove are smaller and cheaper

well saw the specialist and he is operating on Hayden Mon 29/5 which is the next day he is at Angliss Hosp (our local)