Introduce yourself!

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 13w 2d
Names & Ages: Not sure yet
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 I am Vanita and I have 6 year old monochrionic, bioamniotic twins, they were born at 33 weeks gestation, vaginally. 6minutes between the two. I know there are a few of us multiple mums on here so g'day to all.

Vanita- how good is this, your own forum. Won't be long and you will have heaps of friends here, I know there are loads of us who wish we had twins but *sigh* didn't happen for us, wouldn't want to happen now LOL

Anyway hope some people get here soon, YVETTE! WHERE ARE YOU?

She won't be long LOL

Cheers michelle

My SIL should be along soon so thats another buddy for you guys ;)

*hugs*
Cailin

Me, me. I'm here too. :)

I'm Justine, mum to fraternal girls who have just turned 3, Haylee & Tianna. Born after 3 1/2hr labour, NO DRUGS & they're 10 minutes apart.

I also have a son, Blake who is 6 in July.

Hi Vanita. :)

hi
I'm here too.
I have b/g twins who are 2. Born 31 weeks- caesar.
won't go into all the gore but they are great now

odette

Lol, yep Michelle, I'm here. Thanks for the hint Vanita.

Ok, I'm Yvette, and I have 3 other kids, (see Angus' website below), and I'm 22 weeks pg with monochorionic diamniotic twins. (Vanita, where did you get bioamniotic? If I'm using the wrong word I want to know, lol. A lot of the websites I've read are American, but I can't find a dictionary entry for bioamniotic). Anyway, same as Vanita, one placenta, two amniotic sacs.

I'm doing a website for the twins atm so I can waffle on in more detail without boring anybody. Spent 40 mins on it on Wed & lost it. #-o Doing it on Word first this time!

Hoping for a vaginal birth and prepared to 'go' anybody who tries tell me I need an induction or C-section just coz it's twins, lol. Any links to info about twin birth gratefully received, especially monochorionic.

No sign of TTTS yet, babies are only 3 days apart in size now & all is well.

Hello Justine, Odette & Vanita. Now where's Tiff?

Have been in touch with AMBA and will be joining soon. Will round up some more BB converts there I'm sure, lol.

Yvette, do they 'suggest' c/s because of them sharing the same placenta?

I ask because my SIL has 2 sets of fraternal twins, both delivered vaginally. This was 15 and 8 years ago at Werribee Mercy.

Nell if I could get one of the bastard doctors to talk to me I might find out, lol. That's what the registrar said to me 2 weeks ago, but I can't find any evidence anywhere to support it. The only thing I can find, is the possibility of TTTS happening just during the birth, but this need not preclude a vaginal birth. From what I've been able to piece together, if the placenta will allow blood flow between the twins, even if TTTS hasn't happened in the pg, the pressure of 2nd stage labour can cause it, or possibly more blood to the 2nd twin after the 1st cord is cut. Will keep you posted.

Yvette as you know this happened with my twins (TTTS) during labour, but no one was concerned about it, it wasnt dangerous for them , just one of those things!!! I have heard that if they are monoamniotic, you have no choice but to have a csec due to the cords issue but with "our" twins they have a very fine sack separating them, so do not have this issue, so dont know WTF they are going on about!!
PS read on kids notes bioam, but your prob right with diam

Yes Vanita, your girls were fine weren't they, just a little early. BTW, how long was it before they got boob rather than ebm? Did they have trouble latching on at all being little? (And your boobies are so much bigger than mine too, lol, although I feel like Dolly Parton when my milk comes in). I'm thinking we may need to use ebm at first even if they're not early.

Yvette,

We live in a small country town & it was decided early on that a c/s was the safest option. We were all happy with this decision. :)

I was told that usually in a natural birth, after the 1st twin is born, the 2nd twin has all that room so turns breech & it usually results in a c/s. So you have the natural birth plus c/s to get over.

I had my girls at 32.2weeks & was flown to Canberra Hospital where the Dr on duty decided I was having them naturally. :smt021 I lived in hope throughout my labour that an epi, spinal, drugs & c/s was just around the corner :-k

Not so. Haylee was born head first & surprise, surprise, Tianna turned breech!!! I thought I was finally having my c/s but Tianna just slipped out. Sorry if TMI. She was easy to birth. :smt023

HTH & any more ?, ask away. :)

Thanks Jusitne, not TMI at all. Sorry, what's HTH?

This is a funny story, the exact opposite of me, I'm terrified of intervention, lol. I've heard people say they're second one just slipped out easily despite the position they were in, and the hospital have told me they will reach in and grab the second one if necessary. They say it's quite painful & recommend epi for that, so I might agree to let them put it in with no drugs just in case. I would prefer that to c/s. I'm very unlikely to tear after 3 kids & no tear last time (& only little superficial ones with the 1st 2), so recovery would be much easier for me with vb. So did you have any pain relief? How long was the labour? Did you go spontaneously?

I'd love to hear from anyone who has had the 'reach in and grab the 2nd twin' thing happen, so they can tell me is it really that bad, or if you've got that far without epi you can handle it. I hope my 2nd one just slips out too.

Just noticed you had Blake at 33 weeks. I wonder if having twins the first time makes you more prone to going early in subsequent pg. :-k Vanita tends to go early too, (sorry to keep talking about you luvvy, I know you're here).

Hi Girls,

I'm Tiff. i have fraternal twin girlies Imogen and Madeline. They are turning 9 in June. Born by emergency caesarean at 35 weeks.

I think I am the verteran in here!!!!

Yvette

HTH = Hope That Helps. :)

My waters broke at 2.45am on 16 March 2002. Went to local hospital where I was given the steroid injection around 4am & the drug to stop labour. Flown to Canberra around 8am. Had a few niggly contractions during the flight but didn't tell anyone. Settled into the hospital & informed that they would give me the 2nd steroid injection at 4pm & would stop the labour drugs too. If I went into labour, they wouldn't stop it.

I got my 2nd dose of the steroids & had contractions at 5.10pm, 6,10pm & 7.10pm. Started watching Junior when contractions started again. Had one at 8.40pm, 8.43, 8.51, 8.59. Went to the loo & had 2 in quick succession so decided to lay down. Internal done & I'm 3cm. Moved to the labour ward around 10pm & contractions are now 5-4mins apart. WHERE ARE THE DRUGS????? Another internal at 11pm & now 6cm. Finally given 1/2 dose of pethideine which made me sleepy & didn't help with the pain at all.

Another internal around 11.40pm & now 10cm. Time to push. Haylee was born at 12.24am, Tianna was frank breech born at 12.34am. Labour was 3 1/2hrs. Not bad seeing as I didn't get to labour with Blake. I got severe p/e & had an emergency c/s.

Blake was my first born too. Funny, I could never see myself with a term baby. :)

Sorry it's long but gives you some idea. :)

#-o Sorry Justine, didn't read the dates properly & thought your girls were first. Well that's really good that it was a vbac then, and such a short labour. I always time mine from the very first contraction and they've all been about 13 hrs, but from when it really starts to hurt it would be about 5-6.

You've made me think of another question for the hospital now, how early do they decide to try stopping the labour or give steroids.

Hi Tiff, good to see you here.

Yvette

I think anything under 34 weeks they'd try to stop the labour & definately give the steroids. JMO but pretty sure it's close to that. :)

Cheers

I was 33 weeks and I didnt get steroids or the labour stopped, I was about 3 hrs from full blown labour till birth, the girls were 6 mins apart, and yes the 2nd one fell out!!! Ummm as I say the door was open.......

Yvette they were on EBM for nearly 3 weeks. Some of the bubs are fed by naso gastric tubes, some by gavage. Nasogastric is a tube down their throat that stays in all the time ( via their nose) Gavage is a tube put down their throats each time they need a feed, the girls were gavage fed.

Make sure you look around the SCN where you want to go, as it is very rare that they dont need to be in there for at least a little while.

I was fully EBM feeding them from day 2, but they had formula+ EBM until then, as they wont let premmies wait til your milk comes in. They had no sucking reflex at all, and would only lap at the boob like kittens, by the way they cried like kittens too!!!!We needed a monitor turned up full volume to hear them overnight, ( unlike Rianna)

Its Ok to talk about me, you know Im hanging around!!! I dont think you would need to use EBM if they arent early, but the chancwes of that are fairly slim, they actually say 37 weeks is basically full term with multiples. The sucking reflex kicks in around 35 weeks.

I thinkt he use steroids anything under say 34/35 weeks. They reckon that full term is around 36 weeks onwards, and most won't let you go much past 38 weeks.

My two were born at 31 weeks and that was scary. They were on EBM for ages. MY son's first feed of EBM via gavage was two days later, and he was on 4mls every three hours. They do however over time, let you gavage feed them. They also gave them both booby time from the start even though they wern't feeding. good for me and them. And kangarro care is awsome for both you and the kids, so if you have a chance find out if they encourage it.

They sucking reflex kicked in at around 33/34 weeks, and were taken off gavages, around 35 weeks.

One thing i would do different but was if you intent to breast feed, insist on them not getting any bottles of EBM. DD got used to the bottles, and in the end, i was expressing even after they came home. I expressed for over 9 months every three/four hours. God i hated that machine. DS was ok on the boob (typical of a boy) . So best to have you opinion stated from the start. Also they were on such a measured amount that when i came home and popped them on me they drained me in and then had a bottle of ebm of the amount that they were getting in hospital.

My SIL twins were born at 36 weeks first set, and 371/2 week second set. He first set spent a couple of days in SCU but could visit her, and her second set went straight to her room.

if you have any other questions about anything, please just drop me a line.
What hospital are you having them at?
Take care odette

Thanks girls! Odette I'm having them at Birralee (Box Hill Hosp) unless I crack the poos with them.

Have put up the link to the twins website now in my signature if anyone's bored enough for that much detail, lol. Angus' website is still on the www button.

They're starting to kick and wiggle heaps now, & I look full term. Will get DH to take photos this weekend to compare with my full term pg photos with Angus. We've been given a free cot, will have to scrounge up one more as Anugs will still be in his, and one more bassinette. I see some eBay time coming up. I think we'll get another little rocker too, maybe one of those ones that vibrates or swings to help settle them.

Suggestions from you experienced twins mums on what gear is great & what not to bother with?

Yvette, I'd definately get the swings. I never got them for my girls & so regret it as I think it would've calmed them & gave me peace for some of the day. :)

Take any offers of help you can. I'm stubborn & hated asking for help, still do, but take it, take it, take it.

That's all I can think of at the moment. HTH

Yvette.. yay ive been waiting for the twins to get a website :) I read some of the info, but my brain is so fried.. ill read the rest later.. Are we gonna get some belly pics? (of you looking full term already? ) :) I can just imagine ppl in the street saying: oh your gonna have a baby real soon.. and getting to reply.. nah its years away yet.. lol

(anyway.. im babbling...)

K

Yvette,
My top picks for products were the swing, rockers that they can sit up in and sleep in, a nappy wrapper, and a baby bjorn for those times when one just won't settle..

i would also start buying nappies as they come on special. I was going through around 150 per week when the kids first came home. I have also heard of people requesting nappies as a entry fee for seeing the new bubs when people ask if you want/need anything for the bubs. I found that I didn't really use a portacot much as if we went anywhere we took the rockers.

I wishes that I had put our two in capsuals rather than car seats. Saves waking them getting them in and out, and mine were soo tiny that they looked lost in the car seats.
Those head wraps things are also good for keeping their head from falling.

What type of pram have you got/getting?

I have heard really good things about box hill and know a few mums that have had twins and singles there. My friend had her twins natural there two with just a epidural. Have you thought of a backup hospital if you go before 34 weeks. Can highly recommend Frances Perry if needed as they have a level 5 nursery in Womens and its close to the RCH.

enjoy those kicks!!
odette

Well the preggy photo is up, and I don't actually look quite as big as the one taken 2 weeks before Angus was born (see Angus' website). I look bigger in a shot that's more side on, but I chose this one coz I look nicer. Will try to take one every week now.

Thanks for the suggestions girls. We might see if we can hire capsules, then get car seats a bit later. We're gonna see if Roger Armstrong make a double stroller, coz we love the one we bought for Angus. It's the cheapest one available at $150 new, weighs 6kg, is black & stylish looking, has one handle accross the back instead of 2, and it's high enough for DH or me, & is a compact 3 wheeler, really easy to manouvre. If they don't make a double one, I dunno. Will prolly get something 2nd hand on ebaby. Needs to be a side by side, fairly compact & as light as possible. We'll just push one each rather than try to get a 3 seater.

They've told me Monash, or whoever has a bed if I go earlier than 32/34 weeks. Will be going to have a look at Monash with Divvy, but I dunno whether it's worth actually booking in anywhere.

Angus is walking! He took 9 steps on Friday, then yesterday walked all the way accross the kitchen and back. So now he can wave, dance, cuddle, do proper crawiling, and walk. The kid is obviously a genious. He's also a snot machine atm, poor thing has a rotten cold, and now I have it too. I had a great little cleaning spree last night, and was feeling so energetic I wrote myself an ambitious list for today, but now I'm all snotty & miserable & vegging in my dressing gown while DH makes me honey & lemon drinks. :-({|=

Lol Kirby, I just noticed you've updated your signature to include Star Trek & cloth nappies. Not quite sure how Star Trek fits in with your earth mother ambitions though... :-k

Very noble ambitions indeed, will you be adding organic veggie growing soon? O:)

I definately agree with the capsules, we hired them, and they were so much easier to troop around, also the rockers, invaluable for feeding time at the zoo, slings, if you just want to "pop'" to the shops for milk, I had one in a sling, and one in my arms, at night DH and I would take one each during the "evening colic"
=D> =D> =D> To Angus the boy genius!!! Congrats on his walking!!!

Oops, hello moderator, I didn't get a notification on Vanita's reply.

Thanks Vanita. Got the capsules lined up now, & looking at swings & rockers on eBay. We have a Snugli carrier thing too, not that I used it much with Angus, but it did come in handy a few times when he was little.

Hi All

Thought I would take the leap and introduce myself. I am still very nervous about the whole twins thing BUT sooooo excited at the same time.

My name is Tam and I am pg with twins. We do not know what sex yet, very early days. I am today 7w 6d. I have already had 1 u/s where we saw them. As at the u/s on the 7/6/05 twin 1 has a hb of 125 b/p and measured 5mm and twin 2 has a hb of 112 b/p and also measured 5mm.

I have made my first OB appointment for the 23rd June where we will have another u/s. That will be great just to get a little more reassurance that all is ok.

We conceived these babies via IVF. We are very thrilled.

Sorry, has taken a while to see this one, CONGRATULATIONS tam, it is the wildest roller coaster you can be on, but welcome to the world of a mum of multiples, Double the love!!!!! If you have any questions at all feel free to ask we have a few twins mums scoping around here!!!!

How very exciting for you, congratulations, I love twins but didn't get any unfortunately. You will find loads of help and support here esp from the other twin mum's. Best wishes for a H & H pg, can't wait to hear more.

Best wishes Michelle

Helo Tam! Woo hoo, another pregnant with twins.

Welcome & congratulations. Isn't it exciting. This must be a nervous time for you, waiting to get past those first 12 weeks safely. I didn't find out I was having twins until the 12 week ultrasound, and I was so nervous about them being ok. It's great having ultrasounds every 2 weeks from 18 weeks onwards, seeing for myself that they are ok in there.

Wow, the photo of the twins is great, I've never seen one that early before. I see you're an animal lover too. How are your cats with the bird? We have to constantly watch our kitten with the parrot.

Hi all. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Yvette, my cats are fine with the bird. The bird has more courage than any of the animals put together. He knows when to fly out of the way, but even so, he always teases the cats by flying down to the ground to sit with them. I have told him many times, one day he will be too slow. But alas, he continues to tease them.

Thought I would give you all an update.

Had another scan yesterday arvo. Babies are both doing really really well. They are both spot on for dates and very healthy. The right twin is 1.96cm and HB 176 b/p, the left twin is 1.73cm and HB 167 b/p. I have put the pics on the website however they are not as good as the first lot. This scan was done abdominally which was kinda weird for me, so maybe that is why the pics are not as good.

My OB is great, I really like him. We are set for the South Eastern Private hospital. Now all I have to do is book the 12 week scan. The OB wants to see me in 4 weeks and from 19 weeks on every fortnight.

So everything is great

Great news Tam!

Hi girls,

Thought I would come say hello. Have to brush up on my twinny skills!!!!
The last time I needed them was 9 years ago and now I find myself expecting two again!!!

Feeling VERY lucky and blessed!

YAY Tiff

OMG Tiff that is the best news! How amazing to have another set of twins LOL. Bets wishes For a H&H pg.

Best wishes Michelle

Yvette, I have been reading your journal on the website very often. It is all very interseting to me. If you have any advice that you can give me to better prepare myself or questions to ask, that would be great. I am following your journey with great interest.

Wow Tiff! That's so exciting, congratulations. Will be good to see more of you in our new twins area.

Tam I'm so glad my journal is interesting to you. I do tend to go on a bit, just can't seem to leave out any details.

I've just met a lovely woman who had boy/girl twins 4 years ago & birthed them at home, in water, with private midwife care & caught them herself. She has a DVD for sale which I've seen. The birth is very gentle & beautiful & inspiring, she was my age when she had them, and her two sons were present also, the youngest 4 at the time. Second baby was breech and she had no problems at all. Her site is Women of Spirit.

I'm also reading a great book atm called Having Twins by Dr Elizabeth Noble.

I've decided if both babies are head down, I won't be having an epdural at all, will just go for it my usual way. Have also decided that all being well, I won't submit to induction if I get to 38 weeks. If first baby head down & second breech or transverse, still undecided, but leaning more towards still not agreeing to epidural & full active management (ie drip & manual extraction).

Have also been talking to another woman by email who had twins in hospital 2 years ago. She had no epidural, and they reached in for the 2nd baby without her knowledge or consent or pain relief, just went ahead & did it as soon as first baby was out. She said it hurt like hell, but she doesn't regret not having the epidural.

More soon, off to watch maternity ward on telly now so I can yell 'get that poor woman off her back' like I usually do, lol.

Have not been in here for a while, OMG Tiff, how fabulous, congratulations =D> =D> And Tam, all the best for your twins too.
I have all the twin issues, but different now, I had to get them new bathers today for swimming lessons as their old ones are nearly see through, well of course could only find one style/colour at this time of year so they have had to get the same ones ( not good!!)
Then we are enrolled in vic swim, and one of the girls is a natural, the other loves it, but just cant quite cope IYKWIM. So they are in different classes, which of course they still dont completely understand ( 6 yr olds dont seem to figure out why one is better than the other - but we're the same mum???) Anyway that was todays issue ( what will tomorrows be I wonder??)