10wks pg with twins need some advice

That is great to hear about the breast feeding! I too had problems breastfeeding my boy, so am determined to do it this time around. I ordered a twin feeding pillow just last week and it came the other day, I can see that it will make life easier even if I end up bottle feeding it will be useful.

Luckily for me my Gestational Diabetes test came back clear, I was sure I it was gonna be bad news as my mum has diabetes and I heard that it was more common in twin pregnancies, but I escaped! Yipee!!

We are a bit short of space in our bedroom so decided to give the bassinets a miss and go straight to two cots in their own bedroom. We have baby chairs for them for the family room, to be honest you don't need all the fancy stuff they sell in the shops, it's so easy to get sucked into the oh that's cute lets buy it syndrome.

AFM- I am approaching 30 weeks now, I feel like a big fat elephant! Moving around is difficult, sleeping is hard and I am so over this pregnancy it's not funny! I know they need to bake a bit longer to give them the best chance, but jeeze I am soooo fed up of not being able to sleep and get on with stuff. I am in constant pain with my back and am on a diet of heartburn and reflux tablets (yum!!) I have made an appnt at the hairdressers for tomorrow morning to try and make myself feel better, but I just feel like a frump right now.:rolleyes: You ladies in the early stages invest in a pregnancy pillow NOW! I wish I had, it's a bit late for me now, but you guys would benefit from one being in the early stages. Oh and I am really hormonal, I keep bursting into tears at the slightest thing.:doh:

Hi Bella I will check out the city mini and city elite. I have my DD cot and its pretty big so I was thinking of putting them in it for a couple of months them buy another 1 as soon as they get bigger. I feel a bit embarrased when people ask me how many months I am, I quickly tell them then finish with and I am having twins:lol:

OMG Kezzabird hang on in there I know it feels like it is never going to end you have made it through 7 and 1/2 months. Ok looking into a pg pillow now thanks for that info. How much was your breastfeeding pillow? Hope you are looking after yourself.

Hi Gals,

Welcome Volcano Candy. Inspring to hear your boys are sleeping through the night. would love to get my twins into a similar routine. Did it take long to do this?

I also intend to breast feed and pump and use formula if need to, but really want to b/f. What b/f pillow do you have? Its probably the only thing i dont have yet, so I probably should invest in one. Did you take it to the hospital when you gave birth. kezzabird which one did you get and which site did you order from? might be easier to buy online than go to a store as i can hardly move and if send my husband off to buy one for sure it will probably be not what i want LOL!

Pretty amazing you only gained 3 kgs! I have already gained 20kgs and 8 of those has been in the last month, but am suspecting a lot of it could be fluid retention. My feet and legs are so bad it looks like I have elephantits and feels really uncomfortable. Is anyone else suffering from fluid retention.

V Candy what size where your boys when they were born? Did you express at the hospital? did anyone else. i have an electrcic b/pump machine, but not sure if should take to hosp? Anyone have any suggestions?

Azzranae it can be quite daunting the pram choosing. I ended up buying the Valco Ion as it was one of the lightest on the market and also looked easy to fold and easy to manouver esp if trying to lift pram wheels up a curb. Maclaren a bit clunkier and also found harder to close plus heavier than valco ion, but was curious as my sis has the single maclaren and other ppl I know and they love it, but maybe not so efficient as a twin pram. Some time ago i found on a website 'thinktwins' a pdf which compared all the twin prams with costs and specs. I found it after bought the pram but it just made me more convinced that made right choice in pram. Hope it lives up to my expectation.



Kezzabird i hear you on the sleeping thing and advice re pillow. i am now at a point where I have to sleep in a sitting up position and cant sleep on my left or right side regardless of sleeping pillow because of weight of belly and discomfort. I went to OB on thurs and had growth scan. Bubbas are already measuring at 2.5kgs each which he was happy with. i am now scheduled for a c/s date of 5th June ... so a little over 2 weeks! I cant wait! Am feeling very uncomfortable and can hardly move!!!!!!

We set the cot up for the twins today as were waiting for MIL to arrive from o/s. So had my mum and MIL over this morning. We have bought 2 cots but have decided to sleep them both in one cot to start off with as a lot of ppl have recommended sleeping them together. So intend to do this for about 4 mths or so and then put them into seperate cots. Havent heard about double bassinettes Bella but def sounds like an interesting option. I like the idea of sleeping them together as they have already spent 9mths in the belly together and have also heard that they settle better when they are sleeping together.
Hi to all the other gals.
Mon :)

Hi ladies

I thought I'd join in if that's ok - I'm in Bella, Kaydees and Azrenae's buddies group/s and hadn't thought to venture much outside to see if there's a specific twin forum. So I'm really pleased to see this one. It's nice to be able to ask twin specific questions.

I'm just over 18 weeks preg with fraternal twins thanks to a successful IVF ICSI cycle after a long TTC experience. It's so exciting.

It's been really wonderful to read some of the twin mummies' experiences, because, while I'm really excited about the new additions to our family, I can't get beyond the 'logistics'. I wake up the middle of the night thinking "how will I manage the shopping trolley and a pram?", "what happens when one cranky one wakes the other one up?", "how on earth will I manage breast-feeding?", and "will I get time to shower?"!!!!! Crazy I know. But nonetheless, that's what's going on in my head. Usually, the light of day, I can come up with a logical solution (like, duh, don't go grovery shopping on your own!!) but at 3am it's not quite that easy!

I've been feeling movements for a couple of weeks now, which is wonderful, and we have our morph scan next week, where we will find out their sexes, and we're really excited about that. I'll really go on a shopping spree then I think :)

My sisters are twins and I was chatting to my dad the other day about it all, and he said that my sisters wouldn't sleep unless they were in the same cot. He firmly believed that they got used to each other's company in utero and didn't want to disturb the balance! So, we have two cots, but we'll probably co-sleep them at first and see what happens.

He also told me a *nightmare* story about feeding them when they weren't in the same routine - he literally didn't sleep for nearly 48 hours straight because they were feeding every 2 hours and he'd finish one, burb her and put her to sleep, only for the other one to wake up immediately!! argh!! I think that's the thing I dread most. So I really like the idea of feeding at hte same time and expressing so that DH can help out for the night-time feeds :)

Thanks all for the book recommendations - I haven't ventured into twin books yet, but am planning to do so very soon, so it's good to get some ideas about which ones to buy.

Anyhow, glad to find you all. Take care.

Jen

Good morning lovely ladies,

Wow it's getting nice and busy in here - it's great to talk to other twin mums to be but also having all you experienced twin mums to offer advice :)

Jen - I completely understand about the middle of the night logistics thoughts!!

Couple of questions:-

How long can you co-sleep them and how do you do it :redface: one at each end - top and tail or side by side?

Car seats - i'm thinking - came up with this in the middle of the night so forgive me if it sounds stupid but - I was thinking of hiring/buying capsules to begin with so it's easier to get them both out at the same time ie. if you get home and they are in normal seats you would have to lift one out run him/her inside then go back out to get the other???:redface: So i thought if they were in capsules you could take them in together? What have all you experienced mums done/doing?

I would also be very interested to know where to get the pillow to!

Well the cats out of the bag at work now - i am poping out and everyone has put 2 and 2 together (alot of people knew we were trying/doing IVF!) Everyone keeps coming into the office and saying congratulations and looking at my scan pics!!! It's making it more real but also nerve racking as i'm only 10weeks and would have liked to have got to the all important 12week mark before everyone knew - but hey!

Better go and do some work - just had some vegemite and cheese toast must go and get a milo now :lol:

Have a great day twin mummies!

xxBella

Morning gals

Jenc - Congrats to you and how cool you have twin sisters and first hand stories. understand the nightmare logistics ... i had one of those moments early on in my PG when rang DH and in a panic said - 'how am going to cope if am at home by myself and need to get out or go to drs or something, how will I get the twins up and down the stairs (as live in apt block on second floor and no lifts). Needless to say after that we decided to try sell apt and buy a sml house. But prices here is syd have gone beserk and ended up being a big stress, we were about to sell and then ended up in hosp. So we'll have to wait until later in the year, too stressful. I guess you just find ways to cope.

Bella same thing re car seats. We decided to get capsules. We ended up buying them (well actually my granparents did for us) as i didnt like the hire ones as they are bit bulkier and heavier (OK for one child). Esp seeing our bubbas are going to be born in winter the thought of getting them in /out of the car in the cold esp if they are sleeping. This way can put them in and just pop them out and easier to carry them both to from car and up our stairs. i think capsules for twins is the way to go. You might even be able to pick them up second hand via ebay or AMBA (Aust Multiple Birth Assoc). I just recently joined and probably should have joined earlier. Be a good idea to do so if you havent.

Mon :)

Hi Mon,

I was just reading part of your blog - let me get this right - you had a hatching day 5 blastocyst transferred - are having twins but one girl AND one boy therefore not identical therefore that embryo didn't split - you conceived one natural and one was the embryo????
WOW!!! So are yours in the same placenta but 2 sacs or 2 placentas 2 sacs?

We had a hatching day 5 embie transferred as well - one placenta and 2 sacs.

Life really is amazing isn't it!

xxBella

Good Afternoon ladies,
I was wondering where you got to Mon I thought you had your babies and was thinking any minute now she will pop in and tell us. It must be a pain to have fluid retention (is that what its called) its hard enough walking around without it I can imagine what it must feel like. 2 weeks thats great finally they will be in your arms:dance:
I know what you mean about stairs I live in a town house and it has 15 stairs in it I know this because I have to count them to my DD every morning when I bring her down them there is no way I can walk her down and up with twins in my arms even woddling up and down them is hard enough. We are looking at buying a flat house or building one but it is doing my head in and I am only looking at the moment hopefully one will come up soon.

Jenc Im glad im not the only one waking up and frecking out I freck out more for my DD and how she is going to cope, I don't want her to feel like she isn't my little princess anymore arrrrh im frecking out again just the thought of it makes me want to cry:rolleyes: darn hormone's.:p

Bella thats a great idea about the capsules I hadn't thought about that yet hmmmmm how was I going to get them home????? anyway I might look in to hiring them do you know how long they stay in them? Isn't Mon's story amazing I had the same reaction you did when I read her blog hehe

AFM I have been getting a sharp pain down my lower right side of my back and runs down my bum:redface: it really hurts. It happens when I have been sitting for a while I cant walk properly when I stand it last for about 10 minutes has anyone else had this.

Hi Bella ... yes we had a 5 day hatching blast transfered and one natural. So we have 2 sep placenta's therefore fraternal. My FS/OB said its the second time in his 20 yr profession he has seen that happen. So pretty miraculous. So yours are identical right if sharing same placenta.

Azzranae hats off to you with your concern re. DD, hope she can be excited and part of the process. Dont know how you cope with twin pg and toddler! No wonder your hormones are playing havoc, mine already are and have no other kids! BTW sounds like you might have sciatica. hope it gets better, if not make sure you get it checked out.

Mon :)

OMG it's good to see lots of chat going on in here today!:D

I have no idea what you gals are talking about with regards to IVF as I didn't go down that route, but I take my hat off to you ladies, it must have been really hard for you to go through.

I ordered my twin feeding pillow from thinktwins.com.au, mainly because you can pay via paypal, as we don't have a credit card so it was just convenient for us really. It cost just over $100 but I did order an extra cover so that I could have one on and one in the wash, it's bound to get vomited on! It's called an "EZ.2.nurse.twins" inflatable feeding pillow. I thought the fact that it's inflatable makes it great for taking with you when you go away etc.

Mon- wow I'm really excited for you not long for you now, eeeeek!! Make sure you come back and tell us your story after the births.

AFM- I had my hair done today, I'm feeling a lot better, had highlights low lights and a good short crop nice and easy to look after! I feel fantabulous now!!:lol: Also I went to a special twins antenatal class today and met a handful of other twin mums to be, it was really nice to chat to the other women and compare bumps etc.;) It was very informative and explained a lot of the niggly things that the Obst. fail to explain. There is another 2 hour class next week and I think they will show us around the special care unit, incase our bubs need to go there. And I think someone from AMBA will be there to chat to us too, so that will be nice. If you get a chance to do a twins antenatal class go along, even if you don't learn anything new, it's nice to meet other women in the same boat as you.

You know how I said I'd start reading twin books..... well. I did it. I almost wish I hadn't :) I bought the Contented Little Baby - twin edition - on recommendation from loads of people, and oh boy, it's great to get some idea of what it's going to be like, but oh my goodness, I had NO idea. I thought I did, but I was wrong. Apparently, if we're breastfeeding, we will spend 16-18 hours per day either breastfeeding or expressing.....! Now, I know that's only one book, one opinion, one approach, so trying to keep it all in perspective, but holy moly :)

Kezzabird isn't a hair cut fantastic it makes you feel fresh and its a great pick me up. That sounds great about the antenatal twin classes I am going to ask my OB about them Im sure my hospital would do them. ooooh 30 wks not long now:dance:

Jenc I have heard about that book to but I might have a look at it later on in my pg when I have to start thinking about get them into a routine.:doh:

Mon thanks I knew it had a name but could remember:rolleyes:

I just thought I'd pop in quickly and let you know I had a scan today and both bubs are the same size and are within 1 day of their day of their due date. They are both estimated to weigh around 3lbs at the moment, and they are both head down. I just hope they stay in that position now, but apparently they still have room to move and change positions! I had to keep changing positions myself on the bed though as I felt like I was gonna feint a few times lying on my back, apparently the bubs can put pressure on a certain blood vessel that can make you pass out! :rolleyes:

Hi Kezza that is great news re. your scan. Chances are your gals will stay in the head down position, as time goes space will become limited and will probably be harder for them to change. Mine were in breech and still are. Are you going to try for a natural birth? Will def make sure to update you on birth once am back home and will prob get one of my BB buds to post a BA.

Azzranae hope the sciatica pain is a bit better. Have you gone to see anyone?

Jenc I also bought the contented twins book - i think just after i found out was pregant but found it too daunting to continue reading. Have picked it up a few times and figured will probably pick it up again now that am getting closer to DD, but will prob read as i go as it seems really detailed and although there are some good tips it feels a bit too strict, although like the idea of routine.

DH ended up buying me the outdoor twin feeding pillow yest. Have an electric breast pump machine and we just need to figure out how to use it! Am hoping have good milk supply!

Anyway hope you are all having a good weekend.

Mon :)

Good afternoon ladies,

Kezzabird great news to hear scan went well what number scan is this one?:dance:

Mon back pain has stopped, I can feel it coming on if I sit on the floor to long with my DD so I get up and walk around for abit hopefully it will stay away. I have my OB appointment next Tuesday I will let her know then.

AFM Just took my DD to her swimming lessons this morning I love it cause I can just float like a beach whale beside her :lol: We are going to a couple of display villages to look at the houses they have on for show so can wait.

Hope everything is going well with everyone else

First of all, congratulations on your twins!!!

I had twins in October 2008, so are now just over 7 months old. They are great fun!!!

I had mine premmie (27 weeks!). The only thing that I can suggest is that you take life easy and keep up to date with your obstetrician appointments. If you are in Melbourne, I have a great OB who specialises with twin and high risk pregnancies.

I have 2 beautiful girls and it's all thanks to my OB and the crew at the Mercy NICU!!!

The Contented house with twins is a great book to look at. Otherwise, I would just go with your gut. The thing with twins is that they are both going to be so different and have their own beautiful personalities.

During your pregnancy, just make sure that you rest up and take on the extra food that they will need.

If you need any info, or want to chat, I'm more than happy to help you and would love to talk more.

Good luck and enjoy!

Rhian - Mother to Madison & Chloe!

hi twin mummies and mummies-to-be

Can I ask your advice? Has anyone had shocking tailbone pain? Mine has been coming and going for about 2 months now. I didn't bring it up at my last ob appt because I was too embarrassed to - it felt so silly. But it's really bad now. It hurts to sit, stand, walk, I can't get in or out of bed easily, and as for sitting in my office chair for 9 or 10 hour a day - well, I am in a lot of pain.

Is this a pregnancy thing? or just something unrelated, do you think? Does anyone else have any experience of this or any tips on how to best manage it? I am reluctant to take paracetamol, and I am also worried about using heat because of the risk of overheating my body. I'm going to take a cushion to work to sit on, so perhaps that will help a bit.

Kezza - good news on your scan! Hope they stay headdown!
Mon - how are you doing??

We have our morph scan tomorrow, so will be able to let you all know what colours our little beans are. So excited!

Hi to everyone else - hope you're all well.

Jen

Hey Jen

It's funny you should mention that, although I haven't had any problems in this area. A lady in my antenatal class brought this up as she was having probs with hers. The lady that does the physiotherapy suggested that she rolls up a towel or blanket and sits on that so that it takes the pressure off the tail bone. She said that it is likely that it had become bruised at some point and is sensitive. Or another one was to sit straddling your seat backwards rather than sitting conventionally on the chair, anything that takes the pressure off the tail bone. Other than that I don't remember her saying anything else on the subject, but definitely bring it up with your doc as they might suggest something else.

Azzrenea- I have lost count how many scans I've had!! Got Obst appnt. in the morning then another antenatal class on thursday! The appnt's are never ending, it's times like this when I wish I lived closer to the hospital, as we are 1 hour away from Hobart! I'm going to be asking about my birthing options this time, as if they stay head down I'd like to have a go at the tens machine, I really don't like the idea of having an epidural if I can help it. But if they start moving and shifting then I might not have a choice. It would be nice to have a quick recovery and get back to my normal self asap. I can't wait to sleep on my tummy again and be able to move without wincing! :rolleyes: