Having Twins -- Freaked Out!

I have 6 month old twins, with no other siblings at home. I found it very helpful to join DuPage Doubles. www.dupagedoubles.com. I did this after my babies were born, but looking back I wish I would have joined while I was pregnant.

There are lots of people in the same boat as you, and they are more than willing to help out with anthing from stroller advice to coping advice. Best of all there is a used clothing/baby stuff sale 2X a year for all of the stuff you will need for just a very short time.

Accepting help is key, too.

There are plenty of people in the club that have toddlers and twins, in different orders that would be willing to give you advice.

I feel your pain. I have twin boys who were 19 months old, when I had my daughter! That was hard, not to mention I had to have a c-section with my daughter and coming home to the twins wasnt fun. It does get easier! As far as arriving early, my twins came at 36 weeks which is normal for twins. Just rest as much as you can. Good luck and welcome to the twins club!

Don't freak. This is doable. Not easy, but doable. We had twins when our son was 3 1/2, which was certainly a bit easier than your situation. That said, the key to managing everything is planning and organization (and a sense of humor). Now the twins are 2 1/2 and I can honestly say that it is as much more fun as it is more work. The first year was stressful and I was pretty darn tired for the vast majority of that time, but we still managed to enjoy them, breastfeed them nearly exclusively and still manage to keep our older son reasonably clean and happy.

As far as prematurity goes, that's something to discuss with your ob and make a decision about whether you should see a high risk practice. I read a fair bit about a high protein diet being helpful in that area, but I'd stick with your doc's advice on that.

The best possible tool for this pregnancy and the next several years of your life is to cut yourself a lot of slack, accept that things may not get done as well as you might hope, but have faith that everything will happen as it is supposed to and that you will be fine.

Good luck...be gentle with yourself and take lots and lots of deep breaths!

Hi Z.
I am the mother of twin girls and you will be fine. My twins were born at 36 weeks and they say that is normal for a twin delivery. My girls were both 5 lbs each and they are healthy 7 yr olds now. If you can hold them longer that's great, but my bag broke exactly on the day of the 36th week. All I can say from experience is just to make sure that you take time every night and relax. I had a routine where I would make sure to sit on the couch at a certain time and put my feet up and just relax. Read a book, listen to my ipod, etc. I worked up until the 30th week of my pregnancy. So whatever chores are not done by the time it's time to relax, they will always be there in the morning!!! I am not sure where you live, but you might want to try joining a support group of moms who have had twins. I know there is a group that meets in the Bolingbrook area in Will County and they are very good.
Good luck with your pregnancy and again just remeber to relax.
C.

Congrats!

My daughter was 22 mths when my twins were born. (The twins are now 4 mths & my DD is 26 mths) The begining was hard. My DD had many many meltdowns about the fact that mommy & daddy were taking care of the babies or holding a baby or feeding a baby....we would include her in everything and we always made special time for just her with each one of us. After the second month things got better and we had less meltdowns...now she brings them toys and wants to play with them...she talks to them and helps feed them/burp them....

Take all the help you can get from family & friends....don't be afraid to ask them to do errands, dishes, laundry take your oldest to the park or watch the twins while you take a shower....

Look into a twin group in your area. Mine was a great help & a good source of info before I had my twins. The moms have all been there and done that in every type of case you can think of.

My twins came at 36 weeks and were each 6 lbs and healthy. My girlfriend had her twins (same week as me) at 36 weeks and they were in the NICU for 3 weeks....

It is scary and seems overwhelming at first. So far in my case the twins have been easy....the 2 yr old is killing me!

Good Luck,

J.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!

I had twins first and then when they were 3 I had my daughter. I will say with having premature babies (15 weeks early) and then getting pregnant with my daughter I freaked about having her early. My ob took EVERY precaution and also put me on progestrone shots once a week from 16 weeks along to 36 weeks. I will say my nerves were totally shot when I got to the 25 week mark but once I got past it I was fine and able to relax some well as much as you could relax with having to run after toddlers. I gave birth to my daughter at 36 weeks.

The other ladies gave you amazing advice and said everything I would have. Have twins is hard work but managable. You dont get much sleep in the beginning but they are a BLAST! You are going to do great.

Good luck!

Edited: here is the website for the National Organization of Mothers of Twins clubs:
www.nomotc.org

Yop will be able to locate a club closest to you.

I had my twin girls ( now 5), when my older daughter was almost 4.

I was put on partial bedrest at around week 27. I was on meds due to early labor. They gave me a steroid shot to develop the girls lungs just in case. All went well and I had my girls at 36 weeks.

You do get freaked out, but I found it to be a bit easier as I had already had a baby prior. It is hard work, but you do what you have to do.

I actually think it was easier when they were babies, because they did not walk. Once they walk things get a little crazier.

That said, they are very close and it is nice that they have a built in friend. I would not trade it for anything.

Congrats.

I just wanted to add:

My mother stayed at my house with me during the week when I was home on bedrest, and would go home on the weekends. If you end up in a bedrest situation try ot line up someone to take care of you or be with you at home.

I am a mother of 24 month old twins (boy/girl). I was able to carry the babies for 38 1/2 weeks, but I know I am one of the few. I accredit it to eating as heathy as possible, and sitting my butt on the couch as much as I could. Having infant twins was the hardest thing I ever have had to do, and I cant even relate to having another child to care for. I read a ton of books while I was expecting. The BEST book on having twins is by Elizabeth Lyons, Ready or not here we come. What I love about it is all the different perspectives it gives from all sorts of different mothers (ones who have other children). Give it a read, it will be worth your time.

Good luck!

First of all, congratulations! While my twinkies were my first I can offer some things that helped me. My husband and I still to this day wonder how we got twins :) But feel very blessed :)

Get all the help that you can. If you can, join a Twins Support Group (http://www.notmc.org/). I also found twinstuff.com to be an invaluable resource for me. There are tons of support groups out there.

Take care of yourself! If you need to sleep when your son sleeps, sleep. Get as much rest as you can. And drink lots of water. Have lots of protein and try and not do as much strenous activity. Obviously, easier said than done with an 18 month old.

Be sure you really trust your doctor and your hospital can handle any situation.

Some women can go early and their twinkies are fine, some women go early and they need a little extra care in NICU and some women go to 37 weeks and some to 40. It's all varies and even varies with each pregnancy. Try and take care of yourself as much as possible. If things fall behind, they fall behind. I am the analist of anals and I have slowly learned that.

Maybe look into a Mother's Helper for the first couple of months. And maybe start picking up some little toys/new activities that can help occupy your little one when you are nursing/feeding the twinkies.

Good luck and congrats

There is a mother of twins group. I would locate one. They help out with hand me down clothes. It is great to talk with other mothers of twins as well. Good luck with your new little people.

Don't freak out, everything will be fine!! First of all, there are many Mothers of Twins clubs that you can join to get advice and support. I am a member of Miraculous Multiples (formerly Double Dilemma) in Crystal Lake and I know there is a club in Elgin and Schaumburg depending on where you live. My twins are 2 1/2 and I watch my sister's baby and it was an adjustment for them at first, but your son will get used to having the babies around. I would suggest having some fun crafts or games that he likes to do by himself so that when you are feeding the babies he will have something to do. Also, get him involved with the twins. My kids love to help hold a bottle or get diapers and toys for the baby. Please let me know if you want more information on the Mother's of Twins club and I'm sure you will be getting more info from other mom's of twins out there.
Enjoy it and try to relax, it's a lot of fun!!!

First of all, congratulations on your double bundle of joy! I'm a mom to triplets who were born at 32 weeks. They did spend some time in NICU before they came but they did all come home nice and healthy. My best advice to you is to just relax. I know it's easier said than done but right now, just focus on having a healthy pregnancy. With three little ones running around, it definitely keeps me busy but it's not impossible. The house is a little messier and the laundry takes a little longer but that's okay!

Advice on multiples, you can never have enough bibs or bottles. Take it one day at a time. You'll be amazed at how much fun you're going to have!

I don't have twins but I just wanted to tell you about a baby and kid sale in my neighborhood. Parenthesis in Oak park has a big rummage sale on Sat, Sept. 29th at 9 am. I haven't been but I heard it's good. You can probably buy doubles of everything at a drastically reduced price.