Double Trouble

[qbndaddy]

hey girls...my wife and I found out we were having twins...so here I am

we are freaking out...we actually got into a discussion about breastfeeding...with twins, (I know this sounds rookie-ish but...don't laugh) when they are born, do I hold one baby to one boob and my wife hold the other??? she wants to make sure to give the colostrum (i think that's how you spell it) what did you guys do???

pending rookie dad

qbndaddy

[kholtan]

Good morning everyone!!!!!

First of all. . . WELCOME qbndaddy!!!!! We all know how you feel right now and although it's a little crazy at first to think you will be bringing home TWO. . . after a little while you'll be so excited! I haven't had my twins yet but there are many mothers on here who have so they can give you advice on breastfeeding. I am personally taking a "Breastfeeding Multiples" class at our local hospital at the end of the month so I feel better prepared myself. It's something I REALLY want to do for a long time. The women on here will help you SOOOOOOOO much!!!! They are so great about answering questions and comforting those of us who aren't where they are yet. A very useful resource! Good luck to you and your wife and keep us posted on her pregnancy!

Laura and Kim~ THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!! After reading your posts about what is really needed I am going to add a few things to the registry for sure! So far, ALL my baby clothes have been given to me and most of them are for a girl. I feel like our son may be getting short changed in the clothing department already! My friend loaned me her swing and gave me ALL of her cloth diapers so I feel so lucky to not have to buy those. They are the really nice ones too in every size so I'm saving hundreds of dollars.

I'm actually oooozing strollers! I know this gal who had two children very close in age and had strollers gallor she was getting rid of that were hardly used at all! I ended up getting a $500 doublejogger stroller for $100, a Maclaren Double stroller that was BRAND NEW that she paid $350 for for $150, and a $450 Medela breast pump with $150 worth of extra parts for $100. It was like winning the lottery!!! This gal spared no expense and always bought top of the line but hardly used anything. My friend made out like a bandit on her single strollers. I have never been a bargain hunter, or a shopper at all, but this has seriously changed my tune.

I still want the stroller you can snap the car seats into but I'll just see if I get it at the shower for now. I bought the britax car seats for the babies and they aren't the lightest ones on the market but they are one of the safest. Infortunately, I know they will get pretty heavy right away so the snap in stroller would be handy.
I really appreciate you guys taking the time to give me your suggestions. I am certainly writing some things down before I head back to adjust the registry. Thanks so much!!!!!

Hopefully all the other mommies are doing well! I'm sure everyone is busy feeding and playing. Take care!
Kimberly

[DianeC]

Hi all

The babes are sleeping so just a quick one

Yes, we are using cloth nappies but not just yet. I will wait until they are at leats 10lb - too much to do let alone wash nappies.

Weight gain - 30lbs there abouts for me. O think everone is different depending on build and lifestyle. I did not think about it too much - what will be will be was my motto

Must haves - swing or bouncer - I have one of each and would NOT be without them! Plenty of bibs - I use face cloths I especially brought for the babes. I use bibs as well but the face cloths are much better.

I have a side by side mountain buggy and it is great! I also have a sun cover for the hot QLD sun. Easy to push and goes through all doorways YAY!

My babies are doing well. Bronte is now 7lbs and Harry 7lbs 8oz. He is still like your Nicholas, Laura. Spets up alot and needs frequent burping. He is very fussy and does not like nappy changing, taking clothes off or anything he does not like he cries. BUT, he is alert a lot and is happy looking at a toy for 2 hours! Easily entertained so I can put up with his fussiness.

I never dreamed that I would be so busy! I still have one subject to study this semester and have done only a lttle reading to date - when will I find the time, who knows

DH and I have a good agreement on night feeding. I go to bed at about 9pm and he does the late feed. I do the 4am feed and don't really get more sleep after that. So we play tag a little and it works for us. We don't have any family nearby so we had to agree on something.

Cheers to all and welcome to the new expectant parents of twins.

Cheers Di

[buckeyegal]

welcome to our new daddy! I only have a few minutes as Braeden is in the swing and will not last long....Ellie--Thank goodness is sleeping! She sleeps SOOOO much! Angel....

I think I'm one of the only remaining breastfeeders on here (I think?). At first, breastfeeding is pretty tricky...I don't think it's recommended to start feeding them simultaneously at first. (Since you really have to work with each baby and figure out how to get them to latch on, etc.) In fact, mine are just getting to the point where I can get them on and feed them at the same time---except of course, one baby decides to jump ship, and then I have to work on relatching that stinker without disrupting the other...no easy task! (Hence--I'm on an alternating feeding schedule right now....a little more managable, but I'm still working towards tandem feeding very soon!)

Di--good weights for your kiddos. They're about the same size as mine! I'm glad you and dh figured out a fair system. I have to admit, sometimes bottle feeding has some BIG advantages--I can't ever miss a feed.

Kimberly--Your friend ROCKS! Wow! You got some awesome stufff.....Oh, I thought of another thing....burp cloths, lots of burp cloths--we go through those soooo quickly!

Gotta run. I knew it wouldn't take long. WAAAAAAHHHH!

[rikirees]

any twin mom's out there that had identical twins in 1 placenta with 2 sacs?
I am preggo with triplets- 1 singleton and 1 set id twins. The dr is making me so nervous about Twin to Twin Transfusions trying to get me to reduce my twins making it seem like it happens to EVERYONE with identical twins. My research shows the risk is between 5-15% and if it occurs it is curable with a few options. I need to hear from other ladies out there please...

[LauraLou]

Rikirees- I had identical twins with one placenta/two sacs (monochorionic diamniotic) and I carried them to 35 weeks. TTTS, while it can be serious, is rare. I saw a perinatalogist every 3 weeks for most of my pregnancy and every week at the end. He monitored me closely for TTTS. I developed a very mild case at the end but both boys were fine. One was 4lbs 13oz and the other was 4lbs exactly. In fact, the smaller one left the hospital 3 days b4 his bigger brother!

To be completely honest, TTTS can be fatal if it develops early in the pregnancy. There was a lady who also saw my perinatalogist and she lost one baby to TTTS. They had to delivery the surviving twin at 26 weeks and he was quite sick. Sometimes they can correct it with laser surgery on the blood vessels in the placenta.

But cases like this are very rare, most women deliver with little to no problem. Please don't let them scare you into doing something you don't feel comfortable with. Good luck whatever you decide to do!

[buckeyegal]

rikirees...congrats on your pregnancy! I don't have any info for you as my twins are fraternal. Good luck with whatever decision you make. You'll be in my prayers.

To all you mommies out there...I may be crazy, but I'm going "balls to the wall" and tandem nursing today! I've been in touch with some lactation consultants, and I'm really really trying to just breastfeed. The bottles are driving me nutz! So far, we've been doing okay. I'm feeding every 2-2 1/2 hours, just so my supply can increase. The babies seem to be handling it okay. Keep us in your thoughts...I hope I don't regret this decision!

[kholtan]

Hey Mommies!!!

Hope you are all having a great evening. Seems a few new mommies have been tied up with bottles and babies but I hope to you are all doing well!

Kim~
GO!!!! GO!!! GO!!!!! I am super excited to hear you are still going at it and getting better. I'm sure you are WAY challenged by it but I doubt you will ever regret it. I love that you are getting the hang of it. It very encouraging! Keep us posted on your success!

rikerees~
Congrats on your triplets! I bet you are both excited and nervous! I actually have a couple friends with triplets and although it poses a different set of challenges they are all doing great and they are all healthy. I just saw a show on TTTS on Discovery Health Channel and Laura sounds right on the money with what I saw. The chances are slim and there are things that can counteract it. Follow your heart and I'm sure you and DH will make the right choice for your family. Either way, we are thinking and praying for you. Good luck!

Today we had an OB appointment and I scared him into an u/s! For the past two day the movement on my left side has been very minimal. As I was telling him this he had a hard time telling all of our hb's apart because my daughter is laying on top or right next to my heart. Needless to say, the heads and backs are on the left and it's all legs on the right! Explaining the party for the last few days over there but needless to say, I was able to breathe easier when I left. Overall, things haven't changed much and we are holding on and happy as clams! They were just beautiful to see and it felt so good to see them and know they are doing well.

Have a great night everyone and I hope you all get lots of shut eye tonight! Hugs to those little ones!
Kimberly

[DeniseM]

Hey moms to be. Thought I would pop in. I just finished weaning my twins, and breastfed successfully to almost eleven months.

Some tips, if your babies are early they may not latch correctly at the start. Be open minded about pumping and bottle feeding.

I tried the tandem feeding, and it didn't work well for me. I got them on a schedule of one after the other. Mind you, each girl was fast, and I fed for only 10-15 minutes each.

I started supplementing with formula, just to make sure they were getting enough, and this gave me about a four hour break between feeds. Nice time to catch a nap, etc.

I got my milk supply up by pumping in the middle of breaks, and at about two months switched to exclusively to breast.

It was a rewarding experience, and I'm so glad I did it. Most people are not very encouraging about breastfeeding multiples, but it can be done.

Not to mention how much we saved in formula costs!

[teen]

Hi Twin mummys and mummys to be

I am 23 + 4 weeks with boy/girl twins and wondered if any one else has had this.

My blood pressure started to go up at 18 weeks + I have also had protein in my water since then too.

I'm on medication at present which is helping in keeping BP down, although at my twice weekly checkups my protein is alternating between 0 and 2+.

Does anyone know if this is high or not? They say i'm at risk of Pre-eclam, and will get worse towards end of pregnancy. Will have C section on the 15th October.

Also when did you ladies give up work, i've had a couple of weeks off and seems to have helped keep BP down.

Plus can you remember how much your babies weighed at scans around 23 weeks mine are both around 1lbs 6 oz. I have put loads of weight on, over 28lbs already and now get weighed backwards so i dont have to see. ha ha.

Sounds like you are all doing great with you little bundles of joy. Any help with the questions above to put my mind at rest will be great.

T x

[Macca8]

Hey twin mommies,

Looks like you're all doing great handling your little bundles. I have to admit I am a bit anxious about how I will cope but I guess we don't get what we can't deal with.....I hope!!!!

I had a bit of a scare this week on Monday. I had some sharp pains in my right side but didn't pay much attention. Then I noticed that there was no movement from that side all day and all night (which is unusual for him). I waited until 6am the following morning to see if he moved and he hadn't so I rang the labour ward and they told me to come in. Bless them they were great. The put me on the twin monitor for a few hours and recorded their heartbeats and movements and then did a sonogram and checked their blood flow etc. Anyway the good news was the little man was just playing hide and seek with mummy and has been kicking and punching ever since. Both babies are cephallic (head down) and apparently they are that big they are unlikely to move so I am delighted with that. Hopefully I will get the natural birth as these little men will be my last babies. I already have 1 stepson and 1 step daughter so we have a nice size family now.

Lisa XXX

[LauraLou]

Lisa- I'm glad eveything was okay. I know how scary it can be when you don't feel them move as often.

Teen- At 25 weeks my babies weighed 1 1/2 lbs, so yours are doing great! I had high blood pressure also and was on medication to keep it down. I stopped working at 25 weeks as I started having contractions. I know they become concerned when your protein is +3 and +4 is very serious.

Nicholas is screaming so I have to run!

[ptfmb71]

my wirfe and I are expecting twins also...but it's really early for us (7weeks)
She had a bit of a breakdown feeling scared because she flet some mild cramping. we got the positive result on our second IVF cycle with 2FE and both took. Although we are very excited to be having even 1 baby much less two...both are holding our breath every week.

My wife has scared herself from doing too much research.

[buckeyegal]

Kimberly--OH MY GOD...can I tell you...sore nipples!!!!! I know you're not supposed to have sore nipples (I swear my kiddos are latched on right....) But my daughter is such a baracuda sucker, that she's giving my nipples a rough go...especially since we're feeding very 2 hours right now. I'm hoping to space the feedings out once I get enough milk...but for now we've got the 2 hour deal going. It's hard, trust me. But, I'm hoping it'll be time saving and easier in the long run.

Lisa--Glad everything's okay! How scary!

teen--I developed pre-eclampsia at the very end of my pregnancy (36 wks)...it's nothing to mess around with, so take it easy. I actually worked full time as a first grade teacher through 30 weeks and then went half time until 34 weeks. I'm not sure what my protein levels were....good luck to you! I hope you can keep that "BP down.

Denise M--Thanks for your info about BFing. My twins seem to be doing okay tandem...although like I said, I'm sore from the almost constant feedings. My nipples weren't sore until now, and I'd been breastfeeding for 5 weeks (only one baby at a time of course.) I want to try to avoid supplementing too much, since a hatred of bottles was what drove me to try just bfing....we'll see if I can do it. You're my inspiration! (Unfortunately, my babies are not fast eaters....they like to suck hard and stay on for at least 20 plus minutes...sometimes up to 35....)

Oops gotta run. Braeden is screaming! It's feeding time AGAIN!

[kholtan]

Good evening everyone! Busy little thread today. Seems we are adding to the group of twin mommies. YEAH! It's so much fun to think that I am finally at the stage where I can start helping others with what to expect in some questions. Makes me feel like I'm getting closer!! WHOHOO!!

Kim~ Take care of those nipples! Sounds like a challenge but I'm sure you'll get use to it soon. One of my girlfriends told me to vigourously rub your nipples w/ a washcloth every time you shower to start to callous them over. Perhaps your daughter will get it done for you! The breastfeeding multiples class I am taking is on the 25th of next week so maybe they will give some great pointers I can pass on. Until then, I am living through your progress!

ptfmb71~ Welcome! You are never too early to join this thread. My OB stated to me early on that I should attempt to direct all my pregnancy questions to people having twins since no one else will understand. He was right. I have primarily related to people pg with twins on most everything. We are glad to have you and maybe your wife would find some comfort here as well. I hope everything continues to go great for you. It is scary but it gets better and better every day! Keep us posted!

Lisa~ You sound like I did this week. I was so scared when my left side hardly had any movement. Better safe than sorry so I don't blame you for going in. If I wouldn't have had an appointmnet already scheduled I would have made one right away. Glad everything is alright. Your babies sound perfect for delivery. Mine went from both being head down to one turning completely sideways. When are you due again?? Sorry but I get so confused.

Teen~ Congrats on boy/girl twins! Me too!!! I'm only a few weeks ahead of you as well. They seem to be doing great and Ihope things stay smooth for you as well. I'm in the almost opposite position. I have low iron and my bp is so low I have recently had blurred vision from the lack of blood getting to my eye sockets. Your babies sound to be a great weight! Sorry I'm of no help but I will be thinking of you and hoping all is well. Glad you can join us over here!

Denise~ Thanks for the encouragement!!! Stories like that really help to boost my hopes and determination! I'm happy for you and it sounds like things are going fabulously for you! Thanks again!

Has anyone here been low bp and had bad anemia? I am on the max amount of iron and eating cream of wheat like crazy but still can't push past it. All of this is simply resulting in no circulation. Just curious if anyone had some advice that worked for them. I was told yesterday that it could simply put me on modified bedrest to elevate my feet and increase blood flow. Any suggestions are grately appreciated!

Home alone tonight and loving the quiet. hope everyone is happy and healthy. Em and Diane. . . how are you two?

Take care~
Kimberly