had a planned section for my twins because my daughter (twin 2) was transverse across the top of my womb and I was worried that she wouldn't turn as she'd been in that position all through my pregnancy. It was only at my 36 week appointment that the consultant recommended a section because she showed no signs of turning and I didn't want a normal birth AND a caesarean.
Hi Shell
Try not to worry about caesareans.
I had my section at 39 weeks with a spinal block. Having the spinal block was actually the worst part because my blood pressure dropped and I felt very sick. But they topped up my fluids and I was fine. The operation itself was completely painless - I couldn't feel any tugging or anything else. I'd recommend keeping on top of things with the painkillers they give you while you're in hospital and when you come home.
DH held both babies while I was stitched up and then I held them all the way back to the ward, where they were immediately placed on the breast by a midwife. I found the section didn't affect my milk production too much. I was confined to bed overnight so had to ask a midwife to hand me the babies for feeding. But it did mean that I couldn't change their first yucky nappies, which was a definite advantage! The next day I was allowed to get up and move around and start eating again - having not eaten for well over 24 hours, I was starving!
The recommendation is that you rest for weeks after a caesarean but you don't have that option with twins (I was at home with them by myself from 10 days old) and I didn't find that it affected my recovery. My scar healed quickly and I didn't have any problems.
If you need any other information let me know. Good luck!
Jules
C-sections - for Shell
C-sections - for Shell
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
Sorry I should have checked this before I sent it - the top paragraph should have come after 'Hi Shell' and is missing the word 'I'!
Jules
Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
Jules
This is really good to know. I suspect I might have an elective caesarian too. My consultant recommends it with twins just to avoid complications, and like you, I think the worst thing would be to try and deliver naturally and then find one of them gets distressed and I need to have an emergency c-section.
I have a few other things that are running through my ever active mind and wondered what you thought....
1. did you breast feed both of them? If so, at the same time? And for how long? Didn't you feel like a suckling pig!!
2. How many and what type of prams/pushchairs/car seats etc did you buy?
3. Did you put them straight in the cot? If so, did they share a cot at the beginning? I have a friend who put her twins in the same cot for the first few weeks - I'm not sure this is safe!
4. We are considering buying a pushchair/car seat - would you say that its advantageous to have a car seat that clicks into the pushchair (so you don't have to wake them up!) Also on this subject, there doesn't seem to be much choice.
We are off to John Lewis next weekend to buy all our nursery stuff and just wondered which things are absolute necessities for twins and which you can do without. Eg is there really a need to have two baths - surely you can only bath one at a time!!
I've been on the phone to Tracey Sharp all afternoon discussing these things and neither of us are definite about any of it - so I figured who better to ask than someone who has been living with twins for nearly a year!!!
Sorry to bombard you with so many questions. I think now I've got todays scan out of the way its suddenly dawned on me that I'm about to have two babies and I need to start and think about what I'm going to do about it!!
The hospital warned me to be prepared for premature labour and to be ready from 28 weeks - this is only 8 weeks away, so its about time I started putting some thought into things!
love nikola.xx
This is really good to know. I suspect I might have an elective caesarian too. My consultant recommends it with twins just to avoid complications, and like you, I think the worst thing would be to try and deliver naturally and then find one of them gets distressed and I need to have an emergency c-section.
I have a few other things that are running through my ever active mind and wondered what you thought....
1. did you breast feed both of them? If so, at the same time? And for how long? Didn't you feel like a suckling pig!!
2. How many and what type of prams/pushchairs/car seats etc did you buy?
3. Did you put them straight in the cot? If so, did they share a cot at the beginning? I have a friend who put her twins in the same cot for the first few weeks - I'm not sure this is safe!
4. We are considering buying a pushchair/car seat - would you say that its advantageous to have a car seat that clicks into the pushchair (so you don't have to wake them up!) Also on this subject, there doesn't seem to be much choice.
We are off to John Lewis next weekend to buy all our nursery stuff and just wondered which things are absolute necessities for twins and which you can do without. Eg is there really a need to have two baths - surely you can only bath one at a time!!
I've been on the phone to Tracey Sharp all afternoon discussing these things and neither of us are definite about any of it - so I figured who better to ask than someone who has been living with twins for nearly a year!!!
Sorry to bombard you with so many questions. I think now I've got todays scan out of the way its suddenly dawned on me that I'm about to have two babies and I need to start and think about what I'm going to do about it!!
The hospital warned me to be prepared for premature labour and to be ready from 28 weeks - this is only 8 weeks away, so its about time I started putting some thought into things!
love nikola.xx
Hi Nikola!
Blimey, long list of questions! I'll do my best to answer them. You might also want to try the forum at twinsclub.co.uk.
I started off breastfeeding both of them. To be honest it wasn't comfortable feeding them both at once and did my back in; I know some people feed their twins separately. Charlotte took to it straightaway but Daniel couldn't latch on so after a fortnight we changed him to bottles, which was great as DH could feed him. I breastfed Charlotte until she was 8 months old and it was lovely - a really good bonding experience.
We bought two Britax Rock-a-tot car seats to begin with, which were really useful - later on when they were on solids, we could feed them in them if we were away from home.
We bought a Graco Duosport pushchair as we didn't see a huge range of pushchairs and it was light and cheap. We've since bought a 3-wheeler, an Out n about Nipper Double which is a breeze to push, even with 2 heavy toddlers in. It's a shame you're where you are 'cos there's a shop near us (in Haywards Heath )that has a huge range of double pushchairs that you can try out - we even bought one home to see if it fitted through our front door! I don't know about car seats fitting into pushchairs 'cos I've never seen a twin pushchair like that.
We put them in separate cots in their own room from when we got home from hospital (5 days old). To start with they shared a cot in hospital but they kept hitting each other and waking each other up. It is safe to put them in the same cot but I was never keen.
Lots of people don't buy baby baths. We found ours useful 'cos it used less water than filling our bath! DH used to bath one at a time while I entertained the other one and it was nice to have that 1-1 time. I have to say that once they have a bath together and you see them playing and giggling together is one of the times that I've appreciated how lucky we are that the IVF was so successful as it's not the sort of time you share with other people's children.
There's lots of stuff that is and isn't worth buying. We bought too much bedding - when they're tiny, blankets get folded over to give more layers and once they were about 3 months old they went in baby sleeping bags which are great. I expect John Lewis will try to sell you allsorts - if you want my mobile number so you can check whether you need things, please ask! And do e-mail me if you've got any questions; I'll try to answer them.
Jules
Blimey, long list of questions! I'll do my best to answer them. You might also want to try the forum at twinsclub.co.uk.
I started off breastfeeding both of them. To be honest it wasn't comfortable feeding them both at once and did my back in; I know some people feed their twins separately. Charlotte took to it straightaway but Daniel couldn't latch on so after a fortnight we changed him to bottles, which was great as DH could feed him. I breastfed Charlotte until she was 8 months old and it was lovely - a really good bonding experience.
We bought two Britax Rock-a-tot car seats to begin with, which were really useful - later on when they were on solids, we could feed them in them if we were away from home.
We bought a Graco Duosport pushchair as we didn't see a huge range of pushchairs and it was light and cheap. We've since bought a 3-wheeler, an Out n about Nipper Double which is a breeze to push, even with 2 heavy toddlers in. It's a shame you're where you are 'cos there's a shop near us (in Haywards Heath )that has a huge range of double pushchairs that you can try out - we even bought one home to see if it fitted through our front door! I don't know about car seats fitting into pushchairs 'cos I've never seen a twin pushchair like that.
We put them in separate cots in their own room from when we got home from hospital (5 days old). To start with they shared a cot in hospital but they kept hitting each other and waking each other up. It is safe to put them in the same cot but I was never keen.
Lots of people don't buy baby baths. We found ours useful 'cos it used less water than filling our bath! DH used to bath one at a time while I entertained the other one and it was nice to have that 1-1 time. I have to say that once they have a bath together and you see them playing and giggling together is one of the times that I've appreciated how lucky we are that the IVF was so successful as it's not the sort of time you share with other people's children.
There's lots of stuff that is and isn't worth buying. We bought too much bedding - when they're tiny, blankets get folded over to give more layers and once they were about 3 months old they went in baby sleeping bags which are great. I expect John Lewis will try to sell you allsorts - if you want my mobile number so you can check whether you need things, please ask! And do e-mail me if you've got any questions; I'll try to answer them.
Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
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bubblymichelle
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:16 am
- Location: West Midlands
Jules
thanks for all that info - Nik and I have been totting up the phone hours discussing. I have a few things already from Oliver and are not going to doubleup - still trying to think positive and hope they are both there on my 12 week scan! - Just 2.5 weeks to wait - ish!!!
Have on bath and I have seen the Graco sport - I have heard they do a Jane double with 3 wheels but probably need a second mortgage and I take it from putting them in cots straight away you had no needs for moses baskets - my mother is like a women possessed with these - has an urge to buy one or two - i don't think they will last long at all!
How long in hospital did you stay altogether for the C - was it 10 days - yikes - I want to be home!
Anyway - love to you and the twins - hope the saving up goes ok and love to you Nik and Shell
Love
Tracey
xxx
thanks for all that info - Nik and I have been totting up the phone hours discussing. I have a few things already from Oliver and are not going to doubleup - still trying to think positive and hope they are both there on my 12 week scan! - Just 2.5 weeks to wait - ish!!!
Have on bath and I have seen the Graco sport - I have heard they do a Jane double with 3 wheels but probably need a second mortgage and I take it from putting them in cots straight away you had no needs for moses baskets - my mother is like a women possessed with these - has an urge to buy one or two - i don't think they will last long at all!
How long in hospital did you stay altogether for the C - was it 10 days - yikes - I want to be home!
Anyway - love to you and the twins - hope the saving up goes ok and love to you Nik and Shell
Love
Tracey
xxx
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bubblymichelle
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:16 am
- Location: West Midlands
Hi Tracey,
I can imagine how worried you must be with your scan approaching but I am sure all will be ok, its only natural to worry though and I was like you.
My Midwife said to me that if I have to have a C then I would be looking at staying in hospital for about 5 days, but if I have a natural birth then I should be out in 2 so we will have to see.
I had a dream last night that I did have a C and I had a baby boy, this is twice I have now dreampt I am having a boy, so I wonder if I am???? All along I have thought I am having a girl but Lee says boy and now here I am dreaming it.
Must be because its coming nearer and I must have it playing on my mind.
Love
Shell.
38wks 5d pg
x
I can imagine how worried you must be with your scan approaching but I am sure all will be ok, its only natural to worry though and I was like you.
My Midwife said to me that if I have to have a C then I would be looking at staying in hospital for about 5 days, but if I have a natural birth then I should be out in 2 so we will have to see.
I had a dream last night that I did have a C and I had a baby boy, this is twice I have now dreampt I am having a boy, so I wonder if I am???? All along I have thought I am having a girl but Lee says boy and now here I am dreaming it.
Must be because its coming nearer and I must have it playing on my mind.
Love
Shell.
38wks 5d pg
x
Jules
thank you so much for your email. So many questions!!! I think its because I've not allowed myself the luxury of dreaming about what to buy etc and now suddenly its not a luxury but a bloody necessity and I need to start deciding!!!
I passed your message on to my dh, who takes researching EVERYTHING very seriously! He is pleased you mentioned about Britax Car Seats, he had picked out two Britax with some special locking device which fits both our cars.....so he is feeling pleased with himself!
He thinks it is highly amusing to not only have booked a personal shopper for the entire afternoon at John Lewis, but to have my own personal shopper on the phone at the same time!!!
I can't wait, it will be the first time I've looked at a pram since I got pg! I guess I'm too superstitious....
I'll let you know how we get on!
love nikola.xxx
thank you so much for your email. So many questions!!! I think its because I've not allowed myself the luxury of dreaming about what to buy etc and now suddenly its not a luxury but a bloody necessity and I need to start deciding!!!
I passed your message on to my dh, who takes researching EVERYTHING very seriously! He is pleased you mentioned about Britax Car Seats, he had picked out two Britax with some special locking device which fits both our cars.....so he is feeling pleased with himself!
He thinks it is highly amusing to not only have booked a personal shopper for the entire afternoon at John Lewis, but to have my own personal shopper on the phone at the same time!!!
I can't wait, it will be the first time I've looked at a pram since I got pg! I guess I'm too superstitious....
I'll let you know how we get on!
love nikola.xxx
Nikola -
Know what you mean about being superstitious. I'm almost 30 weeks and last Saturday only decided to 'browse' prams although my sister got a great pram 6 weeks ago when she gave birth so we knew what we wanted. How shocked was I to be told there's an 8-10 week order delivery for them as they're in such demand
! Boy, did we order quickly. LOL. Ah well, Sam'll just have to come when he's due.... 
(Here's hoping this'll make him a little early!). Does anyone else think that most of the prams are such dull colours??? We've decided on a racing red version of ours (think dh feels is the sporty version - you know what men are like). Being an art teacher, colour's never been an issue with me, but I wondered if it was going to far. lol. However, dh only needed to mention the word 'conservative' to me when I looked at another colour (which by the way, I thought was also very nice) and the deal was done. I've decided I'm too easily manipulated...
Shell-
Things are bound to be preying on your mind with the big day being so close, but don't worry - things'll be fine. I keep expecting you miss you on this and that'll be the sign you've gone into labour!!!
Are you finding the time dragging?
Zoe x
Know what you mean about being superstitious. I'm almost 30 weeks and last Saturday only decided to 'browse' prams although my sister got a great pram 6 weeks ago when she gave birth so we knew what we wanted. How shocked was I to be told there's an 8-10 week order delivery for them as they're in such demand
! Boy, did we order quickly. LOL. Ah well, Sam'll just have to come when he's due.... (Here's hoping this'll make him a little early!). Does anyone else think that most of the prams are such dull colours??? We've decided on a racing red version of ours (think dh feels is the sporty version - you know what men are like). Being an art teacher, colour's never been an issue with me, but I wondered if it was going to far. lol. However, dh only needed to mention the word 'conservative' to me when I looked at another colour (which by the way, I thought was also very nice) and the deal was done. I've decided I'm too easily manipulated... Shell-
Things are bound to be preying on your mind with the big day being so close, but don't worry - things'll be fine. I keep expecting you miss you on this and that'll be the sign you've gone into labour!!!
Are you finding the time dragging?
Zoe x
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bubblymichelle
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:16 am
- Location: West Midlands
Hi Zoe,
To be honest the 1st 12 weeks of my pg went slow but I was always on edge etc... just wanting to get past the 12wks mark. Then time as flown by. The last couple of weeks seem to be going slow but each day that I get up now I think could today be the day, but bubs doesn't appear. One day though I will be posting my exciting news.
How are you today?
Love
Shell.
xx
To be honest the 1st 12 weeks of my pg went slow but I was always on edge etc... just wanting to get past the 12wks mark. Then time as flown by. The last couple of weeks seem to be going slow but each day that I get up now I think could today be the day, but bubs doesn't appear. One day though I will be posting my exciting news.
How are you today?
Love
Shell.
xx
Twins stuff
Nikola, and all the other twin mummies,
I haven't been around a while, so great to hear everyone's news. Like Auntie Jules, I too have 19 month old twins (Boy & Girl) and really can only agree with most of her shopping list.
We too chose Britax Rock a tots and they were a fantastic buy...in fact we even chose the next level seats from Britax as we liked them so much. We had one bath as well..but I will recommend getting the one that sits high up in the bath on the ledges...saves your back!!!
We put them Moses baskets for the start as they were very premature and very small...so we got loads of use out of them and it was very handy to keep them in the living room or nursery, but at 16 weeks they both went into their own cots, we never had them in our room and used to do alternate nights so at least you knew you were getting one nights sleep every couple of days.
I couldn't breastfeed as they were too prem, but I expressed for 12 weeks and it did mean Dh could feed one and really helped the bonding for all of us.
As for buggies we chose a Maclaren duo Opus and we use it every day and it is still going strong...in fact they are really well made and fit through most doorways and we found them much smaller to pack in the car rahterthan the three wheelers.....though I beleive the selection ahs improved recently.
Sleeping bags...get them from the internet, we got them from Grobag (thouhg I think they might be called bump to three now and the more you buy the cheaper it gets!!! We got three and have only once ever run out (bad tummy night!!) and all you need to buy is a couple of blankets 4 undersheets and thats it!!
In fact the only places that seem to give you good discounts is the internet...we used to go to mothercare select the car seat etc. then order it through the net and ususally saved at least 20%.
Also don't forget to buy an A5 hardback blank notebook to write down all the feeds...it is a godsend when you can't remember who you fed last or how much they took...it is also a brilliant reminder when you start getting into a routine of how far you have come.
Get plenty of vests and towels as well as they were the things that were most practical.
Hope this helps...and like Jules e-mail anytime if you want more info.
Good Luck
Nicky
Mum to Rebecca and Ross 1st go ICSI born 07.05.02
I haven't been around a while, so great to hear everyone's news. Like Auntie Jules, I too have 19 month old twins (Boy & Girl) and really can only agree with most of her shopping list.
We too chose Britax Rock a tots and they were a fantastic buy...in fact we even chose the next level seats from Britax as we liked them so much. We had one bath as well..but I will recommend getting the one that sits high up in the bath on the ledges...saves your back!!!
We put them Moses baskets for the start as they were very premature and very small...so we got loads of use out of them and it was very handy to keep them in the living room or nursery, but at 16 weeks they both went into their own cots, we never had them in our room and used to do alternate nights so at least you knew you were getting one nights sleep every couple of days.
I couldn't breastfeed as they were too prem, but I expressed for 12 weeks and it did mean Dh could feed one and really helped the bonding for all of us.
As for buggies we chose a Maclaren duo Opus and we use it every day and it is still going strong...in fact they are really well made and fit through most doorways and we found them much smaller to pack in the car rahterthan the three wheelers.....though I beleive the selection ahs improved recently.
Sleeping bags...get them from the internet, we got them from Grobag (thouhg I think they might be called bump to three now and the more you buy the cheaper it gets!!! We got three and have only once ever run out (bad tummy night!!) and all you need to buy is a couple of blankets 4 undersheets and thats it!!
In fact the only places that seem to give you good discounts is the internet...we used to go to mothercare select the car seat etc. then order it through the net and ususally saved at least 20%.
Also don't forget to buy an A5 hardback blank notebook to write down all the feeds...it is a godsend when you can't remember who you fed last or how much they took...it is also a brilliant reminder when you start getting into a routine of how far you have come.
Get plenty of vests and towels as well as they were the things that were most practical.
Hope this helps...and like Jules e-mail anytime if you want more info.
Good Luck
Nicky
Mum to Rebecca and Ross 1st go ICSI born 07.05.02
Hi Nicky - good to see you back on here (I meant to e-mail you last night but ran out of time!). Nicky's much more grown-up than me Tracey and Nikola so you might be better directing questions at her! 
I was in hospital for 4 nights after my caesarean and couldn't wait to get home. Daniel and Charlotte were real night-time screamers in the hospital but as soon as we got home, it all fitted into place and they were little angels.
I didn't have moses baskets. During the day they'd go to sleep on their padded play-gym mat downstairs and I just covered them with a blanket.
Jules
I was in hospital for 4 nights after my caesarean and couldn't wait to get home. Daniel and Charlotte were real night-time screamers in the hospital but as soon as we got home, it all fitted into place and they were little angels.
I didn't have moses baskets. During the day they'd go to sleep on their padded play-gym mat downstairs and I just covered them with a blanket.
Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
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bubblymichelle
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:16 am
- Location: West Midlands
ooooh how exciting!!
Nicky ( and Jules ) thank you both for your very 'grown-up' advice!!
Zoe - I don't think I'll be able to get round the shops when I'm 30 weeks! So I think I should start now whilst I'm mobile.....the thought of trying to tackle Oxford Street when I'm 30 weeks pg sends shivers!
Nicky on the subject of breastfeeding - please don't anybody shoot me down for saying this, but I really really really don't want to breastfeed (I hate the way I feel like I'm a bad mother already just for saying this, but I can't help it!) However, I'd really like to express and use the milk but I was told I couldn't do this because the milk doesn't keep producing unless the baby feeds directly from you. Is this total bollox?
I have loved feeding my sisters children and when I was a nanny I fed the baby I looked after and its such a lovely time. I don't want to waste or spoil a second of it by being uncomfortable doing something I just dont' feel natural doing. Besides I really want my dh to share this experience and with two I think I'd end up feeling like a suckling pig!
I realise this isn't particularly pc these days, but thats how I feel. So I would feel much better knowing the expressing and bottle feeding is an option for us. Your very grown up thoughts are much appreciated!!
love nikola.x
Nicky ( and Jules ) thank you both for your very 'grown-up' advice!!
Zoe - I don't think I'll be able to get round the shops when I'm 30 weeks! So I think I should start now whilst I'm mobile.....the thought of trying to tackle Oxford Street when I'm 30 weeks pg sends shivers!
Nicky on the subject of breastfeeding - please don't anybody shoot me down for saying this, but I really really really don't want to breastfeed (I hate the way I feel like I'm a bad mother already just for saying this, but I can't help it!) However, I'd really like to express and use the milk but I was told I couldn't do this because the milk doesn't keep producing unless the baby feeds directly from you. Is this total bollox?
I have loved feeding my sisters children and when I was a nanny I fed the baby I looked after and its such a lovely time. I don't want to waste or spoil a second of it by being uncomfortable doing something I just dont' feel natural doing. Besides I really want my dh to share this experience and with two I think I'd end up feeling like a suckling pig!
I realise this isn't particularly pc these days, but thats how I feel. So I would feel much better knowing the expressing and bottle feeding is an option for us. Your very grown up thoughts are much appreciated!!
love nikola.x
Nicky
How absolutely wonderful to hear from you - I was going to post a thead for Jules to see how you were and bingo up you pop - I always wanted twinnnies and to be like you and Jules - I know I am immature like you Jules but you two always seemed so together. Obviously losing Oliver was the worst moment of our lives but I suppose one door closes........
Desperately trying to get to 12 weeks but had decided on the Britax seats - but must wait.
I think want to leave the breastfeeding and play by ear - ideally give it a whirl but if not express for both and top up with formula ( i have heard milipa is good??!!) or one breast and one formula - suppose it depends on what happens and assuming I hang on to them both
Nik - of course you won't be a bad mother if you don't b feed - much better to be happy with what you are doing and they will be happy - what do I know?
Anyway must dash and thanks for the advice - any thoughts on the mothercare urban detour by any chance?
Love
Tracey
xxx
How absolutely wonderful to hear from you - I was going to post a thead for Jules to see how you were and bingo up you pop - I always wanted twinnnies and to be like you and Jules - I know I am immature like you Jules but you two always seemed so together. Obviously losing Oliver was the worst moment of our lives but I suppose one door closes........
Desperately trying to get to 12 weeks but had decided on the Britax seats - but must wait.
I think want to leave the breastfeeding and play by ear - ideally give it a whirl but if not express for both and top up with formula ( i have heard milipa is good??!!) or one breast and one formula - suppose it depends on what happens and assuming I hang on to them both
Nik - of course you won't be a bad mother if you don't b feed - much better to be happy with what you are doing and they will be happy - what do I know?
Anyway must dash and thanks for the advice - any thoughts on the mothercare urban detour by any chance?
Love
Tracey
xxx