Question by Stephanie B: Anyone have twins and GOOD info about twin pregnancy?
I have recently found out that I am pregnant with twins, and although it is kind of exciting it is also very scary. I have been searching online, and have found some information, but nothing like the infor you get with a singleton pregnancy. So much of what is available for twin pregnancy is the risks and complications. When I had my daugther I loved the book What to Expect when you're Expecting... Is there a twin equivalent?
Leave your answer in the comments!
I’m not sure about that, but I’m a mommy to a few children, two of which are twins. I’m kind of tired right now, so forgive me for leaving such a vague answer. *Sigh* You may have to go through a C-section, as vaginal birth is hard with twins. They must both be born within a few minutes, too. Otherwise major consequences may occur. If you need anything, email me.
Congrats on your double blessing! My 3rd pregnancy was twin (girls)- and nothing like a singelton. Remmeber, there are 4 arms and 4 legs in there for hitting and kicking!
I would suggest talking your birth through with your doctor. I, at the direction of my d.o., attempted a natural delivery…everything went great- until it was time to deliver baby B (who was transverse- meaning horizontal.) I delivered nany B c-section and was so upset that I put in all that effort to end up with a c-section.
I get humor from it now, when I explain my twins are 1 hour apart- everyone gets a blank look on thier face! Its funny!
So far as risks and complications- I saw it no different from a singelton. Sure, yuor gonna gain more wieght and a special diet can assist in making that minimal- but nothing drastic without the direction of a nutritionist. Back pain was my biggest problem. BUT, each person carries different, and no 2 pregnancies are the same-communication with your doctor and following what she advises is your best bet. Only you know what your feeling and only you know when somethings “just not right”.
Best of luck!
CONGRADULATIONS!I have twin girls born in march.I totally understand what emotions you must be going through.I was soooo scared when i found out i was pregnant yet alone with twins.this was my first pregnancy so i really didnt have a clue.I read almost every book about pregnancy but it is very hard to find books on twin pregnancy.The best and most interesting book is called HAVING TWINS AND MORE by ELIZABETH NOBEL with LEO SORGER,M.D. .
It really goes over a lot like nutrition,zygosity,different ways twins are born,how they are concived,just about everything.I picked mine up from waldens book store.I think it was around $15.00 but it was worth it.It also has great resorces in the back of the book.
Anyways there are some things a book just doesnt do that you will be good at and thats loving your babies!!!once i started seeing ultra sound pictures it just melted away my fears.I prayed all the time for a healthy pregnancy and for healthy babies.And it payed off.My twins were delivered vaginaly and i had no i.v drugs,but did have an epidural which totally did not work.My girls were born 2hrs apart.I pushed for about 4 hrs.My second daugter was sunny side up!!!It is sooo amazing at what your body can do.Im not going to lie it was hard physically and mentally to carrie 2 babies and to deliver them,but once you see thier beautiful faces you will be sooo proud of yourself.
My best advice seriously is to sleep alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rest as much as you can.and get plunty of back rubes.I was really was lucky to carrie the girls as long as i did.37wks and 4 days!!!!!!!
good luck!!
melody
p.s if you want you can e mail me.
We have a lot of twins in our family – so from the cousins and sister, they say it’s mostly the same as a single, just fatter and shorter. Plan on some extra pounds, and an 8 month pregnancy, but not that much different – they say. I haven’t found any references that aren’t horror stories, but there are some great twin birth stories on the homebirth webring.
I have 10 year old twin girls and it was my second pregnancy as well. It is sooooo much diffirent. I lost 50 pounds because they took in everything I ate. They were always on the move and finding a comfortable way to sleep is unthinkable. I am also only 5 feet tall so that was hard as well. I found the info the What to expect…was not so good for twin pregnancy. There is a twin Magazine that was very helpful for me and still is. Twins are such a blessing and also very hard. With my twins I feel like I am competeing for their attention because they have each other they seem to not need me as much as my 12 year old son. Make sure your older child is involved as much as possible because it can be very difficult for them to adjust to two babies being brought home. You will get so many “Oh the twins are so cute’ and “Oh look at the twins” sometimes my son would say hey look at me I am cute too. As for complications I had pre term labor twice but was not put on bed rest. I had a lot of energy and felt great after the 4 months of morning sickness. My twins were 6 and a half weeks early and we had planned on that because they were sharing a placenta. I had steroid shots twice a week for six weeks to help strenthen their lungs and it help a lot. They were not on resperators. They hurt but they are great for your babies. I also had ultra sounds everyweek to make sure they were not running out of room and I had non stress tests weekly. So be prepared for some extra trips to the DR. But some women are fine and feel as though it is no diffirent from a singlton pregany. I hope I have been helpful. Let me know if you have anymore questions. P.S try sleeping on a recliner if you can’t get comfy. It works.
yes you will have a lot more work to do when they are born “double trouble” lol
Unfortunately, there are a lot of ‘negatives’ and risks with twin births, and people tend to focus on those — I don’t have the ‘perfect’ twin pregnancy story, but I do know a lot of women who didn’t have any problems with their twin pregnancies. As far as your pregnancy advice goes, you might want to check out:
http://www.multipletreasures.com/article-pregnancyadvice.php
As for books, you might look at:
When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads
by Doctor Barbara Luke, a mother of twins, and Tamara Eberlein
Everything You Need to Know to Have a Healthy Twins Pregnancy
by Dr. Gila Leiter, a mother of twins
I think this one is more what you’re looking for.
I bought both books off of Amazon, but they’re also available in libraries, Borders, etc.
Congratulations! And welcome to the wonderful world of multiples!
I had twin sons 32 years ago. I didn’t have an ultrasound. Dr. said it was just one big baby. I gained double what I had with my daughter. I had so much punching and kicking going on inside me that I repeatedly ask the Dr. He only heard 1 heartbeat. When I was in labor and had Son 1 and Dr was getting ready to close the episionty(sp) up, The Dr. yelled for another nurse, Son 2 stuck his foot out, he was born breech. Delivery quicker than daughter, third of the time. They were 3 weeks early, my daughter was a month early, they are 22 min. apart. In the end it was like having two single babies of the same age. Delivery quicker than daughter, third of the time. Different sleep cycles, eating, etc. Fraternal twins with one placenta. I wish you well on your new adventure. I didn’t read any books, even after, about twins. Didn’t have time and they were to me just two separate little babies.
Congratulations on your double blessing!
My twins are going to be 23 yrs old next month and I would do it all over again.
You have been pointed in the right direction as far as what books to find, so I’m not answering your question, just sending encouragement. It’s a lot of work but also a whole lot of fun.
God Bless You!