OMG- there are two on that ultrasound!

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

So I know this is OT, but since I don't think I want to tell all of my friends/family yet (since I'm still in the 1st trimester) I had to shout it out somewhere! So online to thousands of DISboard members seemed like a better option than telling everyone I work with, etc.

I AM HAVING TWINS! TWO BABIES! AT THE SAME TIME! TWO CRYING, POOPING, NON-SLEEPING INFANTS TOGETHER! THE AMOUNT OF KIDS I HAVE IS DOUBLING IN ONE LITTLE MOMENT! AAAHHHHH!

OK, so now that I am breathing, let me continue... I am about 2 months pregnant and went for my second US yesterday. Low and behold another baby shows up on the screen (my first US only found one- different lady doing it though?!?) So now I'm flipping out! This was supposed to be #3 and the last for us. It's been a long time coming (we've wanted this for a year and a half) so we are so excited that it finally happened! BUT, I'm not as young and energetic as I was when I had DD7 so the thought of two babies at the same time this time around (who are possibly on different schedules) IS CRAZY to me!

So here's some of my things that I'd love to get feedback on from anyone with experience with twins.
1. How early did you deliver? I went full term with both DDs, but no I'm freaking out that I need to be concerned with these.
2. Is there a different "safe" point with two. Usually it's o.k. to starting announcing after 3 months...
3. Once they arrive, how and when did you sleep? Did you luck out an have two that are on the same schedule?
4. Tell me the best things about having twins! I can see a future of so many fun possibilities, but not sure DH is seeing it the same way (he's seeing dollar signs and a possibility of it being two more girls and having to live with a 5:1 ratio! )

Please feel free to chime in with anything else you think of! That's just all I can get my brain to shoot out now (it's still on pause mode in that moment when she said "TWO").

Thanks!!!

 

[mom2my2gr8kids]

First of all, I wanted to say Congratulations!!!

I don't have twins, but my dd and ds dance teacher does. I watch them for her when she works (other job). Anyway, she was not planning on having any and these are #5 and #6!!! Her oldest is turning 16 as the twins are turning 1!!!

She did have them 5 weeks early, but was having some other problems. I know another girl that had twins and went 39 weeks!

My advice about sleep .. sleep when they do! If you get lucky enough to get them to nap at the same time .. NAP!!!

I have to say I have enjoyed watching them grow this year. Although they are twins, they are very different! I love seeing the differences in them and how they are getting bigger and doing more and how they interact with each other!

Congrats again!!!

 

[teresajoy]

Congratulaions!!!!!

I have no experience with baby twins, but my Mom is a twin. And, my Grandma survived!

 

[zdesiree]

CONGRATULATIONS!! What an amazing journey... I can't answer any of your questions, but let me tell you that I have a friend that got pregnant three months after baby #4 was born, so everybody was in shock already because she was already starting baby #5. Later in the second sonogram like you, they found out that baby #5 was not alone, baby #6 was with her.

She went full term with the twins and natural birth.

 

[PrincessBride010103]

congratulations!!
I'm pregnant, but only with one, just wondering, is morning sickness double as bad with 2 little ones in there??

 

[tomboy_m]

Congrats....

My friends just had identical triplet girls (about a month ago) and they are surviving with lots of help from family and friends. Should have seen their faces for the first week after their ultrasound. lol

Good Luck

 

[Neesy228]

Congratulations!! I don't have twins myself, but my good friend just had a pair in March. I won't lie, she's got her hands full and she's tired. After a rocky two/three months, they've gotten into a routine and they're sleeping again (a little) and it's getting easier. She recruited a lot of family and friends to help her out early on - people to take her older DS to school and home, people to run for groceries once or twice a week, people to come over to watch the babies so she could sleep for an hour...it's worked and I think she's coming back to herself again. It's only the first few months that are really tough with any new baby - whether it's one or two!

You can do it! Stay positive, prepare your older kids to help (I took my DS's to a sibling preparation class at our hospital), and take it easy on yourself. No one is perfect....but love will get you a long way.

Congratulations again.

 

[momoffive]

Congratulations!! Having one baby is hard, and 2 a blessing!!! Get as much rest and drink plenty of water. A twin pregnancy can go to term, but everybody is different. Start rounding up your help, you will need it esp with 2 other children. Join a a local twins group during your pregnancy, don't wait until after, you have more time now and more questions now.

Again CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[2poohbears]

Congratulations!!! First, know that being shocked, excited, worried, fearful - are normal reactions to the news that you're having twins. I think I was dazed for weeks! Twins really are a blessing. It's amazing to watch these 2 little beings, who look alike, but are so completely different in so many ways - grow together every day.

My boys are identical twins, 4 years old now - and they are best friends. They fight, laugh, cry, help each other. They even had their own language when they were just starting to talk! It was fun to watch them crawl and roll all over each other as toddlers, and it's amazing to watch them help each other as pre-schoolers. When one feels sad, the other walks over and gives him a hug and asks "are you okay?" When someone picks on one, the other comes to his defense. Of course, you also have to watch them at mealtime because they'll steal dessert off each other's plates!

The first 3 months were the most difficult, without question. That's because you're feeding 2 babies every 3 hours, and you don't sleep much at all. My advice is to sleep when they sleep - day and night. Mine were in NICU because they were born at 32 weeks gestation (we had something called Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, which is very rare, and occurs in a small number of idential twin pregnancies). The NICU nurses put the boys on the same schedule, so it was an easy transition for feedings/sleep time when we got home. (They were in NICU for 3 1/2 weeks). I put them in separate cribs at home from the beginning, although I know some people put them together for months.

Full term for twins is generally 38 weeks, although some go to 39 and 40 weeks. I would recommend that you make sure your doctor has experience dealing with twin pregnancies, because you are automatically higher risk than a "singleton pregnancy".

As far as when to tell everyone it's twins - I would try to wait until the 3 month mark if you can. We were in such shock, and so excited (this was my only pregnancy) that we told everyone right away.

I won't lie - there are times when it is really hard. Every age seems to bring with it some new challenge. And when they are both in "temper tantrum" mode, it can be frustrating and embarassing. It can be hard to get shopping done when they are babies because you have a double stroller to push or half a basket full of babies, so not enough room for your purchases. But they are worth every minute of the hard work it takes to be a parent of twins. The good stuff far outweighs the bad. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[mistymouse5001]

There is not much difference between 3 and twenty. I promise. 4 is a good even number. My 2 made me crazy my 4 make me complete. Your going to have a great time! Use the epideral.

 

[MrsR]

So here's some of my things that I'd love to get feedback on from anyone with experience with twins.
1. How early did you deliver? I went full term with both DDs, but no I'm freaking out that I need to be concerned with these.
2. Is there a different "safe" point with two. Usually it's o.k. to starting announcing after 3 months...
3. Once they arrive, how and when did you sleep? Did you luck out an have two that are on the same schedule?
4. Tell me the best things about having twins! I can see a future of so many fun possibilities, but not sure DH is seeing it the same way (he's seeing dollar signs and a possibility of it being two more girls and having to live with a 5:1 ratio! )

Please feel free to chime in with anything else you think of! That's just all I can get my brain to shoot out now (it's still on pause mode in that moment when she said "TWO").

Thanks!!!

First off congrats!!
Twins are SOOOOO fun!
My girls Just turned 3 and i love being a twin Mom!
1-I delivered at 34 weeks, 3 days. I had incompetent cervix so i got a cerclage done and I had preterm labor at 25 weeks, so i was admitted to the hospital at 25 weeks on meds to stop contractions, I stayed on the hospital bed, never allowed up-not even to use the bathroom!!-untill 32 weeks. At 32 weeks I went home for 2 weeks, and at 34 weeks, 3 days they decided they wanted out so my OB GYN delivered two healthy babies thank God!

2-I also announced to most at the 3 month mark but close friends and our Moms, and close family members we told immediately!

3-My girls were preemies so we had to wake them to eat every 3 hrs. They were on the same schedule after that always. My husband helped me alot thank God!

4-The best thing about having twins? Everything! double the smiles, doubles the kisses, double the laughs, double the love! Yes it is HARD and ALOT of work, but worth every second. My girls are the best of friends, yes they fight sometimes but most times they are playing together and hugging and kissing each other. Makes my heart melt every time.

Oh and the attention you get with them is amazing. Everyone wants to see the twins and you get to meet such great people in the process.

I suggest 2 bouncy seats. They were my biggest help in taking a shower :lol: And the only other advice i can give is to try and see a high risk ob/gyn if possible. Twin pregnancies are much different than singleton (from what i see).
PM me with any questions or join a Moms site I post on. Lots of twin moms there. PM me if you want the website.

 

[RMulieri]

WHOA MOMMA!! Congrats!!! No advice for you since I only have DD4 at this point..Good luck.

 

[annie1995]

I have no advice for you, I've had all singletons before. But Congrats to your family!!!! HH9M!!

 

[dunbarfamily]

Ohhh, Congrats mama! Two babies, two blessings! What a great suprise! It sounds like its not what you planned on, but often the best gifts in life are the ones we weren't counting on.

I don't have twins, I don't think. (We don't have ultrasounds done, wouldn't change anything, so we don't bother with them!) We do have three other children plus this pregnancy. My SIL has twins, they are seven years old now. Fraternal boys. She delivered them naturally without pain relief in a regular hospital with a regular OB at 38 weeks. She was not induced. The babies were born about 8 minutes apart. She was never on bedrest, never had any complications. Both babies were about 7.5 pounds. She never viewed her pregnancy as "high risk" just because of having twins. Sometimes if you allow yourself a label, you will be subjected to lots of interventions, each one carrying a risk of another intervention and another and another, often creating a bad situation.

Anyways, congrats again! How exciting! Enjoy your pregnancy, make sure to take belly pictures for your scrapbook (or box of scraps, as I like to call our scrapbook. Its not quite done yet. Ok, I haven't even started it yet!)

 

[dunbarfamily]

Sheesh! I forgot that my cousin just had twins in December! They have a three year old, and 18 month old, and 5 month old identical twin boys! Four kids three and under! They don't bother with "getting them on a schedule" as they don't believe children should be scheduled. The twins aligned their sleep patterns with each other naturally. The babies slept next to each other in a crib for the first few months. As for the parents sleeping, they just sleep when the babies sleep. They both work full time and are blessed by a family that lives close by who can help out.

 

[HerdOHuds]

Congratulations!

I don't have any experience with twins. Since I had quads, it is a whole different world. But you should be prepared for the extra attention you will receive.

If you could get a dollar for everytime someone will say "You have your hands full!" the kids will have their college paid for by the second year! Most folks say nice things like, "What a blessing!" Or "Aren't they beautiful!" But sometimes people have left their brains at home and imply that having so many children or two at once or whatever is a curse.

We learned, if we wanted to get somewhere quickly, to never make eye contact and keep moving. Like I said, it will be different for you and you might enjoy the extra attention. If so, Great!

We did wait until 3 months to inform family that we were afraid couldn't keep the secret. Twin pregnancies carry risks that are not comparable to a single pregnancy. I knew I didn't want to have to go back later and tell everyone who knew that we had lost one or more of the babies. So we kept it to just a few friends.

When we did tell my parents, DH handed my dad 4 cigars. Then we pulled out a film of the US. We needed proof. My dad was classic. Flabbergasted and amazed. Then happy. My mom, not so much. More scared and worried.

Having more than one child at a time, like everyone else has said, has its challenges. But it is also so much more joyful. I think the stress can help you slow down the special moments a bit and appreciate the beauty of 2 sleeping babies. Or 2 giggles. Or 2 smiles. And when they hug each other or bring the other a toy because one is upset, Ahhhhhhh!

 

[Disney Ella]

Congratulations! Life with twins is fun and tiring those first few years.

In order to get any sleep, we put ours on the same schedule. When one woke up, I'd wake the other one and feed her too. Luckily mine started sleeping throught the night at 10 weeks, one week before I went back to work.

The plan that DH and I agreed upon was to tell people at three months; however, once he found out there were twins, he told everyone on the east coast right then.

I had a Beta Strep infection and had contractions at five months and was on partial bed rest and then full bed rest. The twins were born at 35 1/2 weeks and weighed 5 pound 9 ounces and 5 pounds 11 ounces. They were in the hospital for four days, but only because one was jaundiced.

You will get a lot of attention pushing that double stroller! Older women were particularly interested if I used fertility drugs. (No, but kind of a rude question I thought.)

Take a lot of pictures so that you can remember how cute the two of them were when they were babies. My twins are identical, but DH and I have always been able to tell them apart, except when they have wet hair, for some reason that makes it harder.

I think having separate identities is important so that they're not always known as one of the twins. We separated them in first grade, and although the first few days were a little rough, they tell me now they're glad we did it. They like having a place to go where they are known just for themselves and not as half of a set.

 

[snickerboo]

LOL Congratulations on your double bundles of joy. I'm sur eit'll be hard work but you'll get double the toothless grins and double the cuddles and double the "I wuv you"s.

BTW: I always say that God sends multiples to those special people that He knows can handle them

 

[2poohbears]

As others mentioned, you will have to prepare yourself for extra attention when they are born. You'll never be "anonymous" in public again. I had to allow myself an extra hour every time I left the house with them. Many people get really excited, and think they are cute, so they stop to talk and look at them. Be prepared for them reaching in to touch, too. Mine were preemies, so this was a "no no"...I just was always ready to gently knock away a hand and say "i'm sorry. they are preemies, and we have to be careful about hand washing." most people understand. I used to call it my "ninja move". You'll also hear all about their sister/friend/cousin who has twins, too. Sometimes, if you're in a hurry, the "no eye contact" rule someone else mentioned comes in really handy. It doesn't always work, though.

Also, prepare yourself for rude comments. I remember finally dragging myself to the mall one morning just because I really needed to get out of the house. I was so tired, but I needed to be outside, and around other adults. I had the double stroller with the kiddos in their attached carriers - they must have been around 6 months old. I overheard a lady, very snidely say "How would you like to be HER?!" It was so cold, and mean. At the time, I was so tired, self-conscious, and new to being a mommy (much less one with twins) I felt the tears start to come, and I left. I just had a weak moment, KWIM? Anyway, after much thought I realized that woman will never know the joy I am experiencing, and maybe that's because she isn't someone who could handle all that comes along with it. So sorry for HER. I've also been asked (by strangers) if I used "fertility" drugs. How rude! I didn't - but it's no one's business, especially a stranger. Just prepare yourself for those kinds of things --- it was shocking for me because I never knew anyone who had twins.

Most of the attention you'll get is very positive, so don't stress about it. Just know you may get a few meanies.

I remember a funny comment I read on a blog once. A dad was getting tired of the inevitable "oh! are they TWINS?!" So, the next time someone said it, he answered "NO! They're triplets, but somebody had to stay home to watch the dog!" duh! He said the person looked puzzled for a minute, then smiled.

 

[hmdavid]

Congrats!!! I remember when we found out we were having twins. The Dr. was counting one... two... and my husband was like two arms, two legs?!! It was quite a shock to us! They are now 6 years old and we have survived and even had another after!!!

First, the broad spectrum of emotions that you will experience is completely normal. I remember being TERRIFIED at the thought of having two babies at once. As if I wasn't already emotional enough, all I could think about is how hard I though t it would be and would start crying! Little did I know that having two is actually easier once they are old enough to entertain each other.

My best advice is to get them on a schedule as early as possible. My husband is in the military and was deployed when our girls were born. I was on my own, livivng in Germany with two babies. I learned very early that if one woke, I should wake the other to feed. After a couple of weeks they were waking on their own at the same time, and by 8 weeks they were sleeping from 9 pm - 9 am.

My college roommate also has twins, and she did not oleave the house without assitatnce until they were nearly a year old. I did not have a choice, but I really think that the sooner you get out of the house alone with them, the better you will be. It is definitely not easy toting around two carseats. I used my stroller whenever possible. Be prepared for LOTS of attention when you leave the house. People are so in awe of multiples and you will be stopped everywhere you go!

Also, I let them sleep in the same crib until they were old enough to roll. I think it was comforting to them to feel each others presence.

As they get older, bouncy seats and exersaucers will be your best friend. Do not be afraid of them! With two infants, you really don't have a choice.

Oh, I almost forgot... I delivered at 36 weeks on the nose. My husband was home on emergency leave for two weeks and was there because the Dr said on a Thursday that the babies would be here before the weekend. He arrived early Saturday, we spent the day wandering our German city hoping to speed things along. The following Wednesday she was finally going to induce me, but my water broke in the elevator at the hospital!!! Three hours later we had two babies in an Army hospital without a nursery! They were placed in our care without an owners manual and we were checked on every few hours.....aaaaghhhhh! They did not even have a place for my husband to sleep, he had to go home to get a sleeping bag!

I wish you the best of luck. Enjoy the miracle that is multiples and be prepared for LOTS of attention!