OMG- there are two on that ultrasound!

[Fall1]

YEAH, YEAH!! Congrats on your upcoming twins!!

My twins will be turning 1 in 2 weeks and it's just amazing! I love that they have each other and it's just so fun!

Here's my try to answer your questions:
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.

I delivered at 36 weeks and 2 days. My Dr. ideally wanted me to get to at least 34 weeks.

2. Is there a different "safe" point with two. Usually it's o.k. to starting announcing after 3 months...

We started telling at 12 weeks, per my Doctor's advice.

3. Once they arrive, how and when did you sleep? Did you luck out an have two that are on the same schedule?

The best advice I got and followed to a T, is when 1 baby is hungry or wakes to feed, you wake the other baby up and feed them too. We always feed them at the same time and they always go down for naps and bed at the same time too.

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! )

I just love having twins. I think it's great that they have each other to play with since day 1. They are amazing! Congratulations and Good Luck!

 

[iReverb]

Best pregnancy advice: Eat. Let the babies gain as much weight as possible. The more their birth weight, the better they will sleep. Trust me. Also, relax. Fear is normal and expected, but try to rest, be calm, and enjoy all this attention. Because one they are born, the attention goes from YOU, YOU, YOU to THEM, THEM, THEM.

Best newborn twin advice: Have a sense of humor. When they are both screaming at the same time and you are running frantically around the house trying to prepare bottles, or what have you -- Remember those are scenes straight out of a sit com, so be sure to take it all in stride. Those screams and cries will turn into giggles and non-stop talking soon enough!

Also, if someone offers to help you in anyway, accept that help!

Most importantly: Babies are resilient. No baby has ever died from crying. All babies cry and you will have your nerves tested to the furthest reaches of the universe. But remember that they are resilient and they grow up fast, so cherish every single moment. Even if it's amidst screaming and crying.

Best wishes to you for an uneventful pregnancy!

Stacy, Mom to ID twin girls, age 6

 

[disneymomoftwins]

Twins are great!!
Ours are 11 years old boy/girl. I never had morning sickness or any problems (just happy to be pregnant!) until I kept going into labor. They were born at 33 weeks and stayed in NICU for 3 weeks. They weighed 3 lbs 6 oz each and only had to stay in NICU to gain weight. They came home on heart monitors which gave us a piece of mind, but they were really bulky to go out with. They arent anything alike. One has brown hair and the other blonde. We intentionally didnt name them alike and did not dress them alike. We asked our families to not call them the twins. They are the most wonderful kids on the earth!! The funniest thing we were asked was "Are they identical?" (they are boy/girl).
My best advice is to be very organized, write down everything! We had a notebook where we wrote down date and time they pooped, ate, took medicine (we still have that notebook). It is very easy to forget which one did what and when. I read a lot of stuff on twins that helped me to understand things that were going to happen in the future.
Most of all just thank God for blessing you!

 

[Alison_in_Wonderland]

We have 2 year old twin boys (fraternal!) Welcome to twin mommyhood - it is a blast (and sometimes exhausting!)

1. How early did you deliver? Delivered at 37wks+1 day due to scheduled c-section (baby a was breech.) I had a very uncomplicated pregnancy (more so than many of my friends pregnant with singletons) and worked up till the day before I delivered.
2. Is there a different "safe" point with two.We waited till we were 12 weeks.
3. Once they arrive, how and when did you sleep? Did you luck out an have two that are on the same schedule? We got them on the same schedule while still in the hospital (eating every 3 hours.) We did have more problems getting them on the same sleeping schedule - but once they got to about 4 months we got them on a good napping/bed schedule. As for the early days, they ate at 12.3.6.9 We'd stay up for the midnight feeding, do it and then go to bed. We'd have to get up once at 3 but when you got up at 6 at least the sun was up and it didn't feel so horrible. Since these were the only kids, I was able to go back to sleep till the 9am feeding.
4. Tell me the best things about having twins! I love to see them interact. I love how different they are despite being twins. I love all of the smiles, hugs, kisses. I love being able to shop for their clothes at the parents of multiples sale . I love that having twins makes me feel like I can do anything.

 

[dougsmom98]

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! )

Congratulations. I delivered a month early with twins and was on bed rest for 8 weeks prior to that. I have an abnormal uterus though so that had a lot to do with the early delivery.

I do not think there is a different safe point with two compared to one, but I never felt I was good to go with any of my pregnancies until I was 26 weeks or so because at that point the babies can survive. I didn't tell friends and family about my pregnancies, but I kind of wish I had. In two out of three of my pregnancies, I thought I was having a miscarriage at 9-10 weeks. It was harder to explain to people why I had to go to the hospital when they had no idea I was pregnant.

When we brought the twins home, we did not sleep much. To be quite honest the first year really stunk and there is not a lot I remember because I was walking around in a daze. After 11 months with no sleep, my DH and I got a back bone and let the twins cry it out for one night and they slept through the night every night after that. Before that, when we did have to get up in the night before they slept through the night though, if I got up for one - I woke the other one up to get it over with and try to get them on the same schedule.

The best thing about twins is how close they are. All my kids really love each other, but there is that special bond between the twins. You will never laugh as much in your life as you will when you see your twins interacting when they are small. It is just too cute. My twins didn't speak our language until they were 2.5. They had their own twin language that sounded like Chinese. It was so hilarious.

Having the twins created a turning point in my relationship with my DH. He was always a good husband and a good father but I did most of the housework and the parenting. He played with the kids but didn't get up with them at night or early in the morning. Twins forced us to learn how to be efficient and parenting became more of a partnership. We had to develop more trust with one another and we learned to prioritize our lives. All of this has made our relationship stronger.

 

[dfaust2007]

Congratulations!!!!!!

Wow, reading all the posts has really brought back some memories! We had our identical girls 10 1/2 months after having our son. Three kiddos in 1 year!

My girls are 4.5 years old now and all I have to say is that the first 2.5 years are a blur now! When I stop and think about it, I remember that, yes, it was difficult at times. I don't know what I would've done without DH!!!

DD's were premies also - born at 31.5 weeks. One weighed 3.5 lbs and the other 3 lbs. They spent 4 weeks in NICU and were on heart monitors for their first 5 months. I don't remember waking up at night because someone was crying. I remember flying out of bed at the sound of one of the monitors going off!

I don't want to scare you - being a parent of twins is truly amazing! In some respects it's actually easier than having just one!!! My three are VERY close and get along great. They always have playmates!

DD's still sleep in the same bed, with DS in there too sometimes. It's so funny to see them asleep in the morning - all piled on top of each other! I can't help but think that this is all the girls have ever known - to sleep on top of each other!!

Anyway, as you can see from all the posts - we've all made it just fine and you will too! Good luck!

 

[dfaust2007]

I almost forgot...when it comes time to start shopping for baby clothes, be sure to ask about twin discounts! Some stores will give you a discount on the second outfit, etc.

Oshkosh is great about this! We've gotten some great deals by shopping at outlet stores, getting discounted prices, then getting the twin discount on top of that!! It never hurts to ask!

 

[gottalovethem]

Congratulations! Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy.

 

[GoofyFairie]

Relax. I know it is overwhelming, but God doesn't make mistakes. You were choosen for a reason. God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. Start planning and reading now. Get organized and get your babies on a schedule. Ask for help and sleep when ever you can. Congratulations!

 

[Gokstate]

Congrats! No advice but I'm also pregnant with #3 (and only #3)! We must have close due dates - I'm due Christmas Eve!

Good luck - it will be an adventure but I bet it will be a blast!

 

[SylviaL]

I know a few people with twins who got night nannies for a few nights a week in the beginning. You might want to look into that.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Can't offer you any advice when it comes to twins but just wanted to say--

Congratulations ​

 

[DVCsince02]

Congratulations and come visit us on the "Moms To Be" thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1699161&page=57

 

[dato63]

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!!!

I have twin girls.

I went to 37 weeks. I didn't go into labor at that time, but was having trouble breathing due to where they were pressing on me. So we induced. The warned me that with multiples you often don't make it past 32 weeks.

We did announce at 3 months - just like with singles.

We had a feeding issue with our girls - they had bad reflux and couldn't be laid flat for the first 6 months. So we slept in shifts. When we got home from work I went straight to bed, then at midnight I got up & my husband went to bed. Then we were both up at 6:00 to get ready for work. But they outgrew it by 6 months of age. Sleep was honestly hard at the time - but we got through it. And every child is different - you may be blessed with good eaters/sleepers. Their schedule was pretty close together. That was nice, but it made it harder to cuddle/feed each one.

What has been nice is that they have a built in playmate. We do not have any other children together. My favorite twin story happened when they were a little over a year old. They weren't talking yet, but were running around getting into everything. One day we watched as they ran over to the dining room table, one got down on all 4s, the other climbed up on her back and grabbed a box of crackers off the table. Then they both took off running & giggling down the hallway. We were amazed, they couldn't have communicated this - as they didn't talk. . but it was well played out.

I don't know where you live - but you might do a search of Mother's of Multiples. There are groups all around the country. They have monthly meetings to help new moms, even have garage sales where you can buy things slightly used at a discount. Some even arrange for meals & help for you for after the babies come home.

When I first found out I freaked a little. But now the girls are nearly 5 years old and I just can't imagine it any other way. I've been on this board to plan our first trip to WDW, to celebrate their 5th birthday.

Like other posters have shared - you do get a lot of attention when you have multiples. People want to see them, point & whisper "look twins" when they see them. Sometimes it is hard as people ask questions that really are personal and out of line. . . or make comments "man, I would hate to be you", etc. Just be ready - people do not think. It really is a blessing.

Congratulations!! You've been doubly blessed.

 

[**eeyore**]

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!

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! )

What wonderful news! I have 3 yo Twin DD's - it's the most empowering thing I've done so far in my life! You are asking great questions - I'll give you my experience on them...
1. I delivered via emergency C-section at 32 weeks. Went into early labor - didn't realize it until I was dialated 7 cm -too late to stop! We were very blessed - our DD's were very healthy - spent 18 expensive days in the NICU, but then came home and have not dealt with any common "premie issues since". I had a "text book" pregnancy up until that night - even by OB was shocked when it happened. It was my first pregnancy, though, so I think I just really didn't know what it expect labor would feel like. Be very aware of preterm labor!
2. I'm the wrong person to ask - we told everyone and their brother when I was 2 months along. Looking back, I wish I could have been a little more patient and told people later, but once again, we were fortunate that everything worked out okay. I had, and I heard other moms with twins have experienced, more spotting than usual in the first trimester - don't be alarmed if you experience it - it is more common with twin pregnancies. Of course, call your doctor to report it and see if they want to see you.
3. For the 1st 3 months, we were on a 3 hour schedule - DD's were eating every 3 hours. Unfortunately not much sleep, but my husband helped out alot. We didn't get a lot of help from friends and family - this was one of those "empowering" experiences - somehow you find the strength in yourself to do what is necessary I would suggest "forcing" your twins into a schedule. I would venture to guess that very few people "luck out and have twins that are on the same schedule" - those that end up on the same schedule most likely "learn" it. I think being in the NICU pretty much started this pattern - there, they are on a strict schedule and everything is documented. Even at night, we set the alarm clock to get up every 3 hours - even woke the girls up if they were asleep. Pretty much, woke up the babies, changed diapers, fed and put back to sleep - no fun and games at night - just the necesseties. It is amazing how quickly little ones get used to a schedule. It is my #1 suggestion to mothers of multiples.
4. I am loving being a mother of twins more and more each day - it is great to see how they play together - I truly believe they will have a bond forever that most of us cannot fully understand. It is a true blessing to be a parent of twins and to be a twin!

I wish you the very best!

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

WOW-
Thank you so much everyone for the well wishes and great stories and ideas! I am tearing up at some of the stories about seeing your twins play together or talk in their little lanquages or snuggled up together. These are some of the first things I thought about as something special you can only experience having multiples. While I am still FREAKED out, I am screaming inside with the thought of having not just one, but two more little ones to squeeze and love.

I feel very "tired" or afraid of being tired because I already have two DDs, but at the same time, I know how to do the schedule thing with one and just hope I can stick to it with two! Though I'm "older", hopefully I am "wiser" than I would have been had this happened with my first pregnancy. I am also very lucky that DH was great with both DDs and always took one of the night shifts. I usually did the 9:00 and 12:00 p.m. shifts and he'd go to sleep. He'd do the 3:00 a.m. since he was used to getting up at 4:00 anyway to work out. Though, I have to say now, we are so busy and exhausted these days that he hasn't worked out in a while! I'll have to start pushing that "honey, take some time for yourself and work-out" so he'll get motivated by January to make it an a.m. routine again!

I think my main thing right now is that I will deliver early or have complications. I have an abnormal uterus situation (sorry- that may be more info than you wanted), but I did manage to go full term with both DDs. I had planned C-sections due to my situation, so I'm not sure I'd even know what early labor felt like. I am just worried that having two in there will make it not be as "normal."

I am also stressing because of my job situation- I run a dance studio and have this little thing my sister (and co-owner) likes to refer to as "control issues!" With other DDs I worked until the day before and only took off two weeks after delivery before heading back to work a couple nights a week. The possibility of delivering early and not "on schedule" is really not a concept I can easily understand- but maybe that's part of the "plan"- to make me re-prioritize and settle down a little!

We have told our immediate families. We are the only ones of our siblings that have kids so as far as our parents go, they're all just happy to be getting more grandkids! It was really fun telling my dad today- he was so excited! And I'm sure my mom is already out shopping! I haven't told my DDs yet though- I'm just afraid that if something did happen in the next month, they might not understand. I don't know how long I can wait though- it's killing me!! We wanted to tell them at the end of the first trimester which also coincides with our upcoming trip, but I think I'll be lucky to last past next week!

Well, again, thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts and for listening to me ramble as I try to sort all this out in my head! I too believe that everything happens for a reason and you're never given more than you can handle....I'm just honestly surprised that someone up there thinks I can handle four kids!

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

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

Congrats to you too!

It's bad- it's actually not morning sickness, it's all day and night sickness, but I'm not sure it's escalated due to having two. It might just be me....I didn't have any with DD7 and had it in the a.m. for about 2 months with DD3, so I think it's just getting worse with each pregnancy.

 

[littleteapot]

My twins are 8 years old today!


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.
37 weeks...they were 5 and 7 lbs. I had them by C-section and they were BY FAR my easiest birth/recovery

2. Is there a different "safe" point with two. Usually it's o.k. to starting announcing after 3 months

We always announced after 3 months. I found out they were twins at 5 months

3. Once they arrive, how and when did you sleep? Did you luck out an have two that are on the same schedule?

We put our house on the market and started a new one when we found out. So, we were staying with my mom for the first 6 wks until the house was finished. She helped me at night so dh could sleep for work. I breast fed my son and pumped for my daughter every feeding (she never got the hang of breast feeding, but always had breast milk). By the time we moved into the house I could get 2-3 hours of sleep at a time.

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! )

My twins are B/G, you would never know which two kids are the twins as my son is still much bigger than my daughter. He is the same size (a little bigger really) than his 10 year old brother. The best thing about twins is that my kids are all really close together and have a whole lot in common. They all really get along well and enjoy each other!

Maybe the best thing is they all love Disney and love many of the same things.

Congratulations!!!!

 

[Jen414]

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!!!

Congratulations!!!

1. I delivered at 37w1d. My water broke in the middle of the night. I know that happened as a result of falling on my tailbone earlier in the day. I think I could've made it longer.

2. I think telling people is dependant on your comfort zone. We had thought we were having one and told people around 12 weeks. We found out at our first ultrasound at 18 weeks that there were two. Actually, I was by myself. I had left school and went back in pretty much a complete state of shock. I had only gained about 5 pounds at that point and was still in regular clothes.

3. Sleep when they sleep. I don't think anyone "lucks out" and has two that start on the same schedule. My philosophy was, "I'm the adult and I'm in charge." There was no way I was letting 2 little peanuts completely dictate the schedule. I did that the first 2 or 3 nights. Guess who got absolutely no sleep? Me!!!! I quickly put them on the same schedule and they still are on the exact same schedule to this day and they're 5. They initially slept together in a bassinet next to me and then they slept in one crib until they were 16 months. I swear that co-bedding made them better sleepers. By 4 1/2 months, they were sleeping 12 hours at a time.

4. The best thing about having twins is watching them interact with one another. They are best friends (and occassionally worst enemies.) They watch out for eachother and it's just the most amazing relationship to watch.

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

I think every pregnancy is different. Mine was unbelievably easy and I had no morning sickness or back pain or anything, really.

I almost forgot...when it comes time to start shopping for baby clothes, be sure to ask about twin discounts! Some stores will give you a discount on the second outfit, etc.

Oshkosh is great about this! We've gotten some great deals by shopping at outlet stores, getting discounted prices, then getting the twin discount on top of that!! It never hurts to ask!

Babies R Us gives a 20% discount for twins on big ticket items when you buy 2--cribs, car seats, swings, etc.

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

Congratulations!!!!! Did I miss where you said if they were identical or fraternal?

I don't have any experience about carrying/delivering twins. However, I have an identical twin sister and we are mirror twins. My parents decided to give us very different names because they wanted create some individuality for each of us.

My parents said just recently that they still get a bit nervous when they see the two of us whispering (and we are in our 30s).

From what I hear, the first months are a little harried, but after that, things get much better.

So, get ready to have some fun...