Hi all -
I am in complete shock. I just got home from my first sonogram (approximately 12 weeks along) and found out I am having TWINS!!!! Have no twins in my family or my husband's family and was not taking any fertility medication....obviously there is always a chance but WOW! I have so many questions and thoughts going through my head - they are identical twins so they are high risk - I am so scared - my first two children were delivered vaginally - what are the chances I can have another vaginal birth? will I be put on bed rest? can I breastfeed twins? what is the survival rate for identical twins? Please share your experiences, advice, insights, and positive vibes. I am one scared mommy!
Re: In SHOCK!! I have a 3 yr old and 1.5 yr old and just found out I am having twins!!
I don't have a lot of experience as we are only 17w2d with fraternal but we had discussed certain things with our doctor.
As far as my doctors office is concerned, they do not let twins go much past 38 weeks so we have a due date of 38w2d due to us technically being due on a Saturday. We were also told most non complicated twins pregnancies with healthy women should not expect any bed rest, even towards the very end. She also explained I could only deliver vaginally if Baby A, the closest to the cervix, had their head down and in position. If not, both will be taken c section as they don't like to take any chances. I will also be going in twice a week for ultrasounds at the end, to watch their positioning. I have read but have to yet confirm with our doctor, that multiples are normally born in an operating room vs a delivery room in case something happens and you cannot deliver both vaginally. Also, she told me that breastfeeding shouldn't be a problem.
Sorry if that isn't as helpful as you hoped. It's a lot to take in, there being two! We've known since before 6 weeks so it's all settled into our brains finally. Good luck on your journey.
You probably won't be put on bed rest, studies seem to show that it doesn't help too much except in certain situations. So I wouldn't expect it, just know that it is always a possibility.
Yes, you can breastfeed twins...you can do one after the other or do both at the same time (tandem). I've read tandem is easier, else you'll spend all your time with one baby latched on because by the time you finish, the other will be hungry too! We are going to do formula since my husband will be the primary caregiver and I want it to be just as easy for either one of us to feed the twins.
You'll be fine! Pick up a few books. I've read What to Do When You're Having Two and it was a good resource.
Sometimes twins just happen! First pregnancy, no family history, no fertility drugs here!
I have identical twins and it is so fun!! I had some complications, but was not put on bed rest and they were born vaginally!
You can probably expect to be put on an extreme amount of different vitamins! Especially since you will need to over-provide because your babies are sharing everything and you don't want one to get more than the other!
Lastly, congratulations!! This is what happened to me and my husband! No history of twins and no fertility treatments, but here we are pregnant with two beautiful boys! We looked it up, and there is only a 3% chance of that happening!! (So go buy your lotto tickets now lol)
It will be a journey, that's for sure! But all pregnancies are!
Good luck to you and your sweet babies!
I will say the first two weeks have been challenging. I have a 2.5year old but thankfully have help of my mom every day.
Yep, still in a lot of shock and wondering how I am going to deal with this.
I've been looking into "mothers of multiples" support groups in my area. It looks like there are a few, so I recommend that so far!
I had a completely natural vaginal birth, though! It was awesome!! I also breast fed them (no bottles and never an ounce of formula!) until now (they are two and two months) and we are almost done weaning. It's totally possible!!
It was very hard at times especially because they had food allergies but we're doing awesome now and I've grown so much as a person and a mother. You'll do great!!
(I'm secretly hoping for twins a little bit this pregnancy as well!)
Did they check your cervix length?