Return of QOTD: If I had it to do over....

AlishaMay

Hi Ladies - We had some internet issues, but I'm back up and running now, so here goes..

QOTD: Looking back on getting ready for your multiples, finish this statement.  If I had it to do over, I?d.... 

If I had it to do over, I would have returned a lot more of the newborn clothes that we got at the showers, and exchanged them for bigger sizes, or other things we needed.  I'm sure the gift givers of all of these adorable outfits I have in my outgrown bin, intended for them to be worn more than once, or in some cases worn at all.

jennie13

stock my freezer with more food.

not wait til the one month checkup before talking to our pedi about the girls' constant crying and maybe we could have had them on meds sooner.   

kimarino13

I wouldn't have bought so many clothes ahead of time.  I found that my "style" changed as the months went on, and by 6 months, I hated onesies and wanted them in "regular" clothes.

smeyer

I would have: made more freezeable meals ahead of time, slowly stocked up on diapers, and done professional maternity pictures.

benkari

I would have done maternity pictures and returned clothes for bigger sizes.  The boys grew so quick they hardly got any use out of their NB stuff.

leslie13510

Umm... the only thing I can think of is that I would have had maternity pictures done.  I'm not sure when since I was on so much bedrest, especially towards the end, but I would have tried harder to find the time and money to do them. 

Temp159135562506975

i would have done more things that needed to be done before they came- b/c now they will never get done - ie) making up to date photobooks... i got so behind after Griffin turned 2 - and have not kept up at all... it sucks.

other than that - i really wouldn't change a thing.

gumiberg

i'd take more video footage. 

back then, i didnt have a smartphone like i do now so it was a PITA to take video and take it off the camera, bla bla bla.  but now i wish i did.

other than that, not a thing! 

lgurian

i would have gotten newborn photos done. and taken more pictures in general. i felt like i was taking a ton, but looking back i dont feel like i have that many.

ardilla

I'd have had DH assemble the PNPs before bringing them home from the hospital, as we used the bassinets and changing tables in them a TON (PNPs downstairs, cribs/nursery upstairs).

I'd have had professional maternity pics taken, as we probably will not have any more children.

 I'd have been more consistent even taking belly pics at home!

I'd not have spent the money on (and time agonizing over) decorative crib bumpers, quilts, matching sheets, etc.  We switched over to breathable bumpers quickly, the sheets that matched the set weren't as good of quality as what we could buy individually, and the quilts wound up hung on the wall.

Most of all, I'd have taken it easier around the holidays.  I pushed myself WAY too hard between work, decorating, shopping, gifts, company, etc.  I had just gotten the last guests out the door when I went into PTL at 22w1d on January 3 and wound up in the hospital for 7 weeks and total bedrest for 14.  I'd probably have had PTL issues anyway......but I wonder if they'd have been as severe/continuing/early!

robinsokj

I would have taken more me time. 

#6

I would have done more research!  I didnt know anything about multiples other than id was 1 egg split and fraternal was 2 eggs, how high risk a multiple pg is, or all the more technical types of twins.  (momo, mo-di, di-di)  I feel if I knew more and was more educated about them I would have had a better understanding as to why I was treated as such a high risk.  L was only 4 months when we go pg so I was already a high risk from day 1.  Then we found out it was twins at 9wks so was even higher risk.  Then my dr became more worried when he realized they were MoMo twins.  I was seen biweekly from 11wks - 20wks and an U/S biweekly as well.  From 20wks until delivery I was seen weekly with a weekly U/S.    

At the time I was young  (22), naive and believed everything I was told.  My dr didnt explain things and I feel its because I didnt ask.  I didnt know what to ask.  He said things were fine so I believed him.  Only after this board was created did I realize how risky a MoMo twin pg is.  I kept hearing him say the term but didnt know what it meant.  I did ask him and he just explained what it was but not the risks involved.  I guess he was trying to keep me from stressing out and worrying about it.   

I also wish I would have had nb pics taken and then a family shoot with all 5 of us.  That would have been one crazy picture!  2 nbs and a 1yr old.  

 

kaiteedidit

I would have bought more clothes in bigger sizes. I also wish I took more belly pictures towards the end. Everytime I took one I deleted it because I looked huge, now I wish I could see how big my belly really was. I wish we would have taken note pictures and video at the hospital.

jbl126

I would have stopped working sooner.  I had planned to go out at 34 weeks but never made it since I went into PTL. 

Looking back now, I dont think my OB took good enough care of me considering I was carrying multiples.  I wish I found this board while I was pregnant and would have done more research about carrying multiples.

LakeGenevaBride

1.  I agree with pp about the clothes - I had way too many 0-3 clothes, most of them were only worn once or not at all.  And the bigger clothes I bought ahead of time/or given to me at showers are either the wrong season or not what I like to dress them in.   When they were nb I loved pjs and clothes with snaps all the way up so I didn't have to put clothes over their heads.  Now I hate snaps b/c they are a pain.  So bottom line, don't buy too many clothes ahead of time, there are always sales and deals. 

 2.  I wished we would have assembled the swings and bouncers ahead of time and had enough batteries.  I'm glad we invested in rechargeable batteries though.

3.  I wished I wouldn't have beaten myself up about not ebfing.  I bought all the nursing clothes, pillows, etc.  I was hell bent that it was going to work for me.  It didn't.   I did EVERYTHING possible to increase my supply (fenugreek, lactation consultants, reglan, pumping around the clock).  I was miserable for the first 12 weeks until I quit the nursing, supplementing, pumping routine and did only formula.   

4.  I spent way too much time designing the perfect nursery and reading all about twin pregnancy.  I should have spent more time actually preparing for newborns and how to take care of them.  

srh08.05.06

I wish I knew more about the risks of a multiple pregnancy early on.  I did a ton of Christmas shopping less than a week before my 20 week ultrasound.  I was on my feet all day and was really sore after.  I'm not sure that had any effect, but I found out at my 20w u/s that my cervix was shortening and funneling.  I didn't even know what that meant!  Once that happened, I started reading up a lot more on the internet and in books about all the risks, taking it easy, etc.  I always wonder if I took it more easy at the beginning if I would have still had problems with my cervix and PTL.

amanda31H

I would have taken pictures of me with the girls in the hospital, and at home for the first few weeks.

I felt so gross, puffy, fat, etc. that I wouldn't let anyone take pictures of me, and now I feel like I won't be able to show my girls pictures of me with them, which I'm sure they'll want.

vlahop

I just wanted to thank you for posting this!  I loved reading your responses.  I too felt the same way about NB clothes with DD, but I thought it would be different with the twins because they would be born smaller.  Good to know!   I could not agree more with the pictures too.  I also tried to duck out of pictures the first few days and I wish I had not.

jenn2929

Been better about staying on (modified) bedrest, drank more water and slept more while I was on it.  Getting out of bed to do stuff around the house didn't cause the kids to come early, but it would have been better for me to stay off my feet more.

kelliwill

Would have taken maternity photos, would have spent less time preping their room etc and more time reading about how to care for newborns and what to expect in the hospital, not had as many preemie clothes, had professional newborn photos taken.