Hey ladies! I'm sorry I've been MIA from TB for the last 3 weeks. I've been checking in with the FB group periodically, but I just couldn't be bothered to deal with mobile bumping or the super slowness of the site on my laptop. Those of you on FB know this already, but I had my babies on November 10, at 33w6d, so they both had to stay in the NICU for a couple of weeks. Our girl, Elliana, was discharged the day before Thanksgiving, and our boy, Evan, was discharged this past Sunday. The NICU stay was pretty tough, but we are just so overjoyed to have them home now and healthy as can be. Below is a photo of them I took yesterday with Ellie on the left and Evan on the right
Congrats @stella_700 and @leilagphillips! Those are beautiful babies! I agree with @stella_700. We have the greatest gift of all. My baby girl finally came home from the NICU after 2 weeks. It was so hard to be away from her and I'm exhausted from running back and forth to the hospital and caring for my baby boy.
@clovelyone Having one baby in the NICU and the other at home was definitely both physically and emotionally exhausting. I'm so glad you have both your babies home with you now!
Thanks, @leilagphillips@breezybee! It's not easy with two, but at least my SO really does his share. It will definitely be challenging once he goes back to work (nights) on Wed. I should have ordered my Twin Z breastfeeding pillow a long time ago so I can tandem feed. I'm currently pumping and try to get them to latch, but that pillow is helpful for tandem bottle feeding too. I guess I'll need to come up with something creative until it gets here. I'm glad we have absolutely nothing to do today! No NICU, no appointments or anything.
@clovelyone My DH goes back to work tomorrow and I'm also nervous about it. My mom will be here some days the first couple of weeks that he's back though, so hopefully, that will help me transition. I can see from my Amazon thank you list that my work colleagues bought me the Twin Z, so I'm hoping they'll have it sent directly to me rather than wait to give it to me. I'm also exclusively pumping right now and just working on latch with my babies, but they don't get any nutrition that way (and I'm fortifying my pumped breast milk with Neosure to increase the calories). I hadn't thought of using the Twin Z for tandem bottle feeding, so thanks for the idea!
@breezybee Having them both home is tiring, but wonderful. It's amazing seeing how much they change and grow every day!
@leilagphillips You're welcome! My parents will come over during the day and early evening and my SO said his mom come stay the night a few nights a week. Those will definitely help, but I'm still going to worry LOL. I'm also pumping and fortifying for my baby girl and trying to latch with both. The nipple shields help a lot. Also, I agree with you about watching them grow. I'm so in love and still can't believe that they're mine.
The twin z pillow is how I survived for months! I put the pillow on the couch, put the babies in it and then sat on a stool to feed them! It worked the best for me! As they got a little older I rolled some towels to prop the bottles up. Once they got a little bigger and started moving more, I used to infant chairs/rockers. I highly recommend the baby Bjorn rocker as well. I only had one and wished I had two!
@clovelyone and @leilagphillips the two on one can be hard but it is totally doable. I would say the hardest part for me was having to be OK/letting one baby cry while I was dealing with the other. They will be ok but sometimes you just need to finish with one before you can address the needs of the other.
I am so happy for all the twin moms who have had their babies and that they are all home now. Twins though exhausting are such a blessing. mine are still so bonded. At first I wasn't sure if they cared about each other but then I started noticing that we would put them down in the bassinet on opposite sides and every time they would find their way next to one another. It all goes by in a blur of feedings, changings, and attempted naps, try to soak in those moments.
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
I’m glad you’ll have some help from your mom @leilagphillips Hang in there you guys! I’m happy to hear that you’re all loving these early days - it gives me something to look forward to
Thanks @tmk0325 and @wabash15! So far it's not so bad with my MIL here, but she won't be here every day. I'm sure I'll be exhausted, but I'll make it work when she isn't here. One more question, if you can't tandem feed, do you feed and burp one then the other or feed both then burp both?
Thanks @wabash15 although, our hospital just told me to not expect any calls for me to come in until 4pm. So now I’m just sitting around, anxiously waiting. I’m ready to get this show on the road!
How are you mamas doing? @wabash15 hows the pregnancy? Still hanging in there? AFM, I’m on day 5 of being a twin mom and loving it so much. It’s literally THE HARDEST thing I’ve ever done, but it’s true, you wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m finally getting a few hours of sleep here and there when they sleep - it was pretty touch and go for the first 3 days. I think slept a total of 4 hours. TWTWTW My delivery was soooooo traumatic and I lost a lot of blood due to them being unable to stop my hemorrhaging, and recovery has been really hard. I’m still kind of recovering from what a horrible birth experience it was, and how scary the whole ordeal was, but it’s starting to get better. Ill just always feel really icky about it, I guess. END TWTWTWTW My husband has really taken to fatherhood like a champ and it’s sooooooo cute to see how much he loves them and he’s just such a good dad. Great swaddler, changes diapers like a pro, feeds and burps like a champ! And he’s really trying to keep me off my feet while I get better. My whole body has been really sore and swollen from the meds/etc. The girls are such sweet angels babies. All I want to do is stare at their faces and smell their baby heads. Every day I love them more and more and I learn something new about being a mom. My husband took them to the pediatrician yesterday and a woman at Starbucks actually started crying because she thought they were so cute! They’ve got a little jaundice, but it’s now working it’s way out of their system, and they need to eat every 2 hours drink the day to gain some more weight, so that’s what we’re working on in the immediate future. And trying to get more sleep ok, just wanted to do a quick check in while I pump - yes! I just looked down and I have like 4oz of milk between my boobs. Yes!! ok I hope you guys are all doing well!
@breezybee hey lady! I'm hanging in there. Last night was the first time that I was ready to be done being pregnant... but otherwise we are just chugging along. two weeks or less to to. I am so sorry that your birth experience was traumatic. It will fade with time, but there my always be some disappointment there. Try to focus on those beautiful babies. Being a twin mom is probably the hardest but also most rewarding thing ever. Just remember all that has to happen in a day is that you and the babies eat, you change some diapers and maybe put cloths on. everything else is a bonus!! I'm so glad DH is a great partner. getting 4 oz at this stage is AMAZING!! WAY TO PUMP!! give yourself some grace while you recover. hugs
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@wabash15 hoping the next 2 weeks fly by for you!!! You’ve been such a great help to all of us new twin moms (you and @tmk0325) so I’m happy your time is almost here to deliver your sweet baby!
I hope everyone is doing well!! I think of all of you often, especially in the middle of the night while I’m up with the twins. I know you all are likely up with me, too!
About me: TTC#1: October 2015 dx: PCOS & MFI IUI #1 w/Femara + Ovidrel June 2016 ~ BFP July 2016: Blighted Ovum IUI #2 w/Femara + Ovidrel September 2016 ~BFN IUI #3 w/Femara + Ovidrel October 2016 ~BFN IUI #4 w/Femara + Ovidrel November 2016 ~BFN IVF with ICSI January 2017 ~BFN FET February 2017 ~BFN IVF with ICSI March 2017 ~BFP--Twins Due 12/8/17 Team Blue X 2!
Yeah, I second @beary67 when I say that @wabash15 and @tmk0325 have been such a great resource and support system for all of us new twin moms. It was so helpful to be able to get info and real life experience from you. Thanks so much you guys. Hang in there @wabash15! God, I can’t even imagine being pregnant for that long lol. They’re so active! @beary67 I hope you and those boys are doing well!
I also agree so many thanks @wabash15 and @tmk0325! I'm actually starting to feel like I kind of have things under control when alone. Sometimes I have trouble getting them to sleep when I want them to, but your advice has been so helpful.
Hopping on the bandwagon to also express my appreciation and gratitude for all the support and advice provided by @wabash15 and @tmk0325.
Things here are pretty good, but we've been having some issues because neither of them can tolerate cow's milk protiens in my breast milk or formula. I've eliminated dairy from my diet, but I think it's still not completely out of all our systems (it takes two weeks). Evan has crazy gas and I think Ellie is constipated, despite the fact that she still poops pretty frequently... she's definitely in pain a lot of the time, which breaks my heart. I also think Ellie's having trouble tolerating the new (insanely expensive) hypoallergenic formula because she's spitting up way more frequently than she did before. I don't blame her though, the formula smells terrible. Once we get the insurance stuff straightened out for covering the formula, we'll be switching from exclusively fortified breast milk to just formula. I still feel kind of badly about not providing them breast milk for a longer period of time, but the stress, discomfort, and inconvenience of pumping throughout the day and night combined with now having to severely limit my diet has made me decide it will be better for my emotional and physical well being to just stop pumping or attempting to breast feed altogether. I know fed is best, but it's still a tough decision to have to make.
We also just had Evan's bris (circumcision) yesterday so caring for that is not my favorite thing.
In good news, they've been sleeping okay most nights and while I don't exactly feel "well rested," I also don't feel exhausted, so I'd call that a win! I am really excited about getting even more sleep once I cut out the pumping. I also have a whole box of holiday cookies waiting to be eaten once I can eat dairy again
@leilagphillips Im sorry you had to make the official switch to formula. Before having kids, I didn’t think that was a big deal - the baby’s getting fed, right? But, I know now that it’s a tough decision, so I totally understand how this may have been difficult for you to swallow. Fed is best, though, and that’s the important thing. And hey - right now, it’s 5:30am, my husband and I gave my babies bottles, and now my husband is asleep but I’m still up pumping. So lame. So at least you’ve got that perk going for you!
@leilagphillips don't feel bad. you have to do what is best for you. with two you have so much going on and BF is no small task. Fed is best and your babies will be amazing no matter what. Big hugs.
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@wabash15@breezybee Thanks for your support ladies. I'd known with twins we might end up going the formula route, but I'd really looked forward to breastfeeding at least some of the time just for that bonding experience, so I'm kind of sad that neither of them could really get the hang of it. I definitely won't miss the pumping though!!!
@leilagphillips I get that. Also it can take a VERY long time for them (and you) to get the hang of BF. DD did not transfer from me till she was almost 8 weeks old and even then it took several weeks for her to get good at it. I do understand the sadness that comes with the end of a BF journey. Every drop you gave them was wonderful and you will still bond in other ways. Hugs again.
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@leilagphillips I agree that you had to make the right decision for you. I'm pumping for baby A only and it's exhausting to me. I've tried latching with nipple shields successfully, but without being sure how much they are getting, I'm afraid they won't get enough. I am also going through the gassy phase. My poor babies look and sound so uncomfortable and I hate feeling like there's nothing I can do. One is on breast milk fortified with high calorie formula and the other is on straight formula. Both are extremely gassy so I'm not sure of the cause. The doc prescribed gas drops, but we've been using them with every feeding since Thursday and they are still gassy. They fart it out more with the meds, but the gas is still stuck in their tummies.
Sorry I’ve been mia ladies! Caroline is 3 weeks old today! She’s eating like a champ about 4 ozs every 3-4 hours. As I mentioned to a few of you I decided to just formula feed before we even left the hospital. I think I had some built up anxiety from the twins and everything that went with pumping the last time (pretty much everything you new twin moms are facing), that when I was crying on day 2 of her using me as a pacifier I knew I didn’t want to do it. With that said, yes I feel a bit guilty, but my sanity was more important especially with a newborn and twin tornadoes at Home! For those of you struggling, fed is ultimately best and you need to do what works best for you and your babies! Im happy to have helped with some stories and advice! Just remember that every day will get a little bit easier!
If you ladies want to do a private twin group let me know I can probably get one set up!
@marley629 it's so sweet of you to check on me! @tmk0325 same for you! Well we turned team pink last night! We had a successful vbac. The twins seem to love her. DD keeps calling her "my baby" and DS loves to give her kisses. Talk about melting my heart.
i am also happy to help with any of the nursing/pumping mammas. Like others have said fed is best so do what you need for your sanity.
@clovelyone have you tried bicycling or abdominal massage? That can help? It may also be the formula... sometimes a different brand helps. Hugs it's hard when they are fussy and uncomfortable
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@wabash15 Congrats on your baby girl! I'm so glad the twins love her, that's so sweet!
@tmk0325 I would really like for us to have a private fb group, it's so much easier to got on there than TB. If you set one up I'll definitely join.
@clovelyone Thanks for your support! I hope your LO's tummies start feeling better soon!
I ended up holding off on ending the pumping because when I went to stop I realized I felt way worse about not pumping than I did about not eating dairy. It's a good thing I decided to stick it out too, because it turns out our insurance is saying they won't let us put the cost of formula toward our deductible. To feed both of them on just the special formula (rather than just fortifying my milk) is going to cost us over $1,000 a MONTH! Sooo... we're trying to figure out what to do and are going to see if we can get the insurance company to change their decision. Our pediatrician is doing everything they can to help us; getting us free samples, filling out forms to get us discounts, etc. but it's all just been very stressful and frustrating. We did switch Ellie to formula most of the time because she was spitting out the fortified milk, so now she gets formula for most feeds and straight breast milk once or twice a day. Thankfully, Evan's been happy to eat the fortified milk. If we can get the formula costs figured out, I think I'm going to start weaning off pumping on January 10, when they hit two months because this no dairy/soy diet is starting to really suck!
@leilagphillips sorry about insurance, it's amazing how much the special formula can cost. Hugs. Have you checked to see if your milk is high I. Lipase?
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Congrats @wabash15!!!! I’m so happy it all seems to be going well!!
About me: TTC#1: October 2015 dx: PCOS & MFI IUI #1 w/Femara + Ovidrel June 2016 ~ BFP July 2016: Blighted Ovum IUI #2 w/Femara + Ovidrel September 2016 ~BFN IUI #3 w/Femara + Ovidrel October 2016 ~BFN IUI #4 w/Femara + Ovidrel November 2016 ~BFN IVF with ICSI January 2017 ~BFN FET February 2017 ~BFN IVF with ICSI March 2017 ~BFP--Twins Due 12/8/17 Team Blue X 2!
Congratulations @wabash15! It's cute that your twins are so excited. The bicycling helps make them fart, but they are always gassy and it doesn't prevent the gas. I've tried abdominal massage, but it didn't seem to do anything. Thanks for the tips though! I'm also wondering if it is the formula, but baby girl is drinking fortified breast milk so IDK. We've switched from the powder back to the ready made liquid for baby boy (he's always been straight formula), but still fortifying baby girl's breast milk with the powder. The doc told us to use gas drops, but they are still gassy. After about 2 weeks they are a little less gassy, but it's not good enough. I'm going to call the office tomorrow.
@tmk0325 I'd love to join a private Facebook group. I'll inbox you my email address.
@leilagphillips That's crazy it's so expensive for the formula! I hope it all works out for you.
Re: MoM's of Multiples - Check In
Congrats to @clovelyone and @stella_700 and @beary67 (I think I congratulated you on FB, but another time can't hurt!).
Also, I would definitely still join a MoM secret fb group. FB is sooo much easier for me to access and contribute to than TB!
congrats ladies, brings back so many memories for me! Your babies are all adorable!
Id be up for a moms group too.
how are you mamas doing? How has it been having everyone home?
@breezybee Having them both home is tiring, but wonderful. It's amazing seeing how much they change and grow every day!
I am so happy for all the twin moms who have had their babies and that they are all home now. Twins though exhausting are such a blessing. mine are still so bonded. At first I wasn't sure if they cared about each other but then I started noticing that we would put them down in the bassinet on opposite sides and every time they would find their way next to one another. It all goes by in a blur of feedings, changings, and attempted naps, try to soak in those moments.
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Hang in there you guys! I’m happy to hear that you’re all loving these early days - it gives me something to look forward to
@breezybee good luck today! Happy birthday girls!
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
although, our hospital just told me to not expect any calls for me to come in until 4pm. So now I’m just sitting around, anxiously waiting. I’m ready to get this show on the road!
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
DX Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Secondary Infertility
MFI (SA #1Count 11mill, Motility: 18%, Morphology: 1%)
AMH .328 | FSH 13.2
Good luck @breezybee!
gosh I think that leaves me as the last pregnant one in the group!
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
AFM, I’m on day 5 of being a twin mom and loving it so much. It’s literally THE HARDEST thing I’ve ever done, but it’s true, you wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m finally getting a few hours of sleep here and there when they sleep - it was pretty touch and go for the first 3 days. I think slept a total of 4 hours.
TWTWTW
My delivery was soooooo traumatic and I lost a lot of blood due to them being unable to stop my hemorrhaging, and recovery has been really hard. I’m still kind of recovering from what a horrible birth experience it was, and how scary the whole ordeal was, but it’s starting to get better. Ill just always feel really icky about it, I guess.
END TWTWTWTW
My husband has really taken to fatherhood like a champ and it’s sooooooo cute to see how
much he loves them and he’s just such a good dad. Great swaddler, changes diapers like a pro, feeds and burps like a champ! And he’s really trying to keep me off my feet while I get better. My whole body has been really sore and swollen from the meds/etc.
The girls are such sweet angels babies. All
I want to do is stare at their faces and smell their baby heads. Every day I love them more and more and I learn something new about being a mom. My husband took them to the pediatrician yesterday and a woman at Starbucks actually started crying because she thought they were so cute! They’ve got a little jaundice, but it’s now working it’s way out of their system, and they need to eat every 2 hours drink the day to gain some more weight, so that’s what we’re working on in the immediate future. And trying to get more sleep
ok, just wanted to do a quick check in while I pump - yes! I just looked down and I have like 4oz of milk between my boobs. Yes!!
ok I hope you guys are all doing well!
I am so sorry that your birth experience was traumatic. It will fade with time, but there my always be some disappointment there. Try to focus on those beautiful babies. Being a twin mom is probably the hardest but also most rewarding thing ever. Just remember all that has to happen in a day is that you and the babies eat, you change some diapers and maybe put cloths on. everything else is a bonus!! I'm so glad DH is a great partner. getting 4 oz at this stage is AMAZING!! WAY TO PUMP!! give yourself some grace while you recover. hugs
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
I hope everyone is doing well!! I think of all of you often, especially in the middle of the night while I’m up with the twins. I know you all are likely up with me, too!
TTC#1: October 2015
dx: PCOS & MFI
IUI #1 w/Femara + Ovidrel June 2016 ~ BFP
July 2016: Blighted Ovum
IUI #2 w/Femara + Ovidrel September 2016 ~BFN
IUI #3 w/Femara + Ovidrel October 2016 ~BFN
IUI #4 w/Femara + Ovidrel November 2016 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI January 2017 ~BFN
FET February 2017 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI March 2017 ~BFP--Twins Due 12/8/17
Team Blue X 2!
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
of us new twin moms. It was so helpful to be able to get info and real life experience from you. Thanks so much you guys.
Hang in there @wabash15! God, I can’t even imagine being pregnant for that long lol. They’re so active!
@beary67 I hope you and those boys are doing well!
@wabash15 FX your delivery goes as planned.
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
DX Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Secondary Infertility
MFI (SA #1Count 11mill, Motility: 18%, Morphology: 1%)
AMH .328 | FSH 13.2
Im happy to have helped with some stories and advice! Just remember that every day will get a little bit easier!
If you ladies want to do a private twin group let me know I can probably get one set up!
also, @wabash15 did you have your baby yet?!?
i am also happy to help with any of the nursing/pumping mammas. Like others have said fed is best so do what you need for your sanity.
@clovelyone have you tried bicycling or abdominal massage? That can help? It may also be the formula... sometimes a different brand helps. Hugs it's hard when they are fussy and uncomfortable
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Hugs mama!
DX Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Secondary Infertility
MFI (SA #1Count 11mill, Motility: 18%, Morphology: 1%)
AMH .328 | FSH 13.2
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
TTC#1: October 2015
dx: PCOS & MFI
IUI #1 w/Femara + Ovidrel June 2016 ~ BFP
July 2016: Blighted Ovum
IUI #2 w/Femara + Ovidrel September 2016 ~BFN
IUI #3 w/Femara + Ovidrel October 2016 ~BFN
IUI #4 w/Femara + Ovidrel November 2016 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI January 2017 ~BFN
FET February 2017 ~BFN
IVF with ICSI March 2017 ~BFP--Twins Due 12/8/17
Team Blue X 2!
@tmk0325 I'd love to join a private Facebook group. I'll inbox you my email address.
@leilagphillips That's crazy it's so expensive for the formula! I hope it all works out for you.