pregnant with twins & have a 1 1/2 yr old

[expectingtwins]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'm 7 mths pregnant with twin girls (fraternal) and was wondering if anybody else has been in a similar situation as me.
I'm trying to decide on wether to send my 1 1/2 year old to day school. Some people suggest to send him at least 1 mth before the twins come so he doesn't associate the twins with him being kicked out of the house. Also has anyone looked after twins and a toddler in the house at the same time. A lot of people are telling me I won't be able to handle it. If anybody can share their experiences with me it would be great. Thanks confused.

[tiggy]

Hi Expecting,
CONGRATULATIONS on expecting twinnies! They are just the best!
I did it the other way around to you. I had twin girls and when they were two (just) I brought my little singleton home.
I put them both into pre school 1 day a week and I did it about a month after Lily came home. They were just fine. It was difficult at times but I did things like buying a baby doll for each of them to 'breastfeed' everytime I sat down to feed Lily. They also got to know and Love the Wiggles then! They were my babysitters when I needed to settle Lil.
It will be tough at first but so is bringing home just one baby into a house. Everything changes but with time your little ones will grow up to be good friends. For ages Lily used to call herself the third twin! Poo to anyone who says you can't do it! Women are AMAZING! We can do anything!!!!
PS I brought my second set of twins home in January this year and that was different again!

[expectingtwins]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. That's a great idea about the baby dolls but I think my husband would chuck a wobbly if I gave our son a doll hee hee. It's great to hear that somebody has been there and done it and still sane! I know it's going to be hard I'd say harder than bringing home one, but I assume you adapt and eventually it becomes a way of life. Congratulations to you too! I have another question for you I'm currently living in Israel (my husband is Israeli) and we will be moving to Australia in about 6 months after the birth of our twins. Do you know if there is any help from the government regarding discounts on formula etc if you have twins? I'm planning on breastfeeding but I'll need to go back to work when I arrive in Australia. And Yes Poo to anyone, I agree!!
Thanks Linda

[tiggy]

Hi Linda,
I don't think there is subsidy for formula through the Government for twins. There is the family payment that you should be eligible for though. Other than that, I know that if you can get a gp to write a script for formula (usually a special lactose free or protein free based formula) there is subsidy through the PBS scheme. Good Luck with the Breastfeeding! There are some really great tips on this site and also some legendary twin breastfeeders around who can give you lots of help!
LOL at giving your son a babydoll. Why not? In this day of equality?

[expectingtwins]

Hi Tiff,
Thanks for your advice, now I'll just wait for the big day and take one day at a time.

[Twinsmum]

We too have the twin babies ready to give to Hayden and Brooklen *LOL* They say Baby in here and show everyone their belly!! Too cute!! I think we will give them their babies when I am in hospital so they can have one too...not really sure how they are going to go.

They will be a month off being 2 when I have this baby....

All a little daunting to think about so each day as it comes for me too

Haylie

[tiggy]

Twinsmum,
You won't know yourself with a singleton baby!
I would change Lily and then look for the next baby LOL and the same with bathing, you can just enjoy. It's a much slower pace. I very much enjoyed having Lily after Imogen and Madeline. The girls were really very good when I was feeding and settling Lily too, I think you will be surprised.

[julie26]

Hi
Just thought I would drop in and say hi, I am also about to have twins and have a little boy just turned one, so will have 3 boys under 14 months. I also wonder how I will do it but I believe god would not have given me what I can not handle and also I have a very strong support group, husband, parents and in-laws.. My sister in law has twins now `12 and her advice to me is that it will only be bad for the next two years lol!!! That didn't help much. But you know what you will be GREAT! I look forward to sharing our stories over the next 12 months.

Jules

[Baby~amore`]

congratulations on your twin blue bubbas Julie and the best of luck for your upcoming birth .

I have Sam & Joel almost 5 months - they arrived a month early though. They are so much fun and they really make my heart sing most of the time

You sound like you have the right mindset - the first 12 months is the worse and the mulitple birth association applaudes our members and congratulates them for surviving the first year LOL.

A good support system will set you on track for a smoother ride and help get through bumps quickly.

Look forward to sharing your journey too -join in discussion thread - we need a few members to rev it up - I think we are all so busy . I have a 13 year old too and he keeps me busy too.

[Kim McManus-Smith]

Hi all,
I am a new member and just checked out your thread. I found it very inspiring. I am nr 22wks with B/G twins and have 6yo and 3yo girls. At the moment, I can only imagine how I will cope but I too feel very blessed. I can not believe how tired I feel but I guess it is in readiness for the upcoming events! LOL. Thanks for the inspiration. I know I am not alone. Take care. Kim. xoxo

Well I know exactly how you feel!! I'm pregnant with frat twins (boy and girl...lucky us!) and have a 14 month old at the mo. Nina will be just 17 months when they are born!

I was freaking out at first, especially because I have no family here, and my DH is in the army (hooyah), and away a lot. I have started putting Nina into one day a week long day care so that she gets some socialisation and is well used to it when the twins arrive. It also gives me a break and a day to either rest or get chores/erands done.

I wouldn't listen to any negativity surrounding your abiltiy to cope. As many have said before me, we are only ever given what we can handle, and have been 'chosen' to have two babies at once (gee, someone certainly thinks I'm capable!!!). If you get any flack, smile serenely back and say "we'll be fine, I can't wait", even if on the inside you are packing it!! A positive mantra every day can make a world of difference!!

Hope this helps, stay positive!

Julesy

[Kim McManus-Smith]

Hey Julesy,
Thanks for your inspiration!!! You are so right. We are very fortunate!!! My 3yo now goes to preschool 2-3 days per wk and its great. She has grown up so fast. The xmas hols will be a challenge with them both home and me 32wks pg. But, a challenge can strengthen you!!! That is my latest positive motto.!!! Take care. Kim xoxoxo

Tell me about it!! I hope we don't have 46 degree heat like last new years day, or I'll be one of those poor women wallowing in the shallows of Cronulla beach (similar to what I witnessed this year...poor things!)

When are you due? I

[Kim McManus-Smith]

hey Julesy,
I am due early Feb. Doc says 20% chance of going full term so I am hanging in. Just the last wk or so I have had a lot of low pressure and I seem to be dropping. The boy has been head down ready to go for 5wks. The girl is above him and still partially breech. Heres hoping she holds him back. HA HA We got a 4d ultrasound done, they are amazing!!! Have you had one? Look after yourself and those precious bundles. Love Kim. xoxo

Yes, I got the 4D ultrasound done for our first baby and would highly recommend it to anyone. It's almost like meeting them for the first time. Absolutely incredible!! It's good that at least one is head down, I'm hoping both will be ready to go for me, because I REALLY don't want to have one vaginally and one via c-section...one or the other I say!! If they are both not in good positions, I'm going the c-section!!

Good luck, I'm sure you'll make it full term. Fingers crossed for you anyway!

Julesy

[Kim McManus-Smith]

:doctor: Hey Julesy,

I sure hope I have them both naturally and problem free but Dr. says it is quite possible to have one natural and one c-section .... not nice. I will worry about that when the time comes I guess? I spent 3hrs having glucose blood tests today, and fasted since last night! That was torture to a starving women ...I had a screen done last week and my glucose level was high. I hope the results are good. Will keep you informed! Hope you are well. Take care. Kim

[Kim McManus-Smith]

Hey Julesy,
How are you going? Hope all is well. I saw my specialist yesterday and both bubs heads are well down/engaged and my cervix is only 1cm long!!! I have been put on a course of steriods to boost the bubs lungs because he is concerned I will go into labour very soon! I have to have complete rest and be stress free! Huh! I am doing my best but I am finding it very difficult. If I dont behave, I will be in hospital quick smart and I dont want that! If I can hang on 4wks, till 30wks, then the steriods have a chance to do their thing and the bubs have a much better chance of survival!
Anyway, just thought I would fill you in. Take care. Chat soon. Love KIM xoxo

[Leemar]

Congrats to all the mummy pg with twins. I wish you all the very best and have lots of fun.