1 womb, 2 babies, 3rd trimester, 4th pregnancy, 5 children and 6 weeks to go...

by Sarah
(Portsmouth, UK)

Bumptruck at 31 weeks

Do you wanna know how I turned sheer panic into heavenly bliss? Well, maybe that is an overstatement...organized but manageable chaos ready for twins?

Hi, you might have seen my ultrasound videoclip I sent in - that was way back in April when I was 13 weeks and first found out I was expecting twins.

My first response was excitement and to search the internet for info. I was up night after night and just couldn't sleep with so many emotions batting round my head. It took about 2 weeks to sink in, during which time I described twin 2 as the hitch-hiker in my planned pregnancy to have a playmate for my darling toddler Maya.

I can't remember another time where I've felt so mixed up, I was having a personal crisis (normally very calm person who could sleep anywhere, even on a brick Martin would say!!) Friends couldn't understand my behaviour..."surely you must be so happy and excited?" Definitely yes, BUT...

With so many issues to deal with and in no particular order...space, beds, storage, money, homeschooling, toddler, front door security, part-time job, hairy malting labradors, mess and junk from emptying the attic, Aspergers syndrome, teenager moods, prem labour risk, not enough seats in the car!

I was going to get huge so surely I was not going to be able to do much in late pregnancy and I had been totally useless for weeks with tiredness, only managing essential tasks between sofa sessions... I really thought that I was not the right person for the job. When and how would I ever cope or be ready for these babies?

Out of my panic came the realization that I had to look after myself and I mean properly. My number 1 task in the world was to keep these little guys safe inside me as long as possible to give them the best chance of not experiencing the NICU.

Second realization: to cope I must know what to do. This is where raising-twins has been invaluable to me with practical advice on what to expect, other peoples stories and lots of info. Now I have evaluated my problems and devised plans of action I am managing quite well.

Obviously as I have been getting bigger (picture is proof) other issues come up and priorities can shift... like shaving your legs left-handed! How do you get your socks/knickers on? The bra DOES NOT come off! The ever increasing and vitally important bed pillow collection. Never calling Twin 2 a hitch-hiker again. It really is important to vacuum the dog every day???!! (she likes it honestly) and it doesn't matter that my antacid tastes like aniseed - Yuk!

And when things do seem bad - I often feel sorry for myself because I can't sleep/breathe properly, needing the loo soooooo often, varicose veins, iron tablets (I not even gonna talk about those!) there is always a positive to cancel it out... like someone who can't have children would happily jump into my shoes, I still have no stretchmarks, this summer is NOT hot and we've had lots of rain, one day soon I am going to be able to tuck two tiny boys up to my chest, cuddle, care and smell them. Share the rest of my life with them....can't wait!

I have so much to be thankful for, so if you find yourself worrying like me - get good information and make a plan for your issue. Then it stops going round and round and starts to move in the direction you decided.

Next time we talk I'll be able to bend in the middle (wow) and I will show you my 2 little bundles. Sarah x