Twin pregnancy - everything YOU need to know!

Twin Pregnancy Symptoms?

If you're wondering if it's twins, check out our early pregnancy symptom guide above!

How exactly do you prepare for a healthy twin pregnancy and the whole new crazy world ahead? Have you found out for sure that you're pregnant with twins? If it's already been confirmed by a twin ultrasound picture and this is your first pregnancy - you're probably in a state of complete amazement or shock. If you have already had a baby or two - then you already know how wonderful babies are - and you KNOW how much work is involved! If you're scared and excited and full of questions all at once - you're normal!

You also have the added challenge of dealing with your older children's reactions to the idea of twin babies. You can pretty much expect to have your life turned completely upside-down. Being a mother is a miracle in itself, but to find out you are expecting twin babies it is a lot to take in!

Welcome and congratulations on being an expectant mother of twins. Keep reading - we have work to do!

Thinking ahead to your labor and delivery with twins?

Watch an amazing video of twin mommies and natural childbirths - so inspiring !

Wondering if you can have a natural birth with twins? Watch and be inspired!

My story -"We're having what?"

I had been incredibly sick with morning sickness and so my midwife sent me for an ultrasound just to rule out an ectopic or otherwise problematic pregnancy. The doctor asked how I'd been feeling and when I told him, terribly sick and exhausted this time around, he turned the screen around and said, "that's because there are 2 in there !"

I started laughing - really laughing, so hard that tears were coming down my face and my poor 2 year old daughter did not understand what was going on with her mom! My husband and I hadn't even decided for sure that we were going to try for another baby, and here we were with a 2 for 1 special! I called him from the parking lot to tell him we were having twins.

His reaction ?

" Yeah OK Kim - very funny - joke's over! "Honestly - I think it was over 2 weeks later and he was still convinced I was kidding !

And just what does dad think about being pregnant with twins?

Are they fraternal or identical twins?

So you think it might be twins? Check out the early pregnancy symptoms page.



So what's a mom who has just found out she is expecting twins to do ?

Well, if you're like me and a "control freak" kind of person whose world has just spun out of control- you roll up your sleeves and hit the internet to learn everything you can, as fast as you can . That's where I come in -

I hope to have your questions answered, most of your fears laid to rest and give you the information you need to go into this twin pregnancy ( and beyond) adventure prepared ! And believe me - it WILL be an adventure.

Parenting twins

is a combination of hard work and love that draws on your deepest resources of patience, knowledge and energy and sanity. Wherever you may be in your twin pregnancy you still have time to get ready and get set !

Baby Books Guide is a site for parents by parents. It is where you will find recommended books for your baby and about your baby as well as many other resources you will need in the first three years.

All about naming twins.

Maybe you're wondering what to name these babies ? Here's a great primer on names for twins.

If you're concerned about complications and prematurity risks with twins

in your pregnancy, read this, because educating yourself on all the possibilities is very important to your health and to your babies.

This is your time to make your twin pregnancy as healthy as it can possibly be. It is your time to read about raising twins and learn everything you can ahead of time. Check out Stages in Pregnancy for information from fertility through post partum.Once your two babies arrive there won't be time for planning - there will probably not be time for you to shower! Everything will change to getting through the day, the night or even just the hour. Are you wondering if you can exercise safely during your twin pregnancy ?

All pregnancies are life changing - you worry, plan and dream of the future. With twin pregnancies you get more than just two babies, you get two separate little beings that depend on your for everything . Once you get used to the idea of being pregnant in the first place - you now have to shift gears and get used to the idea of having more than one infant. In addition to the plans you have to make - you also have to give up some of the hopes and dreams you might have had about having a single baby. I think it's pretty common to feel ambivalent to a certain extent.

There are also important decisions to be made about your provider and where you'll give birth! Finding an excellent midwife like we were lucky enough to have, or experienced obstetrician is extremely important - after all you're having twins! There is also the reality of twin pregnancy complications and risks of prematurity that you need to be aware of. You'll want to educate yourself, understand twin pregnancy nutrition, and do everything you can to keep those babies inside you for as long as you possibly can ! I checked this chart each week of my twin pregnancy so I could celebrate each milestone we passed.

View a chart of average ideal baby weights during pregnancy for twins.

Some of the common feelings I believe many of us 'twin mommies' go through during our twin pregnancy are:

-denial ! ( no way - there can't be 2 in there !)

-pure excitement ( totally amazing - doubly blessed - a true miracle!)

-absolute panic - all the worries pile up - especially in the middle of the night

-total confidence - " I can do this! NO sweat"

-depression - as the pregnancy wears on and the initial excitement is gone and worry sets in

It's perfectly normal to go through a wide range of ALL the emotions and go back and forth. The more preparedand armed with knowledge you are - the more confident you will feel. You CAN do this!

Some things to be prepared for in the upcoming months are more side effects,more checkups, more importance on certain nutrients, more weight gain and more precautions in general.

You can read about some ways to stay healthy during your pregnancy here.

This is a family roller coaster ride and you're all going to be affected. Mothers tend to carry the largest burden of worry as they are physically feeling the effects of being pregnant with twins day in and day out. You may find others around you are excited and fascinated while you are terrified! You might be excited to know if the twins are identical or fraternal and what exactly that means. A twin pregnancy is really emotional.

Identical of fraternal? Go to types of twins for more information

Dads have a wide variety of emotions and reactions as well ranging from pride, to excitement, to fear and worry about how they will handle all of this, and how they'll manage to pay for all this. They often focus on the practical issues ahead - like money. He may are may not realize that he WILL have to physically help out once the babies are at home - so that may mean decisions about work and holidays and being more available at home - especially if there are other children to care for . The more you mentally prepare for this now the better. If your twins come home prematurely, you'll have more to consider.

Other children and siblings of twins in the family

have to deal with the news of a twin pregnancy as well. The birth of a baby is always a big event in any child's life but when you double the babies - older children may feel neglected as mom and dad's time and attention is completely taken up by the new arrivals in the beginning. They are now in unfamiliar territory - they might need to move out of their room to make way , the whole family may need to move to a bigger home - routines get turned upside down.

Depending on the age of the child their understanding of what is about to happen differs. More on how your other children may be affected by your twin pregnancy here..

Keeping those babies in as long as you can should be your biggest priority as you settle in with the idea of having twins. The earlier they are born , the more risks they will face. Do what you can now to educate yourself on having the healthiest twin pregnancy possible.

Some information on SIDS prevention- so important.

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More resources and information about twin pregnancies