Twinnie Tips for a Young Multiple Mum To Be

[Veritas]

My lil sister, 18, is 16 wks pregnant with Monoamniotic ID twins....

I think, at this stage, her and her partner are likely to keep living at my mothers, which will be good as they'll be needing some support in the early days....

So..... I would love to hear tips from twin mummies as to what really helped your pregnancy and early journey as a twin mum!!

What "stuff" couldn't you have lived without? What help from people was invaluable? What methods worked best for you!

Hoping to help my lil sis with as much helpful info and resources as I can!

[two cheeky smurfs]

For my two baby swings were a life saver! For the first month my mum made me meals and froze them so that was one less thing to worry about. Feeding pillow comes very handy whether breast or bottle feeding if they need to be fed at the same time!

[brooke88(mum2b09)]

Multiple pregnancies are tough, but definitely worth it! Tell her to research as much as she can, the more understanding she has the better and the more prepared she can be. Is she on BH? If so tell her to pop down to this thread so we can answer any questions she may have. :) I myself have monodiamniotic ID twins but know a fair bit about monoamniotic pregnancies too as we couldn't find a membrane at first and that's what they were mistaken for.

[Timestwo]

Congrats to your sister! I highly recommend she contacts AMBA for some advice on a MoMo pregnancy. It is an extremely high risk pregnancy and the level of care that Australian Obs provide seems to vary greatly. Also if she joins up she can start going to expectant parent meetings, morning teas etc. Making local contacts with other people who completely understand the world of multiples is so valuable

I couldnt live without my Valco bouncers (you need 2 bouncers). I used them for absolutely everything from feeding to settling. They also fold flat so we used to take them when we went out and the babies used to nap in them
A good walking twin pram I also couldnt have done without. I spent a lot of time walking when I couldnt get them to settle.
At least 1 baby swing. There were many times when I used to put the boys in the swings to help settle.
Also at least 1 baby carrier. Its the only way I could get any grocery shopping done in the early days. I used to put one in the carrier and carry the other in my arms to get in there for a twin trolley and if there was no twin trolley then I could use a single and the carrier.

[TripleTime]

Firstly, she needs to see someone who specialises in MoMo twins. She's in for a tough ride.

Aust Multiple Birth Forum is a huge wealth of info for MoMo twins.

Secondly, having 3 of everything helped me 10 fold. I could feed all 3 at once with 3 bouncers. Having 2 swings was awesome, could get 1 to sleep while 2 were swinging away.

[TripleTime]

If she's in Newcastle/Central Coast, let me know & i can put you in touch with a mum of 2yo triplets with a MoMo pair.

[Blairysmum]

Sorry intruder!!
But I was just curious to know what mo mo twins are ?

[Timestwo]

Twins that share a sac with no membrane to divide it and a placenta. Its very high risk due to the cords being able to be tangled/compressed and TTTS (twin to twin syndrome)

It happens when the egg divides late and only happens in about 5% of twin pregnancys. If it divides any later you have conjoined twins, any earlier and you have ID twins with their own Sac and placenta (Di Di) or their own sac and sharing a placenta (Mo Di)

[Blairysmum]

Twins that share a sac with no membrane to divide it and a placenta. Its very high risk due to the cords being able to be tangled/compressed and TTTS (twin to twin syndrome)

It happens when the egg divides late and only happens in about 5% of twin pregnancys. If it divides any later you have conjoined twins, any earlier and you have ID twins with their own Sac and placenta (Di Di) or their own sac and sharing a placenta (Mo Di)

Thankyou!!

[bgbgbb]

Firstly, she needs to see someone who specialises in MoMo twins. She's in for a tough ride.


Totally agree, this is a very high risk form of twins. She should take it easy and get many scans to keep track of possibly twin to twin transfusion syndrome.

My 1 tip is buy a twin pram that suits the sort of walking she would do. A jogger is great for outdoors but often too heavy for shopping centres and lifting in and out of public transport (assuming she wont have a car?) So many people just buy what looks great without considering what they will mainly use it for. They are not cheap, so its important to buy wisely.

Oh 1 other tip, buy as much as you can from ebay or baby markets. You can get things for a fraction of the cost.

[FiveInTheBed]

ooh how exciting!

Personally have no experience with Mo Mo twins - but I have a friends that had numerous scans and scares towards the end - but all worked out fine.
She'll need to talk to her caregiver re that.


If she'll be at home with other people I wouldn't worry about the swings - but if she is going to be on her own a fair bit I highly recommend them.
A breast feeding pillow makes it easier - the ezy2nurse is great.
One cot can do the job for the first few months whilst she gets set up.
I meitai or similar carrier that sits on front, back or side.
A decent week or two being able to stay in bed with her fresh new little ones to establish BFing and rest (if that's what she is leaning towards)
Just basic 'help' around the place, which i'm sure your beautiful family will be happy to provide.

I've seen some double prams on the newy gumtree :yes:

Some people say to keep the bubs in 'sync' ..others(like me) found it erm..not 'easier' but more natural , to listen to each babies cues re feeding and settling etc - hopefully being ID they might be more in tune with each other and wanna do things at the same time.:fingerscrossed:

hope everything goes well...

[Veritas]

If she's in Newcastle/Central Coast, let me know & i can put you in touch with a mum of 2yo triplets with a MoMo pair.

K - she certainly is.... was appauled to find out the hospital had only just booked her in after the GP constantly harassing them, despite knowing the circumstances....

Any relevant Newie info concerning obs etc, would be awesome....

Will fwd info re AMBA onto her....

Thanks all!

[Bex]

Hi

I don't have twins but know someone who had MoMom twins she lost one of them after 20 weeks. She had the other at 28 weeks. I would be telling her to start getting pushy.

Just remember She's not out there to be liked shes out there to get the best care for her bubs.

[TripleTime]

K - she certainly is.... was appauled to find out the hospital had only just booked her in after the GP constantly harassing them, despite knowing the circumstances....

Any relevant Newie info concerning obs etc, would be awesome....

Will fwd info re AMBA onto her....

Thanks all!


Andrew Carlin is who she needs to see at the hospital. His got another twin mum with MoMo boys in his care ATM. There is a team of middys that she will also see. C section is a must, VB isnt a safe option at all.

Need to harass them as much as possible, admin staff dont click or think & treat everyone the same. Ill meet her there & do the jumping if need be. She doesnt have time to waste.


Ill PM you with AMBA info