Twins advice

[mom78]

Hi!  My sister just found out she is having twins.  Do any of you have books that you would recommend?  Also, she has been told c-sections are common with twins - were any of you able to deliver vaginally?  Thanks!

[VAmom]

I do not have twins, but I am a twin.  I know my mother delivered me and my sis vaginally.  I guess it is possible as long as the both babies are healthy and in the right position. 

[MomOf5]

I have a set of fraternal twins who are 12.  Are your sister's identical or fraternal? C-Sections are common, from what I've heard, but I delivered mine vaginally.  However, my second born was almost delivered via C-Section.  He was breach and just wasn't ready to come out, even though his sister was.

Tell your sister that if she gets put on bed rest by her OB, to follow the directions put forth.  I didn't (I had a 3 year old and was home by myself with her during the daytime) and went into pre-term labor 3 different times.  If that happens and they can't stop your labor, they'll put you on an IV drip to do so.  The WORST part of the experience though (I'm joking on the "worst" part of this statement) was the videos they made me watch.  The videos are full of "fun" facts about the delivery options- vaginal, C-Section and sometimes one of each.  My favorite though was the video where they talked about "Delayed Interval Birthing"...which is where they can't stop the first twin from birthing, but they CAN stop the second (It's an extreme situation)...and the methods they use to do so.  It's.......................informative, lol.       Tell your sis to ask the dr about it when she's a bit closer to delivery.

[jasmine702]

I had my twins via c-section - simply because my 2nd child had to be c-section. One thing that I bought and couldn't live w/out was my double snap n go! I bought it and used it for from Sept last yr til it was too cold to take the babies out this winter. I do have it listed on craigslist for 75.00. It was so much easier than getting the babies in and out of car seats for everything. Nice and lightweight - which I hate how heavy my double stroller is. tell your sister "good luck!"

[mom78]

Thanks for the information!  I will pass it along! 

[momaha mama]

Jasmine, what's a snap and go?

One of my best friends is having twins - identical girls. They will be her first babies. She's due in October.

When she told me she was having twins, I sort of instantly felt like I was worthless with help or advice from that point on!

I've been wondering what nice gift I could give her, too, when the babies are born - ideas???

[ReillysMom]

Give her "gift certificate" for a nap or a night off (i.e., free babysitting)!   

[momaha mama]

Yes, that's a great idea! Unfortunately, we don't live anywhere near (she lives states away!).

I'm wanting to send a box of stuff - I can figure out baby things that will be useful. Just didn't know if there were things specific to twins that would be helpful and appreciated.

[Lisa Andrews]

I have twins and had a c-section.  Both babies must be head down and facing the right way in order to be delivered vaginaly.  My twins never changed position after 26 weeks...one foot breach and one transverse.  The bigger the babies get the harder it is to turn around.  Once your sister gets fairly close to delivery, she'll have a pretty good idea if she will be having a c-section.  Twin pregnancies have lots of ultrasounds.  I can't remember what I read, but there are lots of good books out there that go into multiples. Twins are fun!

With respect to gifts, it's a common misconception that you need 2 of eveything.  Of course that's true when it comes to car seats, high chairs etc., but you don't need 2 baby swings, 2 bounce seats and so on.  A gift card is always appreciated and your friend can buy what she feels she needs, a gift basket, or how about a gift card to a photography place, so she can have their pictures taken?...put the gift cards inside two picture frames & wrap and mail them. 

Lisa Andrews     

[momaha mama]

That's a great idea, Lisa. Thanks!

[kristent]

UGH I just lost a massively long post! I hate when that happens!

First off there is no reason to think you most have a cesarean delivery. As long as baby A is head down even the most 'medical' of doctors will typically agree to a vaginal birth. The thinking is that the second baby may flip after the birth of the first, or doctor can help baby turn or even that after the first baby 'paves the way' a breech delivery of baby B is easier. As for no room to move I disagree with that one as well. My twins were breech at 35 weeks and during my surgery three weeks later it was found that my B baby had flipped. Had we not jumped the gun on scheduling I strongly believe my A baby could have flipped as well. If only I'd known then what I know now

As for gifts one of the greatest things to give a mom of multiples is a postpartum doula, someone who can help mother the mother so to speak. This is especially helpful if she is away from family as she will need help. Anything to support breastfeeding is also really helpful as if she is able to successfully nurse her babies she will have an easier time managing two babies. Perhaps prepaying for a lacation consultant to make a few visits. Another option is a maid service or gift cards for take out.

The other thing is just support. It can be very overwhelming so knowing she has a good friend to talk to and vent to can be invaluable.

[mom78]

A postpartum doula is a great idea!  Do you do that?  How much would that run?

[kristent]

A postpartum doula is a great idea!  Do you do that?  How much would that run?

It depends on location. For example here in Omaha its about $30/hr daytime and $50/hr overnight. Some bigger cities on the coasts its more. Sometimes you can find someone who is in their training period too. A good place to start is to find the local doula group and see if any of them do postpartum work  (for example here in Omaha you would check out www.nebraskadoulas.com go under find a doula and you would see that there are three doulas on the list that work as postpartum doulas)

You can see what a postpartum doula does here http://www.babysbestbeginning.com/babyishomenowwhat.htm

I do work with postpartum moms as a doula, but I typically only take on clients who have special circumstances (twins, cesarean recovery, deployed spouse etc) as I think some of the other doulas in town do a fabulous job at the more run of the mill postpartum stuff.