7 Must Do's For Expecting Twin Moms : Surviving My Twin Pregnancy (Part 1)

"Is this a good cry or a bad cry?" my ultrasound tech carefully asked me, moments after delivering the news that she was seeing TWO babies on the screen.

"A good cry," I responded, totally in awe that I was carrying TWINS. 

This was my 3rd time around going in for the initial 8 week ultrasound. I had a 4 and a 1.5 year old at home, and my husband decided to just stay behind and watch them, so going to my appointment alone was a welcomed little get away.

Weeks before, we had met with our midwives, but unsure of exactly how far along in my pregnancy I was, they suggested having an ultrasound done just to be sure.

So, here I was 11ish weeks pregnant, excitedly waiting to see that little peanut on the screen. 

Seconds after placing that wand on my belly, I was kinda shocked at how much bigger that little peanut was that I had seen in my other 2 pregnancy's.

"The baby's kinda big for 11 weeks," I said out loud.

"That's because there's 2," she responded.

​And the tears began to flow.

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At the time of the ultrasound, she could tell for sure that baby B was a boy. She left me with hope that baby A could be a girl, but she couldn't tell with 100% confidence. Either way, they were both healthy, and I was ecstatic! 

Three things initially entered my mind as I tried to wrap my brain around these two babies inside of me:

1. HOW WAS I GOING TO TELL MY HUSBAND??
2. I WON'T BE ABLE TO DELIVER AT THE BIRTH CENTER NOW.
3. WE'RE GOING TO NEED A MINI VAN.

As the reality of all these things began to sink in on the longest 30 minute drive home of my life, I reflected back on the name of my ultrasound tech...Grace...boy were we going to need some grace!

I pondered whether or not we should consider naming baby A "Grace," if indeed it ended up being a girl.

I walked into our home, all my boys playing on the floor in the  playroom.

My husband could tell I had been crying...and could tell I knew something.

"It's another boy, isn't it?" he asked.

"Well, at least 1 of them is...." and it took a second for it to register and I'll never forget the look on my husbands face.

​Pure joy mixed with total unbelief!

We couldn't wait to tell our families. No need to make any elaborate or creative announcement...we just needed to start talking about it! We couldn't keep this news to ourselves!!!

Eventually, we sent out this text to friends and family once we learned the gender of baby A....

Straight to Pinterest & Google I went...searching every spare minute I had on everything TWIN. 

What will I need? What should I expect? What are Di-Di twins exactly? Can I nurse both of them? Can I have an unmedicated natural birth? What Dr. should I go to?

I was completely overwhelmed. I even though I had two children already, I felt like I was pregnant for the very first time!

As I reflect back on the 38 weeks +1 day that I carried my sweet boys inside me (and YES, that +1 day is every bit as important and it COUNTS), I am first of all aware that God orchestrated this miracle, that He was in full control the entire time, and that He placed the support system I needed in order to bring my sons into this world.

And secondly, every twin story is different. Every twin pregnancy is different. Every woman's body is different. And every family's support system is different. This is JUST MY STORY, and I hope that any other expecting twin momma out there knows that these are some things that helped me, and I HOPE they will be helpful for you.

**These tips are great for ANY pregnancy...multiples or not**

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1. Find the right Dr. for YOU!

Our first son was born at the hospital, a very typical hospital birth, but not something I wanted to endure again.

Our second son was born at a birth center, and I loved every moment of this experience.

Unfortunately, a twin birth is considered "high risk" no matter if there are complications during pregnancy or not, and therefore, I was unable to return to the birth center to deliver, nor was I able to go there for prenatal care.

So, I researched and asked around about doctors in our area who specialize in unmedicated twin deliveries. After meeting with this doctor and unloading our page of questions on her, we felt comfortable that we were in the right place for the birth that we desired.

Having full confidence in the medical professional who will be caring for you during this very stressful and uncertain time in your life is the most important first step as you walk this journey of twin pregnancy. 

***This post is not at all advocating for unmedicated birth, it is just the route I chose to go***

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2. Start A Pregnancy Journal

The intimate thoughts of a mother and her unborn baby are some of the most precious thoughts we will have. I was flooded with emotion for each of my pregnancies, and I couldn't help but write them down to one day look back and remember.

(I'd like to say that I'll pass them on to my kids one day, but lets be honest...I have 4 boys, these books are for me)

Nine months feels like an eternity when you are pregnant, but in the grand scheme of your motherhood journey, it's just a blink.

But an important blink. A blink that will never happen again between you and that child. 

Record it. Savor it. And go back and read it with that child when they have grown up a a bit and is driving you crazy. (did i ruin the moment? sorry!)

I chose to include pictures in with my journaling, and used Shutterfly to gather it all together and turn it into a pretty little book.

They are treasures. And best part it is, if they get ruined, you can always order another one!

***I have chosen to use Shutterfly for all my prints and photo books over the years. Their quality is great and their customer service is even greater!***

"Enjoy all the bumps and kicks and punches. It's even better with 2 b/c you can literally feel your babies bonding in the womb." - Dena (mom of 4 year old twins)

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3. Talk to other twin mommas.

One of the best things I did was reach out to other twin moms I knew (or was just acquainted with). There is a new bond that is formed between two mommas who share share twin stories. I can't explain it, but it just happens. 

I found myself starting text threads, email chains, and private messages that whenever a question popped into my mind, I had someone to ask. 

The information I received from other twin moms was literally some of the most valuable resources I had throughout my pregnancy and into the first year of their lives.

My favorite twin mom tip : 

• Don't BUY two of everything. Those items that will only be used for a short time...just BORROW an extra if you already have one. If this is your first pregnancy, and you are having twins, I feel like the same rule would apply. If you plan on having more children, just buy one and borrow the other. ​

​(TO READ MY FULL POST ON WHAT TO BUY AND WHAT TO BORROW, CLICK HERE)

***If you don't know any other twin moms, consider joining a Facebook group, or ask around. OR you could email me and I'd love to talk!!***

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4. Stock Up on Diapers!!

My sweet sister in law threw me a surprise baby shower halfway through my pregnancy. Instead of having people bring gifts, she had them bring diapers in assigned sizes. This was SUCH A HUGE BLESSING!

I looked at the mound of diapers and wipes that were piled up in my dining room after the shower (I WISH i had taken a picture) and I was convinced that I'd have enough of a stash to make it through the twins potty training years. 

WRONG.

IT BARELY LASTED 6 MONTHS!
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You can NEVER HAVE TOO MANY DIAPERS. Just keep buying them when you see a good deal! 

MY TIP :

• Buy more in size 3 & 4 than in any other size. This seems to be the size I got the least of but the size my twins stayed in the longest. 

​***We use Honest & Parasol Diapers. 3 out of 4 children have ended up with sensitive skin (like their daddy) and the diapers/wipes offered from these companies have eliminated all our issues***

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5. Double Your Dinners

Around 30 weeks, I was beginning to slow down. I knew the time was quickly approaching that I wouldn't want to be on my feet at the end of a long day for too much longer. So, when I cooked dinner, I began making double batches of everything and freezing it.

These dinners didn't quite make it till after the twins arrival, however...they actually came in handy the last few weeks of my pregnancy where I was couch bound by 1pm. 

MY TIP : Make a day of it. Invite your girlfriends/sisters/mothers over for a day of freezer meal cooking. It'll make for some great memories, and cut your time in half.

Some of my favorite freezer meals:

• Shredded Barbecue Chicken 
• Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders
• Tuna/Salmon Patties
• Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos 
• Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast

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6. When Someone Offers to Help....TAKE THEM UP ON IT!

You will hit your limit. For every twin pregnancy, that will come at various times, but know that it will come.

For me, it was 34 weeks. I could barely muster up the energy to change my 2 year olds diaper, get down on the floor to do play, let alone prepare meals.

A sweet friend, knowing any pregnancy towards the end is hard, brought me meals BEFORE the babies arrived. My mom and dad would make extras of their dinner and bring over the rest for our family. Neighbors offered to watch our kids in the afternoons so I could rest.

***IF YOU KNOW AN EXPECTING TWIN MOMMA...BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE FOR HER!***

It takes a village to raise a kid...but it takes a community to make it full term with twins!

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7. CREATE AN ONLINE REGISTRY

I have used this method of creating an ONLINE REGISTRY FOR ALL OF MY PREGNANCIES and it is a WONDERFUL RESOURCE! 

• ​It saves you time walking through the store (and TRUST ME...the last thing you want to be doing is walking!)
• It allows you to READ REVIEWS on all the items before you add it to your list. This  eliminates scanning things you're not sure about. (YOU CAN FIND MY LIST OF THINGS YOU'LL NEED HERE)
• Friends and family from out of town can EASILY SEARCH, PURCHASE, & SEND RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR.

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR REGISTRY NOW!

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RELATED POSTS 

YOU DON'T NEED TWO OF EVERYTHING : SURVIVING MY TWIN PREGNANCY (PART 2)

20+ ENCOURAGING & PRACTICAL TIPS FOR THE EXPECTING MOM OF TWINS : SURVIVING MY TWIN PREGNANCY (PART 3)

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