Twin Pregnancy Blog - Twin Home Water Birth Story and Twin life

And finally I can update!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:26:00 +0000

Jack

Megan

These past near 12 weeks (yes nearly 12! where the heck has it gone?!) have just flown by. It only feels like yesterday that I gave birth to TWO beautiful babies at home (well apart from sore nipples I'm glad I don't have them anymore!) I'm still completely on a home birth high and now feel incredibly proud of myself that I stuck to it and achieved the birth I wanted. It didn't sink in until I had seen the doctor for our 6 week check (which was last week... nearly 5 weeks late... my bad!) Dr 'J' checked over both babies (who are now - Megan 8lb 6 and Jack 9lb! yes he's shot in front of her!) both came out perfect and then after the usual shock that I'm still breastfeeding followed by the 'am I OK?' we got to the home birth (I was soooo waiting for it!) "so you had a home birth?... how did that happen?" ...... me "errr well I organised it with the NHS midwives and the Head of Midwifery........." (gave her a weird look......stupid!) I went on to tell her that I did what was right for me therefore being the right thing for them too, all scans had been fine and we were all healthy. She didn't say much else apart from whether they went onto transitional care (which they didn't) so I didn't have the awkwardness I was expecting. Dr 'J' then went onto praising me about breastfeeding and said I seemed to be doing very well so I left happy :)

It has been a very emotional ride having twins (I'm sure that will continue!), it's mainly the sleep deprivation that's been the hardest for me. In the first 6 weeks they fed nearly hourly 24/7, it was tough some nights but we are through it now and we just have the cluster feeding in the evening and growth spurts, they sleep 2 hourly or more during the day and I get about 3ish hours of unbroken sleep at night (doesn't sound much but trust me it's heaven!) and then I can just drift in and out during feeds..... the beauty of co sleeping!
I have managed to get them both feeding at different times at night too, this would be a nightmare to some twin mums but I prefer to roll over to one and then the other, I can't do the sitting up and trying to not nod off while feeding them!

I'm now also at the smiling and the cooing stage! I love it, you can really see their personalities and how very different they both are, it's great!. I've also noticed how noisy it is having two! If ones not grunting the other ones farting (or both at the same time!) or when both start crying (Megan makes out it's like the end of the world unless she has my nipple in her mouth!) the whole house knows about it! Bless :)

I don't really want to talk about the negatives I've experienced over the past weeks as really they are quite insignificant to the amount of positives that come with having our two extra babes, I'm really trying to enjoy this newborn stage before it goes and as I have small babies still I'm going to style it out for as long as possible!

The girls have really taken to them both being in our lives and show them so much affection, I really can't see our life before having them, they just slot in lovely :)

I need both hands now so will go, I will update again soon when I find five minutes again!

Natasha x

Breastfeeding Twins ~ Tandem, Rugby and side by side............

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Breastfeeding Twins ~ Jack and Megan a few days old

A few weeks ago I vaguely remember saying how easy breastfeeding Twins was to a few people and I really should highlight the word WAS boldly.

It isn't anymore! It's tiring, I'm a little sore and they feed ALL day and ALL night (well it feels like they are constantly attached!) they are regularly on and off (Megan is now stirring having only fed half hour ago......)

I know they are going through a growth spurt but they have had one since birth and it's just got worse! ha ha

I've discovered that I really dislike tandem feeding, there are a few reason why.

Firstly it feels weird (hardly descriptive but the word suits) I just can't wait for them to stop feeding when I have to feed them this way (most feeds as of late.... *sigh) this makes me feel quite sad as I know many mums love tandeming their babes but it's not for me.

It's much easier if you do like doing it, because then you have longer between feeds but I quite like the individual time spent with each, so that doesn't bother me much.

Number 2 - It's bloody uncomfortable. Even when I'm propped with pillows I still feel uncomfortable, but I guess number 1 reason doesn't help.

Number 3 - I can't do anything! I can't reach for a drink, type (this is essential! )........ I'm stuck!. My boobs are not big enough to move about much, so when I try to reach for things they unlatch and get annoyed.

I've tried all tandem positions and prefer to use the side by side (3rd image on first row)

So yeah I try to avoid doing it but lately the feeding is very frequent and quite often they both want to feed at the same time, so I have no choice. I know some reading will be saying well why not pump and someone feed the other occasionally?... but I prefer not to interfere with building my supply before 6 weeks, demand feeding is there for a reason and so I keep telling myself "I't WILL get easier!" plus I'm far too pig headed when I feel a certain way about how I want to do things, I guess that's one of the reasons for getting our home birth!

Megan is a hoover and nipple feeder, she has been since birth and made my nipple bleed on day 3, but the Earth Mama Angel Baby quickly remedied that one! I also swapped them over so she didn't do any further 'damage' but my nipples are still sore, hopefully they will toughen up again soon.

Even though it's hard and tiring the benefits of doing it are MASSIVE! This list keeps me going............ (click image to englarge) plus if you right click and open in new tab/window you can zoom in!

ever wondered whats in breast milk?

Not only this but I do love the closeness and how much I saw it do for my girls, to me it's something I should do and if I'm able to (which I am) then no matter what I will until we feel ready to stop.

I'm currently planning to go to 2 years (Lottie fed to a few weeks shy of her 2nd birthday) so when we get there I will maybe rethink then.

For now this is it as it's took me 2 hours to write this with all the boob breaks!

Natasha x

Placenta Encapsulation, Smoothies and Post Twin Tummy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:47:00 +0000

Ok so a review on the Placenta Smoothie and Encapsulation first.

As I said in the birth story, Lesley from IPEN (http://placentanetwork.com/utilities/userServices/user_profile.asp?userId=1221 ) came to mine a few hours after birth and made me a smoothie out of both Jack and Megan's Placentas, unfortunately while being so out of it I didn't think to take a picture so pinched one from somewhere else to give an idea of what it looked like.

It looked very much like this!

Here is a link on how to make the Smoothie

http://www.placentanetwork.com/placenta/remedies/Smoothies.asp

It tasted of nothing but fruit, it was thick however but perfectly pleasant and easy to swallow :)
I noticed a big improvement in how I felt energy wise as prior to drinking it I felt absolutely awful, washed out and although it wasn't a hard long labour it was most definitely the most painful and exhausting (at the end) birth compared to the girls labours and I guess all that pre labour I had experienced over the weeks before had caught up with me too. I wouldn't say it made me feel on top of the world after, I still felt like I'd given birth! but it was a good 'pick me up'. I had another one the next morning after having not slept all night and it managed to make me feel a little more human again and able to cope with the lack of sleep.
I would highly recommend it to other mums to be, particularly those who have other children to care for as well because of how low energy is after birth (also depending on how birth went) and if there is anything that can help make that a bit easier it is worth its weight in gold!

The Placenta Capsules

So a few days later Lesley came to mine with a bag of goodies :)

Megan and Jacks Cords (Lesley made a J out of Jacks :) )

In the bag was dosage instructions, IPEN leaflets, Lesley's business cards, Jack and Megan's dried cords as keepsakes, Megan's Placenta capsules (Raw) and Jacks Placenta capsules (TCM)

Visit here for Raw version information

Visit here for TCM version information

Megan's capsule

Jacks capsule

So for around the past 10/11 days I've been taking Megan's Raw placenta capsules, I felt drawn to taking these at the moment and here are a few things I noticed :-

* Breast milk - I had a very good flow by day 3 and have continued to have a very good flow of breast milk, now I know putting them both to the breast as much as I have has obviously helped that (supply/demand rules) but I'm not a breastfeeding novice and with both girls it took a bit of extra work to get a nice steady flow going and usually by 6 weeks there was a lovely supply but it seems to have happened already and I guess having the two of them working at the supply has also helped but my eating pattern hasn't been the best at all (naughty but hey ho....) plus Megan is a nipple feeder (ouch!) so with all this I'm quite certain the capsules have played a part in my lovely abundant milk flow!

* Energy/Moods - Well I wont lie I've been a moody cow BUT not long after taking the capsules I do notice a change in my mood for a good few hours after, I feel less irritable and a bit calmer. This has happened AFTER taking the pills each time. Along with this (and possibly why my mood is elevated) my energy levels are a little higher and I'm able to function. Considering I barely get a few hours here and there during the night I would be expecting to feel like the walking dead but I don't. Although it's certainly not good for my mental well being to have only a few hours sleep, I'm able to rest comfortably still without feeling like each inch of energy and life force is being sucked away at every feed :)

* Bleeding/After birth pains - After birth the after pains kicked in immediately (as expected) they did make me wince a little, especially during the feeds, I took paracetamol for the first day. After having the smoothie I barely noticed the after pains (along with taking pain relief) this was actually quite surprising for me as with Charlotte even while taking pain meds the pain was crippling and during every feed for the first 3 days felt like I was in labour (most of the time) it was awful, after pains went on for nearly a week. With that in mind I was expecting it to be far worse with a bigger uterus (which actually contracted down very quickly after Jack was born) and bigger wound area where both placentas were. The next day I didn't need paracetamol for it (only took some because of unrelated pelvic pain) as it was bearable and easy to manage, by day 3 I barely felt anything but a few mild cramps. Whether it was the smoothie or not I'm not sure but I'd like to say it contributed.
The bleeding has been very steady and most days mild/light period. With both girls I bled for weeks (6 weeks with Olivia and around 3/4 with Charlotte) Since I started taking the capsules the bleeding had remained mild/light and because of that along with increase in mood/energy I then started over doing it :-/ It lead me to believe that my body was able to go back to doing what I did before, which is my own stupid fault (not the capsules fault!) and the bleeding for the past two days or so has been quite a bit heavier and I've been feeling very 'periody' (not a real word but you get what I mean!) so I've slowed down again and so has the bleeding (yey!).

I'm planning to start the TCM (Jacks) once my cold/cough has cleared, it's recommend you don't take them while unwell (Infection/fever)

Quoted from gentlebirth.org http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/eatplcnt.html

Contraindications: placenta should not be taken alone if there is heat from yin deficiency. This would be characterized as flushed cheeks, hot palms and feet, afternoon fever, nightsweats (yes, these are common menopausal sx- many of which are caused by yin deficiency). Because in TCM many acute illnesses, esp. those characterized by fever, chills, aches, sneezing are seen as the invasion of a pathogenic evil, placenta should NEVER be taken with these symptoms. Placenta is a powerful tonifier and cannot differentiate between the body's defensive qi and the invading pathogen. Taking it while fighting off, say, a common cold, or more to the point, a breast infection (which sx are fever, aches, chills, etc.) can make the pathogen stronger and go deeper. (This is the same reason ginseng--a tonifier--is not to be taken with a common cold.) Watch those ladies right now who get influenza after delivery--they should avoid any tonifiers (placenta or otherwise) as well.

Apparently this isn't so with the Raw ones from what I remember (correct me if I'm wrong!)

Post Twin Tummy!

Now after I gave birth my uterus contracted down very well, I did feel like I needed to hold my stomach when I had my bath and shower. Over the next few days it went down a little more, but you could most certainly see it sticking out under my top but considering I just had two babies it wasn't bad!
By day 3 I popped on the corset and left it on day and night.
Two days after I noticed an immediate change (haven't got after birth tummy pic doh!)

Corset has a velcro fastening on the side and just stretches over.

Here is a link to where I bought it Clicky (ebay person will love me!)

I got the smallest (6-10) as I'm a size 8-10 pre preg but it would easily fit someone who was a size 12 pre preg as it's quite big and has a lot of stretch.

Here I am a week after giving birth

I just can't believe how much it's gone down! I think along with breastfeeding, possibly the placenta pills and corset it's all played a part in helping it all go down. The interesting thing is that after I had Charlotte my tummy was much bigger than this and I had a 'belly' for a good 3/4 months after! So I'm really impressed and feel optimistic about getting back into shape later on :)

The Twin Home Birth Story!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:22:00 +0000

Twin Home Water Birth Story

During the week building up to the birth, I was woken up by lower backache and frequent trips to the toilet. I had lots of pressure every time I had a bowel movement (hate that phrase.... ha ha) ok nightly diarrhea episodes! (why at night?!!!) I was feeling sick still most evenings which wasn’t fun either, this along with pelvic pain and 3 point turns to get out of bed I was feeling pretty fed up.

Having already been told at 35 weeks I was 4cms, I was thinking every night that this was going to be it. But of course it wasn’t and every morning I’d wake shattered and wondering when it was all going to kick off but also hoping they would stay put until the following week when I turn 37 weeks.

The following Monday at 37 weeks at 2am in the morning the backache was stronger, I had at least 6 or 7 poo trips and I started losing bloody show. I had been losing plug for weeks but this was the first sign that labour was not too far away.
I went back to bed feeling like this could be it but fell asleep and in the morning it all stopped, I felt odd........ quiet before the storm!

My midwife Cheryl rang and said she will come and see me as I said I felt odd (which was strange as I was thinking to myself that I could do with seeing her just before she called!) and she did my blood pressure, wee and everything was fine. She left on the note that things were probably not far off and I felt quite teary when she left, I just couldn't put my finger on why I felt so weird. I really didn’t feel labour was going to come but still I informed Nicky the Independent midwife who I had invited to the birth (as she had never been to twin home birth and had been a great support while getting my home birth through the NHS) and told her it’s likely to happen that week (subconscious kicking in there!) and while still feeling odd I also felt very tired so had an early night.

Birth Day

It’s around 5am and I get woken up by a huge urge to go toilet, I sat there in disbelief that I had slept from 9pm until 5am without a wee trip or poo trip so I just thought the urgency was because of that. But I had quite intense lower backache, still in denial I just put it down to Twin 1 being posterior, but then I felt a surge in my lower back and it didn’t go away and then I had lots more bloody show..... still sat there thinking am I? and then another intense surge..... YES I AM!

I ran downstairs........ well no I waddled ha ha who am I kidding! as Paul (the other half) was downstairs on the sofa with Olivia my eldest (sleeping arrangements were higgledy piggledy due to me taking up the whole bed and the youngest Charlotte, Olivia had decided to join him in the night) I told him I was in labour and by this point the backache felt constant and quite intense but still totally manageable!

I got him to ring maternity while I let Nicky (IM) know what was happening so she could make her way once the midwives had come.
It’s now around 6am and Cheryl is here. We make our way upstairs to check bp and babies. I have a few ‘back contractions’ and she suggests having a check to see where I was.

I lay back on my bed and I then get informed I was 9cm.......... 9cm!!! wow I got to 9cm without much discomfort?! Cheryl said it was unlikely I’d make getting in the pool!

I went downstairs to inform Paul while in total shock and urged him to get going with the pool quick!

Then the supervisor of Midwives turned up and around 10 minutes later a hospital Midwife.
I felt in a fluster but the SOM and hospital Midwife took over and sorted out Olivia’s lunch and hair for school (ha ha! NOT on the job description but so thankful they did that!) while I went off and made calls between contractions...... which were still in my back!

Just to add from this part everything is quite hazy so I will do my best to get everything down!

So here I am labouring away, and at some point I remember Nicky turning up and someone else (I think.....) it’s around 8 now and Olivia has gone over the road to a neighbours house and they took her to school, Charlotte is in her element being fussed over and I’m over a chair still with back pain and really wanting to get in that pool!

The contractions had started to move round the front too at this point, they were coming and going but I don’t think they had a real pattern they were quite short but I trusted they were doing what was needed.

Not sure on times now but the pool was ready, I got in and my goodness it felt GOOD! I had a few more contractions in there. I looked over to the front room and noticed an extra person, she introduced herself as Sue (Head of midwifery who I had wrote to and had support from but it didn’t click it was her!) and I remember thinking wow she’s done up (in full make up while I feel rough as rats) but then focused again on my hands and knees hoping that it was helping to turn the little lady round.

I looked up at the clock and it was nearly 9, I was waiting for my Mum to turn up and deep down didn’t want anything to happen without her there. I think around 10 minutes later I saw her come through the front room door and I knew then I wasn’t far off from having them.

The contractions stalled and Cheryl suggested I stood up and my waters still hadn’t gone, I felt that it was likely she was still trying to turn. I got out of the pool and felt like I needed a wee so I went upstairs, it felt like she was going to fall out! I managed to do a little wee and came back down after a contraction on the loo. Sue suggested I get on the ball and do some pelvic rolls, the contractions returned both back and front and were really intense now. I was still able to breathe through them and was wishing my waters would just go........ they didn’t and feeling frustrated I got off the ball and tried squatting, this was really uncomfortable so I gave up with that and Cheryl said she would like to try some reflexology. While Cheryl did this I had some very intense contractions, but still no water breaking. Cheryl said it might be an idea to break my waters, although the contractions were there they were still infrequent or short and I think she could see how fed up I was. I said I had enough and wanted to get back in the pool. Cheryl suggested breaking my waters first if I wanted and my head just screamed YES!
She checked me first and said I was complete and little ladies head was ‘right there’ bag bulging.
She got everything ready, hook out and after what seemed like forever I felt a gush! and it felt great! I felt instant relief!

The contractions changed and I felt like I had moved right onto the next stage. I got back in the pool and got in a hands and knees position and the contractions now felt like my back was being torn in two. I got Paul to put pressure on my back (he put his whole weight on me and it still didn’t feel enough!) I was feeling weepy now (ahhhh transition.......) fed up and so over it!
I tried doing little pushes to see if it would help but it felt like they were doing nothing.
I moved round to sitting up to see if this would help, but it didn’t and the contractions were very hard and intense so I moved back round to all fours and the urge to push started. I vaguely remembering hearing that it might be good to stand up or get out as the contractions were spreading out again but I didn’t want to and just ignored what was being said. I felt really weepy and pathetic and just really fed up, I was pushing and getting Paul to push on my back but it felt like it was doing nothing, the pushing felt ineffective and the pushing on my back was really not cutting it! The pain was too intense now and the whole time I was just thinking I could really do with some gas and air and why am I not asking for it?! I continued to debate this in my head while now being very vocal about how I really didn’t want to do this anymore. I also remember saying in to myself why am I not having this pain free birth I’ve read about?! what did I do wrong?!! Orgasmic birth my ass!

I moved back round as I wanted to birth little lady in a sitting position, I held onto the handles and asked Paul to hold onto my shoulders, but he was doing it wrong and I told him to get off! So my Mum stepped in and said she would. The pushing and contractions felt unbearable and so hard, I was shouting at this point and feeling so so fed up. The contractions now felt constant and there was no relief even when pushing. Finally I heard that they could see her, but after I stopped pushing I could feel her move back up, I felt like I was never going to get her out! Still pushing down I seemed to be getting closer but it was getting more and more intense, I couldn’t do it anymore I didn’t want to be there anymore and I didn’t want to push anymore!
I heard Cheryl tell me to breathe through them and stop pushing (I guess she was near crowning) but Paul was saying push and I vaguely remember telling him to f’ing shut up (woops!)

Then I could feel it, her head was coming and wow was it intense, I just wanted her out! and finally her head was! RELIEF! I put my hands down and touched her soft little head and I could feel her wriggling and turning I had another contraction and she was out. I got hold of her and pulled her up to my chest, she looked just like Charlotte.......... my heart melted!

This feeling was soon overtaken by very very intense contractions and I asked for her cord to be cut. Paul took off his top for some skin to skin and Sue said she would like to hold little man in place to prevent him turning (now he had all that room!) at that point I didn’t care as it was just so intense and I felt like I couldn’t do it. I got on all fours and just pushed, there wasn’t much of an urge to but I wanted him out! there was no break at all between contractions and I felt like my body was going to give up. I suddenly felt his head and felt the burning as he crowned, he wriggled and I heard that the Caul was still intact! He wriggled some more and as I pushed again he shot out and it broke!

Cheryl passed him through my legs and as I grabbed him I was overcome with every emotion I could have possibly felt! I brought him up and couldn’t believe how small he was and so perfect! Part of his sack was floating off his arm and I was totally in awe! after having 3 girls I just couldn’t get over seeing this little boy.

A little while after I felt really uncomfortable and felt the need to have his cord cut and I wanted to get out of the pool.
I had to hold onto my stomach (it felt like everything was going to drop out) and my Mum helped me get out of the pool and I went over to the sofa, I sat down and still getting contractions the Placentas were on their way.

Paul brought in the boxes we had for them as I had Lesley coming round after (from IPEN Placenta Network) to do me a smoothie and encapsulate their placentas. I gave a little push and out it came!

The Placentas were fussed and looked very healthy, the bleeding was quite minimal and I sat back on the sofa while everyone was sorting out bits around me. This is now quite a blur as I felt really drained by this point. The bleeding got a little heavier so I consented to having syntometrine, a few minutes after this I started being sick and felt pretty awful. Both then had a little feed while one was being weighed. Megan came out at 5lb 7 and Jack 4lb 11. Transitional care was mentioned but I said no and that I would try and see how things went, I felt deep down I was more than capable at keeping them warm and both had taken to the breast easily so I wasn’t worried.

I was sick again and was feeling so crap, Cheryl suggested having a bath so I went up and sat on the toilet while waiting for it to fill. I got in and felt like my body melted, it was just what I needed. I asked Paul to put in a few drops of lavender and just relaxed for a little bit.

I let the bath drain before having a shower and washed my hair, my body felt empty and heavy I needed to get into bed.

I got out of the shower to find Cheryl had put some pads on the bed and I just got right in, it felt good to be there.

Paul brought Megan and Jack up and I had a cuddle with them, people started to leave and everything was being tidied up around me.

Some point after Cheryl did some more checks and then got her bits together to set off, Lesley was due to come after an hour or so (which I was really looking forward to as I felt I needed the smoothie) the time quickly passed and I heard the door, Yey! she was here!
Not long soon after, she comes up the stairs with such a lovely energy and I knew I was going to like this drink!

It had both Megan and Jacks placenta in it, I tried one sip and all I could taste was lovely fruit.
Still in a daze (and overwhelmed) we had a little chat about the birth, it felt so right to have her be there and be a part of the birth experience.

Lesley asked if I would like one Raw version and one based on Traditional Chinese Method
http://www.placentanetwork.com/remedies/Placenta-Encapsulation.asp

I was happy to try that and Lesley then went off with the Placentas.

Within the hour I felt so much better! The drink was amazing! I am so so glad that I had it. There was also another glass for the next day too so I knew I would have another pick me up and boy would I need it!

That night I had no sleep, Megan fed and fed and I found it hard to try and get Jack to feed. He was very mucusy but I wasn’t going to give up! Finally at 6am when it finally clicked to try skin to skin he had a great long feed! I felt so relieved.

Both are now doing very very well and both feed like pro’s! I’m glad I followed my instincts.

I’m going to leave it here for now but will post again soon about the Placenta Pills (best thing ever!) and a corset I have been wearing since day 3 after birth (it’s amazing how much my tummy has gone down!!!!) hopefully I haven’t missed too much and Thank you to Nicky for doing our photos of the birth I am hoping to have more soon so will try and pop them on when I have gone through them!

Natasha xx

37 weeks pregnant with Twins - Home birth here we come!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Excuse the minging mirror!

37 weeks today and it really is the best feeling to have got through to this stage!

I had a presentation scan today and after some moving about from one room to another (couldn't see clearly and they wanted an experienced Twin sonographer) Both were found to be still head down, except the little madam is in OP position. So I've been on my hand and knees and hoping she moves round, which she will likely do :).......... I have every faith!

Twin two's head is literally sitting right between her chin and shoulder, the sonographer commented that it looked like they were both fighting for lead position! It certainly looked that way! :)

(gross post)
I have honestly never seen so much gunk......... had another massive show today and 3 small amounts, I certainly feel my body is gearing up!

Sleep is interrupted hourly with toilet or cramps, I take this as pre-baby training as I'm sure this will likely continue when they are here ;-)

My feet are swelling daily now (well it doesn't really go down), it's quite mild so just more of an uncomfortable nuisance. I haven't really had a lot of problems in this pregnancy and feel lucky to have gone through it as well as I have so I can't complain!

Everything is ready in the house. The pool has been blown up and propped up against the kitchen wall, my birth box and the hospital birth box is ready too.

Oh and I nearly forgot! we have a lady coming out to collect both placentas after the birth and she's going to make me a smoothie and placenta capsules! We decided we would have someone else do it and she has let us pay monthly to help :) I'm going to have lots of pills from both of these placentas! The smoothie sounds very erm interesting and apparently you can't actually taste it due to all the berries etc that is used, the reports of how women feel after is what has swung me to try it. I will certainly be reporting back when I have had it!

I have a feeling that maybe before my next update they will be here. When I do go into labour I will update my facebook page as it's much quicker, so keep your eye out!

Natasha x

Email from Supervisor of midwives

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:46:00 +0000

Thought I would share the email I received about the meeting!

Dear Natasha

I thought I would just update you with what was discussed at a meeting that I attended this morning regarding supporting you in your decision to have your twins at home.

At the meeting were senior community midwives, Supervisors of Midwives, the clinical risk manager, the delivery suite manager, the inpatient services manager (the community midwifery manager is on leave), and *** **** the Head of Midwifery.

With your permission we would like to leave a box of equipment at your house prior to you going into labour. Please do not be concerned at the size of it as some of the equipment it contains is quite bulky. I would like to reassure you that the plan is not to use all that the box contains unless we are faced with an emergency situation. However there will also be some essential equipment and items such a your red books and baby notes within it. I am hoping that either ****** (my midwife), or another member of staff, will be bringing the box before the weekend.

We plan to have 3 midwives present at delivery. One will be a community midwife and the other a hospital midwife who has experience of delivering twins. The third will be a Supervisor of Midwives whose role will be to support the midwives looking after you. I hope that you will be able to accommodate everyone!

Please feel free to contact me if you require further information.

With best wishes

***** *******

So my midwife is coming tomorrow for Antenatal and bringing the box!

I feel a mixture of happiness and then crapping myself at the same time, but I know it will be fine :)

Natasha

36 weeks pregnant with twins! - Scan - (well yesterday)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:10:00 +0000

36 weeks! Really really pleased I've got this far :)

There has been no more contractions but lots and lots of 'show' and I really wish I didn't have to get up 345612 times a night to go loo. But hey they are still in there growing so a few more potential weeks of discomfort is nothing in the grand scheme of things, although I certainly question my thoughts at 3am when the heartburn becomes unbearable and I have to do some sort of 3 point turn to get out of bed......... and I don't drive! ha!

So the scan yesterday went well. Both are head down still... whoop!! (his head was tucked up right near hers!) and all placenta, water checks etc came back normal. They couldn't get all of Twin 1 measurements due to her being "Too low in maternal pelvis" (good girl! she's heading the right way!) and Twin 2 is estimated at 4lb 9. Although I feel it's a teeny bit dinky (but I shouldn't compare!), the measurements were most certainly inaccurate. The sonographer measured them differently to the others (which may have been the only way due to how cramped they are) but the Abdomen measurements were taken from a squished tummy (which you could see) and he didn't get a full view, so I'm really interested to see how much they do come out weighing! None the less I'm 5'5, small build so I'm hardly going to have 8lbers..........

I have been looking into caring for smaller babies in case they are on the very small side, and I can see my sling and boobs being out A LOT! :D (at least I get all the cuddles!)

I also have had the offer from a local mum to have some of her milk stash (I put a post up on HM4HB (Human milk 4 Human babies http://www.facebook.com/HM4HBUK) and the lady who contacted me I already knew! So I feel more relaxed about them possibly needing a 'top up' if I'm unable to pump. :D!! Thank you lovely lady and TINTERNET!

So back to the scan - When all was finished he made the comment "not exactly porkers, but everything is fine" and because I didn't have the Antenatal appointment after (the one that mysteriously didn't get booked.....) I was given my notes and off I toddled!

So for now it's a sit and wait game! I feel like a ticking time bomb and everyone (including many of the mums at the school........ the butcher ........... grocer......the man with the dog......... the postman ha ha) is waiting in anticipation! and I'm here legs firmly crossed or waddling around at 4cms and quite happy to wait a little longer :D !

We have just 6 more days before we are clear for the home birth, let hope they at least hold on for that!!

Natasha x

Preterm labour that very nearly ended up with two early babies and Supervisor of midwives visit

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:28:00 +0000

So around midnight on Tuesday the 13th I wake to lower back pain and braxton hicks, and then ended up on the loo with a most definite clear out (nice!). I thought that maybe the pain was from this and went back to bed. Only a few minutes later the back pain came again but it was constant and I kept getting braxton hicks every time I moved. I ended up back on the loo and I just knew I was in labour.

I told Paul and I decided to call the maternity unit (as that's how they started with Charlotte, except my waters broke with her first and I was 5cm already) I explained previous birth and twin situation and she said ring back in an hour, take paracetamol... the usual but then went on to say that actually if in an hour they didn't go or got worse to come straight in.

I had a bath to see if they got worse or stopped.... the got worse! They were also in my lower tummy now as well as my back, so called the unit again and she said come in.

We got ready and my sister came to watch the girls for us. When I got to delivery I was met by a very smiley midwife (it's now 2am wed!) and she was very nice. I was seen very quickly and I accepted an examination. She said I was 4cm (although wrote 3... weird) and then took us to the day room while they got the delivery suite ready. I was getting contractions around every 3 mins or so but then would be irregular in length (some 1-2 minutes and some 30-40 secs) so although I knew I was in early labour I didn't totally feel that this was it.

We got taken to the room and my heart just sank, the room was massive and there was two resuscitaire's in there. It just looked so wrong and I just couldn't imagine them both on one.

I then met the midwife who was going to look after me (and she did) and she read my birth plan, it was amazing to see her facial expressions as I doubt she'd seen anything like it for a twin pregnancy! She gave me the guidelines on some of the points I have on it but then respected that I wanted to be active and we made a compromise on the fetal monitoring. She was lovely and we had a laugh with her, I felt surprisingly very calm about it all and confident it would be ok. The Midwife warned me (yes really lol) that the consultant who was on duty may have a few things to say about my birth plan and to be prepared for her to be a bit funny (which I was anyway).

The consultant came in and was surprisingly not looking like she was about to rip the babies out of me there and then and was very polite. But she really didn't get off to a good start, "so Natasha this is your 3rd pregnancy, 1 csec and 2 vaginal deliveries?" my face must have said it all as she said "no?!" (shocked face) I then said that I have had 4 pregnancies (well on 4th), one I miscarried and I have never had a csec, first was assisted ventouse delivery and the second I birthed at home. The Midwife also relayed this information and said that she must have got me mixed up with the lady next door but yeah she looked like a Dick.

She then went on about my birth plan, and again was very polite and just reiterated what I have been told and read many many times about the "high risk" twin pregnancy and then pointed out that there is a twin study that is going to show that all twin births are safer when having planned csections (yes probably if you get subjected to high amounts of intervention and get scared into thinking your body can't do it's job........... *sigh why can't they work with women) She then tried to convince me to get an epidural (the contractions were more regular then and getting more painful) I said no and then to shut her up said I would consider it, she then said that if I wanted she would get the anesthetist to come and have a chat with me (she would not leave it alone!) and I said no thank you! So then off she went and left me to it. I eventually got a ball to labour on and me and Paul were pretty much on our own, the Midwife was great and just left me to be on my own and just checking every now and then which was fine and I was happy with. The contractions then started to die down but I started being sick so thought maybe things were progressing (although deep down I knew they weren't and it was just from being over tired and still having morning sickness) By 6am they really had tailed off and I asked her to examine me (so I could confirm my own feelings on it being over) she said I was 4cms and agreed that it looked like it had all stopped.

She then went and I was met with a new midwife and again was very nice, they tried to get me to stay but I discharged myself as I knew it was just pre labour and that I still have a little while yet (accept this morning 15/03/12 I had a lot of show eeeek stay put babies!) So I got home Wednesday 10am and my god I felt so poorly and tired.... I slept well last night!

I'm so pleased it stopped and it actually kicked my head into gear about being worried about stupid things and to get a grip ha ha! Although initially I crapped myself when I got home because of how close I was to having them anyway! If I had accepted that epidural I would have ended up being induced and then would have had two very small and very very not ready to come out yet babies!! It's scary how close I was and can't imagine how often this must happen!!!

Now the Supervisor visit :)

It went very well, she was really nice and we just went through my birth plan, changed a few things (which i'm happy with) and my Midwife did the Home birth check. The supervisor said that she will be having a meeting with the Head of Midwifery next week to discuss a plan and I will be able to see a copy of this next week when my Midwife comes out for an antenatal visit. I was so happy that I actually had the meeting as 6 hours prior I didn't think they would be still inside!

I'm looking forward to seeing this plan :)

It seems to be getting more eventful everyday and the closer we get to their birth (whenever that may be!) I just hope they hold until the 26th!!

Natasha xx

35 weeks - Twin Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Eeeek 35 weeks!

I feel like I have 'dropped' a bit, you wont see it in the pic but under my top you can really see how low it's hanging there! Twin 1 is burrowing herself right down and I'm sure she has engaged somewhat due to the pelvic pain and full on duck walk!

I've been getting painful braxton hicks, well more ache than pain I guess but uncomfortable and all the pre birth prep is flooding back to me now from DD2s pregnancy. It's quite exciting!

I went to the home birth group and picked up the birth pool as the next meeting I will be nearly 39 weeks and going by my 39 and 37 weekers (and now carrying twins!) I thought it was unlikely I'd make the next!

I'm really happy to see it here as the water helped so much with DD2 and it would be lovely to have them both in water.

My Midwife and the supervisor of Midwives is coming to my home on Wednesday to discuss the home birth. I will update after I've seen them of course ;-)

I also have an Independent Midwife coming the following week as I have invited her to the birth, I thought it would be great for her to see a home twin birth (and quite likely a long time before she sees another!) so will have a chat about whats going to happen and in what way she will be involved but she will be mostly observing I think :)

It feels a little surreal, I'm actually very near the end and over the next 3/4 weeks I will have our two babies. The anxiety about birth is lessening now due to feeling very fed up and over with it! Which is great as it was getting to me a little.

Not much else now to add but will update with more news soon! :)

Natasha x

33 weeks pregnant with twins.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

33 weeks pregnant with twins

The ever expanding bump feels so so soooo tight. I have a whole new load of stretch marks now too. To be honest I'm surprised they have only become obvious until now as I thought I'd get lots much earlier.

I have been reading lots of Twin home birth stories and talking to others who have or who are doing the same. It really helps lift the anxiousness I have and reaffirms my own instincts and desire to birth them at home.

Lots of lovely post turned up this week, I orderd the earth mama angel baby nipple cream and it smells lush and feels lovely, so very pleased with that! Some fleece liners and my gorgeous wee notions minki breastpads turned up too. They are so soft and I just love the colours I picked. I will do a pic in the week :)

Not much more other than I hate molasses........ yuk yuk yuk. I will not be carrying on the supplement after pregnancy has finished!

Natasha x

32 weeks pregnant with Twins - 32 Week scan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:03:00 +0000

32 weeks

Well everything went fine, Twin 1 very low so wasn't able to get many of her measurements. Twin 2 however was breech extended which I was quite shocked about as yesterday I was sure he was still head down (guess he could have moved during the night) I'm hoping he does turn but will just have to see, I know it's common for twin 2 to be breech and delivery should be ok but I would feel much happier if he was head down. So fingers crossed he has by 36 week scan.

Twin 2 was coming in at 3lb 6 and there was no weight guess with Twin 1 due to her position but it's likely shes around that or more :)

I had a weird moment with the consultant, I wasn't actually intending to see him and had told the receptionist that I still would like my urine checked etc but I didn't want to see a consultant unless I needed to. So was taken to the room, bp checked and off she went with my wee. Next moment in comes the consultant! ( a different one again ) I felt quite pissed at this point and felt like I just been forced into seeing him (although I don't think it was their intention). I caught a glimpse of the last consultants write up about my wish for a home birth and that I needed telling that it's not supported (which he started to talk about after I had read this) again it was just the same old stuff and then said he wants to see me after 36 week scan to discuss my birth options in hospital which by the way will be monitored, epidural and that's basically what they do end of type attitude. By this point I just shut off, he wrote out a green note for scan and then a letter to book me in to see a consultant again.

He clearly wasn't going to listen so I just said nothing, walked to the desk and gave her the green slip to book the scan........ I got outside and realised that I may have forgotten to do something else, I still can't quite remember what it was.......shame.

If all goes well next time that will be my last visit to the hospital I think unless I manage to miraculously get past 38 weeks, when the consultant seems to think he's inducing me (fat chance!) then I think I will look into having some sort of closer monitoring but not sure about more scans as think there are too many as it is. We will just see!

I haven't got much more to update on other than I feel like a whale and I'm now bigger than I was with the girls....... but it's all good ;-/ (I'm actually counting down the days now!)

Natasha x

31 weeks pregnant with twins

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:59:00 +0000

31 weeks

Not much happening really other than more discomfort. Woke up a few nights ago to a mouth full of acid (nice!) this then led to coughing and then feeling like I couldn't breathe for an hour. It wasn't pleasent!

My skin is feeling very stretched and starting to feel quite sore and I'm shattered all the time so I've not been too active, I guess that's natures way.

We are busy getting the house in order and I'm slowly ticking things off the list. DD2 is off on her holidays (yay!) but everything has been quite relaxed thankfully (not too much fighting between the girls) so all in all it's all ticking along nicely at the moment.

Will update after my scan next week, it's at 1.30 :)

Natasha

30 weeks pregnant with Twins

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:42:00 +0000

30 weeks

I'm feeling quite good at the moment and seem to have some energy from somewhere! I guess my nesting instincts have kicked in and now I'm on a mission to get everything ready in the house and start preparing for their birth!

Still having moments of real anxiety about birth, mainly at how immensely painful it is at the end and just the 'unknown' of how it's going to go (I'm a control freak). I really need to let this go before birth as I'm worried how it will impact it. So I've been looking at getting a Hypnotherapy CD. Hopefully this will take my focus away from the anxiety and come birth day I will be cool as a cucumber!

I've been looking into ways of relieving the afterbirth pains, this is also something that is playing on my mind. I was in complete shock after I birthed Charlotte and they started straight after, I remember asking what was going on and why I was still getting contractions?!! "It's afterbirth pains my dear" It was very painful and even more so when breastfeeding. I used Mag phos (from the helios childbirth kit) and I felt it helped and managed on Paracetamol for one night (the pains lasted around 3 days). I've had a look around to see if there is anything else and Motherwort kept cropping up so I'm going to look into trying that this time as I have a feeling if I'm going to get them again they are going to be worse considering the extra stretching my wombs had to do (and still doing!).

Well I have a bedroom to gut now so will update again soon :)

Natasha

Letter from the Head of Midwifery

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:32:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in updating, as some of you will know (who follow the FB page) that I received a letter from the Head of Midwifery in reply to what I wrote to her around the 15th Jan.

Well the letter is lovely! S (we will call her S, I'm not 100% on putting her name on the net) said that she was sorry that some comments I received (from the consultants *cough) felt so negative. She said she would like to support me and my family in making a choice that was right for us and if I decide it's the right decision then they will support that :)

S has said that when a home birth is requested against advice, a chat with the Supervisor of Midwives in my home (which I think will happen around 36 weeks) will be arranged. As she has experience with Twin home birth she said she would be there to support the team if I decided to continue with the Home birth.

The letter was finished with her offering further support if I need it.

I'm very very happy with this and feel even more hopeful that it's actually going to happen. I know I will have the support which is such a huge weight off my mind.

Yey!

Natasha

29 weeks pregnant with Twins - No room!! - warning whinge post

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

29 weeks

29 weeks and feeling much further than that. I can't get off the bed properly which isn't helped by the fact I sleep on the floor (no no don't panic it's by choice! haha). we are a co-sleeping family and both girls slept with us for 2 years solid and now they come in during illnesses and when they feel they need extra comfort (seems to happen around growth spurts which they still seem to get except their not eating more........hmmmm) anyway this happens a lot in the week still and we have slept on just a mattress for around 3 years as it was just safer and more comfortable. But I can't even get off properly due to some wonderful pelvic pain, what a sight I look (I also sleep naked so yes it really is a sight watching me get out of bed ha ha). So I'm in the process of thinking 'wtf?!' am I going to do when I 'm like 37 weeks scenarios in my head, not quite worked it out yet.

Oh the rib pain is getting worse and upper back, finding a position I feel comfortable in is proving to be a little difficult. I manage to get quite comfy on the birth ball but I feel like Twin A will fall out (she feels really low down) if I sit for long so I spend most of the day moving from one area/position to another. Although I've been uncomfortable for many weeks, I feel like my bodies suddenly realised that it's now carrying two babies, I'm really going to feel it and it's going to get harder. My skin feels really stretched and I've felt a few stitch type pains across the lower half (I guess that's the nerves?).

So yeah moving on from the whinging! I spent the weekend looking through Charlotte's old nappy stash. I was surprised to find lots of nappies that I can use pretty much from birth and some small wraps. I knew doing that would make me feel less anxious about the birth and it brought back the excited butterflies about birthing and then meeting both our babies. I took some pictures of my findings as well as my lovely Mother-ease rikki wraps and washable wipes!

Fluff excitement! :)

I have my midwife appointment tomorrow, I must remember to wee before I eat this time and fingers crossed all will be fine and clear.

I'm waiting to hear from the Head of Midwifery, I hope it isn't long as I would really like to see her before the 32 week scan and before writing out my birth plan, I will let all know as soon as I have!

I'll update again soon :)

Natasha

Birth Anxiety

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:47:00 +0000

I can't stop thinking about the birth and how close I'm getting to the end already.

I'm 29 weeks tomorrow and potentially (having given birth to DD1 at 39 weeks and DD2 at 37 weeks on the dot), I'm quite likely to give birth around 37-39 but I'm swinging more 37 as I'm carrying twins and just don't see how my body will manage to get any further than that (but it could surprise me I guess!). So with that in mind I have 8 weeks left and it's making me feel a bit scared to be honest about birthing two babies.

I remember this pre birth anxiety with Charlotte (DD2) and when I went into labour the fear/anxiety went straight away and I sort of let go of it and was able to focus throughout, and had a lovely quick home water birth. I'm sure it's only natural to feel like this. I didn't get the birth anxiety with Olivia, I was quite naive I think but now I know what I'm about to do and having to do it with two babies is very daunting!

This feeling has only really started recently, but I think it's not helped by the fact that I'm not organised at all and haven't really got much 'ready' for them or myself.

So this will be my focus until 37 weeks when they can come (they will stay!).

Oo I forgot about the mother-ease wraps, will try and do that on Mon with new bump pic :)

Natasha

28 weeks + 1 Growth scan and consultant appointment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:11:00 +0000

28 weeks

Everything went well with the babies, Twin 1 - 2lb 5oz and Twin 2 - 2lb 3oz so I'm really pleased about that! Twin 1 was head down too (I already knew that.......... rib pain lessened and I'm super on the ball! ha ha) She's very low in my pelvis and Twin 2 little man has his head right next to her shoulder. I got to see his face too which was really nice :)

I also had their sexes confirmed again and she said quite confidently boy and girl.

I also did a very good deed while waiting for the consultant, my Dad's friend was there and his wife who was 32 weeks and her baby was breech, so I directed her to spinning babies :) She didn't know she could do anything to help turn the baby. I find this sad, women are just not informed enough about ways they can help themselves and babies just by doing a few very simple things! But I guess it would cost too much to tell them all............... *roll eyes

I found spinning babies when I was desperate to make sure I did everything I could to have my second at home, I was absolutely amazed at the information and was gutted I didn't know before.

Although there is a small amount of information at Antenatal classes, it's later in the pregnancy. Which is sad as the info could be given earlier and if more women were aware of Optimal fetal positioning (and it was emphasised how important this was) then surely more women would have more 'straightforward' births and avoided the unnecessary traumatic induction from simply rolling their hips round on a ball and sitting correctly............ (referring to my own experience of labour with the added pitocin, this was not something I ever want to repeat again!) I understand other factors come into it of course but I do wonder!

Right well the consultant appointment, it went ok. When I say ok it's because I wasn't shouted at! ha ha. I think it was down to the fact it wasn't Mr W who I saw the first time it was some other guy. My Dad was there also so I think his presence helped (he has the head nutting look so people just assume he will if the say the wrong word, when he isn't like that at ha ha).

The consultant asked how the scan went (why? did you not read the info or talk to the sonographer?!) and how I was, he told me I need my T4 checking and was asking why it hadn't been checked (I'm not the effin doctor?!) I have been having the TSH checked (I had over half my thyroid removed a few years ago due to a non cancerous tumor) so I have to tell them to check that next time and that I also had glucose in my wee (noooooo) but I had weetabix with a little bit more sugar than I should of had along with saltanas before doing a wee (as well as lots of fruit juice in the night) so I hope it was that! He asked me to get it checked next with the midwife and if it shows up again I need to have a GTT, which I really hope I do not have to have!! I would be so unwell not eating for length of time! I can't go 1 hour without feeling sickness hunger, I get up in the night to eat as I can't sleep because of hunger pains and feeling unwell so god knows what I will do if it's advised to do that.......

He then went on to ask if I had spoke about the 'birth options' (ha ha what a joke!) I said that I was having a Home birth.

He said it was my choice of course but I will find no OB in the country who would support that, and was I aware of such and such risk and what can happen if this and this happens............ I told him it was all ifs and buts at the moment as I might not even get to term but I was aware of the risks I have done my research and currently still feel happy to birth them at home.

He made it quite clear that he would not discuss Home birth with me and as it was my choice to not follow their advice they won't talk about it and won't get involved. Which I knew. Although he seemed keen to point out that we would need to discuss hospital birth options nearer the time but I'm hoping I can talk about that with the Head of Midwifery (on the basis of needing to go or not feeling happy with a home birth). I asked him to contact her (ha ha his face) as I wanted to speak to her, he asked me why (what do you mean why?) and I said that I needed to discuss the birth and again he pointed out that as it's not supported there's only so much she can say/do etc (did he forget that she attended and facilitated a Twin home birth in the NHS?!) He said I should hear within the next 4 weeks as I had wrote to her as well but just wanted to get him to realise I was serious.

I have my next appointment on the 20th Feb at 1.30 and I will be 32 weeks (scary!), I think I might cancel seeing the consultant (unless there is something wrong with the babies) as there was no point, I have found out far more and done far more than what they have given or done for me so it's just a waste of time.

Totally moving on from that I bought some Motherease rikki wraps XS (from 5.5lb) and they still look too big! I haven't got time now but in the week I will put some pics of my little collection!

Natasha x

27 weeks 6 days Twins ~ Maternity Support Belt ~

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:16:00 +0000

Right so firstly before I talk about general Twin pregnancy stuff, I just wanted to write a review on the support belt I bought.

This is the belt on (excuse the messy floor, the girls decided they wanted ALL the toys out there and then!)

And this is it with my top over.

As you can see you can't really tell I'm wearing one, it's also quite comfortable but I wouldn't keep it on all day, just for walking. It's not that comfortable when I lay on the couch or sit on my ball, but that's fine as I want it for walking.

I have worn it 3 or 4 times now, and have noticed quite a difference when walking. My pelvis seemed to hurt less and there was less 'achiness' all round.

Only issue I seem to have now is sciatica, getting off the sofa (which I hardly sit on now) then putting my foot down sends those shooting pains right up my leg and bum and I can't walk for a few seconds. I also experienced it in town quite badly while walking and ended up with one very sore lower bump too (was walking a bit fast) so now I think I better slow down.

I feel like I'm barely doing that much as it is, it's getting me down that I can't put out washing without aching or feeling like I can't breathe because of braxton hicks! Yes while I'm on the subject they are quite frequent again, they aren't painful but when I have them I feel like I have lost my breath! It's a very strange sensation and I don't like it!! I get it worse when I lay on my left side too. I have asked doctor death Google and it seems many women experience this too. So I'm not worried.

Back to the belt! Yes I would recommend women using these, particularly women who are carrying multiples. I'm sure I will be reporting some more about it as the pregnancy progresses and I become a beach ball on a toothpick :-D

Well I'm really starting to feel uncomfortable, I had a go at measuring and my fundal height came out at 35cms. It made me eeek a little and I did it again to check and it was the same. My god I'm going to get huge!

I get to find out tomorrow if my body is working well as its growth scan day and consultant appointment after. I'm looking forward to seeing their growth but would rather skip him after, I just know there is going to be some comments made about my choice of birth place, well likely to be more than comments I have a feeling he's going to be quite rude. Not only this but he is going to look a bit of a twit anyway as he made it very clear last time that I would not get the support off NHS staff, I wouldn't find it. Well he was wrong, I did! and he will see in my green notes that I am perusing with the Home birth (while all is well of course).

So I'm feeling a little nervous about that, if he does become an ass I will stop seeing him until I need too.

I was going to write a bit more today but my ribs are aching and a vanilla slice is calling me (after I have eaten an apple........ *cough) but I will try and update tomorrow after seeing the babies :)

Natasha x

26 weeks pregnant with Twins - Heartburn Hell!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000

26 weeks Twin Pregnancy

Wow it's my last week in the 2nd trimester!

I've been looking forward to this part of pregnancy. Mainly down to the fact that I knew I would feel and know babies were doing well by this point in time, chance of miscarriage has gone right down and I was kinda hoping I would feel a lot more confident about giving birth at home by now too. Well I can tick that one! because I really do feel confident and everything seems to be falling into place nicely, although I'm sure when I see the consultant he wont be thinking the same thing :).......... oh well.

I met my new midwife and I'm very happy! I felt very comfortable with her. We discussed the homebirth and she said that basically they have to make sure I know the risks etc and as long as I am comfortable and it's where I feel happier giving birth then they have to support my decision. This of course was the total opposite of the consultants views, it will certainly be an interesting conversation when he see what the Midwife has wrote in my green notes about me pursuing a homebirth......... fly on the wall anyone?

I have said though that if at any point before or during labour (needed to be transferred) I have any doubt or don't 'feel' right I wouldn't hesitate to have them in hospital, it would be stupid not to! But as it stands knowing I could be giving birth to our babies in a pool in the kitchen gives me a total sense of relief and calm feelings. So while I have them, I'm hopeful of getting to term and having a homebirth.

Oh and what the heck! (much stronger language was going to be used) heartburn anyone?! God it's awful! It's been nearly every night I've had it now. The burning and acid in my throat is so horrible and I thought I had it bad in the girls pregnancies! Not an inch on it!

Suffice to say the gavi is coming straight out of a bottle in the early hours of the night!

I have ordered a maternity support belt and hopefully it should come this week. My MW let me borrow one she had and it's certainly what I need! I can see how it would support me and I'm hoping will keep me mobile towards the end.

I can't sit for too long, it would drive me insane! I will update about it when it comes :)

We are also really unsure (mainly me) on names for them, I just can't find anything I like or feel comfortable with. So I really will be waiting to decide until they are born now, I hope we can find one we want when they are here.

Oh and the "oh my god I'm having twins!" keeps hitting me, and it really does HIT you! Two babies at the same time..... mind blowing!

I feel blessed and totally crapping myself at the same time, but I guess even when they are here it's not going to sink in for awhile!

Right I will update again soon with belt news. :)

Natasha

25 weeks - Twin Pregnancy Blog - Whinge

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:16:00 +0000

25 weeks

Well I feel massive already. Measuring 30 weeks and feeling slightly fed up.

My stomach and ribs constantly feel sore, I'm burping a lot and to top it off the worst heartburn I have ever experienced. I am sure this is because little miss has her head wedged up there somewhere and as she and her brother are squashed together it is only going to make it feel worse............ poor organs.

They are both wriggling a lot and pressing on my bladder, I am weeing a lot but thank fully haven't needed to in the night yet.

I am looking at buying a pregnancy support belt, I have read how helpful the can be so I think it's worth a go! Will update when I get it.

Oh on a positive note I found a weight chart that was based on average weights in singleton pregnancies. Little man and little miss are around the average for a singleton's development so I am even more pleased! :)

Here is a link and a copy of the chart.

http://www.twinstuff.com/twinweights.htm

Gestational Age Weight (gm) Weight (lb/oz)

8 weeks 1.0 gm 0.035 oz
9 weeks 3.0 gm 0.11 oz
10 weeks 5.0 gm 0.18 oz
11 weeks 12.5 gm 0.44 oz
12 weeks 20 gm 0.7 oz
13 weeks 40 gm 1.4 oz
14 weeks 60 gm 2.1 oz
15 weeks 90 gm 3.2 oz
16 weeks 120 gm 4.2 oz
17 weeks 170 gm 6.0 oz
18 weeks 220 gm 7.75 oz
19 weeks 275 gm 9.7 oz
20 weeks 330 gm 11.6 oz
21 weeks 395.5 gm 13.9 oz
22 weeks 460 gm 1 lb
23 weeks 555 gm 1 lb 3 oz
24 weeks 655 gm 1 lb 7 oz
25 weeks 750 gm 1 lb 10 oz
26 weeks 850 gm 1 lb 14 oz
27 weeks 975 gm 2 lb 2 oz
28 weeks 1100 gm 2 lb 7 oz
29 weeks 1260 gm 2 lb 12 oz
30 weeks 1420 gm 3 lb 2 oz
31 weeks 1585 gm 3 lb 7 oz
32 weeks 1750 gm 3 lb 14 oz
33 weeks 1915 gm 4 lb 3 oz
34 weeks 2080 gm 4 lb 9 oz
35 weeks 2250 gm 4 lb 15 oz
36 weeks 2420 gm 5 lb 5 oz
37 weeks 2660 gm 5 lb 14 oz
38 weeks 2900 gm 6 lb 6 oz
39 weeks 3075 gm 6 lb 12 oz
40 weeks 3250 gm 7 lb 2 oz

24 week Twin scan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Well that scan went very well :)

Not only are they still girl and boy (although the sonographer thought otherwise to begin with) they have also caught up with each other. The little man is nearly measuring the same as the girlie but he weighs more than her too! Well shes 1lb 06oz and he is 1lb 07oz :D

They are still measuring a week behind but I am really pleased with that and hoping now as my food intake gets better by the end of Jan when I have my next scan they would have done even better.

Oh there was one little shock, Twin one is breech extended. She looked so uncomfortable and I now realise why my ribs are hurting more (head right in it) and now that's prompted me to get the birth ball and get on my hands and knees more (haha).

Natasha x

Twin Pregnancy - 24 weeks- Home water birth here we come!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:09:00 +0000

23 weeks 24 weeks

So after many weeks of illness, stress, birthdays and Christmas...... I am back and have more time now to update!

I contacted a local'ish IM (Independent Midwife) as after the consultation I knew then that searching for support was and is my only option.

I was told to get in touch with Jane Evans by another local IM as she has had Twin birth experience. I needed to know all my options and explore what I could, although affording one is questionable right now it's an avenue I needed to look at.

Well how pleased was I when I spoke to Jane! She was wonderful, very very informative, wise and you could hear the confidence in her voice. I was talking to someone with the complete opposite views of the consultant but it just felt so very right and comfortable, like I was talking to someone with complete sense!

She gave me great advice about diet and getting the babies to term and that if I am unable to get support from the NHS (will go into in a sec) then we would certainly be able to work something out. Massive weight lifted!

Now I have been told the new head of midwifery starting in Jan has facilitated a Twin homebirth under the NHS (not too long ago and of course went wonderfully :) )

I might be able to get her to help me, I am going to set up a meeting with her hopefully very soon (fingers crossed).

I have also found a new lovely midwife.... well I haven't met her yet but I have heard lovely things about her and tomorrow will be setting up an appointment with her. She asked me to book a double appointment as there's quite a bit to chat about so I am really excited!

The babies seem to be doing well, I have another scan on the 30th Dec 11, I am hoping my extra eating will have made them catch up and be closer to their gestation. I am not going to stress about it (as it wont help!) but I am really going to aim to get them matching with their current week and each other. Fingers crossed I will deliver two healthy 6lb + babies (at least!) after 37 weeks! (Lottie was 6lbs at 37 weeks so I think this is doable!)

I have been visualising the birth happening in water in my kitchen, I can see it and it's really helping me focus and not feel so worried about it all. It feels pretty daunting sometimes and I feel this will be quite an experience!

Well hopefully by next week I will have an appointment and some news from the scan.

Natasha x

21 weeks Pregnant with twins ~ No more after this!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:50:00 +0000

Still feeling on quite a high at the moment from finding out we are lucky enough to be having one of each. I will however be asking at our next scan on the 30th (being scanned every 4 weeks) to check just in case! Although she seemed pretty certain. It just feels so surreal to be having a boy, I will have 3 girls and 1 boy. I am so excited!

We have also come to the decision (and will be made final after birth) that OH is going to get the snip. I don't want anymore children. It feels strange to say this but I feel comfortable with that thought, being only 25 it might seem a little early to be thinking that but OH is 31 and feels as done as I do. I will have 4 children before I'm 26, a stomach apron and will be wearing enough of my heart on my sleeve for the rest of my life!

So yes this will be my last pregnancy, which is a sad thought but I feel so very lucky to be sharing my last with two babies :)

They are both still head down which I can tell by movement and their heartbeats are very low down.

I'm sure our girly is still deep in my pelvis (sonographer pointed this out as she found it difficult getting measurements) and I can imagine them both in this position (cue very bad paint drawing!)

I think they are facing each other and more towards my back, both placentas are high and on the back too. On the scan it looked like one massive placenta so I'm expecting a fused placenta to give birth too that I have read can occur.

Placenta encapsulation is still on the cards too, I am going to really start looking into it properly as I think we are going to do it ourselves unless we can magic up some money (around £100 or so). The health benefits seem great, and it's just such an easy way to consume too (couldn't imagine cooking it and then eating it.......... no thanks!)

I really want to get a print of the placenta too, I am feeling quite mother earthy type at the moment and having read about the 'hippy' mums doing it all over the world I want to do it too! although they are not all 'hippy' I know ;-) but again it's my last pregnancy and birth I want to experience as much as I can :)

I have been thinking more and more about the homebirth, I am starting to feel more and more determined to get to term. I was reading Mary Cronks Twin guidelines http://www.homebirth.org.uk/marycronk/marytwins.htm and keeping a good diet is something I do aim to try and do (with success most days!) and then following a small amount of the Spinning babies guidelines and keeping good posture making sure I sit correctly and use my tummy like a hammock (not sure how well I will be keeping up with that when I am near the end........) http://spinningbabies.com/spinning-babies-and/twins

But I think all I can do is try my best and at least I know I have done all I could to grow them.

Will update when I have more news on the homebirth front. Still got lots of info whizzing round so will have to offload soon!

Natasha

20 weeks! Sorry I took so long! The twins are..............

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Finally I am on here (god I'm crap!)

But we have found out we are blessed with a Boy and a Girl!

They were both head down, girly closer to the exit and both in growing well (although the little man is a little smaller, but it's likely they were conceived days apart).

I'm totally on cloud nine and very happy.

I also saw the consultant and of course homebirth was a big NO, but I have been informed by a local Independent midwife that the Head or midwifery who starts in Jan in the hospital has attended a twin homebirth. If we don't manage to get the support I will be looking at the independent midwife route. Even after a wobbly moment when seeing the consultant (started doubting myself) my strong urge (instincts) is to birth them in water at home.

I'm hoping to make the homebirth support group next week, I'm really going to need it!

Here is some pics of my babies :)

Baby girl :)

And our baby boy :)

18 weeks and 19 weeks pregnant with twins............ I'm rubbish!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:11:00 +0000

18 weeks 19weeks

Well I'm now 19 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I have been avoiding a lot of pregnancy related stuff (not going on forums much etc) as I'm really getting nervous about our scan on Monday.

I can't believe the time is finally here and how quick has it gone already?! But I'm anxious to see they are both growing well and anxious to find out the sex.

I'm starting to get prepared for this non existent consultant appointment and get my facts written down incase I need them (which I am likely too). Found some really interesting things in the new NICE guidelines for twin pregnancy but I will go over that when I have more time.

Here are the NICE guidelines for those interested.

Nice Multiple Pregnancy Guidelines

Twin pregnancy

They both seem to be very active, I feel the rolling around and have had the odd foot prodding out! I lent over to get my drink the other night and felt something uncomfortable that was protruding a little... so I pushed it and it quickly moved! I had forgotten this part and I didn't think it would be happening yet! I can feel them kicking from the outside, it's really lovely but strange that it's happening everywhere!

The braxton hicks are still here a lot, I do remember experiencing quite a few of them during Charlottes pregnancy but these are most certainly stronger. I am not worried about them as I know its all good practice. If they get any worse I think I will mention it.