Say you go to your gynaecologist for your regular check-up and the doctor tells you that the gender of the baby growing inside of you. Just as you are celebrating, she tells you, that there is not one heartbeat but he is picking up two heartbeats to your surprise. You are not expecting one baby as you thought…but two babies. You become happy but wonder how you are going to cope with two babies so the excitement is mixed with fear. With more women having children later in life combined with greater numbers undergoing some form of fertility treatment, the chances of having twins have increased significantly from the usual 3 per cent to around 25 per cent.
Now what’s next?
There are a number of things you can do to before and after in order to be prepared as possible and to cope with life as soon the bundles of joy arrive.
Make sure you are happy with your doctor
Check the reputation of your gynaecologist, especially her experience with multiple pregnancies as these are prone to more complications. Unless it’s a healthy pregnancy, you may also need to consider having a C-section rather than a natural delivery. The most important thing is that the babies are healthy.
Seek support
The South African Multiple Births Association is a great platform to consider joining. Here you get to speak to other mothers who are either pregnant with twins or already parenting twins and they can share their experiences with you and coping strategies for caring for twin babies.
Be prepared for preemies
Many twins and multiples can be premature and very small meaning there is a likelihood that one or both of your babies may have to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Prepare for this by going on a tour of the NICU before the birth, to ensure you are familiar with the surroundings, understand how it all works especially now in the times of the Corona virus. It’s perfectly fine if your babies do have to go to the NICU as they are in very safe hands and getting the best care possible. Remember that 37 weeks is full-term pregnancy for twins!
The same or separate cots?
Weigh your options before your babies are born and decide whether you are going to buy separate or the same cot when you take them home. Considering that they’ve been in the womb together for so long, they may feel more secure and sleep better together.
Choose between a twin pram or stroller
Because of the lockdown, you will hardly go anywhere much with your babies except for check-ups. Go to a shop where they have several models and try them out, assessing their turning circle, portability and dimensions. Check that the side-by-side models will fit through a standard door and that it will actually fit in your boot once folded! Go for something that will meet your needs.
Create a routine
It helps to write down what time the babies were fed, had their nappy changed or slept, as it is easy to forget and confuse these things especially when you are sleep deprived. Create a structured routine for your babies and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can.
Do what works best
Don’t be pressured by other people into raising your children according to their standards. Do what works for you.
This includes getting a night nurse to help for those night feeds if your husband is not so hands-on, and if the tandem breastfeeding is just not working after a valiant attempt, then consider bottle feeding one of the babies. It may be daunting raising twins now but you will feel joy as you see them grow side by side.
