Expecting twins

If you are expecting twins and don't know what to expect, you are not alone. Many women pregnant with twins have no idea what to expect, but that doesn't mean they - and you - can't learn. So here is some information to help you understand what's happening when you're expecting twins.

Pregnancy and Birth

About 1 out of 3 expectant women give birth to twins.
The factors that cause a twin pregnancy are very difficult to establish. But some of them increase the possibility of twin deliveries.

1. Hereditary predisposition
2. Women’s age: the older a woman’s age, the greater is the chance to give birth to twins. In particular, you are more likely to become pregnant with twins naturally when you are in your 30s and 40s.
3. Some medicines, such as gonadotropin and clomephene, utilized to cure some forms of sterility.

Twin birth is an overwhelming event that fill parents’ heart with joy but, at the same time, it brings major difficulties to the mother. These difficulties appear during early pregnancy that also carry greater risk than singleton pregnancy. This is inevitable because human beings, compared to other mammals, normally give birth only to one foetus and twin birth is considered an exception. Moreover, symptoms such as nausea and morning sickness are accentuated. As twin pregnancy is actually a particular pregnancy, it is advisable to seek extra guidance in a specialized antenatal clinic for multiple pregnancy, without abandoning the trusted gynaecologist that represents a very important support in this special moment. Anyway, twin pregnancy doesn’t have to be considered only as a troubled pregnancy but simply as a delicate pregnancy that has to be faced with particular caution.

Breastfeeding and nappy changing

Soon after the birth of twins, a mother needs absolute rest. From now on, she must concentrate all her energies towards the babies and it is essential for her to receive help from her partner or relatives. But breastfeeding is a task that is only up to her and in this case, it’s a very onerous task. The amount of milk that a mother can produce is directly proportional to the newborns’ request and when they are two, mother’s commitment is doubled. Twins have to be fed at the same time in order to synchronize their feeding time. It is advisable to feed twins contemporaneously even if only one baby is demanding it and it is extremely important to alternate the breasts, because most of the time, one is fuller than the other one. Usually, even if the fatigue is double, there is no problem at all in breastfeeding twins. Problems come when babies are more than two! In that case, commitment increases in an exponential way and a woman apart from her family’s help, has to resort to bottle feeding. At this point, mixed feeding is the only solution but a mother will need a big help even just for preparing bottles because it requires a certain organization.
Twins eat together and consequently they will be changed together, as nappy changing is usually after feeding. If the mother can count on help, babies can be easily changed at the same time. With regards to bathing, it is better to bath one baby at the time at least up to 1 year.

Sleep time

Since they eat together, twins usually falls asleep at the same time. But, especially during the first months, it is highly probable that they might wake up at night time one at the time. As a result, the mother may not be able to sleep 3 hours in a row. If that is the case, father’s help is absolutely essential. In any case, it is very important to reduce night feedings and avoid attaching babies to the breast every time they cry.
As they shared mom’s belly for nine months, during the first weeks of their lives, twins need to sleep together in the same cot in order for them to feel secure. After this period, they can start sleeping separately, but it is better to keep the cots next to each other.

Transportation

Transporting twins, especially with other siblings, may be very difficult and because of that, it is necessary to choose the more practical prams and pushchairs on the market in order to meet all the family’s needs. If parents go for a twin pushchair, it’s important to take the measurament of doors, lift and car boot to make sure the pushchair will fit smoothly. When it’s time to go for a walk, an ideal solution would be to transport one baby in the stroller and the other one in the baby carrier. When travelling in the car, twins has to be positioned one on the front seat and one on the back, always remembering to deactivate the air bag of the passenger seat.