When you’re raising twins, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other parents, especially those who are raising just one baby. But let’s be clear from the start: raising twins compared to a single baby is not the same. Not in effort, not in energy, and definitely not in emotional load.
And that difference matters. A lot.
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Parenting twins or triplets is a wild ride. You start off imagining cute matching outfits and perfectly balanced milestones, and then reality hits: one baby is sleeping peacefully while the other is screaming like a banshee, one is smashing solids while the other is launching pumpkin puree across the room, and suddenly you’re in a never-ending game of “Why is one doing THAT and the other isn’t?!”
It’s completely natural to compare your twins or triplets. After all, they arrived at the same time, so your brain naturally expects them to develop at the same pace. But constant comparisons can create stress, pressure, and some serious identity crises (for both them and you). So let’s talk about how to avoid comparing twins or triplets. Because your kids are not a perfectly synchronised circus act.
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Parents of multiples generally have a very specific set of needs and wants because their world is so different from parents of singletons. Add in to the mix those parents who already have a child, or two, at home and those wants and needs are extrapolated exponentially.
When it comes to their daily reality, parents of twins and triplets need practical solutions. They need reliable support, and tools that make life with multiples more manageable.
Finding out you’re expecting multiples is a bit like being handed VIP tickets to the parenting rollercoaster — exciting, terrifying, and you’ll definitely lose a shoe along the way. While it’s undeniably a special experience, raising multiples comes with its own unique mix of joys and challenges. Whether you’re already in the thick of it or preparing for impact, here’s a (realistic but slightly cheeky) look at the pros and cons of life with multiples.
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Author: Rachael Dalton
These were our 4th and 5th babies after three boys. They were DCDA twins, with Twin A cephalic and Twin B complete breech, their sexes unknown. I was 41 weeks pregnant with twins and went into spontaneous labour.
Trigger warning: This birth story contains a brief mention of twin b needing some breathing support and oxygen immediately after birth. Both babies are thriving and needed no special care or NICU time!
My husband Reuben and I were supported by our midwife Sasha, who had encouraged us to complete the Breech Without Borders course. I was under the care of the obstetrics team at Caboolture Hospital, with my private midwife, a breech birth educator, attending as a support person as she was not endorsed to deliver there.
I woke on Monday morning at about 4:45 am. I was exactly 41 weeks and had been experiencing weeks of prodromal labour in the evenings. I felt that things might go from nothing to something quite quickly. We had a few false alarms in the previous weeks where I thought something was beginning, only for it to fizzle out. I was ready for it to be nothing again, but I knew it had to happen sooner or later.
I had a dream that the twins were arriving, and that woke me up. I did not feel much different in terms of cramping, but there was far more pressure in my bum. The sensations were familiar, but energetically I felt a shift, as though something could be happening. The cramps were about a two out of ten in intensity.
Reuben was sleeping downstairs with our toddler, so I texted him to say something could be happening but that I would keep him posted. After my shower, I gathered the last-minute things for the hospital so I could take them downstairs. I got dressed and texted my midwife around 6 am to say today could be the day.
When I came downstairs, Reuben was already up and excited. He started making breakfast for our toddler and our two older boys. My dad was visiting to look after them while we had the twins and had been on standby for the previous three weeks. I texted him upstairs to say I thought today was the day and asked for his car keys so we could put River’s car seat in his car.
We installed the seat, packed the car, and did a few other things. By then it was getting close to 7 am. I did not feel like eating or drinking anything except water, and I still wondered if it was a false alarm. I could not stay inside during contractions and had to go outside under the trees. This should have been a sign it was real, but I still thought it was early labour.
At this point, contractions were 3 to 4 minutes apart and lasted 20 to 40 seconds. Around 7:15 am, Reuben said he thought we needed to head to the hospital. I called my midwife, and she agreed, saying things might slow down and we could be there for a while, but settling in would help.
The only reason I agreed to go was because it was a public holiday and all the kids were home from school. I knew I would not be able to concentrate at home for much longer even though the contractions were completely manageable.
We set off for the 20 minute drive. My midwife called ahead to birth suite. On the way, things slowed down. I had only two mild contractions. I told Reuben I thought it was too early, and he reassured me that nothing was set in stone. He said we could stop at a nice nature reserve and hang out, tell Sasha, and it would be fine, even if we went back home. He reminded me I did not need to do anything to please anyone else, that it was my birth and they were there to support me. His words were so sweet and helped me drop into my body.
I liked the idea of stopping in nature, so I tried to call my midwife, who was driving past us on the motorway, but my phone would not dial out. After two failed attempts, I decided we should keep going.
We met Sasha in the car park and walked into the birth suite. We got into the room around 8:15 am, put on our playlist, and Sasha rubbed some oil, including clary sage, on my tummy. My contractions were regular but still only 20 to 40 seconds long. I thought it would be hours away because they did not feel strong enough.
I went to the bathroom to wee and also needed to poop. I decided to stay in my underwear. After a couple more contractions, I felt nauseated. Sasha gave me a vomit bag, I dry retched, and then felt something in my vagina. The hospital midwife, Rachel, looked and saw the bag of waters. I could not believe it. Until then I still thought it could be a false alarm.
The midwives grabbed towels. I leaned over the side of the bed, breathing easily through contractions. I thought it was too easy, that I did not feel close to giving birth. I had not yet entered the deep, spiritual place I reached in my previous labours before birth.
The obstetrics team were doing morning rounds, and the midwife team leader asked if they could come in to say hi. After three or four more contractions, things ramped up. I began instinctively squatting and lunging during contractions, and guttural sounds emerged. This was where I crossed the veil into the place where surrender was the only option, giving myself to the power my body and my babies were creating.
At 9:03 am, Twin A was born en caul. It was an incredible arrival. The hospital midwife used a hook to break the waters, and I scooped the baby up without knowing the sex. Reuben and I soaked in those first moments before I looked and discovered we had a girl. The look on Reuben’s face will be forever imprinted in my heart.
The obstetrician asked if we could scan to see Twin B’s position, but I knew I would need to surrender again because the baby was ready. I told them I did not think a scan was needed, that the baby would be here in a minute. Twin A’s cord was clamped and cut after delayed clamping, and she went to Reuben for skin to skin.
I returned to a squat-lunge position. After two or three more contractions, I felt Twin B descend and my waters broke. Another couple of contractions brought one foot out, then rumping. The second foot followed. Reuben gently reminded me I might not get more contractions and would need to push and not wait.
I looked underneath to see legs and check for tummy crunches, a sign of vigour in breech babies. I saw a small one, but I knew the baby needed to be born quickly. Without fear, I listened to my baby. With encouragement from Sasha and Reuben, I changed position. Another small tummy crunch came, and then the obstetrician, still in the room from “saying hi,” asked me to get on the bed so they could perform a manoeuvre. With that and my pushing, Twin B was born at 9:36 am, just 33 minutes after their sibling. They asked permission to clamp and cut early and took the baby for some oxygen. I was not scared. I knew the baby was okay, and thanks to our training with Sasha, we were prepared for them to be a little flat at birth.
After oxygen, Twin B took a breath and came back to me to regulate. This was when we discovered we had another girl!!
I declined syntocinon for the placenta and birthed it about 10 minutes later with a gentle push. I had a second degree tear, likely from the breech manoeuvre, and chose to have it stitched with gas and air and local anaesthetic.
The girls had their first tandem feed around 10:30 am, and we soaked in the love and joy, which has not stopped since. I chose to stay one night on the ward as Reuben was able to stay too and I wasn’t quite ready to go home as a mother of 5 haha. The next day we introduced the girls to their brothers, who were over the moon to have sisters.
The birth was amazing. I was respected, my wishes and birth plan were honoured, and any “no” I gave was heard and not questioned. I would not change anything. I am so grateful to Sasha, my midwife, and my beautiful husband Reuben for the support and safe container he held during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I feel so lucky to have so much love in my life.
To add, twin a – Billie was 3.75kg and twin b Isla was 4.15kg!
Note from Twinfo: This birth story of twins born at 41 weeks has been written by a parent sharing her personal experience of twins born at 41 weeks. It is not medical advice. Please do your own research and consult qualified health professionals for guidance specific to your situation.
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Raising twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples is a whirlwind of milestones, memories and… money. Let’s be honest — while you were dreaming of double the giggles, you probably weren’t budgeting for double the daycare, triple the car seats or the sudden need for a second washing machine. The truth is, there are plenty of unexpected costs of having twins or multiples that catch even the most organised parents off guard. Here’s a look at what might pop up — and a few ways to manage it (without selling your soul or your sleep).
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This blog post is sponsored by Reading Eggs. We used their program when my twins were learning to read, and I’m thrilled to now be sharing it with other families.
With just a couple of months to go before the 2025 NAPLAN results are out, the spotlight’s back on Australia’s literacy struggles. Last year’s results showed one in three students didn’t meet basic literacy benchmarks. But let’s be honest, learning to read doesn’t just happen at school. For many families, the real reading happens at home, and it can be a bit of a challenge.
More and more Aussie parents are saying they feel unsure about how to help their kids with reading. While most are keen as mustard to support their child’s learning, over half admit they’re not quite sure what actually works.
If you’re expecting twins or triplets or even more, chances are your to-do list is already longer than your legs (and let’s be honest, they’re probably swelling by now too!). But here’s something many expecting parents don’t realise: your local council might offer free or low-cost support tailored to growing families—and you won’t know unless you ask.
Whether it’s cloth nappy rebates, extra help from child health nurses, or even free library play sessions, some Aussie councils are stepping up to support families like yours. Here’s what to ask about—and why it’s worth making the call.
When someone you care about welcomes twins or triplets, your first instinct is to help — but knowing how to help can be tricky.
You might find yourself saying, “Let me know if you need anything!” It’s well-intentioned, but when parents are overwhelmed, sleep-deprived, and juggling multiple newborns, they often don’t have the bandwidth to ask or delegate. What they really need is for you to step in with thoughtful, practical support that eases the load without adding to it.
That’s where this list comes in. We’ve created The ABCs of Helping a Parent of Twins and Triplets — a simple, no-fuss guide filled with real-world ways to lend a hand. Whether you’re a grandparent, best friend, next-door neighbour, or kind colleague, these ideas go beyond baby cuddles and cute gifts. They offer meaningful ways to make life a little easier during one of the most beautiful and exhausting times of their lives.
Because your support can make all the difference — even if it’s just putting the bins out or dropping off coffee.
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Expecting twins or triplets is an incredible journey — double (or triple!) the love, joy, and unforgettable moments. But along with that comes double the logistics, double the expenses, and often, double the challenges that many people don’t anticipate. From navigating tight public spaces to juggling school parent-teacher interviews and financial burdens, life with twins or triplets brings a unique set of realities that start in pregnancy and evolve as they grow.
At Twinfo, we know these realities all too well, and more importantly, we know you don’t have to face them alone. Our Parents of Multiples Australia online community is here to support you every step of the way.