Author: Gillian Smith

We are a blended family. I have had three boys and my partner has had three girls from previous relationships, they range in age from 21 down to 6.

In February 2017 I went on a holiday to Queensland with my boys, I spent a lot of time feeling unwell, I felt as though I had pulled lower abdominal muscles and thought wow it’s been a long time since I went swimming, I felt nauseous because of the heat.

When we returned I still didn’t feel the best, I had at the end of 2016 had a mirena IUD removed and began taking the contraceptive pill, I was convinced it didn’t agree with me, after another month of feeling off I returned to the GP, I had what I thought was a mass in my stomach, fearing the worst I told my GP the pill doesn’t agree with me and I’m not sure that I don’t have something in my stomach.  She did a couple of investigations and instead of the news I expected (a return of cancer from years ago) she told me I was pregnant.  Not just with one but two babies and not just pregnant either, near on 14 weeks.

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Author: Emilie Upson

Finding out I was pregnant with twins

I found out I was having MCDA twins at my first scan at 8 weeks. The first half of my pregnancy was uneventful. All my fortnightly scans went fine and I found out I was having boys at my 16 week scan. I had my usual scan at 27 weeks 3 days and everything was fine. both boys were still head down as they had been since 13 weeks.

That night I woke up with pains but put it down to the usual stretching pains in my stomach. I had a shower and went back to sleep, that went on for the rest of the night. The next afternoon after spending the whole day in pain I presented to the hospital.  Here I found out I was having contractions and I was 2cm dilated.  I was moved to the birth suite where I had my first round of steroids.  I was hooked up to a magnesium drip for 24 hours, and after the 24 hours I got my second round of steroids and was moved up to the wards.

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Author: Caitlin Ryan

Even though I was pregnant with twins (DCDA) I guess I just thought in my head I would have an uncomplicated natural delivery. Just like my first baby, but I would just push two babies out this time. That was the delivery option we had been discussing all along in my OB appointments. It didn’t exactly go like that though. The 3 of us ended up in 3 different parts of the hospital post birth………………

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(Note from Twinfo:  This is the final part of a five part series, where we will follow Nissa’s journey.   The links to the other four parts of her story can be found at the end of this post.)

Author: Nissa Vagg

Giving birth to twins

The Miracle of Birth

Two days after being discharged, I went to visit my childhood best friend Zoe. I probably shouldn’t have because I could barely touch the steering wheel, only the very tips of my fingers could reach, but she was cooking me dinner and was going to help me decide which rentals to apply for in Tassie. Dinner was lovely, we found a few houses that looked good, and as I stood up from the couch to leave something popped…. I guess that was the pop I had been expecting, but it still took me by surprise. Water started pouring out from between my legs, and I gasped and ran to the toilet to check what was going on. It was happening – my waters must have broken; the babies were coming. Thankfully we were only 10 minutes from the hospital, and in a blur of apprehension and excitement, Zoe drove me in.

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Authors: Bree Schranz and Dale Gaylard

The mother’s story

We had been trying for a baby with IVF for 6 years.  Six emotionally draining, financially taxing and physically demanding years.  We decided to insert two embryos and, two took!  Yes!  Our dream of becoming parents was finally happening.

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Author: Danielle Lyne

Where to start really?

We had 2 girls who at the time were 3 and 8 months. We thought we would try for one more as we really wanted a boy to finish our family off. First month trying and we conceived. The first ultrasound is one I will never forget. As the wand was put on my belly I immediately saw 2 sacs. I gasped and said ‘oh no’ my ob put the wand back on my belly and then we saw 3. I swore….a lot. All 3 babies looked great with nice strong heartbeats.

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Author: Jess Webster

I’d say, not many people get to go in a plane at 36 weeks pregnant with twins. I did. It wasn’t for business or pleasure though. I was airlifted to hospital with twins at 36+4 weeks.

This is my remote area birth story – part two of my blog submissions. In part one, I finished writing at just shy of 36 weeks. I’m here to update on how the rest of it all went and how we are today.

Note from Twinfo:   Please read the AMAZING first part of Jess’ Story HERE before you read this update.

Final OB appointment before being induced with twins

I had an appointment with my OB on the 8th of February. It was going to be my last until I was being induced the following Thursday. I mentioned to her that I was starting to get concerned about Twin Bs lack of movement. She was still moving plenty according to the books but not enough for her if that makes sense. Everything else was looking okay but the OB preferred I go to the hospital and perhaps have a CTG done. I attended the hospital and had two hours of monitoring done and everyone was happy with their heart rates and movements. I wasn’t. Because of this, they decided to admit me. I stayed in hospital that night, had more monitoring done and results never varied much.

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Author:  Jemma Lichtendonk

I went into spontaneous labour at 36+6 and had a natural monochorionic twin birth. Our boys were both head down and arrived after only 2 hours of established labour.

My husband and I had been ‘training’ for this day

My husband and I had been ‘training’ for this day spiritually, physically and emotionally since we found out we were having twins at our 20 week scan. Twin pregnancy is so full on, especially being so ‘high risk’ with babies sharing a placenta, we prayed for a natural monochorionic twin birth.

On Sunday night we had a long prayer meeting with friends and committed all our fears to Jesus, it was hard, but we had to let go of what we were worried about, especially the timing of when I went into labour.

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Author:  Rebecca Story

Friday the 16th December 2016, I had my 28 week scan (a few days early) everything was fine. The boys were perfect, healthy and growing nicely as they should be. I had no idea I would be facing an an unexpected twin vaginal birth at 28+3 weeks.

That Sunday I started to feel uncomfortable.

I wasn’t worried though just thought I’d done too much around the house and needed to rest. Then went to work on Monday and struggled to sit for as long as I normally could. I couldn’t get comfy in the seat. I was moody as hell and told my boss I wouldn’t be in the following day. So Tuesday I went to get a medical certificate from my GP, he wanted to give me 1 for the rest of the week but I said it would be fine as I was due to finish work that Friday.

I then went and got my nails done. Walked around trying to find somewhere that sold my foundation and get my clients at work Christmas presents and it was hard. I was in so much pain. Then I told Shane he would have to go to the supermarket as the thought of walking around there almost bought me to tears.

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Author:  Skye Wilks

Photographer: Gianni Phototgraphy

We found out we were having twins at our first ultrasound.

I’m always nervous when I go for an ultrasound due to four previous miscarriages before our daughter, so was already on edge. I had my 2 year old daughter and husband with me.  As soon as the technician put the Doppler on my belly I saw something different, she jumped and said ohhh! And removed the Doppler. So as you can imagine my world for a moment went ice cold and terrifying. She then continued and said there’s two babies. Off in the dark corner I hear my husband go “what”?! And my two year old proudly say “two babies!”.

I covered my mouth with both hands and sat quietly in shock. DCDA Twins which I was told was the safest twin pregnancy so we were already a head of the game. As I had been on clomid we knew there was a chance but never thought “it would happen to us”. We were excited, terrified and questioning if we would be capable of raising two babies and a toddler. 3 under 3, can it be done?

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