April 3, 2019

Caesarean twin birth at 36 weeks and 2 days

Author: Melissa Lourey

Finding out we were pregnant with twins

We found out we were having twins at our first ultrasound at 12 weeks. It was my second pregnancy and I did the math and realised the twins would most likely be born before my daughters second birthday. Despite the typical pregnancy complaints (and the initial shock of finding out there were two), things were going pretty smoothly, and I waddled my way through the first two trimesters without any drama.

28 weeks pregnant with twins

At 28 weeks I tested positive for gestational diabetes but it was kept under control through diet. My dream birth scenario was to make it to at least 37 weeks and go into labour naturally and deliver them vaginally. The universe had other plans.

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March 28, 2019

Triplets, twins and sleep. Tips from a holistic sleep consultant.

Catherine, owner of Dream Winks is a holistic sleep consultant who has a special interest in multiples. Today she shares with us some insights about multiples, twins and sleep.

As a parent of multiples, you wonder a lot about your triplets or twins and sleep and how you should be approaching it. How things are different for you compared to parents of singletons, and maybe what you should be doing differently to other families or even what you did with your first baby if you aren’t a first time parent.

Do triplets and twins sleep differently to singleton babies?

Yes you have double or triple the number of babies, but does that mean they sleep differently? Well the answer is yes and no.

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February 15, 2019

To separate twins and multiples for sleep………..or not?

Amanda from Groovy Babies is a twin mum and one of Australia’s top sleep consultants.

She is also recognised and accredited for her work across Advanced Holistic Pregnancy and as a Baby and Child Sleep Specialist, HypnoBirthing® International Childbirth Educator and Certified Infant Massage Instructor.

Today she shares with us her experience and expertise in regards to separating twins and multiples for sleep…….or not?

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February 14, 2019

One of our twins was born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

twins and Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Author: Lauren Cotter

(Please note: This is part two of Lauren’s story. You can read all about her rare condition called uterus didelphys (two uteruses) and her twin pregnancy HERE).

Finding out that one of our twins had a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

I will never forget the moment when Ben walked into the room. Tears streaming down his face, unable to compose himself and talk to me.

Evie had been diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Her bowel was up in her chest cavity due to a hole in her diaphragm. I later learnt from the paediatrician this is one of the most dangerous conditions a baby can be born with, I was thankful I didn’t know this at the time. Evie was blessed to have some amazing doctors who quickly intubated her and saved her life.

The PIPER (Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval) team arrived and we managed one family photo before our little girl along with Ben and his mum hurried off to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

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February 13, 2019

Uterus didelphys and twins. My pregnancy with two uteruses.

Author: Lauren Cotter

When my obstetrician did a very early scan at 6 weeks and announced, ‘it may be twins,ʼ all my husband Ben and I could do was laugh. Of course it was twins, you see our pregnancy was very unplanned, we already had two beautiful healthy kids aged 3 and 18 months and decided to leave it there for a while. Or so we thought.

Our emotions quickly shifted from comical disbelief to fear as the reality dawned on us as I was born with a rare condition called uterus didelphys.

Uterus didelphys and twins

Uterus didelphys means I have two uteruses and two cervixes. I had had two vaginas which I had surgically fixed at 16.

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February 4, 2019

Retained placenta after twins. My story.

Author: Sarah Fraser

Back in September last year I was blessed to welcome 2 healthy babies into our family, making them kids number 3 and 4 for hubby and I. Plus 4 under 4

I always knew the twins would come via c-section as both of my previous pregnancies were also c-sections due to them being breech and not turning. I am also lucky that with all 3 pregnancies I have never experienced labour (bonus!!).

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January 21, 2019

Interview with a newborn photographer – Sarah from Dart Newborn Photography

Newborn Photography for Multiples

Sarah is not “only” a photographer; she is also a NICU nurse with over a decade of experience in handling premature babies. So you can rest assured that your precious multiples are in the very best of hands.

How long have you been working as a newborn photographer?

I have been a professional newborn Photographer for 5 years now, it is crazy to believe that the first babies I photographed are starting school!!

You can find out more about Sarah HERE

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January 18, 2019

The Multiple Birth Dictionary. An overview of common multiple birth terms.

Please note: This is recommended to be used as an overview only and has been compiled from a variety of web resources. For further clarification on any term and any medical advice, please speak to your health care professional.

Some terms are more ‘general’ baby terms however I have been requested to include them.

Please contact us if you would like a term added or updated. Thank you.

Adjusted age – See ‘corrected age’

Advanced maternal age – Pregnancy when the mother is 35 years old or older. Sometimes referred to as a ‘geriatric pregnancy’.

AMBA – Australian Multiple Birth Association was formed as a volunteer organisation in 1974. AMBA is the only national charity in Australia focused on improving the lives of twins, triplets or more and their families.

Amniotic sac – a bag of fluid inside a woman’s womb (uterus) where the unborn baby develops and grows. It’s sometimes called the “membranes” because the sac is made of 2 membranes called the amnion and the chorion.

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January 10, 2019

Expressing for twins and triplets. Tips for getting started.

Lynne -McKensey Hall is an internationally certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Registered Midwife. She has helped hundreds of families on their breastfeeding journey. Lynne’s focus is centred on supporting mothers by offering options available for breastfeeding that will work within the family unit.

She shares with us her tips for getting started with expressing for twins or more.

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January 8, 2019

Post Natal Depression: what to watch for in parents of twins and multiples (and tips to help!)

Most new parents will feel overwhelmed at times, and it is incredibly natural to have a cry. With next to no sleep, peace or fun in sight I would be surprised if mums of newborn multiples don’t feel down or have a good bawl every now and then. But there are the ‘baby blues’ and then there is something much more concerning, and that is post natal depression with twins.

PND is concerning in any new mum, not just parents of twins and multiples. Any mum suffering from depression has it incredibly hard and needs help and support through this time.

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