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herdingkittens
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| Posted: April 04 2013 at 8:53pm | IP Logged
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Oh, one more thing - we always put our to bed at the same time and usually did not rush in to carry one away when he woke (no not wake the other one). Does that make sense? So, we let them wake each other up. They were on the same schedule because of that. The more I kept mine together, the more content they were. 
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Syncletica
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| Posted: April 11 2013 at 11:25pm | IP Logged
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Thank you so much everyone for all the advice! If you think of more, please don't hesitate to tell me.
I am kind of concerned right now; I lifted something up the stairs, I didn't consider it that heavy, but my belly begs to differ. It felt strained afterward, and I didn't dare do any exercising. After supper when I was dishing out dessert, I got some severe pains down in the lower belly area. I was brought to tears. Sat down and haven't really got up since except to change.
Could this be the start of bedrest? Were many of you put on bedrest? What exercises did you do to keep from gaining too much weight, having pains, getting too stiff, etc.
Would this be something to be overly concerned about and talk to the midwife? I have been feeling fine for awhile - what would be a telltale sign to talk to the midwife?
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: April 12 2013 at 11:16am | IP Logged
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How did I miss this? No advice, but CONGRATS!
I would chat with the midwife, odds are it is simply strained ligaments and may require some rest or extra support of some kind. I had severe pain with my last pregnancy and it ended up being round ligament pain. Had to take it easy, but no bed rest. But it is always worth bring up with your care provider!
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 13 2013 at 6:55am | IP Logged
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I had pain like that with the twins, and actually every pregnancy since. It's either round ligaments(that support the uterus), or ovary pain for me, which the ultrasound guy said the ovaries for some women are just tender and sensitive due to the hormones being released throughout pregnancy.
I wouldn't be afraid to talk to your midwife, though of any concerns you have, just to be sure. During the twin pregnancy was when I learned to take it easier, be more careful of caring for myself, and don't hesitate to talk to my doctor or midwife. We had a couple times where I couldn't feel our boy twin moving, and we headed to the hospital to get a NST just to make sure everything was fine.
It was about 24-26 weeks into the pregnancy I had to stop exercising, except leg/arm lifts, etc. from the arm chair, or little walks here and there. I found I really didn't gain too much weight during the twin preg. I actually sometimes had trouble gaining weight to grow them, which is unusual for me.
I, thankfully did not have to be on bedrest. I had family here helping, which was a huge blessing, and just took it very easy when I could. I did get up and move around, do some house work or a little cooking sometimes, just to keep a *little* active, but did sit a LOT during the last month of the preg. I made it to 37 1/2 weeks and the twins weighed in at 6 lb. 4 oz. and 6 lb. 2 oz. , for which I thank God, as I unknowingly wasn't eating near enough in the first 23-24 weeks of the pregnancy.
One little thing I noticed after the twins, that you may find, I have an extra amount of belly skin(more than usual), I call it my "Twin Skin". 
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 13 2013 at 8:13am | IP Logged
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You asked about nursing twins in our conversation, and I thought I'd post it here (hope you don't mind, to save time), as anything I say others may be able to put in their $.02.
I did nurse our twins, although it was very difficult at first. They were very sleepy at first and we had to wake them(and our poor, beyond belief, sleep dprived selves) every 2 hours to nurse them for the first 3 months.
We couldn't do them both at oce in the first couple months, as they had a little trouble latching on, etc. and as someone else mentioned, they are tiny and FLOPPY. We did unfortunately have to supplement a little with formula(which is something I never had wanted to do), just to keep them from loosing weight. But it only lasted for the first 2-3 months, then they were fine, and breastfed exclusively, breastefeeding until a year old.
It is an awesome experience nursing twins. It's so neat to see them interacting. You learn what holds work for you. In the earlier months, I did combination holds I think, with one in the football hold, and the other in a more normal hold down towards my lap. then after 3 months, I would hold them both in the normal way, sitting a little more upright so they would fit there together. They used to hold hands, sometimes tease each other a bit, etc. As they got older(about 9 months), when one finished they would just slide down off my lap to go play. Oh, and having a large wide recliner was awesome for nursing twins in. It had nice wide, low armrests, where I could rest them up against while arranging the other twin.
It brings back the memories talking about it all!
I would say the first 3 months are definitely the hardest(along with the last 3 months of the pregnancy). We were lucky to get 3 hours of sleep a night. then all of a sudden, just the day when dh literally thought he couldn't take it any more, they started to sleep longer, and didn't have to be woken up to nurse for weight gain. It was 3 months old.
The thing I found best to keep telling myself was, it's only temporary, you will get through this, the intensity of the effort of diapers and feedings, etc. will ease off.
Our twins are now 4 years old, and it's so much better now. They are potty trained, dress themselves, don't have to be monitored for "damage control". The other day we realized for the first time since the twins, we can actually do a short project together(dh and I), and the kids stay occupied without having to worry about them damaging themselves or others out of toddlerish ignorance!
I ditto the statement about getting yourself prepared to be stared at/talked about in public, and more so even than with a large family. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes, you wish you could just hide behind a wall as you shop. I finally came up with a good response to the comment "Boy, I'm glad they're not mine!" at the tail end of hearing that all the time. I figured I'd say in a positive way "So are we, we're glad they're ours'!".
I agree fully with Angi, we learned to let go of some of the things we were pretty set against. We didn't like pacifiers, but we DID use them a bit in the first months(as sometimes my poor chest needed a break, when one twin in particular(who turned out to be a voracious thumb sucker) just wanted comfort sucking. Sometimes we had to let them cry a little more than we liked, just because there was no one there capable of holding the other one at the moment, and the more needy baby at that moment was getting the necessary care. Sometimes they had to cry just so I could get a meal on the table. It was during their early months that I learned to put them in the crib, without anything dangerous like blankets or such, just so I could keep my sanity while doing a 10 minute task. I am one that has trouble having the baby cry, as I feel drawn to care for their needs, and it weighs on me to let them cry at all, but I learned to be okay with it for a short set time, just so I could get something done, that was needed.
One last thing(I think!). A Moby Wrap, can hold twins in it. That was when I first got my Moby Wrap, and while I didn't carry them a whole lot in it, it was awesome to be able to do so. And when they get bigger and can't fit in it in the twin holds, you can put one in the front on the Moby, and then put the other one on your back in a frame baby carrier . It works great.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 13 2013 at 12:45pm | IP Logged
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Wanted to add a link to this great chart that my mom reminded me of. It helped very much in the first 3 months(and even after) to keep track of things for each twin on this paper. I had a binder I kept them in It has 4 days across and I was able to get 2 days out of each copy of the charts. I took a column for each twin, next to each other, put the date in, and kept track of things like who had nursed on which side each feeding(as it's good to switch them back and forth each feeding, so each br**st is getting equal suction to keep the milk supply up on each side, since each baby nurses differently), When they wet or soiled diapers in the first weeks esp. when it's important to keep track of that, I kept track of when they had baths, medicines if they had them at all, when I applied med on diaper areas for yeast rash, anything unusual that happened with either twin, etc. It helped me so much in keeping track of things in those early months, so neither twin got forgotten, etc. It helps, too, if they have a cold, fever, etc. or any issue to mention to a doctor if you have to take them to the doctor. It was a big lifesaver, as it was my "memory" for me when keeping track yourself is essentially impossible. 
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Syncletica
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| Posted: April 13 2013 at 4:47pm | IP Logged
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More wonderful advice, thank you again!
Now I'm wondering what those of you with olders did for school?
Since I'm due Mid-August, I'm assuming I'll be basically out of commission till Christmas. I have 7 other children, the oldest is 12.
12, 10, 8, 7, 5, 3, 1.5
(Will be grades 8, 5, 4, 3, 1)
I'm expecting they'll be huge helps afterwards, will be learning more real life skills, character building by being of service and so on.
I plan on having them continue with Math-U-See since they know for the most part how to do it on their own.
What have any of you done for olders when you had your twins?
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Angi
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| Posted: April 13 2013 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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My older 2 were 3 1/2 and 2 when the twins came, so no schooling yet. If it were me, I would continue schooling until the twins are born. Take 3 months off (consider it summer), then start right back up. I know for me, it would have been easier to "bed school" - have everyone come to your bedroom and home school there. The 10 and 12 year olds could be in charge of lunch. The twins would be right there with you, nursing and playing right along with the rest.
I wore them in a Kozy Carrier together when they were tiny, then one in the Ergo with the other in my arms (all the time!).
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Syncletica
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| Posted: April 17 2013 at 9:09pm | IP Logged
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I hope no one minds if I just quickly pop in again to ask for an Ave Maria....I'm a hormonal emotional wreck right now --- writing this with major tears running down my cheeks. 
I don't know why -- maybe just overtired. Also wondering how I'm going to be able to handle this...
TIA
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: April 17 2013 at 9:48pm | IP Logged
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Definitely praying! Having quite a few of those hormonal moments myself lately... 
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 18 2013 at 10:53am | IP Logged
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Congratulations, Syncletica, and praying for you. Having had very rough pregnancies and post-partum, all you can do is take one.day.at.a.time. Actually, there were times it would be one minute at a time. I had to keep on saying "Thy Will be done", "Jesus, I Trust in Thee", and "By myself I can do nothing, but with God I can do all things."
Those are my "mantras" -- still I need them daily, but when the going is really tough, I'm saying them constantly.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 18 2013 at 11:40am | IP Logged
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Emotional overload makes even normal things look impossible.. so don't believe it.
You might try some red raspberry leaf (in tea or capsules) it helps normalize hormones and I use it all pregnancy, it can really help, I go from feeling out of control emotionally to feeling back in control even if I'm still emotional. Oh and be sure it's the red raspberry LEAF, not the raspberry flavored teas. Go to a health food store for it.
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herdingkittens
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| Posted: April 18 2013 at 4:41pm | IP Logged
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prayed for you this morning - I'll keep you covered.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 18 2013 at 10:21pm | IP Logged
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I remember very strong emotions at times wondering how I could handle it, and anxiety over birthing 2 babies at once. Just keep telling yourself, "I WILL make it through this!", "God has promised He will not give us more than we can bear, with His help". Call on Jesus, Our Lady, the Saints, particularly those who are patrons of impossible causes, if you are feeling like it is impossible to bear.
Keep up nutrition, vitamins, and REST. Let all who can or will help, do so. Pare things back as MUCH as you can, and be OK with it. This time will be a short time in your family's history, even if it's the first 2 years of the twins little lives, and there will be more fond memories of the time if you all can relax, take care of Mommy and those sweet little ones, and have the ability to make it priority to take care of just the necessities, and in the other moments enjoy the blessing of each other. Family togetherness, love, closeness, and even caring for each others' needs, are great lessons in and of themselves.
Our Lady, Help of Christians, please pray for us!
Our Lady of the miraculous Medal, please pray for us!
St. Gerard Majella, please pray for us!
St. Rita, please pray for us!
All you holy men and women, pray for us!
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Syncletica
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| Posted: April 24 2013 at 7:37pm | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone!
Another question:Is it cause for concern to feel feet down low - by the pubic bone? Don't know how else to describe it. And when I walk it feels like there's tugging going on down there, but even lower??
Something to be concerned about or normal?
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: April 24 2013 at 8:02pm | IP Logged
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The twins danced on my bladder all the time. They were both breech, and stayed that way the whole time, so it does feel different if the babies are breech. Sometimes it would send a sharp pain to my bladder when they could kick, since they were kicking with feet. So, it will feel a lot different than usual. Never hurts to ask though. Maybe go in for an untrasound. They gave me one at every appointment with the twins. But, most likely you are not used to the position.
Talk soon,
Kim
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 24 2013 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
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Yes, the feeling of feet is much more uncomfortable down there. Had that last time with our breech baby, not pleasant at all. During the twin preg. there was a lot heavier, uncomfortable pressure down there.
On a side-note of encouragement, if you have one who's breech, or both, don't give up on them turning until the time they're delivering. Our boy twin was breech til the night before we went into labor, and he did an incredible flip, which my husband saw in the tub. Dh was quite amazed at the huge lump which was his head as he flipped. And my doctor told me of a patient she had who's baby flipped as they were prepping her for a c-section!
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 24 2013 at 8:19pm | IP Logged
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Not a twin but I had one that was flipping end to end about 3 times a day right up until labor.. she ended up head down. And yes, it was indicative of her personality  
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Syncletica
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| Posted: April 24 2013 at 8:59pm | IP Logged
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I'm feeling more reassured now, thank you again!
Yet another question:
What were/are your favorite sources of protein, and how much should be eaten daily?
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AmandaV
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| Posted: April 24 2013 at 9:13pm | IP Logged
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I ate a lot of tuna and peanut butter during my twin pregnancy ( two boys) - though not together!
I ate a lot of bananas and peanut butter or apple slices w/pb. I also made tuna salad with crackers or on sandwiches. And meat! :)
I don't remember how much- I didn't really measure. I would think unless you are having major issues, just more than normal for sure and then a large percentage of your diet. You are most likely eating a lot more than normal, just make sure that a big part of that is protein and not a whole lot of carbs. I think I ate a lot of bagels then though... but bagels have protein too! ;) Ahh.. I miss the days the budget allowed bagels! But that was three kids ago, I'll take the kids over the bagels.
I felt the babies down low, but mostly during the third trimester. But very early. Lots of heaviness. But if you are concerned, please do consult with your doctor or midwife!
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