*** Twins thread ***

[babymother]

I've never had a footballer before lol, but this one likes watching it. He's not sorry, was more when younger and in he army. Only weight training and football but he's getting on a bit now, 43! Lol
I love judo. Did it for a bit. Then Thai boxing which was great too.
I can't get any MMA or UFC on my telly as don't have sky.
I also live watching wrestling but they didn't cover much on the Olympics last year
It was all bloody swimming and cycling. Weightlifting was covered ok, judo was crap coverage and literally no wrestling. Lol, I seem to digress!
The weather is sunny here, so that's nice.

 

[Nikkiportia]

Yeah OH does judo too, he was going twice a week since we have been in spain, but has replaced it with BJJ now he found a good club. He is a second dan black belt in Taekwondo, and taught for years, also black belt in Hapkido, apprentice black in Kuksoolwon, think hes green in judo, plus spent a lot of time studying various other arts, i forget them all. I managed red belt in Kuksoolwon, really enjoyed it for a while, was gold, silver and bronze medallist at european champs at blue belt level in 2010, but lost interest a bit when i took up running and weights instead
Feels like a lifetime ago now, consideringi am out of breath trying to do housework, so frustrated and a bit fed up to be honest.

 

[bakingtwins]

Afternoon ladies, hope everyone's having a great day!

I had a further scan and appt with consultant today and have a little more insight into the 'low amniotic fluid' saga... As you know, alarms were raised for me last week as Twin B (my little girl) appeared to have a reduced amount of fluid, deepest pool being 22mm which apparently is to the wire... Anyhoo today, that has risen to 32mm - which is such a relief! I now come under the 'normal' category! However, Twin B (my little boy) still has double that! They're not worried anymore so neither am I! It just goes to show that these things really do vary from day today and you shouldn't get yourself too worried at thus type of news!


In other news, I'm now gonna be admitted to hospital on the 20th to have my pessary inserted to begin my induction which is scheduled for the 21st. This making me 37+2 - cant believe it's now only 2 weeks away!! Getting pretty scared now!


xx

 

[Scattyash]

Good news about your water,
I was pretty freaked out yesterday when I was told that my girl had too much and then after googling it I didn't panic as much, although I was thinking what happens if it doubles again and I run out of room and it pops!
" my silly mind lol "
Really not long then for you, well done for getting so far along I hope us other twin mummy's to be can make it as far as you too,
You must be so excited!
X

 

[Nikkiportia]

Phew, glad to hear good news bakingtwins, amazing how things can change so fast. Glad all is well!
Just two weeks to go for you? Eeeeeeek! You must be so excited as well as a bit nervous i am guessing?! I am so jealous

 

[bakingtwins]

Truth be told - I'm absolutely petrified! I just can't seem to see past the dreaded labour and onto the two wonderful prizes at the end. All I've been able to think about is the labour so I imagine I'll be in for a surprise once u make it through the other side and the finished articles have finally materialised. Shocking I know, but I've been so apprehensive about all this immenant pain that I haven't really given the babies much thought.

From what I've learned today, fluid volumes vary every day, there's no accurate reading. I'm a huge Google hypochondriac and find that I scare myself half to death with all my research and thirst for knowledge. If the doctors are worried and admit you with intent to deliver in an emergency, only then be worried!

 

[babymother]

All good here. Good luck baking twins
Off to antenatal class in a bit lol. OH dreading it
Glad you feeling little more chilled scatty
Good luck Nikki.

 

[babymother]

Afternoon ladies
Went to ante natal class last night. Was ok but obviously geared towards single babies but she was happy to answer my questions. We just went through the stages of normal labour and how to give yourself the best chance of a natural birth.

We went for a scan and review today. Good news, babies are growing well, amniotic fluid normal, and she had turned to head down! I couldn't believe it, coz I suspected she had but didn't want to get too excited. I just hope she stays head down now as she is the leading twin.

 

[Nikkiportia]

Just replied in tri three, great news hon!

My antenatal class was ok, just on breathing and pelvic floor exercises, nothing too exciting. Was a long time sitting on uncomfortable chairs though! The other ladies are all quite a bit further along than me, but i still seem to be bigger, lol! Hard to nderstand much of it, but i got the idea based on the slide show and the translations i got from OH. Didnt bother with the exercise class part at the end, as i have already been doing the same thng at pilates and had to gve it up recently due to struggling too much on the floor
Babies are super active this week, anyone else? Have also posted a pic today in tri three bumpy pics, i still feel bigger than it looks on photo thugh!

 

[babymother]

My babies are active a lot, and it can be uncomfortable when hey kick and wriggle.
Bless OH, I think he loves the idea of a water birth. I had to explain why they wouldn't let me give birth in the pool. I will still ask though.
He said he learnt a lot about the birthing process, and normal birth. Like good positions for birth, which is basically not on your back.
The docs etc can get knotted if they think I'm labouring on my back! They are there to make my birth easier, not me there, lying on a bed for their convenience

Got my dads funeral on Tuesday, then last antenatal in the evening.
Got a tour of maternity unit tomorrow

Hope you are feeling a little more relaxed baking twins. I am sure you will be fine, just remember women have been birthing twins for donkeys years. I know it's different than one baby, but it's not the terrifying thing they often make out

Hope everyone is ok?

 

[Nikkiportia]

I hear mixed reports about spanish delivery rooms, many say that they still insist on giving birth in stirrups, and i know for a fact that they are known for 'helping' your baby out by pushing on your abdomen! Trying hard not to look into it too much, lol! Luckily mynhospital is known for being very modern, although i dont think i get to see the labour ward until crunch time. We are told just to go to urgencias whenin labour, like a and e basically. Im sure i will find out more over the next few weeks. Epidurals are more commonplace, as are sections, but the bottom line is, that although i may not have the same choices i would have in the UK, the survival rates for mother and baby are much better in Spain, so i guess they know what they are doing

I think my babes have moved, at least i hope they have! Because i am feeling boy loads, and yet the girl seems quiet, which is really unusual :/

 

[babymother]

Hmm, the pushing on your abdomen sounds scary Nikki!

Could you ask to see the maternity unit?

 

[Nikkiportia]

Yes, it sounds awful doesnt it! Something to do with when the epidural is given and women not actively pushing, its probably to avoid forceps. My pilates teacher made it really clear that knowing how to use my muscles down here was really important to avoid this happening! The general impression i get is that their main prioity is to get baby out safely, they dont play to womens demands, some women say how impersonal it all felt and how they were not listened to, but this may be just the bad cases. To be honest, i dont really care as long as they get my babies out safely
I will ask about the maternity unit for sure, but it does seem that you really do just go there once you are in labour. They really do expect you to trust in them here, and in my experience, they provide much better care than the NHS, even if the organisation is questionable at times.
I was supposed to have my anti d yesterday, we were told just to turn up at the hospital blood bank with our form. Finding the blood bank was ridiculous, we walked for miles thrugh the hospital, i was exhausted, and we had to keep stopping for a rest. We get there to be told that in actual fact, we have to call a number, make an appointment, and its not just a jab here. Apparently they take a sample, you wait 45mins for he result, just to check that i am negative, then you get the jab! I would assume they got my blood result right the first time, why redo it? Anyway, we had to call this morning, and we cant get in til thurs, which is 29+3 not the 28 it is supposed to be. Grrrrrrr.
Anyway, we have the consultant the next day, and then the OH has just booked us in for a 4d scan privately the day after! I was doubting if it was worth it because we are so far on, not sure how good the pics will be, but will be nice for the babes when they are older to see themselves in the womb together on video.

 

[Scattyash]

My mother in law gave birth twice in Spain and she found it fine,
I'm unsure sbout the pushing on your abdomen thing if anyone goes to do that then tell them to F..K off
That does not sound right at all. Xx

 

[babymother]

I understand what you are saying about the babies being born safely. But don't underestimate how it can make a woman feel if they had a really medicalised birth.
I've had one and it's not nice.

Even having twins, we have to keep in mind that giving birth is a normal life event. I will be in hospital to give birth but I am not having a medicalised birth. I am not going to be induced. I accept the fact I have a higher chance of needing a caesarean. But I am not being bullied into procedures that are unnecessary and just done as a matter of routine.
A lot of things that usually lead and create more problems than they solve, because of the 'just on case' argument.
Sorry for rant but as I suffered with my first birth for a long time after, I feel strongly.

 

[Nikkiportia]

I think it is the usual case of hearing horror stories, and that usually things go absolutely normally. The lady i met recently had a normal birth with her twins and she is from a much more rural town than Madrid. I am not paying much attention to thngs that i hear, i have no reason to believe as yet that anythng will be medicalised, in fact quite the opposite, they treat me like a normal pregnancy and i am not worried. Everything will be fine I am fully prepared to hit any midwife that tries to jump on my stomach, lol!
There are a few stories here so you can see what i am trying to prepare myself for, lol..... http://www.mumabroad.com/interviews/Interviews_with_Mums_in_Madrid-10946

 

[babymother]

Oh Nikki. I have read those stories. I really feel for you. But you seem relaxed and happy with how things are going with your care apart from the anti d.

I am sure you have done a certain amount of reading as I have too. You know when things are needed and when not.
Even in the UK I've read how they encourage you to have an epidural with twins as routine I don't think so. Not for me and my babies.

I'm rhesus negative, having mine next week.

 

[Scattyash]

BM have you had an epidural before? I didn't have one with my daughter all the pain relief I had was 2 poxy paracetamol,
I don't know If I want to have an epidural or not, heard so many horror stories but they do like to push for one with a twin birth incase you get rushed for a c section x

 

[Mrs N]

I had an epi with h (48 hour labour and I'm a wimp) and I found it fab, I could feel pressure but no pain so knew when my contractions were. I plan to have one this time too!
Xxx

 

[babymother]

BM have you had an epidural before? I didn't have one with my daughter all the pain relief I had was 2 poxy paracetamol,
I don't know If I want to have an epidural or not, heard so many horror stories but they do like to push for one with a twin birth incase you get rushed for a c section x

Yes, I had an epidural with my first birth, after induction drip.
Didn't like it, found the inability to move horrible. Baby was ok, but I didn't like it.