Reddit reviews When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy, 3rd Edition

Okay - this book is excellent - https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/. It's well-researched and practical. As someone suggested earlier, your local mothers of multiples (MoM) group will likely be a good resource, and they often have consignment sales that can be good for getting things you need. If you're going to formula feed, the Baby Brezza has been a lifesaver for us, and you could start looking for a good deal. The 2017 Triplets Mom group that I described above is a great resource and well vetted so it's fairly private.

Come join us at r/parentsofmultiples.

The best book for twins, imo, is this one because it is written by doctors. The important thing to do in the first trimester is to try to gain some weight following the guidelines they suggest. Also, they recommend seeing a specialist because twins are considered highrisk. I also found Mothering Multiples extremely helpful for information on breast feeding twins.

The doctor's statement makes me wonder if you are mono-di (different sacs, share a placenta). If they are di-di (different sacs and placentas) then they could be monozygotic or dizyogotic. If they are mono-di, then you should definitely see a specialist because you are at risk for things like twin-to-twin transfusion.

I also suggest looking for a local mother/parents of twins/multiples club. They often have consignment sales where you can get good twin stuff for not too much money. You don't need doubles of everything, and talking to different moms will give you an idea of what you do need to double.

I remember the day I found out. I kept randomly exclaiming, "Twins!" It was nice in that I got to make two announcements, since we waited to announce the twin part once we got past the danger zone for the vanishing twin syndrome.

Yay!!! check out /r/parentsofmultiples and pick up a copy of Dr. Barbara Luke's book, When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads. How did your kids react to this news? So excited for you :)

The first thing you need to do is get in touch with other parents of twins. Parents of singletons don't have any idea what you are about to go through so go to people who do: http://www.nomotc.org/index.php?option=com_clubsearch&Itemid=43

Get on their email list now and start meeting people. You'll be glad you have some people to call when the shit hits the fan.

Secondly, encourage your wife to take care of herself and eat like a horse. Preterm birth is a real risk for multiples and you really really really do not want to experience it if you can avoid it. I would make a point of finding an OB specialized in high risk pregnancies. I didn't and I lived to regret it (mine were 3 months too early). Here's a good book about eating during a multiple pregnancy: http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374202260&sr=1-1&keywords=multiples

It is great that your MIL is going to visit for a few months - that will make things SOOO much easier.

I'm 33 weeks pregnant with ours, so I can't yet comment as a parent, but these are some things that have helped me so far. Like with any baby gear or family, there is no one right answer as to what to buy. I have researched a ton and found it helpful to start at the Lucies List twin page, then modify ideas from there by asking advice from other twin parents and from places like here. We are going minimalist so have definitely not purchased the full extent of gear that mainstream registries recommend, but we have the basics for sleeping, health/safety, and transportation, and we also know there's always Amazon prime and also some nearby stores in case of emergency.

Second, I started reading When you're expecting twins... by Barbara Luke very early in my pregnancy and I found its recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle to be invaluable in getting the pregnancy off to a healthy start and keeping it there. There are definitely some differences from being pregnant with one vs two, and this got me educated and prepared.

Last...well we specifically didn't want cutesy/rhyming twin names, but if you want that sort of thing, Google and Pinterest are full of ideas. Ours are same gender but fraternal, and I fully expect they will be as stubborn and individual as their parents, so I'm not worried about telling them apart. I do expect our hands will be quite full with other challenges. Lord help us.

Seconding what /u/alc12 said.

With twins the first year is about survival, so you end up throwing a lot of your personal convictions out the window. lol

First and foremost - pick up the book Twins, Triplets and Quads. It has university research for prolonging your pregnancy as long as possible so nice big, healthy babies. It was recommended to me by another twin Mom. My OB said I'd be lucky to make 34 weeks, and I made 37+5. My girls had 0 NICU time. I believe it's largely due to this book.
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497145941&sr=8-1&keywords=twins+triplets+quads

Do you have any family members (Mom, Sister) who can come live with you the first 5-6 months? The more support you can get, the better off your experience will be - especially if you plan to breastfeed. And if you have the cash, honestly... interview a few professional night-nurses or caregivers now, before the babies come, even if you think you may not ever call them. It will be much harder to interview someone with confidence when you are in the throws of the first 4 weeks of your twins life.

How involved was your husband with the first two pregnancies? Twins are a different animal and it's very "all hands on deck"! You'll need to trade off shifts for survival at night, each of you getting 5 solid hours of sleep. We did two shifts 10p-3a, 3a-8a. If he was very hands off with the first two, a little mental prep of how much you are going to need him will go a long way to preventing resentment from a partner later on. Even if you are 100% sure that you can handle it all on your own.. prep him just in case.

I won't lie and say that twins are easy. They are hard. But they are also very rewarding and it sounds like with 4 close in age they are going to be best of buds. Congratulations on your additions to the family :)

Yippee!!! Sounds like you and nfgchick79 switched betas or something! Congratulations on joining the twin club!

RevealNothing will tell you to buy this book. I'm gonna preemptively second her recommendation ;-)

She was probably trying to follow Dr. Barbara Luke's program. My MFM doc had me read her book and I was convinced. She runs a Multiple's Clinic at the university of Miami. The book says that twins at her clinic are born are born 20% heavier than average and that 60% are born at 36 weeks or later, compared to 40% nationwide. Probably worth reading, I can say it worked for me at least.


When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy

This book had great info on nutrition plus recipes in the back. I feel like all my responses on this subreddit include this suggestion. When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy, 3rd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061803073/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_h8CTub0J7GWYC

I'm having twins too! My EDD is in May also but in all likelyhood, they'll be born in April because that's what twins do. I can't believe they missed it in the first ultrasound! I had ultrasounds at 6 and 8 weeks (both internal) and it was clear as day but it may be because mine are fraternal (separate sacks). Are yours identical or fraternal?

I've been having the same logistical concerns about how to deal with TWO at the same time. Check out r/parentsofmultiples. There is a lot of good advice there.

Also, I found that most maternity books don't talk much about multiples. I found this book and I've found it very helpful so far.

Most MFMs will recommend more like 1000 extra calories for twins. Believe it or not, carrying twins burns A LOT of calories.

The book I followed is When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads and they actually recommend more like 1000-1200 extra calories a day.

http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073

I had IVF twins as well - I recommend this book to anyone carrying twins. I am really convinced it is the reason why I carried to 40 weeks. EAT!

http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375218363&sr=8-1&keywords=when+your+expecting+twins+triplets+or+quads

Have you read Barbara Luke's book about expecting multiples? While some of the things she says in there are a touch alarmist IMO, one of the things she mentions is that early weight gain is good for twins. Remember, you're doubling the baby, the fluid, the placenta and your blood volume!

My weight gain has actually slowed a bit now - there's just not enough room for me to eat anything substantial.

Congratulations, how far along?

My mono-di twins are just about five now.

At my first sonogram, when we discovered we were having twins, my doctor also really harped on the vanishing twin thing - he really made it sound like it was a 50/50 shot at best, however, if you're far enough along that you could see heartbeats, the chance of miscarriage is quite a bit lower. We only told immediate family about the twins until our second ultrasound.

If you're looking for a book for you (and your wife to read) - try this one When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads it has a lot of really good information about navigating a twin pregnancy.

She told me I can't lift more than fifty pounds. But thats the extent of my Beschaftigungsverbot lol. WoW THATS A WORD. With my singleton pregnancy the Dr. refused to put me on light duty when I was BEGGING to be put on it at 32 weeks. I feel like 32 weeks, lifting sixty pounds and walking five miles a day is fucking excessive, weather or not there are any complications. Oh and that pregnancy was considered "high risk" also. This Dr, and the condition of having twins puts me right in line to be put on light duty or quit before the babies. but No one will pay me! I will just lose the income.

But I have been doing this job for ten years, so my body and muscles are really used to it.

the book

If you or your wife are the reading type, skip over the "What to expect when you are expecting" and head straight to this.

http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073

We have fraternal (di di) girls coming in October. My wife is 24 weeks today. Tomorrow is our favorite day of the month because we get to see them at the ultrasound. I am sure you will learn to love those days too. Find a way, any way, to be there for them.

Plus, I felt one of them kick m hand this morning. First time feeling my babies. Such a wonderful feeling. Love every minute of it. And don't be scared of it either.

Congrats!

My maternal grandmother had twins as well! It's weird, a lot of moms I know who had twins, their grandmother had twins too. Even the nurses at the hospital asked if my maternal grandmother had twins.

Book recommendation! "When you're expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads" by Dr. Barbara Luke. This book was my go-to for everything I experienced during pregnancy. It's really great, and the woman who wrote it has over 20 years experience with multiple pregnancies! So check it out. :)

Eat. Everything. Don't be afraid to gain lots of weight. I think I ate my weight in pineapple every week. Oh, and prenatal vitamins.... and SLEEEEEEEP! I slept like, 20 hours a day for the first trimester! I only woke up to eat and go to the bathroom. lol It's soooo important you get lots of rest and don't overdo it. If at any point in your life you don't overdo it, this next 7 months is IT! (I watched the entirety of Gilmore Girls, read, slept, and ate. Oh man I ate. lol)

And have fun! Enjoy the quiet, because once they get here, that's IT! haha Congrats!! PM me if you want to chat :)

This was my wifes inspiration. https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483150828&sr=8-1&keywords=twins+triplets+and+quads
She is very into fitness and eats very healthy. This book told her the importance of weight gain for twins and wait gain early on. So you still have time. We have both found that the super fit pregnancy is the new thing so moms can look awesome in 6 weeks again and she said that wasn't right for her and couldn't take that risk with twins. (Everyone is different and that is no slam on anyone. We have just noticed a trend of skinny mommies and under weight babies and wast going to do that.) She packed on the weight and thankfully it was all belly and looked incredible the whole time.
Best of luck with you. Keep us updated on how it goes. This Sub has been amazing for us.

She's six feet tall with a very long torso, so luckily she had some extra room to work with.

You're in for quite a ride! I'm not an OB or pediatrician or anything, so take anything here with a liberal heaping of salt. Also I'm only ~30 hours in on the cooing and crying part, so I'll stick to the inside part.

First off, my wife bought this book which was excellent:
http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/

It goes into a whole lot of detail regarding multiple pregnancies, to the point of suggesting meals / meal plans, all kinds of information, the whole nine. It's a lot of very good information specific to the hurdles and excitement you're facing.

So, beyond that. First off be aware that the average gestation for twins is 36 weeks, not 40. You may make it to 36, you may not, but expect that any time between delivery and 36 weeks is going to be spent with them in the NICU. Your OB will be able to tell you more what to expect.

If you haven't yet, get with your HCP and get all of the pokes and prods and plans and ultrasounds you need now done and need in the future scheduled.

If yours is like mine, understand that by about 6 or 7 months in she is not going to be able to really do much to help, and it's pretty much your job to make sure she doesn't have to.

Finally, ASK FOR HELP. Family, friends, whoever, if someone says they want to help, take them up on it, not just in the time of cooing pooping insomnia but in the run up to it. Getting the house all cleaned up, getting all of the baby stuff squared away, having meals prepped / frozen ahead of time, staying on top of laundry, caring for your son... I have no idea at all how single mothers of multiples even survive, and a father who's so utterly tapped out that he can't see straight isn't much help either.

I don't have any advice from personal experience yet, but when I was choosing a clinic I looked into whether I would want to transfer two embryos at one time, since one clinic I looked at had a shared risk plan that didn't allow elective single embryo transfer. Someone on this board recommended I read the book "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads" by Barbara Luke. It gives a very comprehensive coverage of multiple pregnancy, including what to expect during the pregnancy (both anecdotal and quantitative data) and recommendations on nutrition, time off work, etc. for a multiple pregnancy. I felt a little silly reading it without being pregnant, but it was really helpful to me in making a decision. I'd recommend taking a look at it if you are interested. The Amazon link is: http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=la_B000APSJL2_1_1/192-5989079-8342909?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412131579&sr=1-1.

For those who are voting me down, some reading material: http://www.amazon.com/Youre-Expecting-Twins-Triplets-Quads/dp/0061803073/ref=asap_B000APSJL2_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415597493&sr=1-1

To be more likely to carry to term, the woman needs to gain more weight and to eat a ton of fat and protein. Ice cream and doritos have that fat. But even in those cases stuff considered "junk" is only okay if you've had more normal food all day.

Most twins are fraternal and yeah, there are fewer risks with them. If you would be interested in a twins book I have a copy of this one that I no longer need and would be happy to send it to you. I found it to be very comprehensive on twin pregnancy, but a little heavy handed in the wording. Like, "you must do this" but not anything that can't be looked over. The content is solid and that is the important part.