I’ve made no secret about it — everything about having twins is the most difficult thing I’ve ever been through in my entire life. I’m sure that my friends in real life who have had twins after me were probably afraid to ask me questions …. I’m not going to paint it all roses and sweetness.
There have been some things that have been instrumental for me, in this first 18 months, that have kept me from running off to Mexico.
Top 5 Items every Mother of Multiples Needs ….. to keep her sanity
1. An Amazing (and Handsome) Husband
I’ve said this about 1 million times in my life — my husband is my rock, and I have no idea how I’d ever make it through this world without him.
Brett is incredibly patient, selfless, and my never-failing cheerleader. He is such an incredible father, and took excellent care of me during my pregnancy. I credit him with a huge portion of our relatively healthy, just shy of 38 week pregnancy. He made sure I got enough rest, fed me (endlessly!), and took over the household when I just couldn’t get things done anymore.
Now, he supports me with breastfeeding two wild boys, and helps me keep them from completely dismantling the house, piece by piece.
I love you more every day …. and you’re the only man I want on my team. EVER.
2. A Solid Support System
For the pregnant moms reading this ….. from the moment you find out you are having twins, you will be bombarded with information/opinions. Some good, some bad.
Once you sort out in your head what you plan to do with your pregnancy, surround yourself with friends/family who support your birth/health care decisions. Being pregnant with twins is scary enough without having to listen to folks tell you that you’ll certainly be on bed rest, that there’s no way you won’t have a C section, you’ll never make it till June, and that you won’t be able to work. (yes, I heard all of these, and more!)
I was blessed, to not only have a supportive husband, but a tight circle of real life friends, and a network of online mommas of multiples from which to draw strength. Kaye, Laura, and Angie …. I love you all, and I hope you know how much you helped me. Kaye is my twin momma rock and role model ….and the one I can still call, to cry about all things twin. Laura was THRILLED beyond words, from Day one. She’s the first after my husband and I to see the ultrasound pictures! Angie got to listen to me whine about the pregnancy, and how much different it was from Rachel’s!
I couldn’t have made it through my pregnancy, and still rely heavily on these mommas, over at the Mothering forums. I’m a huge internet message board/forum junkie, and when I found these mothers, with all of their wisdom, and support, I was in heaven!
3. Food, and lots of it
For those who know me in real life … starting from the day I knew I was pregnant (even before I knew I was cooking two babies!), I can pack away some food. I was ravenously hungry right off the bat with the twin pregnancy.
When pregnant, I see that as a chance to start fresh …. in other words, here’s 9 months to eat healthy, and give your baby a great start. When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I read Dr Barbara Luke’s book, and tried to focus on lots of water, protein, and calcium. I ate eggs for breakfast 5 times a week, and drank protein shakes every day.
Once the boys were born, this pattern of eating continued …. still lots of protein, calcium and water. Most days, I still have a ravenous appetite, and I don’t get to take the time to eat and actually enjoy my food. Most of my eating is on the run, or while I am at work.
One of the greatest gifts I received was food ….. in the form of home cooked meals, provided by my circle of friends. For over a month, every other day, a group of wonderful women brought me and my family meals ….. some women, I had never even met before. I can’t tell you what a wonderful blessing this was for all of us.
4. Boppy Pillow
I knew from the beginning that I was planning on breastfeeding, so I read all I could about breastfeeding twins. Many sources recommended a twin nursing pillow ….. huge contraption, designed to angle the babies toward you, to feed them tandem. I don’t know if it’s because I’m short, but the first time I ever used this, I felt like I was strapped to a table. I tried it a few more times, and detested it.
What I used, and wouldn’t live without for at least the first 6 months ….. was my Boppy. (Thanks Rachel and Maria!) This eliminated the need for multiple pillows … just put both babies on, and go!
5. Boobs
Come on, you knew this was coming.
I’m STILL nursing my crazy boys — 17 months and counting. So, the one thing I definitely couldn’t have lived without was my ‘girls’. Most days, this is pretty easy, but I do have days when I cant.stand.another.moment. I’m trying my best to to make it to 2 years with them. I’m sure I’ll make it, but may leave my sanity behind.
Join in the fun at Multiples and More, and see what everyone else’s MUST HAVES are!
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