(Closed) Antenatal Twin class – what questions should I ask?

• MerryC
• 9 years ago

• Wedding: August 2008

@aunt pol: Congrats! I’m 12w with twins, so here are some of the questions I have or will bring up with my providers:

*Pregnancy & Delivery

-Best steps to prevent pre-term labor? I’ve read a lot of different suggestions in terms of weight gain goals, rest, time off work, pelvic rest, and so on. 

-What is a goal gestation to prevent NICU time?  And approx how long can they be expected to be in the NICU at various weeks delivery – say 30, 32, 34, 36?

-How late will they let me go? My dr will induce at 39 weeks with twins, some only let you go til 37 or 38.  And what criteria and risks factor into that?

-What are my birthing options? If conditions allow, can I try to deliver vaginally, or do twins automatically mean a c-section?

-What kind of access do we have to the babies in the NICU, while they are receiving various stages of care?  How many hours a day can we be there? Can we be involved in their feedings/changings/baths?  Can I pump and provide breastmilk?

-If the babies have to remain in NICU after I am discharged, is there a facility/housing at or near the hospital where DH & I can stay – like a Ronald McDonald House – to avoid driving hours back and forth each day.

*After the babies arrive

-Suggestions for techniques of feeding/breastfeeding twins – positions, equipment? My hospital offers a specific 1 on 1 twin breastfeeding class, and I’m so excited 🙂

-What equipment is helpful to have 2 of, what things 1 is sufficient?

-What things do I need to keep an eye on with preemies, health-wise, after we bring them home?

-Any suggestions for situations when twins do better together or benefit from being apart (sleeping, tummy time, feeding, etc.)?

GOOD LUCK!

• ladyartichoke
• 9 years ago

• Wedding: September 2018

Congrats on your twins.  My brothers are twins so there’s a special place in my heart for them. A little place inside me hopes I have them too.

Anyway.  Just from experience (or my mums experience) she was initially advised to feed them at the same time.  When one woke in the night she was to wake the other.  Did it work, no!  She ended up feeding them when they were hungry.  And eventually she had to bottle feed to give her boobs a rest, she got awful pain.  I don’t think you’ll need to hire someone so you can get some sleep.  My mum managed me, my brothers and her own business on her own whilst my dad worked away during the week (with some help form my gandparents).  You’ll do just fine!

Big good luck to you.

• MerryC
• 9 years ago

• Wedding: August 2008

@aunt pol: Congrats on making it to 20 weeks!  I can’t wait for that.  We’ve had a number of ultrasounds already, and they are measuring right on schedule.  My doctor has in-depth scans scheduled for 16 and 20 weeks, but says we’ll probably have them about once per month after that too, so hopefully they’ll be able to see what they need.  How soon are they having you go back for another check?  I think sometimes the babies are just a little smooshed in there with two, so it’s harder to get clear pictures.  How long do the anatomy scans take with twins? I know my friends pg with singletons say it’s about an hour, so was it 2 hours?  I know radiology booked me for a double appt.  Oh and we’re first timers too 🙂 

@ladyartichoke: Thanks for the feeding tips.  I know they say with twins, schedules are really important, but I think being able to deal with one hungry/crying baby at a time would be helpful too!  While I’d like to feed them breastmilk, I’m definitely planning to pump and bottle feed, so I can take a break sometimes.