Twin Talks: Pregnancy and Parenting Multiple Children

You may have been dreaming about having a homebirth when you were first planning your pregnancy. And then when you learned you were having twins, that vision may have gone out the window. Perhaps your doctor told you that delivering twins outside of a hospital is too risky. But is it?  What is the real evidence for determining what is safe for you and your babies? Today we are talking with Dr. Vic...

If you're carrying identical twins, they could be mo-di or monochorionic diamniotic. But what exactly does that mean for you and your babies? Does sharing the same placenta require additional monitoring? Should you expect additional care from your obstetrician or perinatologist? Mothers of mo-di twins share their personal experiences! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have infant twins, you already know that you can count on dressing them in multiple outfits each day. Not because they are fashionistas, but because of the inevitable spit-ups, blow-outs, spills, and everything else that gets them grimy. Between diapering and changing clothes multiple times a day, you just learn to grin and bear it. But what if there are ways to make this easier? Today we’r...

If your little ones could tell you what they are really thinking and how they feel about your twin parenting strategy, what would they say? Would they tell you that they love dressing alike or absolutely hate it? Will they ever appreciate all the effort that you have put into giving them opportunities to express themselves as an individual? Today we can hit the “fast forward button” and talk to ad...

Working with twins? Is it really possible? Not everyone can afford full-time childcare, so what other options do you have if the traditional model of full-time work isn't an option? Where should you look for jobs that are a little more flexible? How can you adjust your resume if you've been out of work for a while? And what about the possibility of starting your own business? Learn more about your...

As soon as we learned that we were pregnant with twins, we received a long list of to-dos and don’ts. We were told that our diet needed to change, even if we were healthy eaters before and that we need to ensure that we get the right nutrients for our bodies and the growing babies inside. Is it really different for twin pregnancies? Today we’re looking at how using prenatal vitamins might be diffe...

We've heard about postpartum depression and perhaps we have friends affected by it. But what about twin mamas? If you are carrying multiple babies, are you more prone to experiencing postpartum depression? What can you expect? And is there anything you can do to avoid it or perhaps minimize the risks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you prepared to pay for two sets of college tuition at the same time or pay for major life events like weddings or house down payments? The thought of just one of these is overwhelming, much less paying for two at a time! What can you do to plan ahead and save money for the future of twin parenting? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Needing a full night of quality sleep? This is literally a dream come true for many twin parents. But how do you make it happen? You may have read or heard about sleep training. What exactly is it? What are your options? And does it really work for twins and triplets, or just singletons? Parents of multiples share what works best for them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

Most newborn twins don't need to spend time in the NICU, but it's always helpful for expecting parents to be prepared- just in case. Today we're launching a new series focused on all things related to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. If this is your first trip to the NICU, what can you expect? Who are the different care providers and what are their roles? What are the typical visiting hours for t...

Pink and Blue. That’s what we usually think of for girls and boys. But what if you have one of each? Do you have to decorate your twins' room in pink and blue? What other options are there? And how can you update their room as they become preschool and school-age kids? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve heard all the standard comments about twins: “Are they twins? Are they identical? Are they natural? Who was born first?” And you’ve come up with answers to those questions. But what about your kids? How do they respond? Have you talked to your twins about how to address these questions from complete strangers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carrying more than one baby creates a higher demand on an expecting mother’s body during pregnancy. This often includes tapping into her iron supply which can result in iron-poor blood for mama and babies. If you’re pregnant with twins, should you be concerned? What can you do to prevent this condition? Can it be treated effectively? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cribs, Co-sleepers, Bassinets, and Bunkbeds. With twins, there’s a lot of equipment and transitions ahead. Should you put newborns together? Keep them in your room or put them in the nursery? And when they’re older, when should you separate them? Do they need their own rooms? Our twin parents are here to talk about sleeping arrangements for twins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

We’re hearing more and more about the choices that women have in giving birth. There are hospital birthing suites, birthing centers, and even home births, But do all these choices go out the window when you’re having multiple babies? If we want something other than hospital birth for our twins, how do we determine what is possible? Today we're learning what may be possible for twin births, includi...

When your babies are born within minutes of each other, it's sometimes difficult to treat them differently. After all, they did share a womb for several months. However, the pressure to treat your twins the same often leads to intense sibling rivalry and competition, amongst other things. So, how can you be fair to your twins without feeling like everything must be shared or split equally? Learn m...

You’ve been the world traveler and then... life changes when twins come along. Or does it? Most people resign themselves to resume traveling after their twins are potty trained or older. But today we’re here with some experienced twin moms who have been jet-setting around the world alongside their kids. It may not be for everyone, but our twin mamas have some great practical advice for any twin pa...

Breastfeeding one baby is a challenge on its own but what about wanting to breastfeed your twins? How can husbands help support their wives who wish to breastfeed their babies? What struggles can come up and how can the husbands help navigate this feeding journey with their wives? Today we are breaking down two different breastfeeding journeys and how important it is to have your husband on board...

No matter how hard you try, sometimes your twins just want to be naked. These little escape artists will strip down to nothing (including no diapers) at a moment's notice. Sometimes they don't even care if they're out in public. So, how do you keep their clothes on? Duct tape? Glue? Or maybe wait it out? Our twin parents share what's worked best for them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Ever wonder if your same-sex fraternal twins are truly fraternal? Perhaps you've even considered DNA testing to determine if they are actually identical? So, what's involved in the testing process? How accurate are the tests? And how can the results impact the relationship between your twins? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've had your babies, but your body doesn't seem to be healing itself and getting better. This could be a result of common pelvic floor problems that impact moms with multiples. So, what are the most common symptoms and how do you know if they will go away or if you need some additional help? And what does treatment typically look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

It's one of the biggest questions on the minds of NICU parents, "When can my babies go home?" And, once you get the green light, you may also be wondering how you're going to care for your babies at home. What kind of training or instructions can you expect from your NICU? How should you set up your home? And what about your babies' schedules? You'll hear from NICU parents about their personal exp...

Do twins run in your family? As a twin parent, you’ve probably heard this question a million times. So, what are your chances of twinning, whether it’s through genetics or through the use of fertility treatments? Why are fraternal twins more common in families that have a history of twins? The conception of identical twins is supposed to be random, so how do we explain families with multiple sets?...

Are you planning to transition your twins from a crib to a toddler bed? How do you know if they're developmentally ready? What are some of the challenges you can expect? And once your kids are in bed, how do you encourage them to stay there throughout the night? Our twin parents tell us what worked best for them. Plus, we're reviewing a super fun sleep time app- especially if your kids like dinosa...

If you're pregnant with twins or higher-order multiples, then your medical care provider has probably already told you about the risk of preterm labor. What does "preterm" actually mean for multiples? What are some of the signs of preterm labor? And what can be done to help calm your contractions and keep your babies in utero for as long as possible?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...