ParentProfiles.com
314 profiles of hopeful adoptive couples
For Birthparents
Article Topics
Profile Search
Profile Id Search
Success Story
Tim & MaryLu
This adoption was exactly four years in the doing and we feel that the last six or seven months when we were aggressively on the Internet looking were essential to our success even though we are old 43 and 50 and have been hearing "why don't you look at China" way too much from our home study agency.
Through parentprofiles.com and the other Internet services we were considered for over ten serious more ...
Twin Pregnancy
The sooner you find out that you're having doubles, the more time you'll have to prepare. If you're seeing your prenatal practitioner on schedule, your twin pregnancy would likely be diagnosed by the second trimester. You'll need bed rest and extra nutrition to help carry your babies as long as possible. Follow your practitioner's recommendations carefully. On average, twins are born about 24 days earlier than single babies.
Beyond the health concerns, you'll have plenty of thoughts about the future. How does one mother possibly care for two babies? The answer - you do and you don't. The time to start lining up help is during the twin pregnancy, so your support system will be in place as soon as you come home. Even the most attentive of fathers won't be enough. Accept any offers of assistance from friends, relatives, church and work. It helps to be specific: "I'd love it if you could come over once or twice a week to wash the dishes, sweep the floor, and run out for milk."
Speaking of milk, you can indeed nurse twins. As with any other aspect of a twin pregnancy, it takes coordination and flexibility. The trick is in finding a position and schedule that works for you. You may choose to breastfeed both babies, or to mix nursing and bottles - the final arrangement will depend on both your preferences and theirs. Remember that breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand system, and as long as you're getting enough rest and nutrition, you can produce enough milk for two babies.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of a twin pregnancy is being able to choose two names. Many parents feel twin names should go together somehow. There's a wide variety of creative approaches. Some will choose names that begin or end with the same sound (Sharon and Shawn, Ryan and Brian). It's interesting to use names that are anagrams of each other (Amy and May, Aidan and Nadia) or that have the same meaning in different languages (Daphne is Greek for "laurel", Laura is the Latin version; Eve and Zoe both mean "life").
Finally, as soon as you discover yours is a twin pregnancy, find your local or online group for parents of multiples. They'll be the best source of information and assurance that you can indeed survive - and thrive - with twins.
More Articles: