Just Found Out you are Expecting Twins? 3 Things you Need to Know Now

Written By Lindsay Castiglione

I am pretty sure that if you ask any twin parent about their experience finding out there were TWO babies in there, they can tell you word for word how it all played out. I had the joy (and shock!) of that experience not once but twice, almost exactly two years apart. The first time, as I left the doctor’s office with a fist full of ultrasound photos and my head spinning, I realized I had no idea where to begin preparing. Looking back, I would tell my previous self to take some deep breaths and concentrate on a few things at a time. Here are my suggestions on which topics for you to wrap your head around first.

  1. Know your twin type!

    Twins are not all created the same – there are actually several variations of twin types. You might wonder why it even matters, but prenatal care is actually pretty specific to the type you are carrying. To be the best advocate for yourself and your babies, this information is vital to know by the end of the first trimester.

  So…what are our options here?

Here are the most common types, from order of least to most complicated:

  • Di/Di (Dichorionic/Diamniotic) *fraternal*- twins that came to be by two separate eggs that were each fertilized and then implanted. They each have their own placenta and amniotic sac, and are considered the lowest risk of all the twin pregnancy types.

  • Di/Di (Dichorionic/Diamniotic) *identical* - Just to confuse you, Di/Di twins can ALSO be identical! If an embryo split in the first three days after the egg was fertilized, they will look almost exactly the same like other identical twins, but still each have their own placenta and amniotic sac.

  • Mono/Di (Monochorionic/Diamniotic) *identical* - twins that come from one fertilized egg that splits between days 3-8, creating two babies. They each have their own water sac, or amnion, but share a placenta. They are ALWAYS identical, and because they share a placenta, they are considered higher risk than Di/Di twins. The possibility of unbalanced blood flow through the shared placenta and unequal growth of the babies are the main concerns. To screen for the indicators, ultrasound monitoring must be done every 2 weeks from the 16th week forward. Delivery of Mono/Di twins is also a bit earlier, on average at 37 weeks compared to 38 weeks for Di/Di twins.

  • Mo/Mo (Monochorionic/Monoamniotic) *identical – Also always identical, these very rare pregnancies occur after an embryo splits day 8-13 after fertilization. These babies share both the amniotic sac and placenta – both of which put them at substantially more risk than other twin types. By sharing the amniotic sac, the babies’ individual umbilical cords can become dangerously tangled and/or compressed, and the blood flow can also be unbalanced in the shared placenta. These pregnancies are managed extremely carefully, often with inpatient (hospital) monitoring.   

What’s the best way to determine twin type? A thorough ultrasound during the first trimester can almost always provide the answer. Past this point, the changes that the growing babies and their surroundings go through make it difficult to see all of the indicators clearly.

Don’t let any of the above talk about risks scare you – with the right care and monitoring, the vast majority of these pregnancies produce healthy twins. Even so, it is really important to be informed. The more you know, the better you can advocate for the specific prenatal care your twins need.

2. Before you register or buy anything, have a plan that will leave you prepared – and not broke!

Contrary to popular belief, you DON’T need two of everything! When you find out you are expecting a duo, many will immediately want to start buying everything in pairs. Resist the urge and make a plan instead. Decide which items you are going to buy/register for in twos, and those where one will be just fine.      

Items you will need two of:

  • Bouncer seats

  • Highchairs

  • Cribs & travel cribs

  • Two mattresses

  • Cameras for baby monitor

  • Baby milestone/memory books

  • Car seats

Just start with one of these:

  • Excersaucers & Jumperoos,

  • Swing

  • Diaper bag

  • Baby bathtub

  • Diaper pail

  • White noise machine

  • Breast pump

Pro tip - Consider hunting for secondhand deals on local resale groups or facebook marketplace for any of the large, expensive items you’ll need. Activity gear such as an exersaucer or jumperoo, highchairs, bassinet(s), a stroller (especially a frame stroller which you will likely only use for the first few months), swing, etc, are all pricey and just as good bought “pre-loved”. By leaving these items off your registry, you can leave more room for essentials that you will FLY through in the beginning – namely diapers, wipes, burp cloths, toiletries, and bottles if you plan to bottle feed.

 

3. Everything WILL be ok. 

Trust me when I say, even the most laid-back twin parent you know had a freak out session (or many!) at the thought of growing, birthing, and caring for two babies. Whether you are a first-time parent, or this was your “last” baby – finding out you are expecting twins is overwhelming no matter what stage of parenting you are in. As a mom to two sets of twins, I can assure you that not only will you survive, but that you are about to embark on the most amazing journey of your life. There is nothing like seeing your 4-month-olds cooing and smiling at each other, your toddlers playing peekaboo, or your preschoolers cuddled up on the couch watching a movie together. Sure, twins can be double the challenge, but I truly believe the harder we work for something, the more rewarding and fulfilling that experience is. If anyone shows you negativity when they find out you are having twins, I’d be willing to bet are they aren’t a parent of multiples themselves. Seek out other twin parents who can give you actual, been-there-done-that advice, and chalk up the other advice as (hopefully) well meaning but un-informed. Just hang in there, and before you know it YOU will be helping guide the newbies with your veteran twin parent advice.

 

Want to get even more of a leg up on this twin thing? Take an online prenatal class from yours truly - Lindsay Castiglione, Lactation Consultant, mom of two sets of twins and founder of Full Hearts Collaborative.  I have helped hundreds of parents expecting twins and triplets over the last 6 years through online classes and virtual consultations. Check us out at www.fullheartscollaborative.com, and use the promo code TWINMOM10 for 10% off class registration.

Lindsay Castiglione
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