Countdown to a Twin Birth – A Diary

by Vicki Black
January 1st 2002 12.15am Sat up past midnight with James, my husband. My two elder daughters, Charlotte, nearly 8 & Bethany, 6 & a half are staying at my parents for the night, so that my Mum can celebrate the New Year with a drink! 37.5 weeks pregnant with twins, still no sign of them arriving. I have very bad heartburn so alcohol isn’t an option at the moment! This time next week I’ll be in hospital 11.00am Woke up in a foul mood (as usual). House in a mess, feeling frustrated that I can’t do anything. Tummy feeling uncomfortable & strange (maybe today?) 19.30pm House is tidy now. My friend Laura called round to cheer me up. Charlotte & Bethany are back. They’ve been to the beach with mum & dad. Tummy feeling better now but I’ve still got that feeling! Wednesday 2nd January 2002 37.4 weeks 12.32pm I had a reasonable nights sleep. The girls didn’t get up till 11am so I managed a lie-in. James has gone back to work today, his parents are coming down from Scotland today for a visit.

Thursday 3rd January 2002 37.5 weeks 10.30am I had a bad nights sleep. I have a scan this morning & an antenatal appointment this afternoon. 15.45pm Scan went OK. Twin on the right is still growing very big. They found protein in my wee so had to send it away. Really bad heartburn today & a headache. I’m feeling really tired & vague. My sister Kate who’s pregnant, came with me this morning for the scan. She’s got an antenatal later today. 22.30pm Everything’s okay with Kate & her baby. In-laws came over this evening, had a nice evening. Friday 4th January 2002 37.6 14.00pm Had a reasonable night’s sleep. Mum came over this morning with Charlotte’s birthday presents. I’m very tired again today, no energy for anything. Girls are going to their Dads in an hour so I shall go back to bed then for a while.

Saturday 5th January 2002 38 weeks 10.35am Slept off & on all night. It’s Charlottes 8th birthday today so I hope the twins don’t arrive today. Tummy tightenings are very regular. Going out for lunch with the in-laws today (bad idea?!) 16.54pm Been feeling crap all day, I had a really good cry this morning & I don’t know why, maybe it’s just worry. I’ve got a headache now. James went out on his own as I didn’t feel up to it.

Sunday 6th January 2002 38+1 11.36 am Didn’t get hardly any sleep last night. I woke up with an upset tummy. We’re going to my parents for the day today. James’ parents are coming over to my parents for their tea. Only one more night in my own bed before the babies arrive. 19.50pm We spent a lovely day at my parents house. I think my labour’s started!!!!!!!! Contractions every 5 minutes. Back ache, very swollen feet. I have no heartburn as my tummy seems to have dropped. The girls are staying at my parents house tonight. To top it all I think I’m getting a cold! Monday 7th January 2002 38+2 11.36am No labour! Turned out to be nothing! Had quite a good night’s sleep. Text messages going mad this morning with messages of good luck for tomorrow. The girls have gone back to school today. It’s tough for them as I’ll be in hospital when they get home. They didn’t want to go. I’m having a quiet day today. Off to hospital at 4pm. I’m feeling quite well, no signs today. My cold is worse. 22.45pm I came into hospital at 4pm. I have a private room with no TV, it’s very boring! Went into the day room with James for the evening. Mum & Dad brought the girls into see me. Bethany was very quiet & tired. Anaesthetist came to see me to explain procedures for tomorrow, he was very nice & put my mind at rest. James went at 1pm. I’ve just been given 2 sleeping pills & an ant-acid. I’ve got very swollen feet again. I met a lady earlier in the day room who had given birth 10 days ago to twins (Maz). Karen from twins club had hers last week too, a boy & a girl. Ours will be the 4th set born in the last 2 weeks, all the others are boy/girl.

Tuesday 8th January 2002 38+3 c-section day 06.16am Today’s the day!!!!!!! Sleeping pills didn’t work, I managed about 4 hours sleep in total. I’m a little nervous about today! The worse thing is I can’t drink anything & there’s a bottle of blackcurrant beside me making me want a drink VERY badly! I’m due to be shaved in half an hour!!!! Not looking forward to that bit. Then I’m having the catheter fitted too! Oh what a day! My tummy has been very uncomfortable all night. James will be here at 08.30am & I’m due to be in theatre at 09.00am. I’m surprised that no-one has disturbed me all night. 15.20pm I have 2 girls!!!! Non identical. Lauren weighed 7lb & was born at 09.53am & Rebecca weighed 8lb & was born at 09.54am. Absolutely gorgeous. They look just like their dad. C-section went well, no pain at all, although I didn’t expect to get such violent shakes. I’m very uncomfortable now! Rebecca’s had 2 poos & is a right little character. Lauren has done nothing but sleep! My in-laws have been in already to visit, I’m now waiting for my parents to come in with my 2 older girls, 4 girls!!!!!!! wow! James has been wonderful.

Wednesday 9th January 2002 18.55pm The babies were kept in the nursery last night, James had a word with the staff & asked if they could look after them so that I could sleep! I didn’t sleep at all! It’s so hot in here, even without my 2 hot water bottles that I’ve been carrying round for the last 9 months! The twins had their photos taken this morning & saw a paediatrician, everything is ok with them. Had too many visitors again! None of them are interested in me, they just want to see the babies. I can see that my mum is getting frustrated, she’s decided to take a step back so that James’ mum can do the Grandma bit as they are her 1st grandchildren & they will be going back to Scotland soon. The babies have had a good day, taking 2 oz feeds about every 4 hours. I’m feeling very uncomfortable & in a lot of pain tonight. Very windy! My feet & ankles are so swollen.

Thursday 10th January 2002 11.06am Had a really good night. I fed the babies at 1am & 7am & I slept solidly in between. I’m feeling so much better today, my feet & hands are still swollen. I’m having a nice relaxing day & getting to know my babies. I feel ready to now, so far I’ve kept my distance cause I’ve felt too ill. Friday 11th January 2002 03.15am I had a good day yesterday, not too much pain until the evening, then I had very bad trapped wind & pain again. I had loads of visitors again, I’m finding that so tiring. Having a bad night with Lauren at the moment. They were both fed at 2am & Lauren will not sleep now. Rebecca has been as good as gold but Lauren is wide awake & very sicky. I just want her to go to sleep so that I can! It’s very busy in here tonight, lots of babies are being born. James was shown how to bath the babies yesterday evening. I can’t wait to go home, I really miss James & the girls. 14.20pm Had to get the babies taken away at 4am as Lauren wouldn’t settle, they came back at 7am ready to feed. Rebecca is being a pickle now, she’s fed & changed but still unhappy! Oh the joy of twins! Evening Had lots of visitors AGAIN, why can’t they leave me in peace! Hard time with Rebecca this afternoon. James arrived at 3pm, just in time to help! Pains not too bad today, I’m hoping to go home tomorrow.

Saturday 12th January 2002 12.23am Just fed Lauren, Rebecca is sleeping. Fingers crossed that Lauren will go to sleep soon! Later that day went home!!!!! Dad came in with the video camera. My in-laws came in too. My mum was at home when we arrived. Soon after loads of others arrived too!! It all got too much for me so I went to bed for a few hours. Babies fed at 10pm & went to bed. They slept till 2.30 when Lauren woke up. I woke Rebecca up too & they had a feed. They went back into their cot together & slept quite well then till 5.30 am when Rebecca woke up. I got up & saw to her while James & Lauren slept. Lauren woke at 7am.

Sunday 13th January 2002 09.05am I’ve just had a bath, it was lovely, I can float again & wash my feet! I’m waiting for the midwife to call now. Later Had a quiet day, the babies slept for most of it. My feet are less swollen now, although I’m in a bit of pain again.

Monday 14th January 2002 09.19am The babies went to bed at 12 last night. Lauren woke at 4am so we woke Rebecca & fed them. Lauren would not settle so I didn’t get any sleep after 3.45am. This morning was mad getting the older 2 off to school, although they were very good & helpful. Later Midwife came this morning. The twins are both slightly jaundiced, we have to feed them every 3 hours too as Rebecca hasn’t started to gain weight yet. I felt awful today. I have a bit of pain when I wee today & I’m very sore.

Tuesday 15th January 2002 I went with James this morning to take the girls to school. I had 7 hours sleep 10.30 – 11.05, 12 – 4.30 & 6 – 7.30, not bad. Went into town this afternoon with the babies. Wednesday 16th January 2002 Had a good night, went to bed at 10pm, woke twins up at 1am & again at 5am. I went back to bed at 6am & James got up at 7.30am to see to the older 2. Charlotte played up this morning, she wanted to stay at home. Went shopping with the twins today. Midwife weighed the babies Lauren is 6lb 12oz Rebecca is 7lb 10oz. We went into the school with the twins today, it was mad, they proved very popular. I’m feeling crap this evening, I haven’t had a poo for 8-9 days!!!

Thursday 17th January 2002 Had a reasonable night. James & I are getting up separately to see to the babies in the night so we get more sleep. I’m feeling a lot better today, I had a poo this morning!!! I now have impetigo at the tops of my legs & on my hands. Went to Matalan this afternoon. I tried on trousers size 18, too small! I now weigh 12.5 stone, that’s 2.5 stone lost! Bethany is behaving badly, constantly picking on Charlotte.

Friday 18th Jan 2002 Not too bad a night. I woke up at 12.30 (went to bed at 9.30), helped James settle Lauren then I got up again between 1.30 & 2.30 to feed them. Got woken again at 5.45 by Rebecca. Beth is playing up again!

Saturday 19th Jan 2002 Twins due date! Went out to the pub I work at for our lunch, it was lovely. Went round to my parents & left the babies with my mum for half an hour while we went to the shops. Bethany staying at mums tonight.

Sunday 20th Jan 2002 Managed 6 hours sleep, got up at 1.30 & 5.30. James’ parents are going home today. I shall be glad to get into a routine of my own

Monday 21st Jan 2002 Went to bed at 8.30pm was up again at 10pm till 12.30am, then slept till 5am, back in bed by 6am for 30mins. James went back to work today. I fed the twins & put them back to bed, I also went to bed for 2 hours. Mum picked the girls up from school today. I’m off to bed at 8.30 tonight. My tummy is going down now, its still a bit uncomfortable & I’m still constipated. Impetigo is better now.

Wednesday 23rd Jan 2002 Went shopping this morning, its getting easier now. Woke up with a cold! That’s all I need! Rebecca slept from 1am till 7am last night. Lauren woke at 2.30, 2 hours after her last feed. James had a hard time with them last night.

Friday 25th Jan 2002 Cold still bad. Twins are staying overnight with my parents tonight! So we can sleep! It seems really strange without them, I don’t think I’ll get much sleep for worrying about them! Just had a Chinese take away. That’s your lot The End!!!