Twins and more

• Being a parent of twins or other multiple births is a unique and very special experience.
• If you are a first-time parent, it is beneficial that you attend a multiple birth parenting class.
• For further support, visit the Tasmanian Multiple Birth Association website.

Early weeks of a multiple pregnancy

• Nausea (feeling of wanting to vomit) can be more severe in a multiple pregnancy.
• You can also have more intense emotions.
• This is due to added hormone levels.
• A hormone called relaxin helps to prepare your pelvis for birth. It may cause lower back pain.
• You may feel discomfort from extra weight and increased lower abdominal and pelvic pressure.
• Feelings of being tired may also increase.
• You are twice as likely to experience gestational diabetes.
• High blood pressure and a condition called pre-eclampsia is more likely to occur.

Additional tests

In addition to your normal schedule of visits and tests, you will have:

• an early blood test for gestational diabetes
• additional antenatal visits
• additional ultrasounds for foetal growth, wellbeing, and heart monitoring.

Premature babies

• Most obstetricians (doctor specialising in pregnancy and childbirth) prefer multiple pregnancies to deliver by 38 weeks.
• Many multiple pregnancies are more likely to not reaching 37-38 weeks.
• If your babies are born prior to 36 weeks, they are considered to be premature.
• Premature babies may be cared for in the Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit or Special Care Nursery.

Feeding multiple babies

• While in hospital you may be offered support from a lactation consultant.
• They will help you learn to feed multiple babies.
• If your babies are not able to be breastfed, we will help you learn to express your breast milk.

Going home from hospital

• If your babies are born closer to term (after 36 weeks) and are a good weight and feeding well, you may be home within 3 to 5 days after the birth.
• We provide support after discharge through our Extended Midwifery Service and the Child Health and Parenting Service.
• If your babies are in the Special Care Nursery, we will make you additional follow up appointments.
• For information on helping other children adjust to new babies, visit the Raising Children's Network website.
• Please ensure any second-hand equipment purchased second hand meets Australian safety standards if required. Find out more on the Product Safety or The Raising Children's Network websites.
• If you feel you are not coping, please ask your midwife, GP or Child Health Nurse.