Multiple Birth Awareness Week

It’s quite timely that my twins were born during multiple birth awareness week. Last year I shared my story of the early days up at the hospital. I can still remember being wheeled back from surgery on the gurney, cradling two pint-sized babies under the sheet. As I passed a woman in the corridor, she, obviously seeing my horizontal state with protruding tubes, thought the worst and gave me a sympathetic smile. I beamed back and cuddled my hidden gifts tighter.

These little treasures will turn four tomorrow and the last few years have had their challenges but many families have it far more challenging. Fertility treatment and giving birth later in life are contributors to the rise in multiple births. Fifteen out of 1000 women who gave birth in New Zealand in 2010 had a multiple birth resulting in 910 sets of twins and 20 sets of triplets. One in 80 births produces non-identical twins.

I couldn’t count the number of times during the first year I was asked if my boy/girl twins were identical. I’d stare at the person waiting to see if they were joking. When it became apparent they weren’t, my response would be: “Ah, well one of them kind of has an appendage …”

Usually they’d laugh redly but, surprisingly, some still looked blank.

Just to clarify, generally boy/girl twins cannot be identical.

It struck me the other day as I watched a family walking along swinging their toddler between the mum and dad that our twins have never experienced this. It was always a case of too many babies and not enough adult hands.

It’s simply an accomplishment to parents of multiples to safely transport their children from A to B (and all going in the same direction if on foot). The local supermarket must empathise for they now have double newborn trolleys, not like “back in my day” when I’d have to awkwardly push one while pulling the other.

But for any shortcomings of being a multiple, there are bonuses, like always having your best friend by your side, including regular ‘sleepovers’.

Sadly, many twins drift apart as they get older and I know of many who are no longer close. As I lie awake at night listening to the occasional boy racer roaring off in the distance, I can only hope mine will still be looking out for each other in their teens at least. At this stage I’m happy to report they’re still BFF’s.

So for tomorrow’s birthday we’ll just be celebrating with one cake. It won’t be pink and it won’t be blue. I figure I’ll get away with only making one while I can.

Multiples

I will never forget the first time having multiples impacted on me. It was day four up in the hospital. I always warn people about the dreaded ‘day three’ after giving birth. Due to hormones in over drive and milk coming in, the majority of this day is usually spent in tears. However, my day three came and went – no tears.

But then day four struck.

It was Friday evening and, with babies sleeping peacefully, I’d sent hubby, who’d been by my side for most of the last three days, off to work drinks. During this time the grandparents showed up with our then two-year-old Cade. I loved these visits with him because I missed my little man but unfortunately, not long after arriving, it became apparent he needed a new nappy and no one had a spare. He was at the stage where this bothered him and became upset. Unable to come up with a solution, I began to feel distressed. Right then both babies woke screaming. They were hungry and relentless with their demand.

This was when it struck me that I had three children depending on me and I hadn’t a clue who to tend to first.

So there I was in the midst of three balling infants so what did I do? I joined them.

At that point a visibly-relaxed hubby walked in, stopped in his tracks and surveyed the scene: his poor mum was hovering helplessly, his dad had understandably bailed and the rest of the room was in tears.

These days I’m still in hot demand in my house but I like to think I handle it better.

I was lucky to have three little piggies who took to breastfeeding like pros. They were seven minute feeders, which meant the slurping noises were not so discreet but it made for a quick night-time turnaround and I didn’t wean them for 14 months.

At its peak, with all three in nappies we were changing up to 30 a day.

For the first two years stepping out in public felt like we were mini celebs. I’m not joking when I say I’d have to allow at least half an hour for being mobbed. But in all honesty, I loved it. Who wouldn’t relish the chance to put a smile on someone’s face or brighten up one’s day?

Admittedly these days, if I’m bold enough to take them shopping, we’re met with wary looks or thinly-disguised horror.

If I could have a penny for every time I’ve heard “Double trouble” or “You must have your hands full!” I could buy us a mansion. It’s true they’re double-trouble but it’s also true they’re a double-blessing. My ‘babies’ were three yesterday and they crack me up every day.

Jai and Jayla are BFF’s (best friends forever) and the first thing one will ask upon waking, is where the other is.