Having twins puts an unexpected strain on our bodies. We’re not really designed to have more than one baby at a time, and it’s amazing that we really can. Your twins really are miracles, in more ways than one!
So when you’re having twins, it’s incredibly important to keep yourself as healthy as possible, and one of the major things that contributes to the health and comfort of you and your babies is your diet.
So read on to find out what to eat when pregnant with twins, and any other considerations that you might not have thought about.
What To Eat When Pregnant With Twins
First things first:
Does Your Pregnancy Diet for Twins Need to Include More Calories?
But it’s also incredibly important to track where your calories are coming from. Not eating the right things leads to the cravings that pregnant women have, and your babies need specific things to develop correctly.
Try and get around 50% of calories from carbs like sweet potatoes, brown rice and oatmeal, 25% of calories from proteins like chicken and fish, and 25% to 30% of calories from fats like cheese, milk, eggs and oils.
Moms with twins are at an increased vulnerability to gestational diabetes, so it’s worth steering clear of white carbs as much as possible. Things like white bread, pasta and white rice are surprisingly high in sugar and can contribute to the causes of diabetes.
You should be aiming to eat as healthily as possible, so follow good health guidelines, and as much as possible follow a balanced diet.
What About Specific Vitamins and Supplements?
We’d recommend a prenatal vitamin to every expectant mother, and if you’re having twins you don’t need a specific type of vitamin. A standard prenatal vitamin will do the job.
As always, talk to your healthcare professionals if you’re worried, or just want specific recommendations. As we always say, every pregnancy is different, especially with the different twin types. But if possible, look down this list and check off whatever you can, as much as you can.
Zinc is a big one, because zinc levels naturally drop as you go through your pregnancy, so make sure you increase your zinc levels as you get further along. Aim for 30g of zinc a day. Meat is particularly high in zinc, as is seafood.
Folic acid. Folic acid affects your chances of birth defects, so it’s something every mom should be taking. Oranges, spinach and asparagus are really high, so go green. (Or, uh, orange.)
Yoghurt and milk reduce your chances of preeclampsia, low birth weight, and early delivery.
Nuts are a great source of magnesium, and considering how it affects your babies nervous systems as well as premature birth, it’s something you should be adding to your diet.
DHA is an omega 3 fatty acid, and it’s found in fish, especially salmon. Linked to lower levels of neurological problems, higher IQ’s and higher birth weights, it’s worth stocking up.
Low levels of iron affects the blood and impairs baby growth, especially important for twins, as well as increasing the chance of hypertension. Red meat, and strangely enough, healthy cereals, are really good for high levels of iron.
Vitamin D. Vitamin D is huge. It increases blood flow specifically to the placenta, as well as calcium absorption, so your babies are going to be born with strong, healthy bones. Orange juice, or getting out into the sun, can help with this. So get outside, girls!
What About Water?
You’re going to be drinking more water, too. This is really important, especially in the second half of your pregnancy, because dehydration can contribute to premature labor.
Considering that you’re having twins and are at greater risk of premature birth anyway, you don’t want to do anything else to push it.
So make sure you’re hydrated. Check your urine when you go to the bathroom, and if it’s dark or cloudy, make sure to drink more. It should be straw yellow or lighter, and see through like water.
Remember, as long as you’re making healthy choices, you’re doing the right thing. Listen to your body, and talk to your doctor.
If you need anything specific, they will let you know, so just do the best you can and listen to your body and it’s needs, and you’re sure to have a healthy, happy pregnancy.
Hopefully you now know what to eat when pregnant with twins. Is there anything we’ve missed? Did you have incredible cravings for anything during your pregnancy? What were they, and how long did they last?
Let everyone know in the comments, or by joining our online community. Who knows. Maybe you aren’t the only one!
Twins are becoming more and more common, so it’s not unexpected that a huge amount of celebrities are also lucky enough to have twins. Here’s our list of celebrities who have twins.
17 Sets of Celebrities Who Have Twins
Cristiano Ronaldo
Famous footballer Ronaldo attracts a lot of controversy and attention, and has recently welcomed a pair of twins into his life amidst a storm of questions.
It turns out that Cristiano flew to California and used a surrogate to conceive his twins, because using a surrogate is illegal in his native Portugal.
His twins are probably going to be the most famous in the world. Even just their announcement picture on instagram was liked nearly 8 million times!
Beyonce and Jay Z
Born on 18th June this year, Beyonce’s twins were born early, like a lot of twins, and kept under wraps and in medical care for the first few days of their lives.
Thankfully, Rumi and Sir Carter came out of the hospital healthy and happy, and there’s news that Beyonce might have already trademarked their names!
George and Amal Clooney
George waited a long time to be a parent, even scoffing at the idea in the past, but the handsome 56 year old is supposedly doing everything he can to be the best parent possible, even hiring ex-secret service agents to make sure that his children are as safe as possible.
It’s safe to say that his twins, Ella and Alexander, are going to have their every wish catered to. Is it too late to join the family?
Maria Carey
They say that listening to classical music in the womb makes your children smarter, but Maria gave birth to her twins Monroe and Moroccan whilst listening to her own music!
Lets hope they’re going to grow up to be as successful in the music world as their mom!
Roger Federer
Roger has to be the luckiest man alive. Not only is he charming, successful, and arguably the best tennis player who has ever lived, he’s got not just one, but two sets of twins!
His girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva came first, and he’s recently welcomed Leo and Lenny into his family too!
Chris Hemsworth
The mighty Thor has a mighty family, with his twins Tristan and Sasha entering the world in march 2014. Hemsworth’s partner Elsa said that she felt ‘complete happiness’ after she gave birth to them both.
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
Neil Patrick Harris and his husband decided that being a father mattered so much to both of them that they would both fertilise eggs from their surrogate and see what happened. Amazingly, both took and they ended up with Gideon and Harper.
Not only does this make them one of the rare cases of twins with different fathers, but Neil Patrick Harris has also said that he doesn’t know which of the children carries his DNA, and he’s happier that way!
Mo Farah
British Olympic hero Mo has twin daughers, and apparently they’re already following in their runner father’s footsteps. He’s come out to say that even though they are only 4, Amani is shaping up to be a long distance runner like her father, and Aisha is more of a sprinter.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts gave birth to her two twelve year old twins, Phinnaeus Walter and Hazel Patricia, all the way back in 2004.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
J.Lo and Marc decided to give their twins theme names, which more and more people are doing these days. They called them Max and Emme, which I just love.
(If you still don’t get it, say them both out loud…)
Image Source: Askkissy.com
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick
SJP had her twins using a surrogate, and spoke out about the surprise that came from finding out that she was expecting twins from the woman who was carrying them for her.
Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge were born in October 2009, after both SJP and Matt had to make a crazy flight halfway across the country to be present at the birth.
Ricky Martin
Another set of twins, another surrogate! Ricky’s two sons Matteo and Valentino weren’t just fantastic additions to the family, Ricky has admitted that they were a huge part of his decision to come out as gay in 2010.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
They might have split up now, but Brangelina had a pair of fraternal twins amongst all their children. Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline were the seventh and eighth children in Brad and Angelina’s family
Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell
Rebecca and Jerry had their twins Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip into the world as their first children, and instantly decided that the pair were enough! They said that ‘four seems like the perfect number,’ a sentiment that a lot of new moms might agree with.
Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie struggled for years with infertility, but eventually conceived her twin girls Finley and Harper, supposedly with the aid of blood thinners.
Marcia Cross
Marcia freely admits that she used IVF to conceive her twin daughters, Eden and Savannah, and when you see how cute they are, you can understand why!
Julie Bowen
Modern Family actress Julie is an inspiration to us all, mastering the double football hold so she could breastfeed her baby boys John and Gus together. It’s a technique we’ve written about before, and this just proves that it’s possible, even if you live the busy life of a celeb!
That’s our list of celebrities who have twins. Do you have any to add?
Caring for your baby’s teeth is hugely important. Not only is there a massive link between oral health and general health, this is the time when your children’s immune systems are the weakest, so anything you can do to increase their health and minimise their chances of falling ill is amazing!
On top of that, getting your baby into a good oral care routine early makes it far more likely that they’re going to continue that habit, so getting the best baby toothbrush is just a smart choice all round.
Best Baby Toothbrush Comparison
Disclosure: The links to Amazon.com within this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price nor does it influence the products we feature.
How is a baby toothbrush different from a normal toothbrush?
Apart from the obvious visual differences, there’s a few reasons why you should always use a baby toothbrush instead of an adults toothbrush when you’re brushing your babies teeth.
They are smaller and more delicate than regular toothbrushes, so less likely to catch or snag anywhere uncomfortable. Plus, it’s just simpler to fit them in your babies mouth, which is nice.
The bristles are softer and more delicate than on the sort of toothbrushes you or I might use. This has two effects:
First, it’s gentle on your child’s mouth and tongue, so it doesn’t hurt them every time you brush their teeth. This is obviously super important, because it it’s uncomfortable every time you brush your child’s teeth, they’ll soon come to associate teeth cleaning with pain and annoyance, and this can cause problems in the future.
Second, your child’s first set of teeth, or milk teeth, are softer and more susceptible to damage than adult teeth, and rough, bristly brushes can cause damage to the surface of the teeth.
When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
It’s important to start brushing your babies teeth as soon as they start coming through the gums. So when your baby starts teething, you should start carefully cleaning those teeth!
What should I look for?
There’s a few specific things that you should look for in a good baby toothbrush. Just follow our few simple rules:
Look for something large and easy to hold. Not only does this make it easier for you, it makes it much easier when your little one decides it’s time to start brushing their own teeth.
Soft, comfortable bristles that don’t hurt teeth or gums is best.
Design matters. Cutesy and attractive brushes that are almost like toys will make it more likely that your tot will want to try and use the brush by themselves.
Find something that’s easy to clean. Most can be thrown into boiling water or the dishwasher without damage.
Check to see if it has anything to help teething tots. This isn’t essential, but it’s a great help.
Should I brush them twice a day, like mine?
Yes. Use a small amount of toothpaste and brush twice a day, first thing in the morning and right before bed, which is the routine you should also be following.
Brush the inside and outside of your baby’s teeth, and if they’re fine with it, also their tongue. Once you’re finished, it’s fine for your baby to keep the toothpaste in their mouth or swallow it, because you’re only using a small amount of baby toothpaste. They can learn to spit it out in a year or two!
When should I replace my baby toothbrushes?
Use the same rule of thumb that you would for your own. When the bristles start to look worn and splayed out, it’s time for a change.
Bear in mind that they have softer bristles, so it’s normal for them not to last as long as an adult toothbrush. So if you’re worried that you’re doing something wrong that’s causing it to break too fast, don’t be!
What age does a baby normally start teething?
All babies are different. Some don’t start showing their first tooth until they’re around a year old, and some are even born with a tooth or two!
However, the normal time for teething is around the fifth or sixth month mark.
Should I use a special baby toothpaste as well?
It’s recommended that you do by dentists. Adult toothpaste is slightly too high in flouride content for a young baby, and the harsher flavors can be too intense for little children.
When brushing your baby’s teeth, you should aim to use a small amount of toothpaste that covers around half to three quarters of the brush.
A few oral health tips
Some babies absolutely love juice and sweets. If your babies have a particularly sweet tooth, follow up any treats with a drink of water, because it helps to wash away any debris or sugar that might be stuck to their teeth. It’s actually best to give your baby these treats at around dinner time, so they’re eaten with a main meal, which allows other food items to help naturally clean their teeth.
Once your baby gets used to the tooth cleaning routine and you feel they’re old enough, bring them into the bathroom with you and give them their toothbrush, already loaded with toothpaste, as you brush your teeth. Not only will this get them into the rhythm of brushing regularly and encourage them to pick up the habit to be more like mommy, it’s also a really cute little bonding time that you two can share!
Our number one choice, because it does everything you need it to and more. If you’re looking for the best infant toothbrush for your little tots teeth, all the way from their first tooth to having a full set, then you’ve found the right one.
Why is it so good? Well, it’s mostly the fact that this one toothbrush has everything that you need, with enough features packed in that it will cover you all the way until your child won’t use a banana toothbrush any more because it’s ‘too childish.’
Firstly, the handle is great. It’s shaped like banana peel, which is a hilarious design choice, and it comes in bright, striking colors, but the shape also makes it really easy to hold, especially for little hands, and the colorful design makes younger babies naturally want to hold and play with it, increasing the chances that they’re going to take to brushing their teeth by themselves.
It’s made of soft silicone, so it’s not going to be painful in the mouth, and it’s free of anything that might cause your baby harm. It’s also dishwasher and freezer friendly, so it’s really easy to clean and keep safe.
Finally, the thick bristles help to clean teeth and massage gums, making this a great choice for toddlers who are teething, even if they don’t start chewing on the handle! (Which is fine by the way.)
No matter what you need, this is a super baby toothbrush. It’s all there. It even comes in a shark design, if for some reason you don’t like bananas!
Can’t be used to teach your baby to brush their teeth
The easiest to use on our list, these baby finger toothbrushes are so simple, it hurts. All you have to do is slot one over the end of your index finger and gently brush it over your child’s teeth. That’s literally it.
Made of easily cleanable silicone, these soft toothbrushes won’t hurt baby, and are even great for teething, considering that they’ve got a set of built in teething bumps on the back side of them.
You get 6, which is great, because these are pretty easy to misplace, considering how petite they are. Each one comes with a carrying case as well, making these perfect for use on the go, great if your baby loves juice and sweeties.
The only real problem is that you’re not going to get your baby into the habit of using a toothbrush with these. But as a stopgap between teething and brushing teeth for real, there’s no better, or simpler option.
Built in, impossible to swallow, chewy guard handle
Super soft, tiny head
Really easy to hold, even for tiny hands
Cons
Brush head is kinda small, so takes some work
Apparently, these toothbrushes have won design awards, and you can see why. They’re so cute and attractive to look at, and it’s so easy to hold, whether you’ve got tiny hands to appreciate the wide base, or adult sized fingers that can easily slip through the centre hole like a pair of scissors.
The base itself can also be used as a teething ring, which is why it’s got all those little bumps all over it, and the short neck of the brush is just long enough to get to the back of baby’s mouth without letting them jab themselves in the tonsils!
The only real issue I have is the size of the brush head. I understand why they made it small, because it’s delicate and easy to use, as well as really soft and high quality, but it does mean that it takes a little bit more work to clean teeth with it.
On the upside, because it’s so soft and easy to hold, it’s the perfect toothbrush to convince your littlest to get into the habits of good oral hygeine.
A complete set that comes with its own toothpaste, Dr Brown’s toothbrush set is a quality product that’s great if you’re looking for an all in one choice.
The brush itself is excellent, with a soft, flexible body and high quality, comfy bristles that are really nice on baby’s teeth. Be careful when you first get it out of the package, though, because sometimes one or two of the bristles can be a little loose, so run it under water to check. Honestly, though, I’d recommend you do this anyway, (I do this with my adult brushes) so I can’t fault them for that.
It’s simple to hold, with a really cute elephant design that’s got big flappy ears to prevent it slipping anywhere, and it comes in a variety of colors.
The best thing about this brush though, is that it comes with its own toothpaste, which is high quality and tastes amazing.
The only real thing I can fault this for is the fact that it’s not got anything to help with teething tots. But that’s only minor, and definitely not a reason to pass on this.
Kind of small. If you’ve got big hands, you might have to use your pinky!
Babybaus is made entirely of premium quality materials and it’s been guaranteed 100% safe by the FDA.
Past that, it’s obvious why these are great. They’re made of really high quality, soft and flexible silicone, with super soft bristles in the brush that clean whilst being comfortable for baby.
Because they’re finger brushes, they’re so easy to use, too. Just throw one on your finger. That’s all it takes. This is the only issue I can find with these, though. I’ve got kind of small hands, but if they were any bigger I think I might struggle with fitting these on.
Apart from that though, they’re pretty much spot on, They’re easy to use, have a built in gum massager and tongue cleaner, come with a carrying case, and have a 100% guarantee just in case you don’t like them for any reason. There’s no reason not to buy these, at least until your baby is old enough to have their own toothbrush!
We hope you’ve found the best baby toothbrush for your baby’s needs. If you’ve had good experiences with any of these toothbrushes, or you’ve got any other recommendations, we’d love to hear about them, so let us know in the comments!
We’ve all heard stories of women who made it almost all the way through their pregnancy without realising it, only to find out in a shocking moment that they’re going to be a mom! But with twins? This aint gonna happen!
Not only do twins normally show earlier, but they’re going to make themselves known all the way through your pregnancy! So, when do you start showing with twins?
When Does Pregnancy Start to Show With Twins?
Every pregnancy is different for every single mom. It’s so strange that something pretty much all of us are going to go through, and some of us are going to go through three or four times, is still so vague, but that’s the wonder and majesty of mother nature.
I suppose she just wants to keep us guessing!
One thing that is certain is that twins will make themselves known a whole lot sooner than would be normal in a pregnancy.
It’s one of the things that makes moms to be realise they might actually be carrying a pair of little twinnies, whether it’s just a personal feeling or a friend or family member making a comment about how big they are.
Now, like we just said, every woman is different, but we’ve heard stories of women who started showing as early as 6 weeks in!
Obviously this isn’t every person’s experience, but considering that most single pregnancies only start to show at around the 12th to 16th week, you can understand how incredible this is, and how different a twin pregnancy is to a singleton.
This happens because your body knows that it’s pregnant with twins, and it’s already started to make the necessary accommodations to hold twin embryos.
Your uterus is going to be stretching far more than it would with a standard pregnancy, and this can sometimes cause uterine cramps that can be far more severe than normal. So if you’re experiencing a lot of uterine cramping, especially early on in your pregnancy, that could be a sign of twins!
There’s no standard time to start showing with twins, but it’s almost always going to be earlier than it would if you were only carrying one child, so just bear that in mind.
It’s actually pretty normal for women carrying twins to seem a few months further along than they actually are, especially later on in their pregnancy.
You’re also likely to show earlier if you’ve been pregnant before, because the uterus and other muscles around your pelvis that have to stretch and change during your pregnancy will be more used to what’s happening, so it takes less time for them to adapt.
You’ve also got to consider that the hormone differences that happen as you go through your pregnancy happen in far greater concentrations when you’re pregnant, and one of the symptoms of this is increased weight gain and water retention.
Now, I’m not here to say that you’re going to balloon up because you’re carrying twins. Only that it’s likely.
Sorry girls, but the dream of being a yummy mommy are gonna have to be put on hold whilst you’re carrying your twins. It’s just not going to happen, with everything that’s going on.
On the upside, there’s multiple ways to deal with this, and luckily for you, we’ve got an article on just this matter, so if you’re interested in regaining your belly after you have your little treasures, and you want to do what you can to avoid the threat of twin skin, you should check out this article.
When Do You Start Showing with Twins: Wrapping Up
Like we’ve said all along, every pregnancy is different. But because you’ve been blessed with twins, you’re going to have to face the sort of thing most moms pregnant with twins do.
On the upside, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Twinstuff, we’ve got all the resources you need for any situation you’re going to face during your pregnancy, and for years after.
When did you start showing? How did that affect your life, and how did you deal with it? If you’ve got any tips for newly pregnant women who have twins, be sure to let us know in the comments!
I’m sure all women worry about getting back to their former shape after falling pregnant, and it’s even harder for a belly after twins.
Twins can cause a girl to get so huge that there’s even a name for the things that happen to your belly after twins.
But just because it can happen, doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. Carry on reading to find out what happens to your body after having twins, and how to get rid of twin skin, once and for all.
What happens to your body when you’re having twins
For a start, expect all the normal pregnancy symptoms, except they might be stronger than normal.
You can also expect to be bigger than a woman who’s only carrying a singleton. This is completely normal. After all, you’re carrying two babies, rather than just one, and any bloating and fluid retention you might experience is probably going to be worse than it is for a non-twin mom.
If you’re interested in the in-depth symptoms of carrying twins, you should read this article, where we go into everything you need to know.
About Skin Belly After Twins
Because you’re going to be bigger than a woman who is only holding one child, your belly after twins may going to have to stretch much further to hold the twins that are growing inside.
This means that when you deliver your twins and your body tries to return to normal, it’s going to be harder, because of how much further it’s moved than what would be normal. We’re not really designed to hold twins, after all. It’s already a marvel that we can!
So when it all tries to shrink back down, it’s normal to experience stretch marks and looser skin over your belly. This is the dreaded twin skin that everyone talks about it.
Now, skin elasticity and stretchiness varies between women, which means that some women might suffer from twin skin and others might not, in the same sort of case.
Stretch marks are a genetic sign of skin inelasticity, so if you’re prone to stretch marks already, it might mean your belly is more likely to retain pregnancy skin after you’re all done.
If you heal fast and don’t get stretch marks, this is a good sign that you’re ready to bounce back to the shape you were before you were pregnant.
Even if your skin is inelastic, don’t despair, there’s so much you can do to help you regain your figure, and your confidence!
Postpartum Belly: Caesarian Sections, and Belly Scars
The other thing you might face as a new mother of twins is a c-section scar, because c-sections are far more likely with twins.
However, even though we’ve all heard horror stories, modern medical science is amazing, and now most c-section scars are tiny and unobtrusive, making hiding even the small incision wounds behind underwear or skimpy bikinis really really easy.
Your doctor will tell you the best way to care for your c-section scar, so just follow their advice and you’re almost certain to end up with a tiny little scar that you can be happy with.
Pregnancy and your stomach muscles
Sometimes the pressure of carrying a baby can be too much for your stomach muscles, causing them to separate in a condition called diastasis recti.
Whilst it’s not life threatening, the lack of support from having weakened ab muscles can cause back and pelvic problems and issues with lifting and carrying things. You know, like your newborn children.
For a lot of women, this problem will rectify itself naturally, but sometimes your body needs a little bit of coercion to get itself back in line. We’ll detail how to do that later.
Dealing with your belly after twins
When you’re trying to get your tummy back into the sleek shape it was before you fell pregnant, and deal with the sag, you’re going to have to focus on both things that we spoke about earlier. Saggy skin and weak ab muscles.
Thankfully, you can fix both of these issues with the same things, and tweak your approach depending on whether you need to focus on one more than the other.
If you want to know how to get rid of twin skin as fast as possible, you’re going to want to focus on a few things.
Good general health
Good general health gives your body the tools it needs to heal and recover, naturally. You’ve just delivered twins, so you deserve some rest and recuperation anyway.
The best twin skin remedies will always be to eat healthy, get some light exercise, drink a lot of water, breastfeed and most importantly, give yourself time to recover and respond.
Exercise
Whether you’re exercising to strengthen stomach muscles, tone up and get back in shape or just try and reduce sagging skin, it’s best to follow two principles.
Don’t overdo it. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’re helping, when you’re doing absolutely the opposite. If you feel any sharp or lingering pain whilst you exercise or after, stop doing what you’re doing.
When you’re performing ab exercises, focus on holding the muscles in, tight and together. Sometimes, people get used to performing crunches and other exercises whilst pushing the muscles out. This will have the exact opposite effect than what you want.
I’m not a personal trainer, so I’m not going to give you an exercise routine. However, the exercises normally given to people follow the same principles. Here’s an excellent list of exercises you can do to help heal your stomach and get yourself back in great shape!
Postpartum girdles
Postpartum girdles can be really helpful in healing your belly after twins and convincing it to recover in the correct manner.
They do this by holding everything in and giving your body the support it needs, in this trying time. We’ve already got a whole article on the top recommended postpartum girdles, which you can find here.
Anti-scarring creams
There’s a whole bunch of different creams on the market that fight all of the ugly complications that can come with pregnancy.
We’d recommend two different types of cream. First is anti-stretch mark cream, which rehydrates and moisturises your skin. You use this during your pregnancy, and it’s designed to limit and prevent stretch mark occurences.
The second type of cream is a skin and scar healing cream. These are designed to take existing scars, stretch marks and other blemishes, and over time work to heal them and bring your skin back to normal.
If you’re unhappy with your scars and stretch marks, it’s always worth talking to your doctor or pharmacist. They have experience in dealing with these situations, and may be able to recommend particular creams for your specific situation.
Surgery
In extreme cases, c-section scars might require further surgery. This isn’t usual, and doesn’t happen often, generally only when the scars themselves are unnaturally tight, debilitating or painful.
If your scars are causing you problems, again, take it to your doctor and ask him for his recommendation. It’s probable that you won’t need surgery, and there’s other options you can pursue to make things easier.
Remember, rest and recuperation are the best things you can do for yourself, no matter what your situation. Get as much rest as you can, eat right, and treat yourself as well as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your partner and family.
With the right treatment, there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t be rocking a body that you can be proud of in just a few months. You can’t expect miracles, because you’ve been put through a lot, but you’re in this for the long game.
Keep doing everything you can, day by day, and you’ll soon recover from twin skin.
If you’ve got any tips about a belly after twins for expecting moms, or any advice for what worked for you, then be sure to share the love in our comments!
Decorating your twins nursery is a vital part of having kids. After all, they’re going to be spending a lot of time in there, so making sure that it’s comfortable as well as cute and stimulating is a major deal. So what about some twin nursery ideas?
Thankfully, it’s easy to create a striking room that stands out and any baby would love to be in, and it doesn’t have to break the bank either! With just a few little touches, you can make any room look incredible!
The first thing to think about when you’re decorating your twins nursery is the theme. Even if it’s something simple, like just basing it around the color blue for boys, it can make it so much simpler to decide what you’re going to do.
General Theme Twin Nursery Ideas
If you’re struggling, here’s 3 basic themes that work for boys and girls, and you can use in any nursery, anywhere
Baby blocks, with big bold letters. This is so smart and easy, and it just screams nursery, so there’s no surprise that it’s a classic. From block patterns on the walls, to mobiles, big block teddy’s, and even wooden blocks used to spell out messages or baby names, you can do anything you can imagine!
There’s so many cutesy animals out there, and your baby will be sure to have a favorite. Maybe go through that book of A-Z and see what they respond to. Or just make them king and queen of their own little jungle.
You’re so lucky having twins, because you’ve already got a built in theme. You can have twin photos, the names of both of your twins stencilled onto the walls, even get two of every toy and decoration.
Boy/Girl Twin Nursery Ideas
When you’re decorating a nursery for a twin boy and girl, you should count yourself lucky, because you can literally do absolutely anything! Because you’re lucky enough to have a boy and a girl, you can go with a basic theme that you can build on top of, or split the nursery down the middle and make it unique.
Here’s a few tips to get you started.
Neutrality is great
If you make the base theme of your nursery neutral, like an eggshell white, light grey or gentle magnolia, then you’re free to put absolutely anything on top of it, and guarantee it still looks good.
Pink and blue are your friends
Even if you don’t make it bold, something simple like having color coded blankets and pillows in your twin’s cribs can set the room off and make it obvious that you’re put thought and care into your nursery.
Or, you go all out and divide the room, so it’s obvious at a glance who is who.
Prince and Princess
They might already be your little prince and princess, but why not decorate their nursery in the same way.
Stylish nets and throws, ruffled velvets, luxuriously extravagant paint, and antique furniture can look great here, maybe with a vintage rocking horse. Or you can go with a kiddy friendly bold and bright color scheme.
Choices for Boys: Twin Nursery Ideas
Boys are easy. Blue blue blue. A splash of blue on white always looks clean and fresh, and really sets a room off. But boys also tend to appreciate big, bold patterns and bright colors.
Animal and vehicle themes are great for boys, so stencilled trucks and planes can look really good, especially in primary colors on a bright background.
It’s also really easy to take a simple block wall paint and make it unique and striking with just a little bit of thought.
You can try huge letters, maybe in both boy’s names, outlandish polka dots, or even just go for a shabby industrial look with old style wooden cribs and stuffed animals ‘mounted’ on the walls!
Twin Girl Nursery Ideas
Nurseries for girls tend to be more subtle and refined, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be boring.
Remember, even the most simple and chic white room can be set off with one or two items that fit a theme, whether that be a striking rug that matches one or two decorations and photos, or an accent wall that you choose to decorate.
I’ve personally seen a nursery that was all white except for a light pink accent wall behind the crib, which had a tree stencilled onto it in white, and it looked amazing!
One theme that I particularly love though, that fits perfectly for twin girls, is vintage and classy. It’s so easy to make a room look refined and classic with just a few touches, and a simple google search can give you hundreds of twin nursery ideas.
Twin Nursery Ideas: What do You Put in Your Nursery?
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that there’s a few things that you should always consider having, when it comes to a fully equipped nursery. Here’s our list.
A crib, mattress, mattress cover and blankets. This sounds so obvious, but until you’ve been there, you might not realise just how easy it is to overlook something, especially having a couple of waterproof mattress covers.
Diaper supplies, and somewhere to put them. You’re going to be changing your baby’s diapers five to ten times a day, and with twins, you can double that number, so you’re going to need a lot of diapers. Having somewhere for them to live is a huge help, as well.
A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Better safe than sorry, and little babies are far more vulnerable to smoke and CO inhalation than adults. Get it done!
A baby monitor. These make life so much We’ve got a list of the best ones right here.
A dresser or chest of drawers. You’re going to buy a surprising amount of clothes, and probably get just as many as gifts, so you’re going to need somewhere to put them, right?
Outlet covers. Safety first, guys, and it’s better to get them early, so you don’t forget when little ones start to crawl!
A changing table. This goes with the diapers, and whilst it’s not essential, it’s a massive help.
A nightlight. Again, this isn’t essential, but it’s a massive help with getting your tots to bed down at night.
A humidifier. You might not have considered this, but there’s loads of reasons you should get a humidifier for your nursery. If you’re interested in finding out why, you can read our article.
However you choose to decorate your nursery, we know you’ll make the right choice. However, if you’ve got any twin nursery ideas, or you’d just love to share what you did with your nursery because you spent so much time and effort on it, then you can in our comments below!
When you’re pregnant with twins, especially in the later months, you get used to all of the aches and pains that come with it. Especially as time passes and you start to put on a little bit of baby weight. Your joints will ache, your back hurts, your knees and feet are agony even to stand on. It’s time to buy the best shoes for pregnancy.
There’s a lot of solid shoes out there that are really good for support, and whilst there aren’t any specific pregnancy shoes out there (if there are, please let us know about them!) if you look around you can find shoes that you all the support and comfort you need in this trying time.
Now, I don’t promise that changing your shoes will completely get rid of all of your aches and pains, but it’s definitely going to help. Here’s a quick comparison of the top options, and then we’ll discuss what to look for.
​Best Shoes for Pregnancy Comparison
Disclosure: The links to Amazon.com within this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price nor does it influence the products we feature.
There’s a few key things to look for in shoes for pregnancy, and it’s all about the comfort. More comfort and support for your feet means less pain for you, and less pain in your feet gives you more energy and freedom to get on with your life. So here’s what you need to know.
How Easy Are They to Put On?
When you’re working around a belly, and can barely even see your toes, let alone touch them, then it can be hard to reach down there and tie up shoe laces.
You’ll appreciate the ease and simplicity of a slip on, which is why all the shoes we’ve recommended below are slip ons, because it’s just so much simpler to be able to throw them on and head out of the house.
How Supportive Are They?
Your feet are in trouble. They’re holding so much more weight than they’re used to, and every joint above them is strained and painful, so they’re doing the lion’s share of the work.
The last thing you need in this situation is a pair of shoes that give you no support. Look for shoes with great support across the sole, especially arch support, as well as solid pressure on the heel.
A close fitting shoe will be great here, but don’t get one that’s too snug, because of our next point.
Buy a Shoe That’s a Size Up
One unfortunate aspect of pregnancy that’s rarely talked about is your feet swelling up. This happens because of the increased pressure to the veins around your legs and waist, and natural fluid gathering in your limbs because of the pregnancy itself.
It gets worse as you go through pregnancy, so if you’re buying shoes that you’d expect to last you the whole nine months, it’s smart to buy half a size up and give yourself room to grow into them. It’s also worth considering compression stockings for pregnancy, which can help reduce the swelling.
How Long Will They Last?
If you find the right pair of shoes for pregnancy, you aren’t going to want to take them off. So they’re probably going to take a little bit of a beating as you’ll be wearing them every day.
See, even if they don’t last longer than your pregnancy, that’s enough. Just make sure that what you’re going to buy is tough and long lasting.
Do They Have Anything That Will Make Your Life Easier?
I’m talking specifics here. Obviously these shoes are going to be comfy and support your feet properly, but some shoes will have things like built in odor eaters, moulded soles, or added foot sensitivity so you can feel how you’re walking.
Whilst these aren’t key, it’s well worth getting everything you can out of your maternity shoes.
Avoid Anything with a High Heel
Good shoes for pregnancy do not involve heels. Give them a miss, especially later in your pregnancy. The strain on your body will only be made worse by heels, your muscles and ligaments are under more pressure naturally from the weight you’re carrying, and the higher centre of gravity and change in balance makes it much more likely that you’ll fall.
If you absolutely have to wear heels, go for something with a small heel, or if you can get away with it, a wedge. Remember, if you fall when you’re pregnant, it’s not just you that you’re hurting!
Pregnancy Shoe Reviews
Each of the below maternity shoes was picked for a specific reason, whether it’s simply being great shoes during pregnancy, or for being a shoe that you can use in the office even if you’re eight months down the line. Read on to find out our top picks, and hopefully you can find just what you need.
When it comes to comfort and stability, there’s not much better than these shoes for pregnancy. They’re a slip on clog type, so they’re ideal for the later stages of pregnancy, considering you can basically just step into them.
But once your feet are in them, you’d swear they were created just for you. The moulded, multi surface sole gives absolutely fantastic stability, no matter what you’re standing on, and it’s thick enough to take the added strain you’re going to be feeling.
The footbed inside the shoe is also moulded, so once you’ve got the right fit with these shoes, and you’ve worn them in, they’re going to cling to you like gloves for your toes.
The only issue I’ve ever found is that because these are so snug and moulded, you have to size up. Normally, it’s smart to go up half a size, but considering you’ll be using these as pregnancy shoes, it could even be recommended to go up a whole size.
Skechers make really smart shoes that are designed for moving about in first, so it’s no surprise that we’re recommending them here.
Once you slip into these and start walking, you’ll wonder how you ever coped with anything else. Close fitting without strangling your feet, these sit comfortably, no matter what you’re using them for. There’s specific midsole cushioning which responds to pressure, and considering that the arch of your foot is going to be under serious stress from all that weight you’re probably carrying, it’s nice to have the extra support.
It’s also got a really smart sole design that’s designed to capture energy and push it back into your gait, so you’re almost bouncing along. Couple that with the fact that they’re incredibly light, and it’s just a joy to move around in them.
They’re also really nice to look at, and come in a huge amount of stylish looks. Whilst obviously looks aren’t the first thing we’re going for, it’s nice to have an option that isn’t just plain and boring, or that looks like something your grandma would wear!
Another winner from Skechers, these are another model from the Go Walk line, and they’re just as good as the above, but for different reasons.
They’re slip on, just like the Kindles, and just as comfortable, with the same smart, seamless design and sexy styles that look like proper sneakers. The reason you’d pick these over Kindles though? The goImpulse sensors built into the soles.
There are tiny little circular sensors built into the soles that make the sole really flexible and transmit more of the sensation of walking to your foot. Trust me, until you’ve walked in shoes for pregnancy that you can feel the floor in, you don’t understand the difference it can make, and when you’re carrying extra weight and your joints are under strain, you’ll really appreciate being able to feel your balance.
There’s a reason we chose two sets of Skechers. They’re really that good. If you want comfort and support, then they’re pretty much the best pregnancy shoes.
More and more moms are making the decision to stay in the office for longer whilst they’re pregnant, and when you’re working it’s important to look professional.
And these are professional. After all, it’s right there in the name. Dansko are designed specifically for foot health, and every choice about them is for comfort and support.
It’s got great arch support, which helps keep your feet happy after long days, and there’s a padded instep collar that supports your feet as you walk, spreading pressure across your whole foot. The sole also has a built in rocker bottom which offers far more support than even athletic shoes. They’re also great for when your feet start to swell, because it’s got a breathable footbed that helps to shunt hot air away from your feet.
They also look really professional, with patent leather options. Whether you’re wearing a pantsuit, skirt or dress, these will go, and complete the look.
They’re Crocs, so you probably can’t wear them to work
Aaah, Crocs. The much maligned butt of every joke, despite being so incredibly comfortable and good for your feet.
Honestly, yes, I know. They’re Crocs. But you’re pregnant. The main thing is comfort and wearability, and that’s something that Crocs have in spades. They’re one of the most comfortable, supportive shoes ever made.
If you’ve never worn them, you’d not realise that Crocs are incredibly supportive, because of the clog design with textured, contoured sole and moulded top that fits to your feet. If you need more security and stability, you can attach the heel strap as well, which is easy to adjust.
They’re also really good pregnancy shoes for swollen feet, with holes punched all the way through it that allow your feet breathing room, and they’re so light too, so walking is easy.
They also come in almost literally hundreds of colors, so you’re sure to find a pair that you think are agreeable.
If you want a pair of supportive shoes for pregnancy that you can just slip on and use every single day, you could do a lot worse than buy a pair of Crocs, even if they’re just a backup option.
You’ve come to the end, so let us know what you think. Did you enjoy this article? Do you have anything to add? Maybe a particular pair of the best shoes for pregnancy that helped you. We’d love to hear what you think, so please tell us your stories in the comments!
We’ve already written an article on our favorite baby shower themes, but here’s some twin girl baby shower ideas if you’ve got two twin girls and want something a little more personal.
Twin Girl Baby Shower Ideas
Pretty in pink
An absolute classic, and for a good reason. After all, everyone’s going to love all the photos of your twin treasures decked out in tiny pink dresses looking so elegant!
The advantage of this theme? Absolute versatility. You can literally do anything you want, combine it with any other theme, use anything you have at home that’s already pink.
But that doesn’t mean that you cant add a little bit of flair. Here’s something I saw that I thought was so adorable. A huge jar absolutely full to the brim with pink and white marshmallows. Then later on, everyone gets a little skewer and out comes the chocolate fountain!
It’s things like this that show that with just a little bit of thought, even the most basic themes can become a day of beautiful memories that you’ll remember for years to come.
Two little mermaids
Whether it’s the timeless appeal of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, or the phase that every girl goes through when she’s young, we’ve all wanted to be mermaids at one time or another.
This theme is great, because you don’t have to go mad with it. There’s so much you can do that’s just nautically themed, from white and blue stripes that look so classy, to beautifully decorated blue, white and purple cakes.
Plus, there’s so many great role models for girls out there right now. Look at Wonder Woman. Who wouldn’t want to be a kick ass action girl like that, so think about what kind of example you’re setting for your twins!
It’s so simple to make it look amazing, too. Go with a comic book style for maximum impact, with bright, bold colors and big loud banners.
Fruity and flowery
Floral themes go with everything, and you can make them fit any style, from soft and welcoming to classy and stylish.
It goes double duty if either of your twins have a flowery name, and it helps tie this into your family and make it that much more personal.
It’s so easy to make flowers look good. A traditional indoor setting with flower banners and fresh scents looks great, but so does a ‘secret garden’ outdoor baby shower, so if you’re setting your baby shower in your garden, this could be perfect!
For a simple twist, make it more ‘natural’ than ‘flowers.’ Have fresh fruit out, potted flowers and whole plants, rather than cut flowers, even fruiting trees can look great.
Classy madam
Finally, we’re throwing a touch of class into the mix.
Whether it’s prim and proper afternoon tea with scones and jam, or high society with silks and champagne, the sky’s the limit when it comes to this theme.
Finally, with a little bit of thought, it’s easy to give your little girlies a touch of class, whether that’s perfectly done hair with coordinated decs, or those pairs of baby booties that you saw and have been looking for a reason to buy!
So that was our list of five twin girl baby shower ideas. But now I have to ask, what did you do for your twin’s baby shower? What was the theme, and was there anything in particular that people liked?
The more ideas people have, the easier it is to find something that they love for their own shower, so please, share any great ideas you have in our comments!
Finding out you’re pregnant is a huge deal, and finding out you’re having twins even more so. Then once you’ve finally got used to the news, you’ve got the excitement and trepidation of letting your friends and family know. There’s so many ways to make your we’re having twins announcement to your friends and family, but just in case you’re still undecided, here’s some of our favorite ways to make your twin pregnancy announcement.
12 Twin Pregnancy Announcement Ideas
Two pairs of shoes
Everyone loves baby shoes. They’re so tiny and adorable. So why not announce your twins by buying two pairs of baby shoes and setting them up somewhere that everyone can see them. Whether you hang them in your house when you have everyone over, or you stage a cute photo and share it all over social media, people will instantly know you’re having twins when they see two little pairs of identical shoes.
You do the math
This is a really cool way of announcing twins that I love. It’s another photo announcement, and pretty simple. Get your whole family together, and either use writing that already exists (whether you’ve written it or not) or add it afterwards, with the simple equation adding up all the members of your family. So if it’s just the two of you, and you’re having your first pair of twins, it’d be 1 + 1 = 4 Feel free to play around with this, especially if you’ve already got children.
Custom t-shirts
A t-shirt twin pregnancy announcement is really smart, especially if you’ve already got a child. Everyone will love seeing your eldest on instagram with a ‘I’m gonna be a big brother, to twins!’ shirt on. If you want it to be an even bigger surprise, gather up friends and family and let your little one wander round in their shirt, then just wait for the fireworks that come when someone finally notices!
Fun Twin Pregnancy Announcement Ideas
Family photo shoots
Family photo shoots are awesome and traditional ways to announce new members, and they’re so easy to be creative and personal. Because you can do literally anything, it’s easy to take something else off of this list too, and get it immortalised forever by a professional. Plus, once you’ve got your photos, it’s so simple to post it to social media and let everyone know, straight away.
Pre-made twin pregnancy announcement cards
Another great tradition, and one that’s so simple but so appreciated. After all, sending someone a card through old style snail mail gives them something they can keep forever. You can anything with them too. Family photos. Copies of your twin ultrasound scan. Invites. Anything you want!
A twinny present for the family
This is kind of the same as the cards, just a little bit more involved. Make packages with your twin pregnancy announcement inside, and pack it full of things that are twin related. At the bottom, have the real twin announcement, so by the time your friends and family get to the bottom, they might suspect you’re having twins, but then they know for sure. You can add anything you want, as well. Ultrasound photos, invites, gifts. Whatever your mind can think up, you can add.
A holiday twin pregnancy announcement
If you’re lucky enough to find out you’re having twins close to a major holiday, then it’s the perfect time to announce it to your family. Everyone’s going to remember the Thanksgiving that they fund out you were having twins, and it’s going to be a funny story that you can tell your twins when they’re old enough to appreciate it.
Reaction pictures and videos are huge, and what’s a better way to share the fact that you’re having twins than showing your family your reaction to finding out! Send them a reaction picture of you and your family holding the ultrasound scan, and see what everyone says!
An animal announcement
If you’ve got pets, then what better way to announce your twins than by showing how they feel about the new additions. Everyone loves babies, and everyone loves animals, so a double trouble creature feature is sure to touch everyone’s hearts and get everyone’s attention.
Custom fortune cookies
Bring your family over, treat them to a meal, then when it’s done set down the fortune cookies, have everyone crack them open at the same time, and watch their reactions! Pro tip: Have your phone ready to capture their reactions, so you can keep them forever. And share the laughs with them!
Chalkboard announcements
You don’t have to be a teacher to use a chalkboard, and drawing up your own unique announcement is one way that you can let everybody know. Not only do chalkboards look cool, vintage and unique, but the amount of things you can do with them are infinite; it’s literally only limited by your imagination.
Family picture frames
This is a really cute way to make your twin pregnancy announcement if you’re the type of couple who like to capture everything and put it up on your wall. It’s simple. Buy a pair of picture frames and mount them next to wherever you’ve got other family pictures. For bonus points, put a cutesy message inside, maybe saying something like ‘save this space for me’ in the first one, ‘and me too’ in the second.
How did you announce your twins? Did you use any of the methods above, or maybe you thought up something completely unique that everyone went crazy over. Whatever you did, make sure to add any twin pregnancy announcement ideas in our comments!
We all know that caesarian births are more likely with twins, so if you’re expecting, it’s normal to be wondering just what goes in a c-section with twins.
Read more about the chance of you having a twins c section vs natural birth, and how it’s going to affect your recovery and post birth struggles.
What is a C-section?
A caesarian section is when a baby is delivered through an incision in your abdomen.
A lot of c-section births are scheduled in advance, so you’ll already know going in that you’re going to give birth this way. Sometimes though, a complication with a natural birth can result in an emergency c-section.
Either way, c-sections are safe, effective and easy, which is more and more babies are delivered by c-section every year.
Your twin c-section procedure will generally follow normal c-section procedures. A small incision of around 5 or 6 inches will be made in your abdomen, and then into the uterus. Your babies are then removed through this incision, which is then treated and surgically closed again.
How Much More Likely is a C-section With Twins?
First off, it’s important to know how much more likely it is that you’re going to have to have a c-section with twins.
The answer? Not that much more likely, surprisingly.
According to the CDC, just over 30% of singleton births are delivered by caesarian, and the figures for twins aren’t that much higher, around 40%. Around another 4% delivered one baby vaginally, and the second through a c-section.
What this means is that you’ve still got a better than 50 percent chance of delivering both babies naturally, if that’s what you’re hoping for, but that if you do have a c-section, you’re joining the a large group of women, and it’s completely normal and natural. So there’s no reason to worry.
C-section With Twins: How long does it Takes?
Honestly, barely longer than a singleton birth. The real time sinks with caesarian births are the prep and clean up afterwards. The actual birth itself will take 5 or 10 minutes, barely longer.
Expect the whole procedure to take a few hours. Maybe two or three, with a few hours on either side for check ups and aftercare.
What are The After Effects of a C-section?
The main issue with a c-section is of course the scar. You’ve probably heard horror stories about c-section scars, but the truth is that for the vast majority of women it’s never going to be a problem.
If you have a c-section you’re most probably going to end up with a small and easily manageable scar around the top line of your panties. Most of the time, after a few months the scar will be tiny and hidden behind normal clothes, even bikinis!
Other effects that can come from a c-section with twins include:
Infection of the wound. Common and easily treatable with antibiotics.
Infection of the womb lining. Pretty much the same as the above.
Excessive bleeding. Slightly less common, and might require a blood transfusion.
Deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots in your legs that can cause pain, swelling and can cause further complications.
Damage to the bladder or kidneys. Rare, but can require further surgery.
Bear in mind that the vast majority of these issues are incredibly rare, and pretty much all of them can be dealt with by your doctor and medical team.
What Will Happen After Your C-section With Twins?
You’ll normally be in hospital for a few days after your c-section with twins, to make sure that you’re healing correctly and capable of looking after yourself.
First, your scar will be covered with steri-strips, which are there to keep your wound closed and sterile. You’re good to shower at this time, just don’t wash on or close to the wound, and try not to submerge it in water, so avoid baths for the first couple of weeks.
It’s also good to avoid lifting anything heavy. Your baby should be pretty much your limit, so take it easy!
Tips for Dealing With a C-section Scar
Make sure you take your pain meds whenever you’re supposed to, whether you’re in pain or not.
Wear comfy, supportive clothing, like yoga pants or a belly wrap.
On top of this, it’s great to wear supportive underwear. Buy some granny panties if you have to. Now isn’t the time to worry about what you’re wearing.
Keep drinking water, and make sure you drink as soon as you’re comfortable after the surgery.
Take advantage of your hospital’s night time nursery, because you’re going to need your rest. Another great advantage of this is that it also helps get your babies used to the bottle
If your partner or family offer help, then take it. I know you want to be strong, but trust us, you’ll need as much help as you can.
On that note, prepare your husband, because he’s probably going to be doing a lot for you in the next few weeks, and if he’s coming into surgery with you, he might see a lot that he’s not expecting.
Have a massage when you get released from hospital, because it helps to free up and release all of the fluids that will be in your body from the surgery and bed rest.
It’s good to get a notebook so you can record everything. Record when your twins eat, sleep, go to the toilet, so you can see how everything is going.
Lastly, rest as much as possible. You need to heal, and the best thing for that is rest and recuperation.
Remember, c-sections with twins are completely normal, and nothing to worry about. Just follow whatever your doctor says and you’ll be fine!
Did you have a c-section with twins? How did it go? Do you have any advice for moms heading in this direction? Whatever advice you have is going to be amazing.
Why not join our community and write about your experience? There’s nothing like hearing from someone who has already been there.
