24 week Twin scan

Well that scan went very well :)

Not only are they still girl and boy (although the sonographer thought otherwise to begin with) they have also caught up with each other. The little man is nearly measuring the same as the girlie but he weighs more than her too! Well shes 1lb 06oz and he is 1lb 07oz :D

They are still measuring a week behind but I am really pleased with that and hoping now as my food intake gets better by the end of Jan when I have my next scan they would have done even better.

Oh there was one little shock, Twin one is breech extended. She looked so uncomfortable and I now realise why my ribs are hurting more (head right in it) and now that's prompted me to get the birth ball and get on my hands and knees more (haha).

Natasha x

Twin Pregnancy - 24 weeks- Home water birth here we come!

23 weeks 24 weeks

So after many weeks of illness, stress, birthdays and Christmas...... I am back and have more time now to update!

I contacted a local'ish IM (Independent Midwife) as after the consultation I knew then that searching for support was and is my only option.

I was told to get in touch with Jane Evans by another local IM as she has had Twin birth experience. I needed to know all my options and explore what I could, although affording one is questionable right now it's an avenue I needed to look at.

Well how pleased was I when I spoke to Jane! She was wonderful, very very informative, wise and you could hear the confidence in her voice. I was talking to someone with the complete opposite views of the consultant but it just felt so very right and comfortable, like I was talking to someone with complete sense!

She gave me great advice about diet and getting the babies to term and that if I am unable to get support from the NHS (will go into in a sec) then we would certainly be able to work something out. Massive weight lifted!

Now I have been told the new head of midwifery starting in Jan has facilitated a Twin homebirth under the NHS (not too long ago and of course went wonderfully :) )

I might be able to get her to help me, I am going to set up a meeting with her hopefully very soon (fingers crossed).

I have also found a new lovely midwife.... well I haven't met her yet but I have heard lovely things about her and tomorrow will be setting up an appointment with her. She asked me to book a double appointment as there's quite a bit to chat about so I am really excited!

The babies seem to be doing well, I have another scan on the 30th Dec 11, I am hoping my extra eating will have made them catch up and be closer to their gestation. I am not going to stress about it (as it wont help!) but I am really going to aim to get them matching with their current week and each other. Fingers crossed I will deliver two healthy 6lb + babies (at least!) after 37 weeks! (Lottie was 6lbs at 37 weeks so I think this is doable!)

I have been visualising the birth happening in water in my kitchen, I can see it and it's really helping me focus and not feel so worried about it all. It feels pretty daunting sometimes and I feel this will be quite an experience!

Well hopefully by next week I will have an appointment and some news from the scan.

Natasha x

21 weeks Pregnant with twins ~ No more after this!

Still feeling on quite a high at the moment from finding out we are lucky enough to be having one of each. I will however be asking at our next scan on the 30th (being scanned every 4 weeks) to check just in case! Although she seemed pretty certain. It just feels so surreal to be having a boy, I will have 3 girls and 1 boy. I am so excited!

We have also come to the decision (and will be made final after birth) that OH is going to get the snip. I don't want anymore children. It feels strange to say this but I feel comfortable with that thought, being only 25 it might seem a little early to be thinking that but OH is 31 and feels as done as I do. I will have 4 children before I'm 26, a stomach apron and will be wearing enough of my heart on my sleeve for the rest of my life!

So yes this will be my last pregnancy, which is a sad thought but I feel so very lucky to be sharing my last with two babies :)

They are both still head down which I can tell by movement and their heartbeats are very low down.

I'm sure our girly is still deep in my pelvis (sonographer pointed this out as she found it difficult getting measurements) and I can imagine them both in this position (cue very bad paint drawing!)

I think they are facing each other and more towards my back, both placentas are high and on the back too. On the scan it looked like one massive placenta so I'm expecting a fused placenta to give birth too that I have read can occur.

Placenta encapsulation is still on the cards too, I am going to really start looking into it properly as I think we are going to do it ourselves unless we can magic up some money (around £100 or so). The health benefits seem great, and it's just such an easy way to consume too (couldn't imagine cooking it and then eating it.......... no thanks!)

I really want to get a print of the placenta too, I am feeling quite mother earthy type at the moment and having read about the 'hippy' mums doing it all over the world I want to do it too! although they are not all 'hippy' I know ;-) but again it's my last pregnancy and birth I want to experience as much as I can :)

I have been thinking more and more about the homebirth, I am starting to feel more and more determined to get to term. I was reading Mary Cronks Twin guidelines http://www.homebirth.org.uk/marycronk/marytwins.htm and keeping a good diet is something I do aim to try and do (with success most days!) and then following a small amount of the Spinning babies guidelines and keeping good posture making sure I sit correctly and use my tummy like a hammock (not sure how well I will be keeping up with that when I am near the end........) http://spinningbabies.com/spinning-babies-and/twins

But I think all I can do is try my best and at least I know I have done all I could to grow them.

Will update when I have more news on the homebirth front. Still got lots of info whizzing round so will have to offload soon!

Natasha

20 weeks! Sorry I took so long! The twins are..............

Finally I am on here (god I'm crap!)

But we have found out we are blessed with a Boy and a Girl!

They were both head down, girly closer to the exit and both in growing well (although the little man is a little smaller, but it's likely they were conceived days apart).

I'm totally on cloud nine and very happy.

I also saw the consultant and of course homebirth was a big NO, but I have been informed by a local Independent midwife that the Head or midwifery who starts in Jan in the hospital has attended a twin homebirth. If we don't manage to get the support I will be looking at the independent midwife route. Even after a wobbly moment when seeing the consultant (started doubting myself) my strong urge (instincts) is to birth them in water at home.

I'm hoping to make the homebirth support group next week, I'm really going to need it!

Here is some pics of my babies :)

Baby girl :)

And our baby boy :)

18 weeks and 19 weeks pregnant with twins............ I'm rubbish!

18 weeks 19weeks

Well I'm now 19 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I have been avoiding a lot of pregnancy related stuff (not going on forums much etc) as I'm really getting nervous about our scan on Monday.

I can't believe the time is finally here and how quick has it gone already?! But I'm anxious to see they are both growing well and anxious to find out the sex.

I'm starting to get prepared for this non existent consultant appointment and get my facts written down incase I need them (which I am likely too). Found some really interesting things in the new NICE guidelines for twin pregnancy but I will go over that when I have more time.

Here are the NICE guidelines for those interested.

Nice Multiple Pregnancy Guidelines

Twin pregnancy

They both seem to be very active, I feel the rolling around and have had the odd foot prodding out! I lent over to get my drink the other night and felt something uncomfortable that was protruding a little... so I pushed it and it quickly moved! I had forgotten this part and I didn't think it would be happening yet! I can feel them kicking from the outside, it's really lovely but strange that it's happening everywhere!

The braxton hicks are still here a lot, I do remember experiencing quite a few of them during Charlottes pregnancy but these are most certainly stronger. I am not worried about them as I know its all good practice. If they get any worse I think I will mention it.

17 weeks 3 days ~ Pregnant with twins

17 weeks 3 days

Yuk!

So yeah this is a late update. Had a week of illness with the girls (well started last Thursday and today seem more themselves). Girls coped so well, and made being sick look easy! But we are all still tired so hoping we manage to catch up on the weekend :)

Twin Pregnancy

My sickness and feeling 'under the weather' symptoms are still here. Twin pregnancy is really taking it out of me. It was a huge struggle to even go to the shop the other day, I feel old!

The kicking is becoming more frequent and can feel them with my hand when I lay down at night, tiny little taps. It's really nice and just makes it feel a little more real, although I still get this wow feeling everytime I think about Twins............. Wow I am having two babies!

I still haven't bought anything or started any real preparation, I just don't feel the urgency and I guess having been there done that I am more relaxed about pregnancy. I do feel though that I need to start thinking about making some sort of plan and get stuff bought! But I am likely going to leave it until after the scan........... and then rush around at 26 weeks!

X Natasha

16 weeks pregnant with twins

16 weeks

I don't feel much of a growth change this week but I am feeling their taps a lot more and have become hourly or more which is lovely and reassuring.

My sickness has started to come back, although it hadn't totally gone I did have a few weeks of far less than I had experienced but in the morning I'm feeling sick and food issues are creeping in again.

I just hope it goes away and it's a glitch!

15 weeks 6 days pregnant with twins.

I'm having twins!

Ok so I am having an OMG moment, hitting me again I am going to give birth to two babies! My body is making two babies! It isn't going to feel real until they are here and even when they are I am sure I will look down while feeding them both and still feel disbelief that I have made and given birth to two babies as well as mastering tandem feeding all in one! I am sure I am going to be hit intermittently through out the pregnancy with OMG as it really is still a shock.

Pregnancy dreams

I have never experienced so many odd dreams and nightmares during pregnancy before, I guess hormones could play a part, as well as subconscious worries. Although I don't have nightmares about the pregnancy or babies it's always unrelated but I am pregnant in them and aware of that while dreaming. But yes very weird and some quite frightening!

Alternative cold remedies for children

I have been making vapor coconut rub and lavender/spearmint steam bowls as the girls have had bad colds (well more so Olivia with the coughing).

It worked very well, along with New Era colds and chesty coughs homeopathy range and a few high in Vit C Pome'gannets' (Charlotte will not budge on the name!) she had a peak day yesterday and is noticeably much better having only started a few days ago and hasn't suffered (been wingy or unlike herself). The steam bowls have seemed to also get both girls off quicker, I think it's the lavender relaxing them and I have also noticed Olivia is calmer when she wakes at night, where as before there was some sort of 'drama' when she woke (when there was nothing wrong, just over tired). It could be all coincidence but I believe these things have worked :)

I will try and update tomorrow with a pic, but I am rubbish at updating............ so don't quote me ;-)

15 weeks 1 day - Twin Pregnancy

15 weeks

Just a small update with 15 week bump picture. Even my uterus has crept just above my tummy button in just a few days or so (feel it every morning) . Babies kicking lovely and feel them at least 2/3 times a day which is really reassuring!

We decided to use the holidays to tidy (among take the girls certain places etc) as it's just totally got on top of me... well us and we need to sort it out as it's driving me insane!

So toy sorting and cleaning the house being the main things to do........(I still haven't managed to put dusting into my routine however.......... I don't dust).

It's getting done bit by bit and just helps have a clearer head, until we have the next lot of mess, but oh well!

Natasha

14 weeks 5 days ~ Pregnant with Twins

14 weeks

I haven't been on much lately as my mind has been else where but here is a 14 week picture I took.

I am in shock at how big I am already and compared this pic with my pictures from when I was pregnant with Charlotte and I am bigger then I was at 18 weeks with her.

My uterus is at my tummy button now and from what I remember it was just above my pubic bone at this stage in my singleton pregnancies.

The growth rate is amazing. Every evening I listen to them both before going to sleep, they are either side of my tummy button, they both kick and move about (it sounds like a microphone being kicked) Olivia loves having a listen and often tells them off for kicking as she 'doesn't like the banging noise'.

Along with the ever expanding bump I am already walking differently, my pelvis really aches after short distances and if I sit for long periods I cease up! I think I should talk to the midwife but I can only get hold of her on a Thursday morning. I guess I should just book an appointment, but shes flaming miles away (not able to see her at GP's) and it's not on a direct bus route........... gahhhhh! it's frustrating! But I will do it.

I hope it passes as I am sure its just from the relaxing of the ligaments etc.

I have been thinking about the scan.

Although I am really excited about having the 20 week scan I am nervous for a few reasons.

I am obviously concerned about their well being, they did look good at the 12 week scan but more can be seen at 20 weeks and I just hope they are BOTH growing well, I had this with the girls but there was only 1 to worry about!

I'm also quite nervous about finding out the sex, Yes I will be happy with girls again of course but I am yearning for a little boy and having two babies is increasing the odds a little more for me, silly really but it is on my mind, I just want it over with and I can concentrate and focus on my new baby girl and boy..... or girls and boys!!

I've come up with a plan to ensure I am more likely to get the names I want. We are not going to decide until birth (he doesn't know yet......... whoops!) and in the moment of high emotions I will suggest the names I would like then.........sneaky but it's more likely to work and to be honest I will already have a feeling of what will suit them before hand. We picked Olivia's name quite early and Charlotte's the night before the scan ,I just knew I was having a girl right at that moment and the name was just plucked out of know where as I never had that name in my mind before I said it (very strange!).

This time (I am not going to say the names yet as I am not 100%) I currently have a boy and girl name in mind and feel very comfortable with them, so I am wondering if this is a sign.......... could be WELL off the mark of course and be surprised with same sex twins but will just have to see :)

I have been thinking more about the birth and have decided that I should do more than one birth plan (well integrated still I guess) to just cover the possible and likely scenarios for peace of mind and that I am going to get some say in my own Twin birth.

I'm not necessarily going to say how I want each birth more what I would like to happen and just make clear my intentions are for a natural birth.

If they come after 37 weeks providing they have both been well throughout pregnancy and are in good positions I will be pushing for a Home birth (as explained before).

But if they come before of course hospital birth it will be but I will be still opting for minimal intervention unless needed.

I am both looking forward to the consultant appointment and slightly nerved, I don't like confrontation but as this hospital is very 'medical managed birth' I am likely to be faced with it. I will be continuing my research on it and using this when needed, but I wish I didn't have to. Of course in lots of births things go wrong but not all do and I understand I am an increased risk but I need to birth them as I feel is best and a consultant/hospital should respect what an informed parent wants........ that will be the day.

Well I am off for now but will update again very soon.... much sooner than before! :)

Twins 12 week scan - 12 weeks 1 day

Firstly I didn't manage to get on yesterday to upload a new bump pic so here it is :)

Although this was taken on Sunday at 11 weeks 6 days

Right so after all that worry and reading scary stories the Twins were absolutely fine!!

What a relief.

Here's some pictures :)

I have another of them both together but can only see twin 1's head and for some reason it's been uploaded sideways so will try and mess with the another time!

Twin 1 is measuring slightly smaller (only by mm) but everything is perfect, they were moving around kicking and wriggling. The experience was incredibly surreal, seeing two it just amazing!

She said they are DI/DI twins (di-chorionic, di-amniotic) So it's unlikely they are identical, so looking like I did ovulate twice!

I have now gone into acceptance that now YES I am having twins and I feel the twin journey has really started!

We have the 20 week scan booked for 28th November when hopefully things will be still good and we can find out the sex. I will also be having the awaited consultant appointment.......... that will be very very interesting!

2nd October - Family time

Because of the amount of sickness I have experienced, tiredness and generally feeling under the weather the garden was very neglected and grass a little longer than Id like. Also we haven't spent much time going out as a family either due to lots of reasons but mainly down the fact I have felt so poorly.

So Saturday after Olivia's swimming lesson we all met in town. I went in town alone first to get some white socks for Olivia, I really feel we have some sort of sock monster as they have all gone missing and the ones she did have left were getting small. So it shouldn't take me long to find socks in town, should it?

It took me an hour! I went everywhere, it was rubbish! Even Primark didn't have any suitable socks.

I finally found some in Debenhams £4 for 6 pairs which was not bad, so panic over we have SOCKS!

After this I met up with the girls and Paul and we went for lunch on the Barbican.

It was such a lovely warm day, really shocked by this October weather but enjoying it while it lasts!

After we had a lovely ice cream opposite the Harbor, and the girls really enjoyed it.

Today we tackled the grass........ well when I say we I mean Paul! I am just so achey and my pelvis is giving me grief (sounds like a good excuse I know!) but it is already very uncomfortable. I am finding I am out of breath quickly too, I honestly feel I am much further on in the pregnancy, I look much further on and have already been asked (school gates on Friday) whether I knew if I was having a boy or girl................ Well you can imagine their faces when I tell them I am only 12 weeks nearly and could be having one of each. So yes I look already half way.........

I am becoming quite anxious about Tuesdays dating scan, having read too much about vanishing twin and obviously the normal 'are they healthy' I am feeling quite worried about it. Again having listened to them both (and can hear them moving now on the doppler) the size of my bump and the fact I am still sick most days, leads me to believe they are fine. Just wish that little nagging niggle of motherhood worrying would stop........ which it will after the scan!

Oh and I managed to see a doctor last week, who only then asked me to book in for blood tests next week....... quite annoying as he could have done it himself and saved me the extra trip but hey I guess he's too important!

Will update tomorrow with bump pic!

Natasha x

Twin Pregnancy 11 weeks - And self doubt

11 weeks today and I feel awful.

After taking Olivia to school I spent the rest of the morning throwing up. I am shattered, my lower bump hurts and my pelvis aches............ and I am only 11 weeks.

I am going to make a doctors appointment this week as I'm wondering if my thyroid levels are right because I have been feeling really low.

I have been looking at baby clothes already and taking into consideration that they may be quite small (around the 5lb mark) Olivia was 6.8lb at 39 weeks and Charlotte was only 6lb at 37 weeks and only being 5'5 myself it's quite likely they will.

The clothes are tiny, although 'cute' it's quite scary to think at how small they could be!

I'm most certainly going to breastfeed them, to me there is no other way of feeding. It dawned on me that if they came earlier than 34 weeks and don't have a good sucking reflex (and I am struggling to express) I will need to source donor milk as it's quite likely the hospitals supply is going to be short. But I will be asking this when I first see the consultant. Also a standard practice is to use fortifiers in the human milk and that donor milk in hospitals is pasteurised, again I need to research my options on this (info found in link below).

I really do not want them having formula. My main reason for this is their 'virgin gut' being compromised and obviously nutritionally breast milk is far better for premature babies as well as preventing infections etc.

http://www.eatsonfeetsresources.org/?page_id=532

So my mind is boggled at the moment with this but I guess there's no point thinking about it too much until I see the consultant and their 'policy'.

I am still feeling quite overwhelmed about going through a twin pregnancy, because of my feelings on birth and feeding are not of the countries 'norm' I really feel this will be a huge test of my beliefs and realising how challenging this will be for me mentally.

Is having such strong views going to hinder my judgement during important times? I am in a state of self doubt about how I feel about things.

Having also come to the conclusion (after much research!) that I am no longer going to have my children vaccinated (these babies will be vaccine free) am I throwing myself into fire? With this on top of the decisions I am possibly going to have to face and fight with wanting a home birth, making sure the babies receive breastmilk and co sleeping, am I just creating more problems and stress?

Although I say I have self doubt, I do really believe this is right.

I guess our beliefs have to be challenged sometimes in order to gain strength and knowledge on the decisions we make.

Being the minority during times like this make me feel alone and like I am some lunatic doo lally parent.

But then I slap my face and think well hang on one darn minute! How many long hours have I spent researching, experiencing and learning? I have spent countless hours and time making sure that I am looking and reading the right things and that they felt true to my feelings on the subject and backed up, speaking to other parents and investigating as much as I can so I feel informed and educated enough to go against the grain. As much as I never felt I was doing it with that purpose (but it's what I have done) I always had/have the girls best interest at heart and following my instincts lead me on this path.

I do know that I am not really alone, there are thousands of parents and families who think the same way and live in a similar way, this gives me comfort that in fact I am not a lunatic doo lally parent, I just parent differently.

Ooo haven't I gone on there?!

As you can see I have millions of things wizzing round in my mind and I guess it helps to write it down!

Here are some bump pictures taken today

11 weeks exactly

Not much more to add to this today, but will likely update during the week if I manage to see the doctor and with any other goings on here :)

Natasha x

Why I want to give birth to our twins at home

when I found out I was pregnant I knew I was going to have a home birth.

After experiencing one with my second child (failed first time due to 'slow' progression) to me there was no other place to give birth.

It was absolutely amazing and everything I had imagined.

I gave birth to Charlotte in water after a very easy 3 hour labour (I will add her birth story at the end) it was practically painless until transition and the energy in the room really helped me feel calm and able to get through to the end.

Olivia's birth was far from this magical experience and totally traumatised me, not only this but I felt robbed of the right birth experience and felt that the birth was not at all how it should have been. It affected my relationship with my daughter and it took a long time to get over.

When I found out we were expecting twins horror hit me right in the face........ damn I am going to have to give birth at hospital. The fear totally spread over every bit of excitement that I had started to feel.

I read many twin hospital birth stories and most were actually pretty awful. The amount of intervention was just as much as my first birth, and then worse many gave birth in theatre surrounded by people waiting to jump on them and shove their hands and instruments into these poor women and totally take over what could have been a very normal (as in allowing the mother to birth her babies as intended) and natural birth.

Women are expected to go in and lay on their backs, have an epidural and syntocinon drip as standard 'just in case'

Now many will read that and think well I don't think it's that bad? but this is what I was given during my first birth. I nearly ended up with a cesarean section but instead was cut and she was forcefully pulled out of me with the ventouse. The pain from this was excruciating and after couldn't sit properly for 6 weeks.

I am 100% that this also traumatised Olivia, imagine coming into the world being pulled out by your head then into a very very bright room having been inside a dark and comfortable place where you felt safe?

Not only this but due to the heavy intervention (which I believe it is) I will more likely need assistance again (ventouse, forceps) or even worse end up with both or one coming out by csection.

Their reasoning for all this intervention?

As with all births there are risks of cord prolapse, high blood pressure and baby becoming distressed, with this their reasoning is that the second baby could experience this, could turn and/or be footling breech. The cases where intervention of csection is required is in only 5% of twin births. But I also wonder whether this 5% could be lower hadn't there been all the intervention in the first place?

So with all this and after reading about the attitude from consultants on twin birth I very much want to have my babies in a peaceful, calm and well looked after environment. Also taking into consideration that there is a real staff shortage at the hospital fills me with no hope of a natural birth there.

Of course all these plans and research may come to nothing, I may go into labour earlier than 37 weeks. The babies may become poorly, I may become poorly. All these warrant the NEED to go into hospital I wouldn't think twice if I or my babies were in danger. But as it stands I am planning to give birth to these babies in water in the comfort of my own home.

I will probably add more to this later when I get time as I have quite a few links I would like to share on twin home births and twin hospital births.

For now here is Charlottes home water birth story. (copy and pasted from a site I go on regularly. Please excuse typos and non smileys!)

The midwife turned up out of the blue at about 12ish as she had an extra box of goodies that would be needed, I told her what was going on and she said it sounded like things were getting ready, but could be like this for awhile yet.

At about 2ish I went to the loo as I felt really odd and saw I was trickling, thought maybe it was still wee and stood up and it was still trickling... thought "hmmm" :think: maybe........

Na!

Went to the bedroom and gush! they went ..... yep thats my waters ::

I rang the midwife, who I can say was very shocked and she said someone would be round to see me.

Rang Paul to get his butt home, text my friend who was alsio my birthpartner and rang Livis grandparents to come and get her.

I was feeling no pain still really, just the lower backache type pain, but certainly no contractions.

Lous grandparents got here and so did Paul, as they were leaving the midwife turned up. She was only the midwife who looked after me at the end of my pregnancy with Livi! :happydance: couldn't believe it... well neither could she as she moved to our area awhile ago.

My friend then turns up and off me and the middy trot upstairs for the checks 8-)

Bp fine, Lottie fine and then she goes to check me..............

Middy "Er Natasha, you did say your pains were irregular"

Me "yes"

Middy " well your verging 5cms!"

:: I could of cried I tell yer!

She got straight on the phone and got someone else to come out, she was laughing saying she couldn't believe it....... (neither could I!)

I went down stairs to tell Paul to get the pool filled quick as the middy said I was going to go quick . my friend (who is due her second child... well was due 4 days before me!) was totally shocked and was in disbelief I was walking round smiling and in no pain

About an hour after the midwife was here the pain was getting more frequent but it was all in my back, didn't hurt too bad but was rather peed about it considering she wasn't even back to back! (so you can still get it there even if baby is in best position! :smug: )

Started coming every 5 mins, still could cope fine with them but were starting to hurt a little.

Got the midwife rubbing my back and everyone was taking it in turns with the massage oil :smug: was rather nice!

Second Middy turned up aswell as a student middy and then two others it was like a circus it was around change over so that is why.. but I didn't mind as they were all so lovely!

Got checked again as the pain kicked in abit more and it was around the lower front too, I was 7 cms :happydance: and baby was well applied :thumbsup:

Still breathing through them fine and coping (made sure I was relaxed down below which really helped, its hard but honestly girls it makes it much less painfull!)

It was about 5ish and I got in the pool, it felt great! so relaxing!

I had middy wiping me with a flannel, everyone being lovely and supportive and was breathing through each one. It was really starting to hurt and felt abit weepy (I think I said id had enough )

Got out of the pool (have no idea, just felt like it ) but was finding it harder to cope with, so went back in

The first middy and other middies left leaving 2 plus the student, the pains were coming thick and fast now and I got the gas and air.

They were very close together and I was finding really hard. I was in transition and started to get upset and just didn't want to do it anymore!

All I could hear was everyone reminding me to breath (and I was tring to relax all below which again helped!) and had no time between contractions.

Then that totaly overwhelming urge to bare down started, it was so intense. I never experienced it like that with Olivia as it was assisted, so was a totaly new experience for me.

By now it was pretty much constant pain, everyone was being lovely and supportive and trying to get me to breath instead of moaning loadly (so moaned with my mouth shut and also the gas and air pipe in my mouth which btw didn't really do much apart from distract me a little)

The midwife suggested I sat in the pool instead as she was getting close, so I did (it felt loads better!)

I felt the urge to bare down again and could feel her coming down... wow what a feeling! she felt more like she was coming out of my bum

It was starting to hurt more and the midwife told me to put my hands down to feel her head coming ( getting teary thinking about it, was so lovely )

I could feel her head coming out and was getting told by everyone to pant (as I insisted I didn't want to tear and wanted help with this!)

My god the pain was so intense! but I kept panting and very very slowly her head was coming! :happydance:

Then it was out! :happydance: wow relief!

I would see her head was such a lovely moment! and the midwife said that I needed to wait for the next contaction as she was turning to be born (which I could feel! again it was amazing!)

Next contraction and out the rest of her came, I grabbed her and brought her straight up was such an overwheming beautiful moment and was grinning like a cheasure cat :smug:

I got her on the boob and we left the cord and then waited until I felt the urge to expell the placenta ( had a natural 3rd stage :happydance: ) it was still attached to her aswell which was fantastic! and within 5 mins the placenta was deliverd! :happydance:

Paul cut the cord and then I was helped out of the pool as it was getting cold for her.

Got me bits checked and thank the flammin lordy I needed no stitches! I hadn't torn or anything! :happydance: :happydance:

It was amazing! I felt (and still feel) fantastic and feel like I have achieved the most wonderful thing in the world! I got exactly what I wanted, my birth plan WENT TO PLAN! and everyone there was absolutly brilliant! the atmosphere was just the best!

Fed little one for awhile and then went for a bath... even had the midwife scrub me back :smug: now thats service!

Charlotte was weighed and came in at 6lb apgar 9

Found out today that the reason she came early is the placenta was greying and was more aged than it really should of been! so she knew it was time 8-)

Booby feeding well except she has a dyson suck but otherwise its just perfect... shes perfect

Heres a picture of my last bump pic the day before

We do have some pictures taken just after but I want them for us

Yes we are expanding and Yes we are having TWINS! 10 weeks 4 days

I have been considering doing a blog for sometime about the goings on of family life and the pregnancy of our twins.

I started a blog back in 2008 when pregnant with my second child, but after so much going on around that time I just couldn't focus on it. So here I am again pregnant and starting a blog again!

I am currently 10 weeks and 4 days pregnant.

We didn't find out I was pregnant with twins until around 7 weeks, I had a scan prior to this at 5 weeks due to bleeding and one sac and yolk was seen. The sonographer said it was too early to see much else and I was to come back in two weeks time.

From that day I had the most awful sickness, greasy skin, hair and spots. I was absolutely shattered and so bloated. Having had a very easy pregnancy with both girls (barely any sickness, skin looked amazing and felt healthy!) this was quite a shock.

I then had it in my mind that maybe I was carrying a boy? Maybe this is why I feel so rough.

As the week passed I started feeling worse, food became unappealing and the nausea was nothing like I have ever experienced before. Almost like I was on a boat and it was coming in waves.

I had no reason to suspect I was carrying twins, it never entered my head that I could be.

Finally It was the day for the scan. I went to our local EPU (early pregnancy unit) and got seated in a little room........... waiting........... feeling sick and just hoping that everything was alright with the pregnancy.

The midwife/nurse came in and said that I didn't look too peachy......... well no I certainly didn't feel it! She went though my notes, told me I was having another transvaginal scan (looks like a dildo he he) and that I would be going through in a little while.

Off she went and there was me sat armed with ginger biscuits in hope it would curb the sick feelings just enough so I didn't feel like I was going to vomit during the scan.

She came back and took me over to the sonographer.

Told to take off my bottoms, get on the bed and put my feet in the stirrups. This then reminded me how undignified your life becomes when you are pregnant!

She begins the scan and as she does I eagerly watch her facial expressions thinking and worrying that shes going to say "sorry but you have miscarried"

What feels like a lifetime she says "Well everything looks fine but there are two here"

I then had a rush of adrenaline and felt in total shock, my first words were "Oh my fu**ing god!"

She said that she just wanted to check my ovaries but everything looked good and the babies looked like they were progressing well. I was still in shock and just kept saying Oh my god........ oh my god... oh my god.

The sonographer gave me a picture so that OH wouldn't think I was fibbing and after a little talk about bleeding and making sure I rest I was on my merry way.

This is the scan picture 7w 3days

After telling family and friends it still didn't feel real, even now at 10 weeks it's still sinking in.

Since that scan I had another at 9 weeks due to a bleed, but both were fine and growing well.

I am apparently having Fraternal twins (ovulated twice) as they have a separate sac and placenta.

Since the second scan I bought an angelsounds doppler as the spotting I was getting was making me worry and thought it would help ease that. I found one of the heartbeats just after 8 weeks and found them both at gone 9.

Now at 10 weeks I am able to be certain its both (and not the echo of one) as they are on either side below my tummy button.

I made a recording of them

Baby on the left side

Baby on right side (quiet but you can hear better on the next)

Then going from right to left (with placenta wooshing in between!)

I listen to them everyday and it helps give that peace of mind.

I am also looking very pregnant and my uterus is already a few inches below my tummy button. Sickness is still there and I am still sick most mornings, I hope this goes by the magic 2nd trimester when I apparently bloom!

10weeks 5days uterus just a few inches below tummy button

I am pretty sure I have felt slight flutters too, as my uterus is high up already I think I can discount it being 'bowel movement' and having had two children already who I felt early in tri 2 I really think I can feel them already!

The cravings haven't been to obvious until now and all I want is fatty foods, chicken and roast dinner. I am yet to curb the roast dinner one, I have been gagging for a roast dinner for WEEKS!

So today I am making it my mission to do it and an apple crumble to top it off! :) (of course Olivia is extremely happy at the thought of apple crumble which I haven't made in months!)

Will update again on Monday when I am 11 weeks!

Natasha x