Opinions for things for twins/triplets

HI

SAMBA gives good advice. but I don't think bumbo's will help that much as they have to be able to hold thier heads up before you can put them in them.

buy some premie outfits, baby city also has. but in NICU my boys wore hospital clothes as it was easier. NICU is tough for bonding but as Paulae said it is not forever. You need to use the time to rest from the ceasar as the babies sleep majority of the time.

If you can afford it I would also really recommend a night nurse for a few nights a week. Also hire the double automatic breat pump. you will need to buy the bits that you acctually use. it is the best and most hospitals have one that you can use when at the hospital.

Such an odd experience sitting there expressing away, when another mom arrives to do her thing. very intimate and uncomfortable.

Which hospital are you going to??

I think that the twin and single pram is a great idea. I drive a teeny weeny Opel Corsa and can fit three chairs in the back, so I think that you should be fine but the front seat is also an option...

I used a woolies back pack nappy bag and it worked beautifully, it is HUGE! I like Paula's suggestion of leaving the bigger bag in the car, especially since you packing for three.

Accept ALL help and get a night nurse, you are going to need it.

SAMBA is a great support for multiples, and I know some lovely trip moms from there

Thanks ladies, who needs to go to SAMBA when you are all so helpful.

I am looking forward to looking for all these things, we wont buy hasty but will look around before buying.

kerryw, I am still currently with my FS, Im seeing him on Monday to discuss whhat happens from there on.....

What hospitals & gyn/obs did you go to (if in JHB)?
I have been recommended to one in Sandton, but if I could find a good dr closer to home it would be better, but I also dont want to not go to a goood obgyn because he is too far, I will go the distance if it means my babies will be well. I dont want to go back to my gyn.

Hi Chris_ds, welcome to the forum.

I don't have any advise to offer as am yet to go dow the baby road but I just want to wish you all the best with your pregnancy and the planning before hand with your work and getting things ready for your trips.

My babies were born at Wilgeheuwel - their neonatal ICU is excellent. I would however recommend a high risk specialist for you - I think good gynaes (like mine ) can handle twins perfectly well, but I think trips might need an expert?

PS double breast pump is a must, hired or bought! Especially the babies in the NICU must preferably get breast milk. BTW some hospitals like Wilgeheuwel can ge breast milk from the Breast Milk Bank so something to keep in mind perhaps.

Oh and another thing which I only found out about later on, NUK makes special prem teats which may be something to invest in - even the small teats of the ordinary sizes are quite large for the little prem mouthies!

Thank you so much Betti!

The dr is Sandton is a multiple birth specialist, he is just very expensive and cash up front at ever constult.

I have however asked for a broker from our Medical aid to come see us so I can chat, maybe we will be fine going there then.

2 things that I told dh we are spending money on is monitors and a double breast pump! I'll probably feel like a milking cow, but definatley for the babies it will eb better.

My cousin had her baby at 33w, she is giving me a number of a company that makes prem teats and dummies etc, so will contact them.

I hope that you find a gynae closer to home and I must say that I am rather excited to be a part of your journey!! GO, TRIPLETS!!!

Thansk SupaMum! Ill keep you all posted how things progess!

I wish you all the best on this journey Chris!!

I went with a gynea in Sandton and he was great and Sandton was nice but it was a hectic drive a couple of times a day to visit the boys in NICU. I would see if there is someone closer.

Also I think Sandton holds on to the premies too long when they should be home. but that may have been just us.

Sandton has the top NICU in JHB! It has a lot to do with the fact that it is associated with a fertility clinic across the road. My gynae is at sandton (and he is the best) ... in fact I referred Kerry to him when she moved over from her FS.

My twins were born at 32.5 weeks and were in NICU for 5 weeks. And following that in Paeds for most of the rest of that year (well it felt like that). Between June and November of 2008 they were in paeds 12 times and have been in 7-8 times every year since then.

I felt like I had trips (my son was 20 months when my girls were born). I would love to put you in touch with a friend of mine that has trips (who will be 1 in Sept) and who is herself a paediatrician.

All the best and fire away with Q's

Hey there

I had my twins at Linkwood Clinic in Linksfield with Dr Bassin. I carried until 38 and a half weeks. Their Paed is also at Linksfield. Dr Klass, and he is great!

I had my twins with Dr Cameron at Morningside Medi Clinic and he was fantastic! Their delivery paed was Dr Taylor-Smith, wonderful at the birth and while they were in hospital, after that I would not recommend him at all!

Wilgehweuwel's NICU is great too, for the same reason, that it is attached to a fertility center and they are very used to multiples as well. However, I agree with Kerry, they definitely keep the prems in too long. WE ahd ours transferred to Carstenhof when they were 1.5 weeks old (for travelling) and they immeditately started bottle feeds and the babies were home a bit over a week later, not the 2 - 3 weeks they mentioned at Wilgeheuwel. BUT for the first bit the NICU there was great.

Thank you ladies, I am going to discuss with my FS when the big move will happen. I am thinking between Sandton and Parklane, I know their NICU is also good there.

I went for a check up on Monday and the babies are moving and growing well, it was so precious and just too beautiful to see.

I went yesterday to have the Shirodkar stitch done, just trying to take it easy now after that. Head is a bit light today so just trying to nibble little bits and drink lots of water....