Double trouble - multiple births are on the increase...

Multiple births are on the increase and more parents are facing the challenge where every aspect of parenthood is turned upside down.

There is one message that comes across from parents faced with bringing up twins.

It's a fantastic experience watching them grow and form a unique bond with each other, plus the added bonus of going through the same stages at the same time is priceless. However it is a life-changing roller-coaster ride that you can't get off.

There are now 11,000 multiple births each year in the country and the Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba) is a charity set up by parents of twins, triplets and higher multiples.

Founded in 1978, it's the only UK-wide organisation that directly helps tens of thousands of parents to meet the unique challenges that multiple birth families face.

Tamba wants all families with twins, triplets and more to share the same opportunities as other families, so they can enjoy their unique experiences to the full.

That's why regional groups associated with Tamba are so vital when it comes to reassuring, advising and helping parents of multiples.

Caroline Smith runs the Sunderland branch which is based at Hendon. She is a mum of twins and used the group herself when she was expecting her daughters, Sally and Eve, six years ago.

"It hadn't been running long when I first went along," she said. "It was great for me as the group gave me a lot of support.

"Being able to hear what others had been through was really reassuring.

"The group is so friendly and open and there are a number of different age ranges with varying experience.

"That's why we need more new mums to keep coming along to keep the numbers up so it can continue to help expectant parents."

The group began in May 2000 when city health visitor Margaret Swinney recognised the need for support in the city for mums of multiples.

The club meets once a month at Valley Road Community Primary School and offers parents and carers of twins the chance to get together and share stories and provide an informal network of support.

Margaret started Sunderland Twins Club as it had become obvious working as a health visitor supporting families, that advice given to a mother of a child – for example about feeding, sleep management or behavioural problems – did not transfer to the parenting of two.

The group provides the experience and support of real families, where their everyday dilemmas can be shared and learned from.

Caroline, 41, who lives in Ashbrooke, was not shocked when she found out she was expecting twins and her partner Darren Cuming laughed when he saw the scan.

She said: "It runs in the family so I wasn't surprised but still... seeing two there on the scan takes your breath away.

"Darren spotted it first and he thought it was funny. He's really laid back but I cried for a week.

"I started preparing really early once I knew and I had piles of nappies as I used to pick more up every time I went shopping. Don't leave everything to the last minute because you just won't have the time."

Caroline gave birth naturally after 24 hours in labour and left hospital two days later. She was lucky to find breast feeding a breeze. "I took to it really well and so did the babies, I breast fed for six months.

"They always fed at the same time so I had a V-shaped pillow which I put on my lap – it was a godsend.

"I've been quite lucky but I'm quite positive anyway. I just got on with it."

The group currently has 15 members but Caroline would like to get new mums to come along. She said: "The group is beneficial to everybody whether you have had your children or are expecting. It's great support network.

"Everyone always concentrates on the babies but really as a mum you need support and you need to be able to run questions by other people.

"Just knowing someone else has gone through it makes you feel better."

* The next group will be held on September 7 at Valley Road Community Primary School, Hendon, from 7pm - 9pm. For more information email casmith@rac.co.uk For more information on multiples go to www.tamba.org.uk