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

The new Skip Hop Studio Tote Bag Change bag for twins

The Skip Hop Studio tote is stylish enough to pair with a little black dress, but practical enough to keep you and babies stocked for a long day at the playground. With two insulated side pockets hold babies bottles, food and sippy cups, while 12 more pockets keep your phone, wallet, keys and other personal items dry, secure and within quick reach. The Studio adjustable buggy straps attach neatly and conveniently to the handlebars of most double buggies or unclip, and Studio converts back into a tote that will look chic well past babyhood.

* 14 pockets & zip-top closure (big enough for most laptops)

* Zip pocket protected by Agion®

* Two roomy insulated side bottle pockets

* Quilted cushioned changing pad

* Water-resistant inside & out

* PVC-free, eco-friendly materials

* Snap-down front pocket lets you stash a blanket/bib underneath

* Nickel feet keep Studio off the ground & scuff-free

* Hangs neatly on a buggy & can be worn over the shoulder

* Contrasting lining makes it easy to find what you need

Dimensions 43.2 X 30.5 X 15.2 cm

The new Skip Hop Studio Tote Bag Change bag for twins

The Skip Hop Studio tote is stylish enough to pair with a little black dress, but practical enough to keep you and babies stocked for a long day at the playground. With two insulated side pockets hold babies bottles, food and sippy cups, while 12 more pockets keep your phone, wallet, keys and other personal items dry, secure and within quick reach. The Studio adjustable buggy straps attach neatly and conveniently to the handlebars of most double buggies or unclip, and Studio converts back into a tote that will look chic well past babyhood.

* 14 pockets & zip-top closure (big enough for most laptops)

* Zip pocket protected by Agion®

* Two roomy insulated side bottle pockets

* Quilted cushioned changing pad

* Water-resistant inside & out

* PVC-free, eco-friendly materials

* Snap-down front pocket lets you stash a blanket/bib underneath

* Nickel feet keep Studio off the ground & scuff-free

* Hangs neatly on a buggy & can be worn over the shoulder

* Contrasting lining makes it easy to find what you need

Dimensions 43.2 X 30.5 X 15.2 cm

timesonline - Best of Times, Worst of Times: Jackie Clune

Jackie Clune, 42, is an actress and stand-up comedian. Three years ago she gave birth to triplets: Frank, Thady and Orla. Here she recalls her shock at learning she was pregnant, and how she coped with their battle to survive

I didn’t ever think I was going to have children. It wasn’t something I yearned for. Then I met Richard and suddenly felt very settled. I had my first child, Saoirse, when I was 37 — a dream baby. Then, 11 months later, I fell pregnant again. Rather casually, I left the first scan until 14 weeks. When they told me there were three, I was absolutely horrified. But then this innate Pollyanna sensibility kicked in and I thought: “It’ll be all right.” I’m not a worrier, which is lucky, because I could have worried myself to death over this. I phoned the Twins and Multiple Birth Association. The first thing the woman said was “Congratulations, you’re a very special lady,” which appealed to the diva in me enormously.

I tottered into my appointment with a foetal medicine expert saying: “I’m having triplets! I’m special!” He then explained all the risks: placental failure, miscarriage, chromosomal abnormality, early labour and the possibility of them not surviving their first few weeks of life. After that I didn’t feel special any more: I felt like a cat producing a litter.

It took months to get my head around it. We didn’t have any money. We’d just bought a big house in north London and didn’t know how we were going to pay the mortgage. I was doing bits of stand-up, but our income was pretty low. By 20 weeks I looked full-term. By week 30 I was hiring mobility scooters at Asda.

I couldn’t get upstairs, couldn’t sit, couldn’t stand, couldn’t sleep. It was just atrocious. I begged to be delivered at 31 weeks because I couldn’t breathe.

I felt as though I had a family of labradors sitting on my chest, and it was scaring me. By the time I delivered at 35 weeks, my stomach measured 55 inches and I’d lost my sense of humour completely.

There were 20 people in the operating theatre for my caesarean. Boy number one, Frank, was whisked past me to the Nicu [neonatal intensive care unit]. Then his identical twin, Thady, disappeared. Their sister, Orla, the smallest, was fine, but by 10 o’clock that evening, 12 hours later, I still hadn’t seen the boys. I’d been told a day in the womb is equal to a week in an incubator, but it hadn’t hit me what that actually meant.

Finally, a paediatrician said the boys’ lungs were very immature and they’d both been intubated. When I eventually saw them they had wires everywhere and huge tubes stuck down their gullets. At first we were told they’d be there for a few hours, which turned into weeks. The doctors tried to take them off their respirators, but they couldn’t cope. It was days before I even touched them.

I’d shuffle round to deliver expressed breast milk, and when I came back Orla would be lying silently in the dark, which made me cry. It was as if she’d got used to the idea that she had to share me.

After a couple of weeks the boys’ nasal tubes were taken out for a few minutes to let me breast-feed. Then, one day when I’d just fed Thady, I turned round to pick up Frank and I heard a nurse behind me say: “Call a doctor!”

In those seconds Thady had stopped breathing and was changing colour from pink to blue. He was rushed away and I watched as if it were an episode of ER.

It felt like an out-of-body experience.

I’d felt guilty I hadn’t bonded with the boys, but in that instant I was so upset and shocked and shaken, the floodgates of maternal love opened. The Nicu was a place of extraordinary emotional extremes. One night, a mum lost a baby. I was awake and heard her screaming, and In the morning the cot next to Frank’s was empty. The other extreme was the baby born on Christmas Day weighing under 500 grams. He’d been there five months and I never once saw anyone visit. A nurse said: “Sometimes the mothers never come back.”

When I brought them home, people said: “How will you manage three newborns and a toddler?” But having a five-year-old and three three-year-olds is much harder. I’ve also done a few big runs: Mamma Mia! when they were seven months old, and now Billy Elliot, and I’m pathologically tired. The boys battle constantly. It can’t be easy having a brother who looks just like you and who has the toy you want. I’ve tried to be a bit existential about it, but you still want to brain them. When I was pregnant they were all crunched together, nose to cheek, elbows sticking in each other’s bums, and they’re still like that — they move in a huddle, battling like mad. Thady is the most difficult. He screams and cries and throws himself on the floor and it’s hard not to get wound up — he really does push you over the edge. But somehow I’m able to take a step back, because everything that happened informs my relationship with him. I remember the day I saw him nearly die and something in me goes: “It’s okay. He’s having a tantrum, but he’s here.”

Jackie Clune is now appearing as Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot: The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London

dailyrecord - Mum blasts bus company after being told baby triplets can't ride for free

A MUM who was told she must pay to take one of her baby triplets on a bus has accused bosses of discrimination.
Carolyn Armstrong says she was "outraged" when drivers told her only two children under five could travel free.
They refused to back down even though the family do not use a single seat and Carolyn already pays for six-year-old son Euan.
Full-time mum Carolyn, 43, parks her double buggy in the wheelchair bay at the front of the bus and stands with the third triplet in a carrier on her back.
She gets off the bus if a wheelchair user requires the space.
But she says the only reply she has received to her complaints from Lothian Buses - in which Edinburgh City Council are the major shareholders - has been a copy of their policy.
Most other firms, including First Bus, say drivers are encouraged to use discretion when it comes to babies. They say mothers need not pay unless the children are occupying seats.
Former British Airways purser Carolyn, from Corstorphine, Edinburgh, said her husband Ricky, 49, a finance manager for Alliance Boots Pharmacies, often works away.
That leaves her to cope with 21-month-old triplets Ben, Laura and Grace and Euan alone.
She said: "I have always used the bus to get into the city centre - the number 26. But when I took the triplets I was shocked to be asked to pay extra money.
"I pay for Euan. If my babies were walking about and sitting on seats then I would have no problem paying for them too.
"But two stay in the double buggy while I have the other baby in a backpack on my back while I stand. They don't charge if you have a rucksack on your back.
"It is hard enough being in charge of triplet babies and I find myself limited in what I can do and where we can go now.
"I've written to Lothian Buses on several occasions but they just quote their policy. Some of the drivers have been quite rude."
She added that the firm's policy was "blatant discrimination".
A spokesman for Lothian Buses said: "Our conditions clearly state two children under the age of five can travel free with every full farepaying passenger. Additional children pay the child fare of 60p."
A spokeswoman for the Twins and Multiple Births Association said: "This is shocking. It is difficult enough to get out when you have twins, triplets or more in the first place."

mirror - Meet the Quains* (ER, THAT'S QUADS WHO ARE ALSO TWINS..)

These two sets of twins are doubly special - they are also quads.
Ivf tots Andrew and Sienna were born to Karen Wesolowski, and Sophia and Alex to lesbian partner Martha Padgett. All four babies were conceived from Martha's eggs.
Just as unusually both gave birth on the same day. They opted for the double IVF as Karen, 42, had suffered three years of failures. Once Martha, 38, had her eggs fertilised with donor sperm, each woman got two embryos to boost their chances.
Martha, a nurse who already has a 10-year-old daughter, said: "We just wanted one baby. But when the doctor said we were both pregnant, we could hardly contain ourselves."
The couple, of Riverside, California, got a bigger shock when they learnt within a month how many tots were on the way.
Martha said: "We knew from research we'd done that there was a chance but we laughed it off. Once we heard four heartbeats we thought, 'Oh my God, we're going to have quads!' We couldn't believe it."
The final amazing coincidence came as both gave birth within 22 hours of each other. The non-identical tots, a year old next month, are all healthy.
Karen said: "We have four babies who are all brothers and sisters. Our family is complete." Keith Reed of the UK Twins and Multiple Births Association admitted: "This is very unusual."
Baby boom
The odds of having a multiple birth without IVF is just two per cent. But with IVF the risk rockets to 25 per cent.
Large family
The largest surviving multiple birth is the McCaughey septuplets born in Iowa, USA, in 1997 to Kenny and Bobbi.

National Research Strategy demanded to tackle premature baby deaths

The largest cause of infant mortality in the UK requires urgent government action, a leading scientist will tell MPs, Weds 16th July 2008. In a speech due to be given at the House of Commons, Professor Michael Taggart, Chair of Reproductive Sciences at Newcastle University will call on the government to develop the UK’s first, 10-year National Research Strategy to tackle premature birth.
Professor Taggart’s comments will be made at the launch of the charity Action Medical Research’s report, The Tiny Lives Charter, which argues that long term government support is needed to improve understanding of the causes of premature birth and find ways to reduce it. The report pulls together the views of leading medical experts, researchers, and professional and parent organisations. The call is also backed by a cross-party group of nearly 50 MPs.
Each year in the UK an estimated 50,000 babies are born prematurely — before 37 weeks of pregnancy (1,2,a). Each week more than 25 babies die as a result of complications arising from premature birth, the largest cause of infant mortality in the UK (3-5,b-c).
There are current government policies that focus on reducing infant mortality rates by tackling health inequalities and addressing known risk factors, as well as initiatives to continue to improve services. However, none focuses exclusively on the role of medical research in tackling premature birth.
Dr Yolande Harley, Deputy Director of Research at Action Medical Research explains: “Despite improved care for newborn babies there has been no corresponding progress in reducing the rates of premature birth. Many babies still die and those who survive are at risk of lifelong health conditions.”
“The causes and potential risk factors are not well understood and diagnosis of preterm labour is difficult. Evidence suggests that women with no obvious risk factors, particularly first-time mothers, deliver as many as half of all premature babies.”
The report, part of the charity’s ongoing STAND UP for Tiny Lives Campaign, argues that a National Research Strategy focused on improving understanding of the causes of premature birth could help lead to the development of targeted measures to reduce infant mortality and improve child health.
Prof Michael Taggart said: “While high-quality research groups are active across the country much of their efforts are happening in relative isolation, impeding progress. We need to build on existing research and foster greater collaboration within the scientific and clinical community backed by government, the pharmaceutical industry and the charity sector.
Fiona Currie, whose daughter Lauren died as a result of infection following premature birth, said: “Premature birth can happen to any family. Until doctors have all the information they need to be able to deal with this problem families will continue to be torn apart. We need to know why premature birth happens.” - ends -
Notes to editor Both Professor Michael Taggart, Chair of Reproductive Sciences at Newcastle University and Fiona Currie are available for interview
2) For further information please contact the Action Medical Research press team on 01403 327 478 or via email patrick@action.org.uk
3) Copies of the report; “The Tiny Lives Charter - a cross-party call to tackle premature birth” are available at http://www.standupfortinylives.org/download/ - using the password standuptlc
4) The STAND UP for Tiny Lives Campaign is calling on the Department of Health (DH) and Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) to commission an independent Premature Birth Inquiry to lead to the development of the UK’s first 10 year National Research Strategy for tackling premature birth.
5) http://www.standupfortinylives.orgwww.standupfortinylives.org/map/ shows the names of the MPs already backing the campaign.
6) Organisations backing the STAND UP for Tiny Lives Campaign:
The British Association of Perinatal Medicine — www.bapm.org European Parturition Group - http://www.bristol.ac.uk/clinicalsciencesouth/eptlg/ * NCT (formerly the National Childbirth Trust) — www.nct.org.uk/campaigns Neonatal Nurse Association — www.nna.org.uk Neonatal Society — www.neonatalsociety.org.uk TAMBA — www.tamba.org.uk Scottish Neonatal Nurses Group — www.snng.org.uk
7) Fast facts There are around 700,000 live births in the UK each year (1) An estimated 50,000 babies are born prematurely each year in the UK (1,2,a) Each year, almost 1500 babies die in the UK as a result of complications arising from premature birth (3-5, b-c) Each week, more than 25 babies die in the UK as a result of complications arising from premature birth (3-5, b-c) About 40% of the babies dying each year in the UK, die as a result of complications arising from premature birth (3-5, b-c) An estimated 70,000 babies in the UK each year require some sort of special care when they are born (1,6) The combined government spend on research into premature birth was £5 million for 2005/6 (7). This figure covers both the Department of Health and Medical Research Council. The spend for 2006/07 was £6.6 million from the Medical Research Council (8). References 1. Office for National Statistics. Health Statistics Quarterly 35 (Autumn 2007), Table 2.1 2. The Information Centre, Community Health Statistics. NHS Maternity Statistics, England: 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 3. ONS: Health Statistics Quarterly 28 (Winter 2005), 32 (Winter 2006), 36 (Winter 2007) 4. General Register Office for Scotland, Vital Events Reference Tables 2006 5. Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Registrar General Annual Report 2006 6. Department of Health. Report of the Neonatal Intensive Care Services Review Group. April 2003. 7. Dawn Primarolo MP to Julie Kirkbride MP. Hansard. 8 October 2007. 8. Letter from Ann Keen MP to Simon Moore, Chief Executive, Action Medical Research — copy available. Received June 2008.
Footnotes a. Estimate assumes incidence of premature birth is the same for the UK overall as it is for England b. For England and Wales, deaths listed as due to “immaturity related conditions” c. For Scotland and Northern Ireland, deaths listed as due to “disorders related to length of gestation and fetal growth”
Notes to Editors
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BBC - Twins see double at birthday bash

Hundreds of twins have gathered in Berkshire to mark the 30th anniversary of the Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA).
Reading Twins Club held its annual summer party at Beale Park on Sunday to coincide with the occassion.
Two birthday cakes were cut by the oldest and youngest pair of twins in attendance.
Janet Avdiu, mum of babies Tom and Dan, said: "It's hard work but I wouldn't change it."
Lisa Kelly of the Reading Twins Club, said the organisation helped battle negativity.
"It's really difficult when you first have twins," she said.
"Everyone is really negative about it - double trouble.
"That does make it hard but we support each other."
Reading Twins Club was formed 15 years ago to support parents of multiples.

dailymail - Twins sent to different primary schools a mile apart as council refuses to consider their 'special bond'

They have been side-by-side since before birth, and have so far done everything together.
But on their first day at school, Connor and Brad Terry might have to go it alone, after authorities ordered the three-year-old twins to attend different primaries.
Connor was given the last remaining place at their mother Samantha's first choice of school, and his brother has to go to a school one mile away.
Separated at three: Samantha Terry's twins Brad and Connor will start school in September but have been put in different schools
Miss Terry, 40, is battling to overturn the decision she fears will 'devastate' the small boys. Born 24 minutes apart, Connor and Brad are virtually inseparable. Their mother said: 'I was on hot coals waiting to hear where the boys would be placed in their first schools.
'I wouldn't mind not getting my first choice - but to read they would go to completely different schools - I just thought there was some mistake.
"I chose that school because the boys go to a nursery on the same complex.
"For pure continuity reasons I wanted the children to go there, plus it is an excellent school, I just assumed they would notice the boys were twins."I don't think that is too much to ask. Maybe I was naive but I just thought the education authority would realise they had two boys with the same surname, address and date of birth.
"Connor is very dependent on people and routine and set ways, Brad is a little more independent, I don't know how this would affect their emotional growth.
'When I was told it was not a mistake I was horrified. I cannot consider the consequences of separating the twins at such a tender age.'

Single mum Samantha wanted both Connor and Brad to go to Wainscott Primary School in Medway
Miss Terry, of Rochester, Kent, says there was no space on the application form to note a child is one of a twin pair. As a result Connor and Brad - who she wants to go to Wainscott Primary School, in Medway - were processed separately.
Connor claimed the last place while Brad was assigned to Hilltop Primary School, a 15-minute walk away.
Miss Terry, an accountant who also has a son of 20, said: 'I cannot be in two places at the same time.'
She must attend an appeal later this month to contest Medway Council's decision.
Keith Reed, chief executive of the charity, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, warned of the dangers of separating the twins.
He said: 'During the early years, there tends to be a strong bond between twins, triplets or higher multiples and separating them against their will could potentially have a negative impact on their behavioural and emotional development.'
"Other local authorities have introduced simple measures to overcome these difficulties, such as calling multiple birth families to explore their choices prior to formally sending out the results.
"Clearly the council needs to reconsider how its application process impacts on multiple birth families and seek to make improvements.
"If it feels that it is tied by legislation then it should raise the problem with the relevant Government Minister - but doing nothing is inexcusable."
Torn: Connor got the last place at Wainscott Primary, while Brad has been ordered to go to Hilltop Primary School, which is a 15-minute walk from his brother
A Medway council spokesman said the 30 places at Wainscott Primary were filled according to guidelines for over-subscribed schools.
These give priority to children with older siblings already at the school, and to those who live closest.
Brad was 31st on the list, and to give him a place 'would have denied another child with a right to a place', the spokesman said.
'The circumstances are extremely rare, and changing the application form to indicate twins or multiple births would not have prevented the same outcome,' he said.