Twin Talks: Pregnancy and Parenting Multiple Children

Pink and Blue. That’s what we usually think of for girls and boys. But what if you have one of each? Do you have to decorate your twins' room in pink and blue? What other options are there? And how can you update their room as they become preschool and school-age kids? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many new parents of twins and higher-order multiples are consumed with the cost of childcare. Au pairs provide quality care and flexibility at an affordable rate, all while introducing your family to new and exciting cultures. So, what exactly is an au pair, and how can they help simplify your life? We’re chatting with two host moms from Au Pair in America, the nation’s first accredited au pair program, to learn how their program can be a cost-effective childcare solution, especially for families with more than one child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have been dreaming about having a homebirth when you were first planning your pregnancy. And then when you learned you were having twins, that vision may have gone out the window. Perhaps your doctor told you that delivering twins outside of a hospital is too risky. But is it? What is the real evidence for determining what is safe for you and your babies? Today we are talking with Dr. Victoria Flores, a fully licensed, obstetrically trained physician who has attended over a thousand births and about 100 out of hospital and we’re going to talk about evidence-based considerations for twin home births. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Needing a full night of quality sleep? This is literally a dream come true for many twin parents. But how do you make it happen? You may have read or heard about sleep training. What exactly is it? What are your options? And does it really work for twins and triplets, or just singletons? Parents of multiples share what works best for them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cribs, Co-sleepers, Bassinets, and Bunkbeds. With twins, there’s a lot of equipment and transitions ahead. Should you put newborns together? Keep them in your room or put them in the nursery? And when they’re older, when should you separate them? Do they need their own rooms? Our twin parents are here to talk about sleeping arrangements for twins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most newborn twins don't need to spend time in the NICU, but it's always helpful for expecting parents to be prepared- just in case. Today we're launching a new series focused on all things related to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. If this is your first trip to the NICU, what can you expect? Who are the different care providers and what are their roles? What are the typical visiting hours for the family? And what do all those crazy beeps mean coming from the equipment in the room? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labor is just like any other athletic event in that women must prepare both their minds and bodies. However, women are frequently told: “Don’t start an exercise program if you haven’t been exercising.” The misconception here lies in the definition of exercise. Muscle strength, flexibility, relaxation and proper nutrition are the other components of fitness and are vital before, during and after a woman’s twin pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your twin nursery is a special place. Not only will you be spending a lot of time in there, but it will be the place many memories are made. What are some essentials every twin mom should have in her babies' nursery? How do you make an average size room work with two babies? Plus, tips for organizing the closets and storage areas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labor is just like any other athletic event in that women must prepare both their minds and bodies. However, women are frequently told: “Don’t start an exercise program if you haven’t been exercising.” The misconception here lies in the definition of exercise. Muscle strength, flexibility, relaxation and proper nutrition are the other components of fitness and are vital before, during and after a woman’s twin pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a parent of twins, it is often difficult to know when your children's language skills are developing normally and when it's time for some outside help. Especially since multiples tend to experience a higher rate of speech and language development disorders. What are the common speech issues for twins? How do speech problems vary depending on gender? And what is a parent's role in the therapy process? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re a soon-to-be twin dad, there’s probably a million things running through your head each day, as it gets closer to The Big Day of your twins’ arrival. You probably have a long to-do list of things that your partner wants you to do and you might be anxious about how you’re going to manage all these details. You want to be supportive and well-informed, but just don’t have the time to sort through all the information out there. That’s where you need to get the low-down from a twin dad expert who can break it all down into what you need to know most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You want to travel, but is it really possible when you have young twins? How do you know when your twins are ready? How do handle eating and sleeping arrangements which may not follow your typical schedule? Our twin moms share what's worked (and what's not worked) for them when taking a road trip or flying the friendly skies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your little ones could tell you what they are really thinking and how they feel about your twin parenting strategy, what would they say? Would they tell you that they love dressing alike or absolutely hate it? Will they ever appreciate all the effort that you have put into giving them opportunities to express themselves as an individual? Today we can hit the “fast forward button” and talk to adult twins about their experience growing up and what they wished their parents knew when they were young. And we will get a professional perspective from twin expert Dr. Joan Friedman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've heard the phrase "eating for two". So if you're pregnant with twins, should you be "eating for three"? What exactly does your body need nutritionally to help with the growth and development of your babies? What are the daily caloric requirements? Plus, we'll demystify common foods that are often considered "taboo" during pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breastfeeding one baby is a challenge on its own but what about wanting to breastfeed your twins? How can husbands help support their wives who wish to breastfeed their babies? What struggles can come up and how can the husbands help navigate this feeding journey with their wives? Today we are breaking down two different breastfeeding journeys and how important it is to have your husband on board if you are wanting to breastfeed your twins, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do twins run in your family? As a twin parent, you’ve probably heard this question a million times. So, what are your chances of twinning, whether it’s through genetics or through the use of fertility treatments? Why are fraternal twins more common in families that have a history of twins? The conception of identical twins is supposed to be random, so how do we explain families with multiple sets? Today we’re breaking down your chances of twinning, and (for some parents) twinning again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you recently learned you are carrying twins, you may be a bit anxious about your pregnancy. Are many twins/triplets not discovered until the third trimester? Are you still able to have a vaginal birth if you're pregnant with twins? Is it really rare to be pregnant for the full 40 weeks? And is bedrest pretty much unavoidable? Today we're debunking some of the common myths associated with a twin pregnancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're shocked to learn you're pregnant with twins! Just as the news settles in, your doctor tells you he can no longer find a heartbeat in one of your babies. This is known as vanishing twin syndrome. What actually causes the loss of an embryo and when does it typically happen? And what could this mean for your surviving twin? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to name your twins or triplets? Where do you even start? Today we're looking at the current trends when it comes to naming your new little bundles of joy! Should you be "matchy matchy" with your names? What are some cool ways to showcase their uniqueness without overdoing it? Plus, discover what Marvel and Game of Thrones character names are really popular right now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've heard about postpartum depression and perhaps we have friends affected by it. But what about twin mamas? If you are carrying multiple babies, are you more prone to experiencing postpartum depression? What can you expect? And is there anything you can do to avoid it or perhaps minimize the risks? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices