ust heard you’re expecting twins (or triplets or more)? Congratulations!
You may be feeling a whole range of emotions right now: excited, surprised, joyful, anxious, or uncertain. Managing the emotional rollercoaster of a multiple pregnancy may seem challenging, yet you will get through it if you take a moment to breathe, ask for help, and educate yourself on everything that lies ahead.
Seek Support Even if you’re excited about having multiples, you may also think, “How will we handle this,” or “Our life will never be the same.” But just know that these are common reactions based on fear and anxiety according to Gina Hassan, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in perinatal psychology and pregnancy support groups. These are classic fight or flight responses. Once you get past the initial shock and realize that nothing in your life has actually changed yet, you can begin to get over any anxiety you and your husband might be having.
As soon as you get the news that you’re expecting multiples, you should start seeking advice and learning as much as you can. It’ll help prepare you for their birth - and once you educate yourself on some of the unknowns, you’ll feel more confident and less anxious about the situation while excitedly anticipating the future of your family. Spend time reading books and web sites on how to take care of twins so you’ll know how to deal with issues as they arise. Soon you’ll spend less time worrying and more time planning for the fun aspects of your future arrivals.
“Many women don’t think about much beyond their delivery day,” says Elizabeth Noble, author of Having Twins and More. But even before your babies are born, you should line up additional hands to take care of your other children, do chores around the house, cook meals, and other responsibilities you may have. If you choose to breastfeed, this is even more important because you’ll be spending a lot of time feeding. Noble suggests working with friends, family, and neighbors to help draw up a formal and structured plan for the first month after the babies are born. This way there won’t be any questions about how much help you’re going to have every step of the way. Certainly everyone you know will be eager to help and to meet your newborns all at the same time.
It’s also highly recommended to join a support group for mothers of multiples either in your hometown or online. Again, this is something you can do before your babies are born. Talking to other mothers who have successfully juggled multiple infants can give you an extra vote of confidence. Advice from those who have done it before is invaluable. You’ll make friends who will be there throughout your pregnancy, after your babies are born, and when your little ones are ready for playmates. Look for a group in your area on The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs website. And ask your doctor, midwife, or doula to recommend additional resources.
Focus on the Present Moment
All of the extra tests that you have to endure as well as carrying the high-risk pregnancy label can cause a lot of anxiety and worry. But there’s a good chance you’ll have a healthy pregnancy without any complications at all. The best thing you can do is focus on your health and try not to stress over unknowns. Hassan suggests, “focusing on the present moment rather than catapulting into thinking about an uncertain future.” Think about how healthy you and your babies are right now and put faith in your doctor. You’ll visit your doctor often for additional tests that will help assure you that you’re on your way to delivering healthy multiples.
ust heard you’re expecting twins (or triplets or more)? Congratulations! 
