Pamela Fierro - The Everything Twins, Triplets, And More Book: From Seeing The First Sonogram To Coordinating Nap Times And Feedings — All You Need To Enjoy Your Multiples

The

EVERYTHING

Twins, Triplets, and More Book

Dear Reader:

Finding out I was having twins was certainly a big surprise. After I recovered from the shock, my feelings fluctuated from nauseating despair (or was that morning sickness?) to giddy elation. I was desperately anxious to discover how I'd actually manage to care for two babies simultaneously. At that time, there were very few books that realistically conveyed the experience of a twin pregnancy, much less prepared parents for the challenge of raising multiples once they arrived.

This is the book that I would have wanted to read prior to the birth of my twin daughters. It informs rather than alarms, preparing you to face your future with multiples. First-time parents will be relieved to know that, in some ways, managing more than one is actually easier than singletons of different ages! Established parents will discover how to accommodate the unique demands of multiples while integrating the new additions into their existing lifestyle.

Every aspect of having twins has exceeded my expectations. However, the biggest surprise has been the joy I've experienced along the way. Certainly, my husband and I have seen our share of double drudgery, with hectic days followed by sleepless nights. But as with many things in life, the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. The love that you give to your multiples will be returned to you exponentially.

Welcome to the EVERYTHINGSeries!

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You can choose to read an Everything book from cover to cover or just pick out the information you want from our four useful boxes: e-questions, e-facts, e-alerts, and e-ssentials.

We give you everything you need to know on the subject, but throw in a lot of fun stuff along the way, too.

We now have more than 400 Everything books in print, spanning such wide-ranging categories as weddings, pregnancy, cooking, music instruction, foreign language, crafts, pets, New Age, and so much more. When youre done reading them all, you can finally say you know Everything!

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DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITIONS AND INNOVATION Paula Munier

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Visit the entire Everything series at www.everything.com

THE

EVERYTHING

TWINS, TRIPLETS, and MORE BOOK

From seeing the first sonogram to coordinating nap times and feedingsall you need to enjoy your multiples

Pamela Fierro

Adams Media

Avon, Massachusetts

To Brian, my true companion, for loving me no matter what.

Copyright 2005, F+W Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.

Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.

57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.

www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-59337-326-0

ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-326-9

Printed in the United States of America.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fierro, Pamela.

The everything twins, triplets, and more book / Pamela Fierro.

p. cm.

(Everything series book)

ISBN 1-59337-326-0

1. Multiple birthPopular works. 2. Multiple pregnancyPopular works. I. Title. II. Series: Everything series.

RG696.F54 2005

618.25--dc22

2005009555

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

The Everything Twins, Triplets, and More Book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. In light of the complex, individual, and specific nature of health problems, this book is not intended to replace professional medical advice. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are intended to supplement, not replace, the advice of a trained medical professional. Consult your physician before adopting the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.

For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.

Contents

Acknowledgments

I must accord a special acknowledgement to my two extraordinary daughters, Lauren Marissa and Meredith Rebecca, whose arrival introduced me to the amazing world of twins and multiples.

Thanks to Barb Doyen and Kate Burgo for presenting me with the opportunity to write about this topic. I'd also like to thank the professionals who shared their time and expertise with me: Dr. David G. Oelberg, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School and Director of the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine; Robin Elise Weiss, BA, LCCE, ICCE-CPE, CD (DONA), author of The Everything Pregnancy Fitness Book and The Everything Getting Pregnant Book; and my fellow guide writers at About.com. In addition, I am very appreciative of all the mothers of multiples who shared their personal experiences with me, especially Chris Wingard, Denise Anderson, Cindy Mayfield, Suzie Chafin, Mary Ann Magnant, and Mamie Dyer.

Finally, I am eternally grateful to the friends and family members who supported me with prayer and loving care of my children while I worked on this book.

Top Ten Myths and Misconceptions About Multiples

1. Multiples usually skip a generation.

2. Fraternal twins are always a boy and a girl.

3. Twins with two placentas must be fraternal twins.

4. You have to buy two (or three, or more) of everything for your multiple babies.

5. All multiples must be born by cesarean section.

6. Having two kids close in age is the same as having twins.

7. Having twins is twice as hard, and triplets make it three times as hard, for parents.

8. Identical twins always look exactly alike.