The Sheer Shock of a Twin Takeover
You’ve been twinned! How’d you take it? Did you suspect it all along or where you totally bamboozled? These days with the rise of assisted reproductive technology (A.R.T.) and other twin factors (older maternal age, familial line, etc.), many more people are less than surprised to find that they are having twins.
Yet, there are still plenty of folks who are completely caught off guard with the arrival of their dynamic duo.
One TwinGo family found out they were having twins when they were living half way around the world! Jessica and her husband Patrick had a 3-year-old boy and a 1 ½ year old girl. They were considering going for that third child as they began preparations to move to Virginia on the heels of an overseas assignment. Jessica goes on to explain:
“Once I discovered I was pregnant, I decided to hurry and schedule an ultrasound prior to traveling back to the United States in case there was a problem with my pregnancy. I had to beg my husband to come to the ultrasound. He was confident I could handle it as it was not our first rodeo, but I was scared something was wrong because I felt so terribly sick. He assured me I was fine and he joked that he was more concerned about twins than a problem with the baby. When we arrived at my appointment, the look on the doctor’s face as he moved the ultrasound device around my belly had me concerned. He then explained that I was feeling so much worse this pregnancy because there were TWO babies. I couldn’t believe it. My husband and I stared at the ultrasound screen in shock and I teared up a little. The day after that I headed onto a plane by myself with the children to visit my parents. Upon arrival at the airport, I showed my mom (a nurse) the ultrasound. She looked puzzled and then it clicked. She couldn’t believe it either. Those first few days felt unreal.”
Jessica and her family have adjusted to life as a family of six and haven’t looked back. “The initial shock comes with feelings of inadequacy and worry about the logistics, but once that passes you realize you can do it. Now we couldn’t imagine our lives without our double trouble dudes. Babywearing saved us in those early days.” Jessica reports.
Jessica found out at her first scan, but it’s surprising how many families get the double dose of news much later in their pregnancies. Some babies manage to hide in just the right spot on those early ultrasounds, and don’t pop up until the anatomy scan at around 20 weeks.
Twinniversity got the scoop on some moms with mid-pregnancy surprises. Check out KC’s story:
“It really amazes me that this happens as much as it does. Missed ours on early ultrasound then several Dopplers only heard one heartbeat. Found out it was twins at gender scan at 18 weeks. Complete shock. Also found out they were identical and thought I was going to lose my mind. Felt like I won the mega millions that day. Sheer exhaustion from sheer joy and shock. We had one heck of a gender reveal party that turned into a twin reveal party.”
Even more surprising is that there are still cases where people are shocked by twins at the delivery. Just last year a mom from Savannah, Georgia was surprised at the birth of her twins. Can you imagine that delivery room announcement!
Savannah Mom Shocked with Twins from HIS Radio on Vimeo.
And if the twin announcement at birth isn't shocking enough, this next story takes the cake. Nia and Robert Tolbert of Maryland had a 6-year-old and 2-year-old twins. When Nia went in for her ultrasound of their last baby, she wasn't expecting multiples again because her twins were identical which is an anomaly. Her ultrasound then revealed she was having TRIPLETS! She took a few days to digest the news before she gave her husband a gift bag with a card that said "Please accept this gift from me and God." What are the chances of that?
We've had fun sharing these shocking twin stories. Do remember that not everyone is going to be immediately delighted at the news of twins. Everyone will take in the twinformation differently, and it's okay if it takes you time to adjust to doubling your family size in one fell swoop. What about you? Were you surprised by twins? We'd love to hear and maybe even share your story. Give us the scoop!
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