Feeding — 1 comment
15
May 13

I’m back!

Hi guys,

My beautiful not so little family and I are doing brilliantly. The girls are keeping us busy but are just perfect.

I’ll be restarting my blog now as the girls are three months old, a slight air of normality is creeping in at home and I seem to have relocated my marbles-ish!!!

Having a new born is difficult. I remember thinking everything was such a challenge with Caspar but with two, wow, different ball game!

I planned to breastfeed the girls for about three to six months but admitted defeat after six weeks! It was a real challenge this time round. Because the girls were premature they weren’t strong enough to latch and I had to express my milk. We had a house full of builders so I was confined to one room. If I wasn’t pumping milk, I was feeding the girls with bottles (with breast milk) or changing them.

The thought of leaving the house seemed scary as it would involve a hurried mission before I had to be back home to pump more milk. So I kind of didn’t leave the house for six weeks, I didn’t answer my phone, I didn’t talk to anyone…I actually think I had a mild form of postnatal depression. I was putting so much pressure on myself to breastfeed but the girls still wouldn’t latch on and the pumping all became a little too much.

As I said the girls are now three months old and we really are lucky. They are amazing, super chilled little babies. They settle really easily at night (bathed and in bed for 7pm) and are starting to sleep for longer periods. Obviously I’d love them to be sleeping through the night but they’re not yet and that’s ok as they are healthy gorgeous little creatures who make my heart melt with every smile.

We’re obviously exhausted. My husband and I resemble cavemen most of the time – all mad hair and  grunts but we’re happy cavemen! There’s a real element of guilt involved with twins though.  With Caspar, I called him velcro baby as he was constantly stuck to my chest but with two, you just can’t do that.  I’m on my own a lot as my husband is working through the day and sometimes it’s so difficult to divide your attention evenly. If one’s being moany, they get your attention and the one that’s happy and chilled sort of doesn’t. It’s enough to tear your heart in two at times but we’re getting there – slowly but surely. I’ll be doing regular blogs from now on so you can keep up with my progress. Big  kisses x

 

Editor’s note
If you have a baby up to 18 months old or are expecting, why not sign up for our free NHS baby emails.

Uncategorized — 2 comments
08
Mar 13

I’ll be back soon!

I’ve had my hands full since  the girls were born in late January. However, I wanted to let you all know that I’ll be blogging again very soon – so watch this space!

Uncategorized — 3 comments
24
Jan 13

Jenny has given birth to twin baby girls

Jenny gave birth to twin girls Nico and Blake on Sunday 20th January. Both mother and babies are doing well. Here’s the picture Jenny posted on Twitter:

Jenny Frost's twin baby girls

“They are perfect … tiny but perfect!”

 

Birth / emotions / Pregnancy — 5 comments
11
Jan 13

A bit of a scare

Hi guys, I’ve had a bit of a scare this week but everything’s ok so panic over. I basically fell down a few stairs, landed quite badly and then didn’t feel any movement from the baby on my right side, which is the side I landed on.

There’s normally lots and lots of movement on both sides. I started to think the worst and panic. So we went to the doctor’s for a scan and he told me that one of the girls has moved position. Now both sets of wriggly kicking legs and pesky toes are on the same lower left side. I burst out crying with relief when I heard both their little heartbeats. We know we shouldn’t think the worst but when you’re pregnant and hormonal, it’s easy to get paranoid. You should always just ask your midwife or doctor if you have any worries or concerns – that’s what they’re there for and they’re always more than happy to help put your mind at rest.

Jenny Frost heavily pregnant

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7 months / Birth / Pregnancy — 4 comments
03
Jan 13

What will it be like giving birth to twins?

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy Healthy New Year to you all!

I went for an ultrasound scan this week. The girls now weigh about 3lb 7oz (about 1.5 kilos) each. Both are head up and looking, as the doctor said, “a little too comfy and unlikely to turn”. So it seems I’m heading for a caesarean section, which I really didn’t want. The doctor said they’ll confirm one way or the other at 35 weeks, which is three weeks away. Fingers crossed for some baby gymnastics from the girls!

But for now…cue me foolishly looking online as to what actually happens with a twin C-section. Why do we do these things to ourselves!

I’m fully aware I’m having two babies. I’m excited about having two little girls to complete (Yes, complete. Something’s getting snipped or tied.) our family… BUT I’m not sure it’s actually sunk in and I’m rather worried about my reaction in the hospital.

When I think about giving birth I think about my experience with Caspar, who’s now five. I had a copious amount of gas and air, and an epidural and it really wasn’t that bad. Or maybe time and my immense love for him has just made me view it through rose tinted spectacles. But anyway the main factor being it was one baby!

Pushing two out seems incredibly daunting. But at least while pushing it would give me the opportunity to realise: “Right, that’s one out. Here comes baby girl number 2!” With a C-section, it’s going to be (God willing) so fast that it’s sort of “ok, here’s one baby”, and then BOOSH!, a minute later, “here’s another!”

I honestly think I may pass out with the shock!

So I’m going to keep watching the videos online that scare the heck out of me, in the vain hope that it may prepare me for what’s to come or rather who’s to come. Then I can stop paddling or wading in that big river in Egypt!

Things that have driven me bonkers this week:

  • Going to the toilet. Can’t stop peeing! It’s actually beyond a joke how many times I go to the loo all day and all night. Annoying and boring! Then, because of my massively interrupted sleep, I’m like a zombie the following day and no chance of a snooze as Caspar is off school until 9th of January. Until then I have resigned myself to having bags under my eyes and a distinct lack of personality.
  • Backache/sciatica… To say my back has been sore this week is the understatement of the century. It’s been agony. It’s so bad that I can’t stand up straight sometimes. Whoever said pregnancy is a beautiful thing was either a man, drunk or very lucky!
  • Acid reflux… I’ve had the worst acid reflux but it was especially awful on Xmas day. It was my own fault though as I had a huge dinner and then lay down. My tummy was so painful and I just kept doing really pathetic little burps that burnt like anything. So I took some antacids and did the most ridiculous comedy bellowing burp (a bit like the one Buddy does at the dinner table in the film Elf!) and felt so much better… sexy, not! My husband thought it was very funny but if you’ve experienced it, I think you’ll agree that Acid reflux sucks!
  • People touching/rubbing my belly… My name is Jennifer Frost, I’m 34 and I have a severe belly button phobia.

The fact that my belly button has popped out fills me with fear and loathing. I hate it. It actually makes me feel really nauseous. So as you can imagine, I can’t touch it myself – let alone anyone else. But when you’re pregnant, people think it’s ok to rub your tummy. It’s not! I am not a buddha. Rubbing my tummy will not bring you good luck. In fact, possibly the opposite – if I lash out and give you a black eye by accident because you’ve touched my belly button.

So for the record, if you didn’t put the babies in there or you’re not going to take them out, stop touching my belly. I’m not being precious, I just really hate belly buttons!

Right, that’s my moan done. This week I have loved starting to get the girls’ room ready. After five years of sea-life creatures and dinosaurs, it’s lovely doing something girly!

We’ve decided to put them in the same room for now and then play it by ear -  although they’ll be in Moses baskets in our room for the first months.

I’m reading two baby books at the moment which both say the complete opposite about whether twins should sleep together. There’s so much conflicting advice out there so we’ll just take each day as it comes and do what feels right for us. I think it’s best to take bits of everyone’s advice and make it work for you by following your gut instinct or mother’s intuition.

Have a fantastic week and let’s raise a glass of something non-alcoholic to a happy and healthy 2013!

  • Editor’s note
    If you want to find out more about giving birth, here are a couple of short videos: one is about your birth options if you’re expecting twins or more; the other is on different types of pain relief for labour.

    How will my twin or multiple births be managed?
    YouTube Preview Image

    What pain relief will be available in labour?
    YouTube Preview Image

Pregnancy — 4 comments
19
Dec 12

Carry on in the bedroom!

I am a rampant sex goddess. Well at least I am in my dreams – my very naughty pregnancy dreams where I’m an agile, flexible, sexy minx.

The reality is unfortunately somewhat different. The mind is willing, very willing but the body is basically unable.

I know after speaking to the majority of my friends that they just couldn’t be bothered with anything in the bedroom other than snoozing when they were pregnant. My husband and I are still newlyweds and generally can’t keep our hands off each other…but sex when you’re 7.5 months pregnant with twins is just uncomfortable and most of the time like something from a Carry On film. Between the leg cramps, sciatica and the acid reflux it’s not what I was going for.

From what I gather most of us fall into two categories when pregnant. Really horny or “Keep that thing away from me!”. So for now I guess we’ll just carry on in the bedroom!

I went for a scan today and all is well in Babyville. Both girls are a really good size. One was snoozing and hiding her face and the other  as usual put on a full performance for the cameras. She had her leg right up past her face. It looks so squashed in there. I’d hate to be a twin – I really like my own space!

The doctor gave me a prescription for some extra magnesium to try and ease the leg cramps and eye twitches which is good as all the dads on the school run think I’m winking at them!

Emotionally this week I’ve been suspiciously stable but I won’t hold my breath as I’m sure the bonkers hormonal nut job will be back any day…   Have a good week!

Jenny Frost

Pregnancy — 2 comments
13
Dec 12

Make mine a double!

There was a time in my life when the word double meant a big night out.

I’ll have a double vodka, lime & soda please…But now the word double means something very different and it seems I can’t escape it!

  • double buggy
  • double electric breast pump
  • double play mat

The double list is endless and if one more person says “ooh twins, double trouble,” I might actually explode!

So time to face my new found fear and aversion to all things double, starting with going shopping for a double buggy or travel system as they’re called.

The only thing I knew is that I definitely didn’t want a side by side buggy as they just make me think of stressed out mums trying to squeeze through narrow doorways or just generally being in people’s way. So after pushing, prodding, collapsing and reassembling several prams to no avail, the very helpful shop assistant lady said: “Are you sure you don’t want to look at any side by side ones?”

“No thanks, I just really don’t like them,” I said. Then the voice of reason, my husband, suggested we just look – so I did and I fell in love with the first side by side one I looked at. So my first lesson in shopping for twins or babies in general is to be open minded. I was so sure I knew what I wanted but ended up with the complete opposite.

Also on my double shopping list is a double electric breast pump, which if the many books I’m reading now are to be believed is the key to successfully breastfeeding twins. I didn’t use one of these with Caspar (my son) – they look a little scary but if it’s going to make life easier, I’ll give it a go!

So what else is happening this week apart from a lot of shopping?

Well the usual lack of sleep. I bought one of those sleep pillows which I loved with my first pregnancy. Not so much this time, doesn’t seem to be working. I’m more comfy when I just stuff regular bed pillows all around me. Three normally does the trick. But when I do fall asleep, it’s not for long. These two babies in my belly are beyond wriggly. Full on Kung Fu fighting pests!

My hubby and I can just sit and watch my belly for hours. It’s incredible how much they move. You can feel little bits although I think everything’s an elbow…yeah that’s an elbow…that one was definitely an elbow…yep, elbow…you get the drift.

I’m also suffering badly with sciatica and restless leg syndrome which makes it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep.

And it doesn’t help when I can hear our dog Fernando snoring very loudly downstairs!

Emotionally this week I’ve been a bit all over the place. I’m normally very secure in my relationship but lately I’ve been verging on paranoid. And it’s nothing my husband has done or not done. I’m fully aware it’s all in my head but I’ve been a slightly mental green eyed monster – oops!

I also had a day last week when I burst into tears about 5 times because I was so happy. When you compare it to the previous day when I accused my husband of keeping secrets from me, I think you’ll agree…bonkers!!!

And finally before I shoot off, well hobble off…a huge congratulations to Prince William and Kate – such lovely exciting news!

I feel for Kate. I’m not sure of the degree of sickness she’s experiencing but to be hospitalised it must be rather severe. I suffered very badly with morning sickness this pregnancy from 6 weeks up to 5 months and had to be put on medication to keep food down. But it’s not just the physical symptoms. It’s meant to be such a happy time, yet it’s difficult to feel happy when you just feel so rotten 24/7.

And if someone hasn’t had sickness to that degree, they don’t understand. I found it quite frustrating when people would say “yeah, I had that,” and then look at you like you’re being dramatic. Trust me, we’re not!

I had sickness with Caspar but was still able to function with daily life but the sickness I had this time was horrendous. So big positive kisses and thoughts to Kate and I promise it will pass and it does get better!

Have a great week. x

  •  Editor’s note
    If you’re also expecting, you may find this video useful.

    What do I need to buy or borrow for my newborn?
    YouTube Preview Image

7 months / Pregnancy — 6 comments
10
Dec 12

7 months pregnant – the twins are wriggling like disco dancers

I’m 7 months pregnant now….so what have you missed? Well quite a lot really. Complete joy and elation when finding out I was pregnant after trying for 6 months. I was walking round on cloud 9 feeling very smug with our little secret! Then at around 6 weeks it all started to feel very odd!! I felt weird, very different to how I felt with Caspar (now 5). The doctor very kindly told me it was because I was (cough, splutter) older!!! I’m 34 not 64!!

In the next couple of days I started bleeding on and off but got told by the doctor not to worry unless it got worse…easier said than done. The bleeding did get worse and I went back to the doctor’s where a scan showed it was twins! (Apparently it’s normal to bleed a little with twins).  I’m going to be honest…I wasn’t overjoyed with the news. In fact I went into complete shock.

The next 3 weeks were a bit of a blur. My poor husband Vinnie didn’t know what to do or say for the best. I was functioning normally when Caspar was around but as soon as I didn’t have to act I went all quiet.

Looking back I think I had a form of depression – I was kind of in mourning for the life I had planned which had now been turned upside down by the news it was twins. I’m a bit of a control freak too and felt like this huge life changing event was completely out of my control.

Looking ahead, nothing seemed simple – everything seemed like it was going to be a mission.

And in the middle of all these mixed emotions and guilt for feeling this way about my unborn babies – or one of them anyway – came the most aggressive morning sickness ever.

I was in Ibiza where the average daily temp in July and August was 34 degrees. The heat + sickness = torture!!!

I strongly advise anyone who has morning sickness and a holiday in the sun planned to postpone until the sickness passes or you won’t enjoy it.
I literally spent July, August and most of September either with my head in the loo or sat in an air conditioned room. Not quite the summer in Ibiza I had planned!

The only thing I could eat and keep down was Salt & Vinegar square crisps and then late at night I’d send Vin out for chips and gravy – not really that random for a Northerner. I did manage to keep my pregnancy vitamins down by taking them just before I fell asleep. This worked most nights but some nights I’d wake up and be sick soon after.

Anyway enough doom and gloom…I’m now 7 months pregnant and super excited to be having twins. The sickness has well passed and I’m eating like a horse. That pregnancy glow still eludes me and I’m definitely not full of energy but I’m happy!!

And the babies are full on disco dancers who never stop wriggling. Twin girls. Non identical disco dancers!!!

It’s an amazing feeling when you feel your baby move – but I can’t think too much about it as it’s still a little scary with 2 babies in my belly – you’ve got to admit, it is a bit strange!!!!

I’ve been having lots and lots and lots of Braxton Hicks which I call Branston Pickles and have been told by the doctor to …
…not under any circumstances lift anything heavy and to lie down for 2 hours in the middle of the day.

Easier said than done when you have a bonkers, piggy back loving 5 year old & you’re in the middle of a total house renovation. I know rubbish timing but it needed doing before those pesky girls arrive!!

Right so that’s us up to speed. I’ll be doing my blog twice a week from now on so join me for general pregnancy moans and hopefully some nice bits too. x