Support Groups for Twin & Multiple Families
Related Page: Advice about Twins
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Expecting twins! support groups?
Feb 2007
My wife and I recently relocated back to the Bay area from the East coast. We just learned that we are expecting twins! While we're both extremely excited, we're somewhat anxious about what's in store for us. Are there any kinds of support groups for parents of twins? Any information or recommended resources would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks! FK
Check out Twins by the Bay: http://www.twinsbythebay.homestead.com/ They have a new and expecting parents support group.
Greetings, I'm sure you will receive responses re: Twins By the Bay (http://www.homestead.com/twinsbythebay/)- a great resource. Also, Karen Pollack offers twin support groups called ''DoubleTalk.'' For more info. see www.doubletalkfortwins.com or call Karen at 925 330-5660. I hear a lot of positive feedback about her groups. All my best, Lee
I'm sure you'll get dozens of replies on this one. Twins by the Bay is a fantastic support organization for parents of twins. It is run by volunteers. Their website is: http://www.homestead.com/twinsbythebay/
There is a support meeting every other week that meets at 9:30am in Montclair. The next meeting is Friday, Feb 9th, and then the next one is two weeks from then on the 23rd. It's for new and expecting parents, so would be a great way for your wife to connect w/ other soon-to-be twin moms and hear advice from those that have just had their twins.
In addition to the meetings, they have an equipment loaner program, volunteers that will bring a meal for a family w/ a mom on bed rest or after the birth, and you can join the yahoo email group which is similar in nature to BPN. Mom of twins and loving it!
More Reviews
May 2000
My twin daughters just turned one and I feel I am so lucky to have two wonderful kids. There are several good support groups and books. The local Mother of Twins Club is called Twins by the Bay and has a web page at: http://www.twinsbythebay.com/ There is lots of good information from other members, not to mention people trade maternity clothes, nursing shirts, and there is a great annual garage sale where you can get lots of baby stuff. J. Gray
Congrats on your twin pregnancy!! I have an almost-6-year-old and 1-year-old twins. I recommend joining a local multiples group to connect with other twin families. We're in Twins By the Bay which has a strong East Bay presence, and I believe there is a similar org in San Francisco called SF POM (Parents of Multiples). We didn't hire a postpartum doula or night nurse, though I have heard anecdotally that a night nurse/doula for twins will cost around $60/hour, possibly more.
Join https://www.twinsbythebay.org! Our next new/expectant parent group is this Friday morning (we also do Tuesday evenings) and is open to all (no membership required).
Congrats on the twins, how amazing! We are expecting our first (singleton) in May, so I can’t provide insights into overall costs of twins. However, we just hired a night doula and interviewed quite a few candidates and here is what we learned regarding cost:
-every candidate charged $45-$50 per hour for an 8 hour night shift. I don’t know if they charge more for twins.
-Many had a 4 night per week minimum, but not all. We found someone great who will be doing 2 nights a week.
We used Brilliant Births in Berkeley as the referral source. They will do an intake call with you to get information about what you are looking for, send out to their network, and then the doulas will contact you. They have a network of birth and post-partum doulas (day and night).
good luck!!
Congratulations on your twins! I, too, had twins from IVF--but long ago. So, I do not have specific answers for your financial questions. But, I will give a little advice from my experience. I hired a nanny for the first two years as both of us were working. When we compared costs, it was not that much more expensive at the time and she helped around the house while they were napping (baby laundry, cleaning bottles, etc). It also saved us from all the colds that they would have caught! At 2 and a half years or so, we transferred them to a pre-school situation and were very happy there until they were ready for kindergarten. A couple of other bits of unsolicited advice that I was given that really helped me: pump and bottle feed if that works for you. I was a great pumper and it allowed my spouse to help me with feeds and get his cuddly baby feeding time too. Find another twin mama who might be happy to be your hand-me-down or buy at a used price resource! I found one and then was the supplier for someone else. And, don't let anyone scare you about having twins! Experienced parents will moan and groan about how one was so hard, how can you possibly handle two? You can. The first bit is harder, yes. But, then it's easier in some ways when they are growing because they are the same level developmentally. So excited for you!!--Twin Mama