Positive Parenting |

May 4, 2011

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Part 5 Worrying What to Expect When Expecting Multiples: How Can You Prepare For Getting Around With Your Babies When You Are Pregnant With Triplets?

This is another post in this series of what to expect when expecting multiples.

In an earlier post, we discussed the kinds of questions that arise while you are pregnant with triplets.

One question I worried about when expecting my multiples was “How do I get the babies from place to place by myself?”

Well it came down to basically two essentials: car seats that fit in the car and an easily maneuverable stroller.

1. The Car.

A car is a necessity to get to most places these days.

And when you’re pregnant with triplets is a great time to figure out your options.  So you have seating for the babies before you bring them home from the hospital.

You’ll need to be able to get each child into the car before your can get your triplets from place to place. And to get them into the car, you need to buy car seats that fit properly all in a row in your car.

With quadruplets, in my case I needed four car seats!

So I had to find three car seats that would all fit on one seat of the minivan.  The fourth child had a captain chair.

Finding car seats that would fit across the back of the minivan took several attempts and a very patient salesman.  He kindly and considerately carried the seats to the minivan so I could see if they would fit and then would carry them back to the store, when they did not fit.

It took 3 tries before I found the correct ones that all fit.

2. The Strollers.

Now I used a special quadruplet stroller called a Runabout quad stroller.

Runabout Quadruplet Strollers

And yes, they make them for triplets too.

What’s special about a Runabout?

Well, it  allowed me to have freedom.

Now the Runabout is a different type of multiple stroller.  For instance, the babies are all lined up in single file one behind the other. This definitely has some advantages…

1.    A single wide stroller is easier to maneuver in narrow aisles at places like a grocery store and discount department stores.   In the grocery  store, I would push the stroller in front of me while pulling the grocery cart behind me.  While I took up almost a whole aisle length, it worked.

2.  By having the girls in one line, they could not play with each other or grab bottles from their sisters.

This stroller allowed me to take the girls myself without having to bring along their dad, a volunteer or a nanny.

How do you maneuver such a long narrow stroller around corners?

It’s easy once you know the trick…

The trick to turning is to pop a wheelie so you can easily turn the stroller.  Now this does take a little practice.

I also used this Runabout stroller as an exercise jogger.  The Runabout is very sturdy, well-built and lasted a long time.  I used it until my girls were four!

It’s a good investment.  And you may be able to resell it later.

Again deciding about a stroller while you’re pregnant with triplets will save you worry and aggravation after the babies are born.

These tips helped my babies not just survive but to thrive.

I’m looking forward to sharing additional tips with you in the future.

Join Tips For Moms of Multiples membership site – Its Free!  Receive the latest information on product recalls, how to organize your life and more.

Click here to get the details!

To Your Abundant Life with Multiples,

Kimberly O’Bannon
Ambassador of Positive Parenting, www.howtoliveonpurpose.com
Founder, www.TipsForMomsOfMultiples.com
AKA MultiMommy

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Part 5 Worrying What to Expect When Expecting Multiples: How Can You Prepare For Getting Around With Your Babies When You Are Pregnant With Triplets?

Positive Parenting |

April 20, 2011

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Part 4 – What to Expect When You Are Expecting: How Can You Prepare When You Are Pregnant With Triplets For Hiring Caregiving Support?

I am going to continue my series on What to Expect When You Are Expecting by discussing what types of caregiving support you may want to get when you are pregnant with triplets.

Are you weak as a jellyfish from being on bed rest while pregnant with triplets?

Are you tired from traveling back and forth to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)?

Are your emotions like a roller coaster from the triplets health conditions?

Are you stressed because of lack of sleep and hormonal imbalances?

Such is the life after giving birth.

But it doesn’t have to be this stressful.

The solution to your stress and getting balance back into your life is called . . .

A Nanny Service

I was fortunate that my church gifted me with some money to hire a night time nanny for 4 days a week for about a 6 week period.

My husband and I would switch off the nights when she was here. In other words, one night he would stay up with the nanny to feed and prepare bottles and such with the nanny’s help, next night I would.

And yes, the other nights we would both be up with the babies.

But I did not think about the nanny service until after the babies were born and around 6 weeks old.  It was very difficult at that point to search for a nanny service and interview the nannies. And then I ended up paying WAY too much.


pregnant with triplets

I really would suggest to anyone who is pregnant with triplets or more and planning on using a nanny service to do your research while you are pregnant, so that you will be ready when you need someone.

Remember to make sure the nanny service is reputable. Check references of the nanny service. Does the nanny service have a good reputation?

Find out what the billing process is before hand, so you are prepared.

Do you pay the nanny directly or the agency? Do you have to pay taxes for the nanny or are they independent contractors?

You’ll want a nanny service that does:

1. Complete background checks on the nannies

2. Allow you to review the nannies’ resume

3. Provide reviews of the nanny from other moms

4. Allow you to access the nannies’ references

After I no longer needed a nanny, I found a nanny service that is nationally known and respected and meets all of these criteria plus more.

Check it out for yourself.
www.tipsformomsofmultiples.com/nannyservice

To Your Abundant Life with Multiples,

Kimberly O’Bannon
Ambassador of Positive Parenting, www.howtoliveonpurpose.com
Founder, TipsForMomsOfMultiples.com
AKA MultiMommy


Article Source:

Part 4 – What to Expect When You Are Expecting: How Can You Prepare When You Are Pregnant With Triplets For Hiring Caregiving Support?

Positive Parenting |

April 16, 2011

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Part 3 Worrying What To Expect When Expecting Multiples: Pregnant With Triplets and Wondering Where Your Babies Will Sleep?

Today I would like to continue tips and tricks suggestions from my series on What To Expect When Expecting Multiples.

As you recall, we were discussing the questions that arise when you’re pregnant with triplets and thinking about what to do once you bring the triplets home.

Such questions as:

  1. Where will they sleep? Cribs or bassinets in the living room? Should they sleep together?
  2. How do I feed three babies at the same time?
  3. How do I get them to sleep threw the night?
  4. How do I get them from place to place by myself?
  5. Will family/friends be able to help me and if so, how will that process work?

So lets discuss the question of where will the triplets sleep? Will they be together, at first, or separate?

pregnant with triplets

Now I had a special situation.

All my quadruplets had reflux, at least for the first couple of months.

So my solution was to prop them up in their car seats and use the car seats as their “beds”.

Then I placed the car seats next to me on the couch.

This helped for two reasons: one, they were close by and thus it was easier than getting up and down all night to their cribs and second, it kept their reflux under control.

So what are some options for you?

There are just a few choices.

Co-bedding in a crib with each other . . .

  • Individual bassinets
  • In a twin pack n plays or . . .
  • Maybe even in their car seats.

You may want to think of a couple of alternatives besides these while your pregnant with triplets.

You may not know if your babies will need special care (like to prevent reflux) until after they’re born but it is best to plan ahead as much as possible.

I know from experience that it is stressful to be pregnant with multiples and on extended bed rest.

Your mind can just go crazy worrying about all the issues the babies could face and how you’ll care for all these precious little babies.

Why don’t you take just 5 minutes each day to take your mind off your worry while your pregnant with triplets by listening to a program called “Overcome the 3 Deadly Mistakes That Cause Stress, Overwhelm and Burnout ebook Package”

The package offers an amazing simple technique to having less stress and overwhelm in your life 5 minutes from now.

Included are the three big secrets that allow you to avoid and recover from stress and burnout.

You owe it to yourself and your future triplets, to check it out.

Work to become as relaxed as possible while pregnant with triplets, because the stress certainly does not go away after they are delivered. J

To Your Abundant Life with Multiples,

Kimberly O’Bannon
Ambassador of Positive Parenting, www.howtoliveonpurpose.com
Founder, TipsForMomsOfMultiples.com
AKA MultiMommy

Original Article:

Part 3 Worrying What To Expect When Expecting Multiples: Pregnant With Triplets and Wondering Where Your Babies Will Sleep?

Positive Parenting |

March 15, 2011

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Pregnant With Triplets and Can’t Sleep?

Shannon–not her real name–was finally pregnant with triplets after having tried for 10 years to get pregnant.

She and her husband were so excited about this event!

Shannon had no idea what was in store for her with the pregnancy and was looking forward to the adventure, until . . .

First there was the exhaustion from lugging around the extra baby weight and heart burn like she had never experienced before.

Then she noticed extreme fatigue.  She was just so tired . . .

Not getting enough sleep at night was a BIG part of it.

Then one day a Native American friend told her about some techniques to help her sleep better.  While they didn’t totally take away her insomnia, they sure helped.


Are you having a hard time sleeping at night because you are pregnant with triplets?

pregnant with triplets

Are you uncomfortable with your big belly?

Need to run to the bathroom every hour?

Maybe you are experiencing leg cramps

Or just excited or anxious about the new arrivals?

Well, I have good news for you. You are not alone!

Eight out of ten women have insomnia and other sleep problems during pregnancy. Add the fact that there are three babies in there, it only makes sense.

Don’t despair; other multiple moms have been in your place.

So . . .

How can you reduce your stress helping you to sleep better when you’re pregnancy with triplets?

  1. Writing in a journal before going to bed. Write out your feelings about the day.  List 3 things that were positive. Maybe just journal on how the pregnancy is going.  Focus on the wonder of becoming a Mom.
  2. Winding down before bed with your own soothing ritual. Taking a warm bath . . . having a cup of chamomile tea . . . listening to quiet music . . . asking your     partner to rub your feet . . . just relaxing. Especially listening to guided relaxation tapes can help prepare you for bed.
  3. Creating a comfortable sleeping environment. Make sure your room is a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Is it dark and quiet enough?  Heavy or dark-colored curtains can help keep out unwanted light, and sound machines can help mask the drone of traffic with white noise.
  4. Stopping drinking your water at least 45 minutes before bed. You need your fluid when you are pregnant, but you don’t want to be doing this too close to retiring for the night.  When three babies are pressing on your bladder, you will need to go more then usual.
  5. Sleeping when you can! That means, if you can sleep during the day do so.  Don’t worry about when you get the sleep, just get some. Too many women try to do so much when they are pregnant, that they forget to sleep whenever they can.  Not just at night.

Of course, it goes without saying that if you think you have a serious sleep disorder, consult your medical practitioner.  Being pregnant with triplets is a more serious situation then a singleton pregnancy.

In the meantime, remind yourself that insomnia may be frustrating, but during pregnancy, it’s also perfectly normal.

Ready for help relaxing and getting rid of stress during your pregnancy now?

Have you heard about “The 3 ‘Deadly’ Mistakes That Cause Stress, Overwhelm and Burnout” by Chief Robert and Terri TallTree?

Now you can experience relaxation and rejuvenation when you uncover the root of your stress and overwhelm and then reverse it forever using the tools inside Overcome the 3 Deadly Mistakes That Cause Stress, Overwhelm and Burnout ebook Package.

Inside this package, you will discover:

  • What the 3 Deadly Mistakes that Cause Stress and Burnout are (page 9)
  • The Top Five Stress-Related Health Risks (page 5)
  • The Answer to the Question “Is That All There Is?” (page 9)
  • How to Reconnect With The People You Love (page 10)
  • The Three Big Secrets That Allow You to Avoid and Recover From Stress and Burnout
  • An Amazing Simple Technique to Having Less Stress and Overwhelm in Your Life 5 Minutes From Now (page 10 and 11)
  • How to Reduce Your Stress Instantly Just by Listening to “Ancient Wisdom” Guided Relaxation™ Audio 5 minutes a Day

So do yourself a favor and just click on this link to check it out for yourself.

And remember there’s a 5 minute guided relaxation tape to help you relax and get some sleep.

To Your Abundant Life with Multiples,

Kimberly O’Bannon
Ambassador of Positive Parenting, www.howtoliveonpurpose.com
 Founder, TipsForMomsOfMultiples.com
AKA MultiMommy

Link:
Pregnant With Triplets and Can’t Sleep?