Quadruplet Babies Laughing

Four twin babies laughing like a dolby-surround sound system! LOL

Having Twins Now - Logistics 101 - Increasing Kids From ONE to THREE



So you're having twins? Great! Here is a quick list of logistical circumstances you have to plan for before the puke machines and all of their goodies begin invading your den, garbage can and hearts.

Twins, Triplets & Multiples Baby Shower Party Celebrations


Another thing to include on the twin baby shower invitations is whether the Mom-to-Be would prefer having non-matching outfits. This may be hard to communicate, but it is an important item to find out from her, particularly if the babies are the same gender or identical twins, triplets or multiples. The Mom-to-Be may prefer to have clothing that is separate to help give the babies separate identities.

Photographing Twins


Capturing a portrait of twins  compared to one person is more than twice as difficult. I hope you enjoy a challenge.  Twins can be twice as much fun, too.

Gift Ideas For Baby Girls, Baby Boys, and Twins


Giving baby gifts is a wonderful idea to show love and affection to a newborn child. Today, there are so many baby gifts available in the market, be it for a baby girl, baby boy or twins.

Options For Buying Fun Twins' Clothing




There are loads of ways that twins clothing can make the fact that you have twins extra hilarious. The simple fact that there are two of them, who look remarkably similar - means there is a whole world of hilarious slogans we can put on their clothes.

Book Review - The Baby Name Countdown, by Janet Schwegel


Babble recently released its list of "The 33 Worst Celebrity Baby Names," which included names like Tu Morrow (daughter of Rob Morrow), Fifi Trixibell (daughter of Bob Geldof), Pilot Inspektor (son of Jason Lee), and Kal-El (son of Nicolas Cage). I was surprised to see they left off Tallulah, Rumer and Scout (daughters of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis)! Nobody thinks twice when celebrities give their babies weird names

Identical Or Fraternal Twins?

Identical Twins

Identical twins (monozygotic) occur when a single egg, fertilized by a single sperm, splits into two identical halves. Two separate babies with identical DNA are formed. Identical twins are always the same sex and blood type. They almost always share the same placenta but may also have two separate placentas. Depending on when the egg splits usually determines if identical twins will share the same placenta, and/or chorions and amnions. Twins are always identical when they share the same amnion and chorion.


Identical twins can be strikingly similar in their appearance, but this is not always true due to environmental factors and not genetics alone. Many identical twins are relatively easy to tell apart. Although, plenty of parents of twins will have to resort to twin DNA testing to know for sure. Also known as a twin zygosity test, this will determine if your twins are identical or fraternal with staggering accuracy. This DNA testing for twin zygosity is easily done by taking swabs from the mouths of each twin and then sending to a lab for analysis. There are many "at home" tests available for purchase on the web.


Another curiosity are identical twin fingerprints. Identical twin fingerprints will never be exactly the same. Even though identicals share the same DNA, you must keep in mind all of the environmental factors in the womb during development (blood pressure, growth rate, etc.). Fingerprints of identical twins will have similar patterns for sure, but there will nevertheless be differences.


An additional question on the topic of identical twins will typically be, "Why identicals?". Currently, the scientific community does not have a definitive answer to why one egg splits, but they do consider identical twinning to be non-hereditary. Meaning, having twins in your family will make no difference in the possibility of conceiving identical twins. Identical twins seem to occur randomly throughout the population without rhyme or reason.


Fun Fact: From a scientific point of view, the children of identical twins are the genetic equivalent of half-siblings rather than cousins. So, if identical twins marry another set of identical twins, then the resulting children would be the genetic equivalent of full siblings!


Fraternal Twins

Fraternal twins (dizygotic) occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Two separate babies with no more in common than siblings born at different times are formed. Fraternal twins can be the same sex and/or blood type. They always have separate placentas, but their placentas may fuse together during the course of pregnancy and appear as one at birth. Fraternal twins will never share the same amnion and chorion. Twins that are male and female and/or have different blood types can easily be determined as fraternal. Lastly, fraternal twins may be due to hereditary influences.


Fraternal twins can share many similarities in appearance just like any brother or sister of the same family. Though, I have known fraternal twins that were, in fact, difficult to tell apart. A great example of this are the famous Olsen twins (a.k.a. Mary Kate and Ashley), who claim to be fraternal twins. Generally though, fraternals are distinct enough to recognize who is who with ease. And it's a no brainer when they are of different sexes.


Now, on to the "why" factor. Fraternal twins are actually the most common type of twinning. While identical twins happen for no apparent reason, fraternal twins come about due to a number of factors. Because the ovary's malfunction of releasing two or more eggs at one time (hyper-ovulation) may be inherited, it is common to have a several sets of fraternal twins throughout many generations in one family. These fraternal twins are generally considered hereditary.


It's a common misconception that twins only come down through the mother's side. This only holds true when the father is the one with twins in the family or is a twin himself and he is also the one trying to conceive twins. To put it a bit more simply, the male only provides the sperm, whereas, the female is the one who either ovulates two eggs (fraternal twins) or one egg that splits (identical twins). That's why a woman can still inherit the hyper-ovulation gene from a grandmother, aunt, etc. on her father's side. But her father would not have had any hereditary chance of having twins himself when he had his child/children. In this situation, any possibility of hereditary fraternal twins would have to come from the mother's side.



An added reason for having fraternal twins is the age of the mother at conception. The chance of fraternal twins is more prevalent in women 35 years of age and older. And yet another growing cause of fraternal twins is the use of fertility treatments. If you are undergoing these treatments, your doctor will have already informed you of the possibility of a multiple birth.


Fun Fact: There are basically five common variations of twinning. The most common type of twinning is fraternal, male-female twins. This particular combination makes up approximately 40 percent of all twins born, followed by fraternal girls, then fraternal boys. After that, there's identical girls, then identical boys. The latter being the least common type of twinning of the five mentioned here.


It should also be noted that there are more twin pregnancies documented in women of African decent and less in women of Asian decent.

By Kellie Asaro: Mom-treprenuer, Author, Designer of Twin Clothing & Gifts

Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of [http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com]http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos - [http://www.trendsintwos.com]http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kellie_Asaro http://EzineArticles.com/?Identical-Or-Fraternal-Twins?&id=1181871



By Kellie Asaro


P.S. : Are they identical twins or fraternal twins and what is the difference? This is certainly one of the most asked questions by parents of twins and the general public in regard to twins.

Breastfeeding Twins Can Be Made Into An Enjoyable Task!

Having twins is double celebration! However, breastfeeding twins is double hard work! Twins means double tantrums. But, if you know how to handle two tiny tots simultaneously, they give you some of the most wonderful moments of life!

One of the challenges of having two babies is overcoming breastfeeding problems. Will they get hungry together? Will you have to feed them one by one? There are lots of breastfeeding questions lingering in the minds of new moms. Here are some ways to help you handle the task of breastfeeding twin babies.

Making A Breastfeeding Chart

Prepare a visual chart of breastfeeding. This will help you know the time to feed your baby, by just looking at her. In case of twins, you need to prepare two charts. You should talk to your doctor regarding chart preparation. In addition to this, you need to discuss about baby food and baby formula that is right for your baby. It is best to give your milk, instead of giving baby formula for the initial months.

Your chart consists of columns like feeing time, meals fed, amount fed, and other such important details. This way, you will get an idea of the frequency of meals and the time your babies are hungry.

Remember; as your baby reaches 7-12 months of age, she will develop her own taste in food. You have twins does not mean, both of them will develop the same taste. There are common cases where twin have contrasting tastes and behavior. One of them may suck more milk than the other, or have different meal timings. The chart will help you keep a track on your twins' feeding.

Handling Twins' Call Of Hunger

A smart mom will always prepare her baby food in advance. This way, your babies get food instantly when they call for hunger and need not wait and wail loudly. It's a good idea to prepare baby food at home. It's fresh and hygienic, plus loaded with nutrients. Besides this, the food is free of preservatives and is of good quality. If you don't want to create a hubbub in the house by two screaming babies, prepare baby food in advance!

Take the help of your doctor or midwife regarding positions for breastfeeding. You can buy breastfeeding tops as well as breastfeeding cover to ease in this task. Read articles and books on breastfeeding twins and enjoy the task! [http://www.pregnancy-period.com/feedingtwins.html]Breastfeeding twins is no problem, once you master the art of handling them. In fact, you will enjoy the task and have no [http://www.pregnancy-period.com/breastfeeding_problems.html]breastfeeding problems. For more information visit [http://www.pregnancy-period.com]pregnancy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Apurva_Shree [http://ezinearticles.com/?Breastfeeding-Twins-Can-Be-Made-Into-An-Enjoyable-Task!&id=1026471 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Breastfeeding-Twins-Can-Be-Made-Into-An-Enjoyable-Task!&id=1026471



By Apurva Shree


P.S.: Having twins is double celebration! However, breastfeeding twins is double hard work! Twins means double tantrums. But, if you know how to handle two tiny tots simultaneously, they give you some of the most wonderful moments of life!

Conjoined Twins

Twins are a kind of multiple births, i.e., when a woman gives birth to more than one baby at the same time. Twins occur when more than one egg is fertilized or when the same egg is fertilized more than once by one or two sperm, leading to formation of more than one fetus.

Conjoined twins are identical twins who are joined together somewhere in the body. Conjoined twins are monozygotic twins, in the sense that they share the same zygote. Sometimes, they also share some vital internal organs. Formation of conjoined twins is believed to be the result of late twinning. When the twinning occurs more than twelve days after fertilization of the egg, it may lead to formation of conjoined twins because the embryo may not split completely. This may be due to genetic or environmental factors.

Conjoined twins are also known as Siamese twins, named after the famous conjoined twins, Eng and Chang Bunker from Siam. Conjoined twin births are very rare, amounting to around one birth in every 1,00,000 births. Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst, famously referred to as the biddenden maids, are one of the earliest known set of conjoined twins. The ratio of male and female sets of conjoined twins was found to be three to one, and they are found more in certain countries like India or Africa.

Conjoined twins rarely survive because of the complexity of the bodies. Most of them are stillborn or die within twenty-four hours after birth. Conjoined twins can be separated surgically if none of the vital organs are involved. There are different kinds of conjoined twins, depending on the part of the body where they are joined. These are cephalopagus, craniopagus, craniothoracopagus, dicephalus, iscopagus, omphalopagus, parapagus, pygopagus and thoracopagus. There are also some rare kinds of conjoined twins, such as parasitic twins (where one twin is not completely formed and depends on the other twin to sustain life), and fetus in fetu (where one twin’s fetus is present inside the body of the other twin).

Some people consider separation of conjoined twins as unethical if it involves death or disability of one of the twins. Conjoined twins, if they survive, can lead healthy lives. There are instances where conjoined twins have even married and become parents. The famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, fathered twenty-one children in thirty-one years. [http://www.WetPluto.com/Conjoined-Twins.html]Twins provides detailed information on Twins, Identical Twins, Twin Babies, Conjoined Twins and more. Twins is affiliated with [http://www.e-MaternityClothes.com]Maternity Clothing Store.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson http://EzineArticles.com/?Conjoined-Twins&id=210062



By Peter Emerson

P.S. : Twins are a kind of multiple births, i.e., when a woman gives birth to more than one baby at the same time. Twins occur when more than one egg is fertilized or when the same egg is fertilized more than once by one or two sperm, leading to formation of more than one fetus.

Having a Successful Twin Pregnancy

Are you pregnant with twins or know someone who is? What a pleasant surprise it is to find out you're pregnant, and an even bigger surprise to find out you're pregnant with twins. You ask yourself, "So what do I do now?" Being pregnant with twins myself, I know it can be a very daunting task, but let me tell you a few things that helped me.

Adjusting to the Idea of Twins

You just were told the greatest news that you're bringing two beautiful little angels into the world. How exciting! This will be a big adjustment for you and your partner. Start doing your research. I can not stress this enough. You will need all the information you can get on twin pregnancy and childcare for this is very different than just your normal pregnancy. Prepare yourself and your partner (or the person that will be helping you out) with the daily stresses of money, worries and fears of having twins. To help you in this area you will definitely want to build a support system. This can include family and friends of course, as well as neighbors, parents of a Twin Parent Organization, teenagers willing to baby sit, or a nanny.

You get the idea. You will need all the help you can get with daily activities such as bathing or errand running. Mothers of many twins including myself will suggest to you to do as much organizing and planning as you can before you new babies arrive. That takes you back to all that research I told you to do in the beginning by getting on the internet where you can find lots and lots of information to help you along the way. Don't forget to also get one on one feedback from your doctors and other mothers of twins who can teach you from their experience. Also, start those parenting classes early because your babies might come a little early.

The Risk of Prematurity

Along with the miracle of twins comes a price. I'm not going to run you down with a bunch of statistics but the risk of prematurity is a lot higher in twin and multiple births than with singletons as we call them. The bigger the babies get, the less room there is inside which will force them to want to come out. The most important aspect to keep those babies healthy and get them fully developed before this happens is good nutrition. Start good nutrition early on. Double the intake of your proteins, carbs, and fats. What you need in a normal pregnancy, double or triple (if pregnant with triplets). To ensure the longest time in your womb, it is highly recommended to reduce your activities after 20 weeks. Drink water, water and drink more water. This can keep your uterus from contracting and going into early labor. Stay hydrated. Your goal is to keep your babies in the womb as long as you can.

Having twins is a once in a lifetime miracle so don't take it for granted. God has blessed you twice over and it is your job to be a great mother and father to your two little angels. To ensure the best possible pregnancy get the proper education, planning and await their arrival. You will learn so much along the way as well. It is a stressful job being parents of twins or multiples but it is very rewarding.

Robyn Painter has recently started her new career as an online freelance writer. As a mother of twins, she is very knowledgeable in the field of pregnancy and childcare. If you would like to learn more on the author and other written material on childcare click here: http://robynpainter.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robyn_Painter http://EzineArticles.com/?Having-a-Successful-Twin-Pregnancy&id=2653111



By Robyn Painter

P.S. : Are you pregnant with twins or know someone who is? What a pleasant surprise it is to find out you're pregnant, and an even bigger surprise to find out you're pregnant with twins. You ask yourself, "So what do I do now?" Being pregnant with twins myself, I know it can be a very daunting task, but let me tell you a few things that helped me.

Twin Pregnancy Symptoms

A "Very Positive" Or Early Home Pregnancy Result

What do I mean by "very positive"? Well, it's when you take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period and you get a distinctive, dark, second line or plus sign. Most women experience a faint line when testing this early. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is believed that a woman carrying twins would have higher levels of this hormone and therefore a stronger positive or earlier result. In my own experience, I decided to get some of those expensive home pregnancy tests that claim to show a positive result (if you are indeed pregnant) slightly before your missed period. Now that I have my twins, I think it kind of funny that I never got a positive result until the day of my missed period (I took several tests during the week before my period was to arrive...All negative!). And although I did get the distinctive second line on the day of my missed period, you would have thought me the perfect candidate for an early result. Keep in mind, a blood test at your doctor's office will yield a more accurate result.

Early Weight Gain

Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons. Approximately five pounds, give or take, more than a singleton mother by their second trimester. But this can still vary greatly due to many other factors including the mother's pre-pregnancy weight. So think of it as a general guideline.

Measuring Large For Gestational Age

Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins. If this is a first pregnancy it may be harder to determine by yourself without prior experience or your doctor's advice. Also, your pre-pregnancy size will be a factor. A smaller framed, slim woman will almost always start showing any pregnancy sooner than a larger or heavier woman as a general rule. Coupling a large gestational age measurement with some of the other factors mentioned here would be a stronger indication of a twin pregnancy.

Severe Morning Sickness And/Or Fatigue

As if feeling sick and tired isn't bad enough, many mothers of twins can experience this twofold. But don't get discouraged just yet. I do know at least a few moms of twins that had neither the fatigue or morning sickness. Both morning sickness and fatigue have to be among the most common complaints of any pregnancy. Some women experience one, both, or none. The best way to gauge if your symptoms are due to twins would most likely be your experience with a prior pregnancy. But not all of us will have twins our second time around. For many, a twin pregnancy is the first pregnancy. Now what? Well, if this is in fact your first pregnancy and you are also experiencing one or more of the other twin pregnancy symptoms and/or signs mentioned, you may have a better indication. Also, keep in mind that some of the worst fatigue will come towards the end of your twin pregnancy.

Feeling Fetal Movement Early In Pregnancy

Most pregnant women don't feel fetal movement until about 18 to 22 weeks. It is arguable that you would feel movement earlier than this if you are pregnant with twins. Although many women expecting twins claim to, there are a few factors to consider here. If this is a first pregnancy it may be difficult to determine if what you are feeling is indeed fetal movement. Also, a single fetus may be more active than usual causing stronger sensations in the womb. If this is a subsequent pregnancy you might have a sneaking suspicion or strong indication that that something is different with what you are feeling. I know one mother who, in her first pregnancy, did not feel her twin babies move at all until the 23rd week!

Confirmation Via Ultrasound

There is no better tried and true method of determining a twin pregnancy than having an ultrasound (also called a sonogram). On the ultrasound monitor your doctor or other professional can usually distinguish two fetuses and/or two heartbeats with ease. Indeed, many obstetricians perform an ultrasound as a definite confirmation of pregnancy at your first appointment.

By Kellie Asaro: Mom-treprenuer, Author, Designer of Twin Clothing & Gifts

Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of [http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com]http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos - [http://www.trendsintwos.com]http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kellie_Asaro http://EzineArticles.com/?Twin-Pregnancy-Symptoms&id=1173217



By Kellie Asaro

P.S. : Do you have an inkling that you might be carrying more than one baby? Many mothers claim to have known that they were carrying twins early in pregnancy because of various symptoms and signs. There are quite a few common indications.

All the Things You Have To Know

Now that you are sure you are pregnant, you are probably awestruck by all the preparations that accompany the good news. Here are some tips to help you start in advance to accomplish all the things you must do in the next nine months. Nine months may seem like a long time but in actuality time will fly by like an asteroid. Never question your abilities to achieve all that is necessary for success. Adopt a positive attitude. Acquaint yourself with all the information you can find from every authority and don't be shy about asking for assistance. Avail yourself of every bit of pregnancy information. Be assured, this is a nine month adventure.

You will astound yourself with all the ambitious goals you are able to achieve. On other days you may have to accept that your growing abdomen just won't accommodate an afternoon of shopping on your feet. When that happens just admit your fatigue and start anew. As you acclimate to you growing body and your appearance changes, you will want to acquire new maternity clothes. Attractive attire always lifts your spirits.

After a few months have passed, you will be shopping for your baby's first photo album. Taking lots of pictures of your adorable new little addition to the family means that you need an album that can accommodate lots of photos. Shopping for the perfect announcement cards, with a place to attach an appropriate picture is lots of fun. When shopping for clothes to bring the little one home from the hospital you will agonize over the appropriate outfit for the first photo and the trip home from the hospital. The pictures and the clothes that you will acquire are admittedly over the top and you will find yourself accumulating lots of both. Make no apologies. This is your baby. Advertise your attitude of affluence. Your baby will become accustom to the best you have to offer. You need no approval to accumulate thousands of pictures for that album.

After nine months your assurance is that you have accomplished all the assignments necessary to bring your baby home. You are well acquainted with all the aches and pains of the ambitious task that was ahead of you nine months ago. Creating a new life. Some days were awkward and awful and most days were admirable. Looking back did you appreciate each day for what it held? For sure, no day was average and you have the assurance that because of your attitude and appropriate attempts your precious little one will be brought home with affection and approval to the abode you call home.


www.newmommyteesandjeans.com

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Pregnancy-Tips-All-the-Things-You-Have-To-Know/819827

Staying Fit During Your Pregnancy

Keeping fit during your pregnancy is great for you, not
only will it help you keep your body toned but it also can
help when it comes time to push that baby out. Every
pregnant woman wants to be able to go back to her pre
-pregnancy weight after the baby is born, but the only
way to do that is to make sure you can. By excising or
working out every day you are making sure you don't add
fat to your body. During labor it'll be much easier to
push the baby if you've been strengthening your leg and
stomach muscles. Who knows, it may even make labor a
little bit shorter. Isn't that what we all want?

Plus when you are tired and just feeling a little blue, just
by exercising you actually increase your energy.

Here are a few quick things you can do to stay fit during
pregnancy, without really having to break out a sweat.
I'm sure by now you've heard of yoga, this is a very good
thing for you to practice, especially if you haven't always
been in the best of shape. Not to worry, there are
beginning levels here, you don't have to jump into the
human pretzel right away. Try purchasing a set of small
weights that you can use throughout the house, like
hand weights or wrist weights that can use while
walking. Instead of just laying on the couch while you
rest you can be lifting small weights.

Get a chair and try doing a couple crunches, 5 to 10 in
the beginning to make sure you don't pull anything. Don't
worry you can always add to it as the weeks go on.

Try running, walking or jogging outside. Not only will this
boost up your energy but it's also help get your spirits
up, especially if you've been inside all day. Remember, if
you are going for a walk to always bring a drink with you.
You don't want to dehydrate out there. Always make
sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes, before you
leave the house. If you didn't always run, ask your
doctor if you can. Sometimes a doctor may suggest you
walk around the block at first and increase it from there,
if you didn't always do it before you were pregnant.

If you can you may want to try going for a swim or try
bicycling. However, if you find that you are accident
prone you may want to stay away from the bike. A bike
accident is something that can easily happen, even when
you've always road a bike. Swimming can help you relax
and stay cool. Take a dip in the pool near you, they may
even have a swim class for pregnant women in your
area. This would be a great way to meet other moms.

Whenever you are doing exercises, make sure you aren't
overdoing it. If you believe you could be stop
immediately and take a break. You never want to do
anything that will harm the pregnancy.

Childhood Activities

Early childhood activities can be an absolute joy if you are an involved parent educator. Unfortunately, if you're not into early childhood games and not willing to take the time to engage your child's mind while they are growing, It can be difficult for both you and your child. The lack of early childhood activity can result in huge problems, some of which last a lifetime. Kids who are under-stimulated often suffer from learning problems, behavioral problems, and emotional problems. Taking the time to plan out some great early childhood activities is not only a great thing to do as a mother or father, but an investment in the life of your family and your child.

The great thing about early childhood education activity is that it includes almost every game you play with your child. You see, for a child, play is work. The best early childhood activities are designed not only to entertain children, but also to stimulate their growing minds. Every early childhood activity recommended by educators, whether it is storytelling, playing with bricks and blocks, or team building games, teaches the child an important skill. One early childhood activity might help them to understand how to play with others. Another one might help them to understand how different shapes go together, and thus to improve their spacial reasoning skills.

There are all kinds of experts on early childhood activity, and they all have different opinions. My advice to you as someone who has raised three children myself is to see what your children like. It is very easy to get caught up in set early childhood games, but the fact is that every child is different and will like different early childhood activities. Some of them like very spatial activities. Other ones like to do a more imaginative early childhood activity, such as make-believe or storytelling.

Some parents try to expose their kids to every single early childhood activity that they can get their hands on, but I don't think this is the right approach. The important thing is to keep your child intellectually stimulated and engaged. If they are given interesting early childhood activities, they will begin to learn on their own. Letting them choose the early childhood activity allows them to start making decisions at an early age, which is the first step towards teaching them responsibility and independence. There is no better way to work on early childhood development than that!

Laughing Twin Babies

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Raising-Twins.com


Raising Twins-Advice, support, help and information for parents who are expecting twins, or who already have them and love them!


Raising-Twins.com

Types of Baby Strollers

As you know there is a wide variety of baby strollers available to choose from. Your choice of strollers will be affected by how many children you plan to use it for, how you are going to use the stroller and where, and finally your budget. All things aside your baby’s comfort and safety will also influence your choice. Let’s take a look at some of the types of strollers available to you.

The standard stroller will fit one child and there are many different features on standard strollers such as play trays, parent trays, fabrics, and handlebars. On many strollers handlebars are now height adjustable which is great back saver.

Double strollers have two seats. There is a variety of seating arrangements for double strollers. The traditional double seat is one behind the other - tandem style. Tandem seating has the first child with a good view and he one in the rear seat sees the back of the other’s head. A variant of the tandem seating is stadium seating. Think of bleachers where each seat is raised slightly above the one in front of it allowing those in the rear to see what’s going on. There is side by side seating as well as face to face seating.

Jogging strollers are very popular because they enable you to bring your child along on a run. The jogging stroller has a triangular wheel base with two large wheels in the rear and one wheel in the front. They have many attractive features. An added safety feature is a wrist strap on the handle bar. This is worn so that when you stop, the stroller doesn’t roll away from you. As always whenever you stop your stroller the break should always be applied. The wrist strap is added protection. Jogging strollers are available for multiple seating as well.

Triple strollers are terrific for triplets or three children. Seating arrangements can be side by side but most have tandem seating or stadium seating. When the stroller is full of kids and you are pushing it will help you achieve your goals of fitness.

Convertible multiple strollers are available where they can be made into double seater's with additional seats and a transverse bar. You might want to check if this option is available for the particular stroller you are considering.

Umbrella strollers are very inexpensive. They are generally easier to fold and unfold. They are very lightweight and store easily in a car trunk. They are terrific for short trips to the Mall or short walks. They do not work well on all terrain. They do come in multiple seating as well. The only drawback I had with umbrella strollers is that if anything was hung on the handle it caused the carriage to tip backwards.

Light weight strollers are slightly heavier than the umbrella strollers and slightly less than the standard stroller. They typically fold in a single hand motion. They also resemble the standard type stroller. They also come in multiple seating.

Carriage Strollers are convertible strollers in that you can change them from a carriage (a bed on wheels) to a stroller. This is great for infants that are unable to sit up yet. The handle is reversible so you can turn it into a stroller which is great for children who are sitting up.

Bike strollers or trailers are installed by attaching it to the rear wheel. There are two seated models available. They can be converted from a trailer to a stroller with no tools. The restraint system is a five-point harness for each child.


About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of
Baby Crib Bedding
and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Types-of-Baby-Strollers/17221


by Martin Smith

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Multiple births—including twin births--are at an all-time high in the U. S. According to the Center for Disease Control the number of twin births in 2005 at the time of the last consensus was 133,122. So what is driving the twin pregnancy trend? More women are having babies after age 30 and more are taking fertility drugs. Both boost the chance of carrying more than one baby.

Celebrity Baby Trend: Twins

Age-related hormonal changes in women may cause more than one egg to be released at a time, which boosts the odds of conceiving fraternal twins. Also, older women are more likely to take fertility drugs or use other fertility technologies like in vitro fertilization to conceive. A family history of twins also makes multiples more likely. For more information on age-related hormones and other risks of pregnancy read Women’s Health, Fitness and Shape magazines.

Fraternal or non-identical twins are the most common. Fraternal twins biologically occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm. This results in each twin having his or her own placenta and amniotic sac. Genetically fraternal twins are no more alike each other than any other siblings and can be two girls, two boys or a boy and a girl.

Identical twins biologically occur when one fertilized egg splits and develops into two fetuses. These fetuses may share a placenta but usually has separate amniotic sacs. Identical twins are genetically identical.

Recently a handful of celebrities have given birth to twins: Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts and Marcia Cross. Actress-model Rebecca Romijn and her husband actor Jerry O’Connell just announced in People magazine they are expecting twins in the winter; Lisa Marie Presley also just announced she is expecting twins. Other celebrities who are parents are twins are Denzel Washington, Sean Combs and Cybill Shepherd. President and Mrs. Bush are the parents of twin daughters Barbara and Jenna Bush.

There are and have always been many famous twins in Hollywood. Often television and film production companies hire twin babies and children to share one role of a child character. The production companies do this so that child-labor laws, which require children to work shorter hours than adults, will not slow down production. Famously, twins Erin and Diane Murphy shared the role of “Tabitha” on the 1960s fantasy sitcom “Bewitched,” Lindsay and Sydney Greenbush shared the role of “Carrie” on the 1970s drama “Little House on the Prairie” and twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen shared the role of “Michelle” on the 1980s sitcom “Full House.” Many twins including the Olsens and Tia and Tamara Mowry have starred as twins in family movies and television shows.

Sometimes only one twin is famous. Some examples of this situation are race car driver Mario Andretti (brother Aldo), actress Scarlett Johanssson (brother Hunter), model Gisele Bundchen (fraternal sister Patricia), actor Vin Diesel (Paul), singer Alanis Morissette (Wade) and actress Jill Hennessy (Jacqueline). For more famous twins read People Magazine, People En Espanol, Star magazine and In Touch Weekly.

Every year in Twinsburg, Ohio the city celebrates “Twin Days” in celebration of twins. For the upcoming 2008 event, which will be the 33rd annual Twin Days, event planners are hoping for 3,000 sets of twins.

In a comedic nod to twins, Arnold Swarzeneggar and Danny DeVito paired up as twins in the 1988 movie called Twins. For more movies and television shows about twins or featuring twins read Entertainment Weekly, People magazine and O The Oprah Magazine.


For more on celebrity twins visit, http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?id=4173667023075&subject=0015

Jessica Vandelay is a free-lance writer in New York City.


Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Celebrity-Baby-Trend:-Twins/487801


by Jessica Vandelay

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Imagine wishing and trying for one baby and ending up with two! Statistics show that there has been an increase in twin pregnancy the past few years and this short guide should answer any questions you have to giving birth to multiples!

How do twins begin?
There are two kinds of twins: identical twins and fraternal twins. In the case of identical twins, the egg is fertilized and then splits into two cells. Each cell carries identical DNA and so both children will look exa...

What To Expect From A Twin Pregnancy: ABC’s Of Multiple Birth

Imagine wishing and trying for one baby and ending up with two! Statistics show that there has been an increase in twin pregnancy the past few years and this short guide should answer any questions you have to giving birth to multiples!

How do twins begin?
There are two kinds of twins: identical twins and fraternal twins. In the case of identical twins, the egg is fertilized and then splits into two cells. Each cell carries identical DNA and so both children will look exactly the same with only slight differences such as height or birthmarks. Fraternal twins are not identical. Instead of having one egg that splits into two, there are two eggs that are fertilized by two different sperm at the same time so they could be of two different sexes with different physical characteristics.

Early signs of twin pregnancy
An early sign of twin pregnancy is excessive morning sickness and extreme fatigue. Morning sickness is common with all pregnant mothers but those who are giving birth to multiples tend to experience more morning sickness than usual. Exhaustion is another early sign of twin pregnancy. Again, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to be more tired than usual but those who are having twins tend to undergo enhanced exhaustion. Twins are hereditary and so if you are feeling excessively tired, are often nauseous and twins run in your family, you very well could be giving birth to multiples!

Twin pregnancy facts
With twins, you’ll have to prepare for double the trouble! This means you will probably be gaining more weight than with a single pregnancy. Due to this extra weight, a pregnancy with twins can often be more uncomfortable – severe exhaustion, stronger backaches and headaches, etc. So get plenty of sleep and rest. Try a pregnancy massage, a great stress reliever to those giving birth to multiples. Also be prepared for a possible c-section, as with multiples this is the more common way of giving birth. Because a twin pregnancy is considered a high risk pregnancy, you will probably need to consult your obstetrician more often than if you were having a regular pregnancy. Do not be fazed as this is quite common with twins.

Having a twin pregnancy is most certainly a mixed blessing. Whilst having two children is an amazing experience, the pregnancy itself can be tough so make sure to take care of yourself.


Article written by Sarah Mitchell from NamesToBe.com (http://www.namestobe.com). Here is another article about twins readers may enjoy: http://www.namestobe.com/twins-article.html. View all articles at: http://www.namestobe.com/baby-articles.html. Article free for reprint as long as this author bio is present and all hyperlinks remain active.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/What-To-Expect-From-A-Twin-Pregnancy:-ABC’s-Of-Multiple-Birth/8080


by Sarah Mitchell

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Twins are two people who have shared the same womb at the same time. They may also have come from the same egg. Twin births are becoming more and more common due to several factors such as increasing use of fertility treatments, child births at an older age, and even genetic factors. Women who are slightly above-average in build are also likely to have multiple births or twins. Certain ethnic groups are also found to have a greater twin population. One in every 250 births in the world could be an identical twin birth.

Identical Twins

Twins are two people who have shared the same womb at the same time. They may also have come from the same egg. Twin births are becoming more and more common due to several factors such as increasing use of fertility treatments, child births at an older age, and even genetic factors. Women who are slightly above-average in build are also likely to have multiple births or twins. Certain ethnic groups are also found to have a greater twin population. One in every 250 births in the world could be an identical twin birth.

Identical twins are also known as monozygotic twins. They are from a single egg that forms a single zygote that splits into two embryos. Two fetuses emerge from the two embryos in the same womb. The exact reason for this splitting hasn’t been identified yet. Sometimes, identical twins also share the same amniotic fluid, making them monoamniotic. Otherwise, they are diamniotic. Twins sharing the same placenta are monochorionic. Those who don’t are dichorionic. This happens only in the case of identical twins. All monoamniotic twins are also monochorionic. This depends on the stage at which the zygote divides. Twinning at the earliest stages would result in diamniotic and dichorionic twins. Twinning that occurs four to eight days after fertilization and eight to twelve days after fertilization results in monochorionic-diamniotic and monochorionic-monoamniotic, respectively. Twinning twelve days post-fertilization may result in conjoined twins. Conjoined twins are attached to each other at some place. They may be more dependent on each other physically.

Since identical twins share the same sac, amniotic fluid, and placenta, there could be some complications in pregnancy. These could be a result of the entanglement of the umbilical cords or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome because of the shared placenta. This may cause one or both the babies to be underdeveloped.

Identical twins are generally of the same sex. They have identical DNA and shared genes. They may be very similar to each other, almost like mirror images. Some twins can be told apart only by their fingerprints, teeth, handwriting, or any other intricate observations. However, they have individually different personalities and character traits. Twins are generally emotionally attached to each other and are also believed to live longer because of this attachment. Some people even believe that identical twins have their own language through which only the two of them can communicate. Some identical twins are also mirror twins—they are exact mirror images of each other. About one-fourth of all identical twins are mirror twins. Sometimes, one mirror twin may have a condition where some or all the internal body organs will be on the opposite side of the body. However, these are considered to be birth defects and are extremely rare.


Identical Twins provides detailed information on Twins, Identical Twins, Twin Babies, Conjoined Twins and more. Identical Twins is affiliated with Maternity Clothing Store.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Identical-Twins/46444


by Peter Emerson