It’s late and a baby wakes, demanding to be fed. A weary mom stumbles into the nursery as quickly as possible to quiet the baby. There is nothing unusual about moms up in the middle of the night feeding babies.
But in a growing number of households, that scene is changing and mom is up feeding not one baby, but two. And despite the many joys of maternity, mothers of twins face special challenges beyond the typical sleep deprivation and lifestyle adjustment that comes with motherhood.
If you live in this area with twins, there is an organization to help. The Twin Valley Mothers of Twins Club, founded over 33 years ago, provides families of twins and other multiples with advice, support or just a spare set of hands to help moms with the new babies.
The group has more than 350 members and is growing rapidly. Nationally, one in 35 live births is a set of twins. Locally, births of twins and more is booming. Between 2003 and 2004, the number of new moms in the Twins Club grew 50 percent, and according to JoAn Fisher, publicity chair of the local group, “It was all new babies.”
The club’s benefits begin even before the babies are born, with support groups and mentoring programs designed to meet the needs of expectant families. Every business meeting starts with a round table question-and-answer sessions for expectant moms to bring questions or concerns to a panel of seasoned veterans for practical down-to-earth advice.
If expectant moms are interested, the club can match them with a Pregnancy Pal to mentor them through their pregnancy. This partnering allows expectant parents the chance to partner with a woman who has already experienced a multiple birth and can share the wisdom of her experience.
The club services kick into full gear once the babies are born. When twins arrive, moms need simple things like meals delivered or advice on how to handle feeding two babies at once, said Carole Friesen of Danville, a mother of twins and an active member of the club for five years. Support in the simple things really makes a big difference to a new mom, she added.
“Starting with two was probably best,” said Julie Corbett of Danville, “because I didn’t know how bad I had it.”
Corbett, the mom of twin 28-month-old girls, said that she relied heavily on the support network provided by other moms of twins when her daughters were first born. From playgroups to social outings, she found that spending time with other women in a similar position offered reassurance and encouragement for her after particularly harried days.
“They are there for you, an instant sisterhood,” said Corbett of the tight knit relationship she formed with many club members over the last two years.
Corbett said she used the group’s online bulletin board to help her through situations as different as how to handle two kids in the biting phase to where to find a plumber. “I don’t know what I would have done without them,” she added.
To provide ongoing support for its members, the club maintains a resource library full of material for moms with specific questions that the group can’t answer. Playgroups are organized to allow moms to meet other women with multiples the same age. Socials are frequently planned for families or just moms who need a break and want to spend time with other women who have been there and done that.
Because 55 percent of all multiples are born early, the group has developed a Preemie Closet to supply preemie equipment and clothing to members. Families simply borrow the specialized equipment and clothing, returning it when they are done. This equipment is highly specialized and many families can’t afford to buy it.
Beyond providing emotional support to each other, the Mothers of Twins also give back to the community in a variety of ways. Funded by moneys raised at its legendary Clothing and Equipment Sale held in April and in October every year, the outreach efforts are focused on helping families.
The philanthropic efforts of the group help families in need. Period. From backpacks of school supplies for kids in foster homes to a host of baby supplies for the Crisis Nursery in Concord to an emergency fund that provides help to families in need, the group sees giving to the community as an important part of their charter.
“Other Moms know, if you need help, ask the Mothers of Twins,” said publicity chair Fisher.
For more information for how you can support the Twin Valley Mothers of Twins Club or to get involved, check out its Web site at www.tvmotc.com or telephone JoAn Fisher at 915-0022.
Outfit your babies
Twice a year, in April and October, the Twin Valley Mothers of Twins Club holds its legendary Clothing and Equipment Sale at the Barn on Pacific Avenue in Livermore. Providing high quality, gently used baby clothes and equipment at discounted prices, this sale funds the majority of the groups’ philanthropic endeavors. If you have small children, you won’t want to miss this event. Watch for announcements in the calendar section of this paper as the date draws nearer.
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