Multiple Birth Awareness Week

This week also serves as a reminder that those with multiple births should be supported, respected, and appreciated for their courage and determination in facing these unique challenges. By acknowledging this day, we can help ensure that all families with multiple births receive the care, support, and respect they deserve.

According to Multiples NZ: while it may seem a bit strange to have a ‘Multiple Birth Awareness Week’ we think it is important to spend some time raising awareness because the difficulties faced by families with multiples are often ‘hidden’ from public view. We hope that a greater understanding of these difficulties will lead to more research, support, and understanding for families.

In addition to high-risk pregnancies, premature birth, higher needs, pre- and postnatal depression, social isolation, financial hardship, schooling issues, identity problems, multiple birth families face increased mental and physical health risks. There is also an increase in divorce rates due to strained family relationships. Getting sufficient sleep is a challenge and the logistics of feeding, clothing and bathing multiples are tricky. As a result, babies can experience less one-on-one time with their parents and consequently, mothers and fathers suffer from parental guilt, despair and postpartum depression at higher rates.

Our Executive Director is a mother of twins and recently talked with Blue Stories Project about her personal challenges as a multiples mum: 

“Forgive yourself and look for life lines.” Georgie

PND (Post Natal Depression) came out of nowhere for me when I had twins despite having had two children without that experience. I felt that it was related to the lack of sleep and sudden drop off in being able to get out and about and see people.

For me, talking about it with a counsellor wasn't enough, I wanted tangible solutions and a friend prompted me to join a gym with a creche. I wouldn't even work out, just drop the girls off and have a shower, sit in the steam room and read a book for half an hour.

Then I started going to a mothers support group and finally I had a postnatal doula come in and help during the day for a few sessions. I volunteered for my local twin club too which seemed ridiculous to most people who knew I was already struggling and tired but I think the combination of finding little hacks to get some rest and forming a new community of mums at similar stages to me helped draw me out of the fog.