Multiple Multiples. It could happen to YOU!

All parents of twins and multiples know the standard set of questions that we get asked over and over. One of the old standards is, “Are you done now?”

Many parents of twins answer the same way. I think we’re done, but wouldn’t mind having another — while inwardly the fear is lurking. If we tried to have another, would we have multiples again? How would we survive?

This lackadaisical outlook is what led us to become pregnant the second time around.  Normally, I would say that having a child is a serious matter and should only be undertaken with deliberate intent.  And yet, we all know someone who got pregnant without the intent to do so.  That would be me.

We made the assumption, because we had a significant amount of help and it took us 6 years to get pregnant, that we were “safe” from getting pregnant! A small part of me said to myself that if it did happen it would be great anyway. Well, it did happen, and in a big way.  And yes, it was great anyway.

Over the years, there are so many stories I’ve heard about how this happened to someone they know. The biggest story I’ve been told so far goes like this:

A friend of my mother-in-law said she knew a family that adopted twins. A couple of years later the adoption agency contacted them with another set of twins that needed placement. Would they consider? After thinking long and hard they agreed. Shortly after the arrival of the 2nd set of twins, the woman became pregnant with triplets!

Life with two sets of twins was extremely hard in the first few years. It is almost like labor — you know how that is… you know it was painful but you really don’t remember the pain. You know it was difficult, but it is somewhat of a blur.  We know there are many things we missed when the babies were young. We were just in the trenches — living hour to hour, minute to minute.

Bottom line is this… do be deliberate about having children.  Do plan ahead.  And, even if you do (plan ahead), God can throw you a curve. So remember to just go with the flow — and you will come out the other side.  Things do get easier. It’s all relative. Having one baby is tough, having multiples is tough, and having multiple multiples is tough. But, what a blessing.