Real Stories

Finding out there was more than one baby was the biggest surprise of my life. I was waking up in shock every night for the first couple of weeks.

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My pregnancy was rough including hyperemesis gravidarum for the entire pregnancy and other complications. What I wasn’t expecting with twins was being reminded daily, double trouble, it’s going to be hard. That didn’t help me be a stronger mum.

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_"...being reminded daily, double trouble, it’s going to be hard. That didn’t help me be a stronger mum."

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In the first month of being a mum to twins, I underwent four surgeries and had five hospital stays. Never more in my life have I needed my people to be there for me. During this time, my mental health declined fast. Seeing a psychologist while in hospital provided vital support and gave me tools to help navigate the challenges of early family life.

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Recovering from surgeries and a twin pregnancy was proving to be difficult. Even unable to stand up straight for long or bath my babies by myself. When Jasper and Chloé were 5 weeks, we got on a plane and went interstate and stayed with my parents for three months to recover and find our feet as new parents.

It was becoming increasingly clear, we needed family and a community who understood us. So my partner, Mitch, secured a new job in NSW, allowing us to settle more permanently in Newcastle and be closer to family. While this move brought some advantages, it was also incredibly disruptive — we had to leave behind our community in Brisbane.

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I was feeling isolated, misunderstood and struggling with my mental health.

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_"...we needed family and a community who understood us."

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We arrived in Newcastle with four-month-old twins. I knew I needed a community - a support network that truly understood the unique journey of parenting multiples. That’s when I joined our local multiple birth club. Connecting with other parents of multiples helped me feel less isolated and more supported as I navigated the early months of twin life.

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One standout moment was a new mums’ lunch hosted by the club. Volunteers made the event incredibly welcoming — they cared for crying babies so new mums could eat in peace, facilitated connections, and listened to everyone’s stories. It was at that lunch I felt for the first time, I’ve found my people. Many friendships formed that day still remain strong, and nearly all the mums who attended later went on to volunteer for the club.

_"...it sometimes felt like me and my twins were a curiosity..."

Sharing your birth and parenting story is important for all parents. But for multiple birth parents, to be a part of a community who can appreciate the details of your story and say me too is a huge comfort. It helps combat isolation, loneliness and postpartum depression. I was thankful to find new friends who understood my journey.

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The early days were incredibly tough. I grappled with isolation, postpartum depression, a difficult recovery from pregnancy, exhaustion. Traditional playgroups, music classes, and gym sessions often left her feeling like an outsider. Instead of connecting, it sometimes felt like me and my twins were a curiosity — making genuine friendships seemed out of reach.

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One of the best things I could do for my mental health was to be a part of my community. Playdates and playgroups made me a happier and stronger mum.

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_"... It helps combat isolation, loneliness and postpartum depression. I was thankful to find new friends who understood my journey."

When my babies were 8 months old, I started volunteering to create community opportunities for my family as well as other local multiple birth families. I started a playgroup, organised key events for our local club, and advocate for multiple birth families. Now as a Board Director of the Australian Multiple Birth Association, I advocate for better outcomes for multiple birth families across Australia.

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The Australian Multiple Birth Association is full of volunteers who not only are parents of twins, triplets or more, but they’re passionate about making a difference for other Australian multiple birth families. I’m proud to be one of these volunteers. We’re an incredible network of people who support one another.

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Being a twin mum has been an incredible experience and I’m lucky to end every day with a double cuddle.

_"Now as a Board Director of the Australian Multiple Birth Association, I advocate for better outcomes for multiple birth families across Australia."

We'd like to thank

Laura

for generously sharing this story.

Welcoming multiples into your family is a joyful but incredibly demanding journey. The demands of caring for two or more babies can be so consuming that they leave you feeling deeply isolated. Your day-to-day priorities become feeding and getting enough sleep, and it can feel impossible to leave the house or connect with others.

A unique experience: The challenges you face as a parent of multiples are different from those of single-birth parents. In fact, parents of multiples are significantly more likely to experience mental health challenges and disabling exhaustion in the first year. You need a community of others who truly understand this unique experience. ‍
It’s okay to feel alone: The feelings of loneliness are valid. The logistics of caring for multiples can be overwhelming, and it's okay to feel like you're struggling to get out and connect. ‍
Finding your tribe: From specialised support groups to online forums, finding a community of other parents of multiples is crucial. AMBA's philosophy is "support from those who know", and connecting with your tribe can offer you a safe space to find friendship and get the specific, tailored support you need.