Massive Challenges Faced by Parents of Multiple Births

Kim Tucci from Perth in Western Australia made news headlines around the world when she gave birth to quintuplets in January.  Ms Tucci also has a nine-year-old son from a previous marriage and two young daughters with her husband Vaughn totalling 8 children.  According to the Daily Mail UK, the Tucci family are extremely busy changing up to 350 dirty nappies per week and provide eight feeds per baby daily!

According to the Australian Multiple Birth Association  (AMBA) being the parents of twins, triplets or more children can put a strain on relationships and finances causing some parents distress leading to depression.  Knowing what resources and help is available to parents of multiple births can make all the difference in the lives of the family

Some of the common difficulties and challenges experienced by parents of multiple births

• Isolation & Loss of Freedom – not being able to just get out and about.  Now with multiple babies on tow, the ability for some to just get motivated to do things outside of the home can also be diminished due to exhaustion and not being able to find enough hours in the day.
• Sharing – Not enough equal time spent with each individual baby especially if medical problems are present after birth they might need special care that require them to stay in hospital longer than their siblings.
• Guilt – When one baby is more demanding than the other like when they have difficulty sleeping, want to be held or need larger feeds the mother can feel guilt for not spending enough time with the other babies.  Special needs children can also demand more time spent with the parent.
• Exhaustion – frequent feeding and looking after babies.  Their sleep problems can keep us awake at night.  The next day it starts all over again with multiple feeds and nappy changes.  Normal everyday life can become overwhelming.
• Strained relationships – life becomes hectic at times and when there is hardly any time for the couple to spend alone, relationships can become strained.
• Rest & Alone Time – Sleep time becomes precious.  Any alone time becomes precious including taking showers and baths.
• Behavioural problems – can develop due to jealousy in older siblings.
• Bonding Difficulty – Some mothers find it difficult to bond with the smaller baby where there is a significant difference in their birth weights.
• Mental Health of Parents – Those not coping with stress multiple births can develop depression.  Being overwhelmed is a common aspect of looking after many babies at once.
• Transport and Travel – Some airlines request that there be one child only in the care of an adult making triplets difficult to travel with unless there’s a third adult to take care of the child.   Having a big enough vehicle and the finances to purchase one can be one of the many difficulties faced by some parents.  Cabins on board some cruise ships cater for only 4 people per room.
• Bereavement – when all the babies don’t survive parents will be going through grief. Bereavement support is available from AMBA

Sources:

Australia Multiple Birth Association – AMBA

Post Natal Depression In Mums Of Twins And Triplets

Daily Mail UK – Read more about the Tucci quintuplets