Following an account of twin statistics and causes for the rise in such births, she thoroughly describes twin variations, how they can be distinguished from one another and the likely percentages for each type of twin pregnancy. Her descriptions are clear and concise and manage not to bog down the reader with technicalities.
Chapter Two deals strictly with the pregnancy itself, and is a veritable wealth of resources and personal experience, not only of Tinglof’s own pregnancy with her twins, but through the eyes of the many parents she interviewed for this edition. She discusses the necessary procedures that are expected for the duration of the pregnancy, as well as what an expectant mother needs to do to stay healthy and aware of what is happening in her body.
Tinglof reiterates the importance of breast-feeding twins and suggests many methods for attempting success at doing so. Alternately, she outlines the benefits to bottle-feeding, such as the potential bonding opportunity at the core of one of Tinglof’s theories — stressing the individuality of each twin. In the section about potential complications, she does a wonderful job of explaining the likelihood of these complications occurring, and really manages to reassure the reader by always trying to end on a positive note.
One of the most essential elements of this book is the list of things you do and DO NOT need when giving birth to twins. Common practice is to buy two of everything, and the author goes through an itemized checklist of what parents really need and if more than one item is really necessary, and also what items you can hold off on until the twins are a little older, such as two cribs.
Not having had the privilege of reading the first edition, I very much appreciated the “then” and “now” references. Additionally helpful were the sporadic “Top Five” lists included throughout the book.
One of the absolutely priceless lists can be found on page 109 — “Top Five Quick Comebacks To Annoying Questions and Comments.” The title alone illustrates the wonderful calm and easy tone, with splashes of humor that naturally surface solely in the realm of parenting twins.
As multiple births continue, Tinglof should be considered a guru on the subject of twins, offering practical “real-life” advice that will be truly helpful to any parent about to embark on “Double Duty.”
?LYDA TRUICK has a masters of library and information science and can be reached at lydacaine@email.com. ?LYDA TRUICK has a masters of library and information science and can be reached at lydacaine@email.com.
