Twins Trust helped us when our twins were born at 31 weeks

When Charlotte’s twins, Arthur and Arlo, arrived prematurely at just 31 weeks in March 2022, she knew that their journey into parenthood would be filled with challenges. Both babies required extensive care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with Arlo’s stay particularly prolonged. With one baby in a hospital 50 miles away and the other in a nearby facility, Charlotte found herself juggling the demands of motherhood with the complexities of frequent hospital visits and the need to care for her eight-year-old daughter, Sofia.

The early days were overwhelming, and Charlotte’s family, especially her husband Aaron, played an integral role in supporting her. Aaron took two months off work to help manage the hospital visits and daily family life. Despite their best efforts, it was clear that they needed additional support to navigate this difficult period.

Reaching out for support

The emotional and logistical strain led Charlotte to contact Twins Trust’s helpline, where she found the reassurance and practical advice she needed. “I called the helpline as I was desperate to speak to somebody who had gone through the same thing. It was an overwhelming time,” Charlotte shared. The helpline provided her with a sounding board, someone who understood the specific struggles of having twins, especially premature ones.

With Arlo facing additional health issues and both boys having different needs, Charlotte struggled to maintain a sense of routine, which only added to the stress. The lack of a predictable schedule made the sleepless nights even more challenging, as Charlotte tried to balance bottle-feeding one twin and breastfeeding the other.

Practical help

In August 2022, as Charlotte continued to feel overwhelmed by the lack of sleep and an irregular feeding schedule, she reached out to Twins Trust again. This time, they arranged for a Norland nanny to visit, offering practical help and reassurance. “It was so valuable. She spent a day with me and gave me confidence and reassured me everything I was doing was right,” Charlotte explained. The nanny’s guidance gave Charlotte the confidence she needed to feel like she was on the right path with both of her babies.

The visit was not only practical—it was emotional support as well. The nanny’s presence allowed Charlotte to feel less isolated in her experience and gave her a renewed sense of control. It also reassured her that she wasn’t alone in facing the challenges of raising twins, especially ones with such different needs.

Thriving twins and a supportive family

Today, Charlotte’s twins, Arthur and Arlo, are thriving. With Arlo’s early health struggles behind them, the boys are growing stronger every day. Charlotte credits the support from Twins Trust, especially the helpline and the Norland nanny, for helping her get through the toughest moments of her parenting journey. The practical advice and emotional support gave her the tools she needed to navigate the challenges of early parenthood.

Charlotte’s story highlights the importance of reaching out for help when facing overwhelming circumstances, particularly when raising multiples. Having the right kind of support—whether it’s emotional reassurance, practical advice, or hands-on assistance—can make all the difference. Twins Trust not only offered Charlotte the resources she needed but also provided her with the confidence and support to feel like she was doing her best for her family.

Looking back, Charlotte sees the invaluable role that her support network, including Twins Trust, played in helping her overcome the struggles of those early months. “The boys are going from strength to strength. Along with their incredible big sister, they bring us so much joy on a daily basis,” she said, reflecting on how far they’ve come.