Having Twins And More 3th (third) edition Text Only

by Elizabeth Noble

Considers the special concerns of prospective multiple-birth parents

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Health

Paperback

First published September 24, 1980

About the author

Elizabeth Noble was born and raised in Australia, where she completed studies in physiotherapy, philosophy, and anthropology. She was an American Field Service Exchange Student to Tucson, AZ in 1961.

In 1973 after living abroad, she returned to the USA and founded the Section on Women's Health of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Her first book was Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year, now in a revised 4th edition. After its publication she was invited to create a video with MGM of an exercise program she designed for Marie Osmond during her first pregnancy. Two more books resulted: Marie Osmond's Exercises for Mothers-to-Be, and Marie Osmond's Exercises for Mothers and Babies.

She wrote the first book for expectant parents of multiples, now in its 3rd edition, Having Twins--and More. Her interest in psychology led her to write Primal Connections: How our Experiences from Conception to Birth Influence our Emotions, Behavior and Health and Childbirth with Insight. A fierce advocate for the rights of children, she wrote Having Your Baby by Donor Insemination and The Joy of Being a Boy.

Her decades of presenting seminars, and professional membership in National Speakers Association, honed her interest in communication. Her website, ennobler.net provides resources on international communication issues as does her latest book, Winners Speak Globish.

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the most un-helpful "out there" books I have yet to read on the topic of multiples. It is neither objective nor scientific and the author's biases and opinions (many of them questionable and potentially harmful) are the basis for the entire volume. The nutrition section alone is so contradictory and crazy, it totally turned me off of the rest of the book. It first tells you the importance of protein, iron and calcium... no news there... but goes on to tell you that you can't eat dairy, red meats, poultry or fish. There is a helpful (?) chart that tells you the nutritional values of sea vegetables... um... I live in UTAH! When in my quest for more knowledge and opinions on twins (being pregnant myself with twins) grew strong enough, I made the mistake of reading more. What I found was stories of twins who were regressed through hypnotherapy to their struggles in the womb and how they hindered their relationships for the rest of their lives... one set actually "remembered" 2 sperm competing for the egg which led to sexual orientation confusion later in life... What the?... Yeah, I gave up after that. I will say that there were SOME practical, helpful comments by parents of multiples splattered in the margins. I just gave up on the book and gleaned what I could from those and called it a day. Don't waste your time or emotional energy... I am still searching for that perfect "twins" book. Note: Check out Amazon's review section for additional input... there must be a problem if the one stars significantly out-weigh the 5's)

[June Blakely · Rating 5 out of 5]

While pregnant with my now 18-yr-old identical twins, I read this book voraciously. The wisdom I gained has helped in so many ways, over the years. This is the Bible on having twins.

[Maquell canfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of contradictory advice, especially the nutrition section. I did take away a few things, but overall I would not recommend this book.

[Largercircle]

I chose this book for the Postpartum & Birth reading I needed to do because I know from talking to parents of twins that the postpartum challenges everyone experiences are magnified tremendously for parents of multiples.

This book was an interesting mix of data (or at least reference to data) and assertion. Noble quotes LOTS of research, but in a kind of random-seeming way (i.e., quote anything that seems to support what you want to say, rather than a review of all possible research on the topic you're discussing - see this fascinating article about the fallacy of medical research in general, much less when you're trying to prove a point.) And she obviously has some pet theories, some of which I think make common sense (eat more), others not (dairy is evil for everyone).

It is informative though, for someone like me with no direct personal experience with parenting twins or more, about what that experience is like. I'd like to read something more evocative on the topic at some point, because this book is only informative. Even the side-bar quotes from parents are pretty dry.

Since I don't have twins and am not pregnant with them and I leave the book feeling kind of scared of the whole idea, I imagine it might not be a confidence builder for someone actually expecting twins. I think I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to parents, at least not as a primary source.

Birth: she does include photos and the story of a successful, term, homebirth of triplets after cesarean, which is undoubtedly pretty cool. Otherwise, none of the birth information was particularly new to me - she's basically saying, try to find someone who will support a vaginal birth because it's better for you and the babies - even better if it can be as natural as possible.

Postpartum: again, her general gist is that parents of multiples will need LOTS of help or disaster may overtake them in the form of stress, divorce, depression etc. This is useful, and there are some ideas about how to cope, but I imagine that I'd learn a lot more from the Internet in terms of tricks to try and gadgets to buy if I were expecting multiples.

[Katherine Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

No, I am not pregnant with twins. This is doula-education reading material for me. This is a great resource for parents who are expecting multiples, covering all aspects of multiple pregnancy and birth options, as well as touching on many of the intricacies of caring for two or more babies/children simultaneously: names and sense of identity, how to breastfeed two babies successfully, sleep arrangements, and speech development, among other topics. One thing I appreciate about Noble's writing is that she is willing to take a stand on optimal nutrition (not sure I totally agree with her on some points, but there's Barbara Luke to balance her out), the healthiest way to finish a pregnancy (try to get to term, and don't induce or schedule a section, and try to birth vaginanlly), though she is firm enough and far enough into the 'crunchy' end of the spectrum that some people may find this off-putting.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an odd book. Although I appreciated the author's belief in good nutrition and vaginal childbirth for mothers carrying multiples, I found much of her advice rather "out there." I'm a doula and childbirth educator and semi-"crunchy mom" and even I raised my eyebrows at her assertions that, for example, milk and other dairy products are basically poison. She also writes at great length about the psychology of prenatal memory and how babies carry memories from the womb for their whole life and so on.
All in all it was rather a slog and I am not sure why this book was chosen to be on a required reading list for postpartum doula certification. I do need to learn about twins for my work but don't feel I got much information of use from this book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very positive thoughts and advice on having twins.

I felt empowered after I read this. Also appreciated the practical advice on things you need. Unlike the other twin books which seemed to be marketing to buy things and blindly trust doctors.

I felt this was enough in the "natural" direction for me to feel comfortable with the way I was getting through my pregnancy.

I will say, I'm vegetarian for 10 years. I live in Portland OR. And I am an optometrist. I do see both sides of the medical & dietary issues.

I felt a lot better after reading this book compared to the others which basically induced a massive amount of anxiety.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

If pregnant with multiples quit work by 24 weeks...what?? you'll never be able to care for them on your own so hire paid help...yeah ok. You'll probably experience every complication ever possible...oh my gosh. This is just the worst book ever! This is hard enough without this crazy overly opinionated author telling me to fear leaving the house and not to trust my doctor. I'm so done with this book, urgh.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was awful. Just a platform for a bunch of sanctimonious preaching. I wanted a book that would be let me know what to expect from a twin pregnancy and in the first few months of life. I did not want a book that tried to tell me what to do in regards to personal decisions (ex. whether or not to circumcise my son).

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encyclopedic coverage of the topic, focusing on other multiples as well as twins. The author has very strong views on some subjects, such as breast feeding and dairy products, but there is information here that does not appear in many other books. It is worth reading for those dealing with twins or multiples.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

very opinionated. favors a naturalist approach to everything (birthing, breastfeeding and circumcision); some really useful charts and drawings though and a ton of pictures. keep in mind author is a not a doctor.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have book for those expecting more than one baby! The information is evidenced based information listing simple pros and cons to each and every test and option available allowing you to be educated to discuss with your care provider.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book saved me!

[Aimee]

This is my second free twin resource book from the library. Hopefully it will be helpful!

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, do I have my work cut out for me!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been interested in twins recently, although I don't have twins & am not pregnant with twins. I thought it had good information, and I found the psychology stuff interesting.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going through old school papers, I realized I'd read this as part of a project.