Expecting your second set of twins? Here’s what it’s like having twins twice—from pregnancy and exhaustion to joy, grief, and everything in between.
What are the chances of having twins twice?
I used to joke that I’d be a “twins twice” person. I even told Natalie Diaz, the founder of Twiniversity, that I had a weird feeling before my first set of fraternal twins even turned one.
Then January came around, and with it… two more heartbeats.
Statistically, it makes sense… at least in my case. I was told my chances of having twins again were about 1 in 12 because I likely carry the hyperovulation gene (aka my ovaries drop more than one egg at ovulation). And while that still sounds rare, I later learned something even more surprising: you’re nine times more likely to conceive twins while breastfeeding (according to a study by Dr. Steinman).
So really, I consider my odds of having twins again were actually higher than having a singleton. Can you believe that?
Still, nothing prepares you for hearing, “It’s twins again.”
How my second twin pregnancy feels different
At the time of writing this, I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant with my second set of twins, and this pregnancy has been completely different.
First of all, I haven’t even finished setting everything up yet. Like… what nursery? Do I even know where my breast pump is?
And, of course, I’m exhausted, constantly. But there’s no option for midday naps, no lazy weekends on the couch, no “rest while you can” vibes like last time. That’s because I have twin toddlers who still need snacks, attention, messes cleaned, and a mom who shows up. The number of times they make me get up when all I want to do is sit down? No one warns you about that part of motherhood!
But here’s what’s better the second time around: I know what to expect. I’m not spiraling over every weird cramp or twinge. I’m not Googling every symptom like I did during my first twin pregnancy, when I lived in constant fear of something going wrong. Twins are higher risk, and that anxiety was real.
It also makes me wonder: Is this pregnancy that much easier? Are my symptoms much milder? Or does my body just know what to do better? Or do I not even have the time to think about it?
Now, I feel more grounded. I know what’s normal and what’s not. I know how my body responds to carrying twins. That confidence makes a huge difference when you’re “high risk.”
Grieving the singleton experience
One thing I wasn’t expecting? Grief.
I’ve honestly had to grieve the idea of having a singleton pregnancy. Heading to that first ultrasound, I was dreaming of HOW EASY one baby would be. There’s so much I wanted to experience with just one baby that I never will:
- Holding one baby after birth
- Breastfeeding without juggling
- Consoling one baby in the middle of the night, not two
- Just how much EASIER it would be
Yes, twins are a miracle. And yes, I’m beyond grateful. But it’s okay to mourn the version of motherhood you don’t get to have—even when the version you do get is equally beautiful (and wild) in its own way.
A pep talk for twins twice moms
If you’re reading this as someone who just found out she’s pregnant with twins again—or parenting toddlers while expecting another set of multiples—this part is for you.
You can do this.
You already are doing this.
You’re stronger than you were the first time. You’re wiser, even when you’re more tired. You’ve survived sleepless nights, double diapers, cluster feeding, and you’ll do it again. Not perfectly, but even more powerfully.
Got twins? Us too! The Twiniversity Podcast with Natalie Diaz was created BY parents of twins FOR parents of twins, from your pregnancy days through your twin’s teenage years, this podcast covers it all. It’s all about parenting twins, offering plenty of strategies for making life better, parenting hacks, and, of course, humor. We are laughing WITH you every step of the way.
This second twin pregnancy might feel heavier. But you know how to ask for help. You know how to advocate. You know that joy and chaos can live in the same moment. And you know love doesn’t divide, IT MULTIPLIES.
This isn’t the family I pictured. It’s louder. Wilder. Hilarious. Exhausting. Full. And someday, I hope all four of my kids know just how much we stretched—physically, emotionally, mentally—to make room for them.
Because yes, lightning struck twice. And I wouldn’t trade this story for anything.
Interested in seeing other twins twice stories? Check out these articles too!
- Multiple Multiples: Two Sets of Twins
- Are Twins Hereditary?
- If I Had Twins Again, Here’s What I’d Do Differently
Kylee Burleigh lives in Washington State and effortlessly juggles multiple roles while embracing the chaos of a vibrant family life. With a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s a wizard at weaving compelling stories. When she’s not busy wrangling words, Kylee is a dedicated wife with fraternal twin girls, adding a delightful twist to her already bustling life. She tackles a full-time communications job, provides stellar marketing services to clients and is a contributing writer to Twiniversity. In her rare moments of respite, Kylee embraces holistic living and immerses herself in thrilling outdoor escapades like hiking, hunting and tearing through the wilderness in her trusty side-by-side.
