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Parents of Twins: Depressed?

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A study of the parents of 100 pairs of twins and more than 700 single-born babies revealed significant differences in the two sets of mommies and daddies. Watch out, Brangelina!

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Here's what was revealed at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona. Some highlights from the Science Daily article include:

  • The mothers of (in-vitro) twins had fewer symptoms of depression before the birth than did mothers of twins conceived spontaneously.
  • Fathers of twins showed more depression, anxiety, social dysfunction and sleeping problems than fathers with single babies.
  • Experts believe that the shock of an unexpected extra baby, combined with added pressure to provide for another child, are some of the reasons why they are depressed.
  • Researchers found that mothers of twins were twice as likely to feel depressed and one third more likely to be anxious than other moms.
  • Because of these studies, doctors may start encouraging single embryo pregnancies.

Let's see--parents with twins get less sleep, more whining and crying, hundreds more diaper changes and meals to feed, as well as extra doctor appointments and being puked on... isn't it a given they'd feel a little blue?

See our celebrity parents of multiples gallery to see who else may have cause to worry.

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next: When Mommy Has Plastic Surgery: Part 2
10 comments so far | Post a comment now
Ginelle July 16, 2008, 1:31 PM

Ha! They needed a “study” to find this out? I’ve got triplets…wonder what they say about that? ;)

Amber July 16, 2008, 1:38 PM

I have twins. I was depressed after they were born but it wasn’t because I had an extra baby. Taking care of two at one time really isn’t as tough as some people think. I was more depressed because I lived in an upstairs apartment so taking two infants and a twin stroller downstairs to get fresh air was pretty much impossible and the only adult contact I got was my husband because once the babies were older people stopped coming by to visit. I was depressed because I was cooped up and lonely.

Mary July 16, 2008, 1:54 PM

I hate to be the Pollyanna here but in addition to “less sleep, more whining and crying, hundreds more diaper changes and meals to feed, as well as extra doctor appointments and being puked on”, as the mother of twins I also get more kisses, more hugs, more smiles, and more laughter than singleton moms.

Kellie - Mother Of Twins October 14, 2008, 5:08 PM

Twins are certainly a bit more of a challenge, but I would have to agree with Mary….The payoff is worth it! I was never depressed (tired, confused, yes) after having my twins and I had a 2 year old to contend with when they were born as well. I don’t think I had time to be depressed…lol!

Keneth Buesing December 3, 2010, 4:06 AM

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Pedro Doucet December 6, 2010, 2:46 AM

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Pozycjonowanie December 9, 2010, 1:26 AM

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grawerowanie December 28, 2010, 5:59 AM

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przeprowadzki December 30, 2010, 8:37 AM

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projektowanie oświetlenia April 1, 2011, 5:57 AM

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