Double trouble but twice as nice...

Thomas and I immediately started investigating hospital and specialist options for me. After some initial fears regarding not being covered by insurance were allayed, I decided on a relatively new, private hospital close to where we lived.

I had my first appointment with the gynaecologist without Thomas, unfortunately. He was working and had obviously seen an ultrasound before, so it was a shame but it wasn't like it was going to be a brand new experience.

Well. Neither of us expected an ultrasound like this:

My gynaecologist discovered one sac, and soon afterwards realised there was a second one in there. I was shocked beyond belief. I didn't know whether to be happy or scared or anxious or nervous or terrified or delirious... so I think I kind of felt a bit of everything!

TWINS! So it turns out that twins can be a spontaneous occurrence (in the case of identical twins) or hereditary (if they're fraternal/ non-identical). Men can carry the 'twin gene' and pass it on to their daughter, which is why it sometimes seems that twins skip a generation in some families.

You can see clearly from the photo that there are two sacs there, meaning we're going to have non-identical twins. There are no twins or multiples of any kind on either Thomas' or my side of the family, so we are just lucky! No time like the present to make genetic history.

After being delivered this shocking news Margaux, the twins and I snuck into the staff eating area (remember, it was still Ramadan so the hospital café was closed) and had a secretive lunch. I called Thomas, who was excited beyond all belief. At least one of us was! I still didn't know what to think.

Luckily, my gynaecologist specialises in high-risk pregnancies - which is how a multiples birth is automatically categorised - and she was very matter-of-fact about this whole thing, which was a great relief.

Everything felt like it was going smoothly... we had found a home, made some friends, I was being medically cared for by great specialists... what could possibly go wrong? Ha! Our lives were about to be turned on their heads again.