Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-tsvsl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-28T21:08:27.723Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Raising Twin Babies and Problems in the Family

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

C. Chang
C. Chang*
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
*
Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Taiwan University, 1 Jen-Ai Road, Room 1523, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Out of 296 mothers of twins interviewed about difficulties encountered while rearing twins, 49% mentioned inadequate sleep, 18% financial strain, 39% emotional disturbance, 22% disturbance in the marital relationship, and 43% lack of time to take care of other children. With the growth of twins, the problems gradually decreased, except for emotional disturbance, the most difficult period being the first year. Only 15% reported leaving the babies in the care of relatives during the day time. Overall, 68.2% felt the support from the father, but 39% of them felt the support was useless; 49% felt support from the mother-in-law, but 43% of them regarded the mother-in-law to be of no help; 36% were supported by their own mothers, but 54% mentioned that they had received little help. One must conclude that social support from relatives was inadequate. Public policy should take this fact into account and provide public health nurses and social workers to help the mothers of twins, especially during the first year.

Keywords

Mothers of twinsRearing problemsSocial support
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 39 , Issue 4 , October 1990 , pp. 501 - 505
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1990

References

REFERENCES

1. Ainslie, RC (1985): The Psychology of Twinship. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.Google Scholar
2. Blumberg, NL (1986): Effects of neonatal risk, maternal attitude, and cognitive style on early postpartum adjustment. J Abnorm Psychol 89:139–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Bryan, EM (1983): The Nature and Nurture of Twins. London: Bailliere Tindall.Google Scholar
4. Bryan, EM (1984): Twins in the Family: A Parent's Guide. London: Constable.Google Scholar
5. Chang, C (1989): Postpartum anxiety among mothers of twins and singletons. J Natl Public Health Assoc ROC 9:29–37.Google Scholar
6. Chen, CH (1983): The characteristics of a primigravida in caring her twins. J Nursing 30:99–103.Google Scholar
7. Clarke-Stewart, A (1983): The family as a child-care environment. In Skolnick, AS, Skolnick, JH (eds): Family in Transition, 4th Edition. Boston: Little, Brown and Co, pp 563–574.Google Scholar
8. Clegg, A, Woollett, A (1983): Twins: From Conception to Five Years. London: Frances Lincoin.Google Scholar
9. Frazer, EB (1977): The Work of a Multigravida in Becoming the mother of twins. Matern-Child Nursing J 6:87–105.Google ScholarPubMed
10. Kuo, SJ (1986): The mother breastfeeding twins. J Nursing. 33:93–98.Google Scholar
11. Leonard, LG (1981): Postpartum depression and mothers of infant twins. Matern-Child Nursing J 10:99–109.Google ScholarPubMed
12. Leonard, LG (1982): Breast twin maternal-infant nutrition. JOGN Nursing 148–153.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13. Linney, J (1983): Multiple Births: Preparation, Birth, Management, Afterwards. New York: John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar
14. Norberck, JS, Tilden, VD (1983): Life stress, social supports and emotional disequilibrium in complications of pregnancy: A prospective, multivariate study. J Health Soc Behav 24:30–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Zentner, C (1984): The Parent's Survival Guide. Scoltland: MacDonald.Google Scholar