When you see those 2 heartbeats on the sonogram, first embrace the joy and adventure of twins. Then, assemble your support systems. Arranging for a baby nurse, having friends and family on hand and joining social support groups will only make life easier for you and your family when those little bundles arrive.

Arrange for Proper Rest in the First Weeks Home from the Hospital - Conventional wisdom teaches new mothers to "sleep when the baby sleeps." For twin moms and dads, particularly those with other children, this is just not an option. Enlist friends, family members and neighbors to care for the children for a few hours per day, so you can rest.

At nighttime, baby nurses or night nannies, provide the vital service of allowing mothers to recover from the strain of "double childbirth." By caring for the babies overnight, a baby nurse lets mother have the deep, restorative sleep her body ultimately needs to keep herself healthy. For new fathers and partners, this sleep is also obviously crucial. Older siblings who wake in the night as they adjust to the new babies uniquely benefit from a night nurse as well. As she cares for the newborns, parents are available to comfort the older child through what can be a confusing and scary time.

Baby nurses serve another function to families with newborn twins, as the nurse can care for one newborn overnight, while parents care for the other. Taking turns caring for just one baby at a time allows parents to bond with each twin separately, instead of constantly providing simultaneous care.

Enlist the Help of Family, Friends and Neighbors When loved ones offer help, give them specific jobs and times to help. Knowing someone is coming to do the mid-afternoon feed every day for a week, for example, means you can schedule definite time to shower, bond with an older child, or have alone time. Besides benefiting your family, you’ll help create once in a lifetime memories for other caretakers involved.

Join a Multiples Support Group – Mothers of Multiples, Parents of Multiples and the National Organization of Mothers of Twins are social resources for new parents. Along with local playgroups and children’s outings, these groups offer parent-only social gatherings as well. Most organizations also maintain message boards to ask questions and share information on "twin" issues such as how to breastfeed twins, when to transition the babies into their own cribs and other unexpected issues.

As twins are almost always born before their due date, having support systems in place before they arrive will help ease the adjustment into your family’s new life. Arranging for a temporary night time baby nurse is arguably the most important preparation, as it benefits the physical and mental health of the whole family. Allowing restorative sleep for mother to recover from childbirth, and providing nurturing care to the newborns, a baby nurse helps families to thrive- not just survive.