21 May 2020

Liz Cartledge first got in touch with Twinline when she was pregnant with her twins. “I just needed some advice about what to expect from people who knew,” said Liz, “and it was great, just what I needed.”

Twinline is our helpine which operates between 10am and 1pm and 7pm and 10pm, Monday to Friday. Run by volunteers, all parents of twins or triplets, it’s a great port of call for all families.

Liz had been through a traumatic time in her efforts to become a mum. After several years without success, her and husband Liam had turned to IVF in a last-ditch attempt to become parents. However, she then sadly suffered a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy.

“On our final round we tried something different and two embryos were put back in. We hoped and prayed one would take .... to our delight both did! We could not believe our luck. We had always wanted twins!

We were so excited and I was keen to do everything right and found out as much information as I possibly could – that’s where Twins Trust has been brilliant.

Not only has Twinline been a huge help to Liz, by providing information on sleeping when the twins were born, she also received further advice when ringing up about what other people recommend when it comes to childcare specially for twins. Liz has also attended our antenatal classes and practical parenting course which was “invaluable”, and signed up for the pregnancy countdown tool.

“I didn’t have a clue what to buy or what to expect and I wanted to do everything right so that’s why talking to twin parents about what they had done was just brilliant,” said Liz.

They have all been there and done it and I like the fact that all the recommendations on the website is so authentic.

When lockdown arrived, Liz’s twins Ava and Georgia were just four months old. “At the beginning of lockdown there was a massive panic about buying baby formula. I ended up crying in Tesco when I couldn’t get some.”

“When I saw that Twins Trust had taken this up as a campaign, it really made me feel that this was a charity that is on my side and the side of all parents with twins or triplets. In the face of adversity, they were there speaking up for our community.  

“All the resources at Twins Trust have provided me with lots of support during lockdown, a time when we were all feeling alone.

“Our next milestone as a family is weaning and I have been able to access some excellent resources through a webinar to make me feel supported and prepared for this. 

“Without the usual avenues of support e.g. twin clubs, baby groups and even the health visitor calling, being a member of Twins Trust is helping me feel more secure that I can access support for my children and myself as a new mum.

“Now with the Facebook groups I feel there is an extra level of support from other parents. I’m due to go back to work in September as a teacher and would like to find out what other people recommend when it comes to childcare and I’ve been asking questions about what the best parasol is to buy for my pushchair as we enter summer.”