Published in Preston Leader, 22 July 2014
By Jemimah Clegg
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisation supporting families with twins, triplets and more is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The Australian Multiple Births Association (AMBA) has 50 clubs Australia-wide, including the Northern Inner Multiple Birth Association (NIMBA) which looks after families from innerMelbourne to Reservoir.
Preston mum Alex Kingston, who has twins Emmeline and Frances, said NIMBA supported her through her pregnancy and in the 15 months since by providing information and connecting her with parents who knew what she was going through.
“They understand what it’s like having two babies at the same time,” Ms Kingston said.
“With twins you get quite a lot of attention, and it’s great to have a laugh about some of the sillier things people say.”
NIMBA antenatal co-ordinator Ellen Corovich said there were specific challenges for parents of multiples that single birth parents didn’t face, like getting twins into childcare or managing two children at swimming lessons, but the rewards were twice as good.
“What singleton parents don’t see are the amazing connections forming between the twins,” Ms Corovich said.
AMBA spokeswoman Ali Mountifield said when the organisation began in 1974, many mothers didn’t know they were having more than one baby and caesarean sections were rare.
“Even though times have changed, the need for support hasn’t changed,” Ms Mountifield said.
Details: nimba.amba.org.au
Jemimah Clegg 