TWO mothers are setting up a new peer support group to help twin parents in Helensburgh.
Mhairi Murning and Rachel Blair, who both have young twins, wanted to provide a relaxed support group for parents as they navigate life with two.
The women, who both work at new Helensburgh-based charity Home Start Lomond, were inspired to start the group after an expectant mum of twins sought their help.
Mhairi told the Advertiser: "We had a mum who is pregnant with twins approach Home Start Lomond with so many questions about the pregnancy, how to cope and life with multiple babies after birth.
"We knew if she had those feelings then there would be others who felt the exact same but may not have the courage to come forward.
"I am part of a twins WhatsApp group in Glasgow for support, but soon realised that there wasn't something for Helensburgh.
"We expect there will be a demand in the area and we desperately want to reach out to them to ensure that they know they are not alone.
"We knew we wanted to get twins parents together because there is all sorts of things that come up and until you have had two babies at the same time who both demand your attention that you think about the issues around it.
"Twin pregnancy and birth can be completely different. My twins were born very premature and they were one of the smallest set of twins in Scotland. I had a real learning curve after spending three months with them in the NICU.
"And once I was home with my boys, one of my biggest fears was going outside to places with them because I was so worried about what each baby would do or need from me."
It is open for all twin parents who are expecting, just given birth or living their live with their twins.
The 45-year-old added: "We want to bring parents together where we can openly talk and support each other through our own experiences, giving comfort and advice when it is most needed, but more importantly share all the fun and worries of being a twin parent.
"We can all learn from each other from experience. We hope that we can see twin parents from the start of their journey through to when their children are older and eventually they support the new parents joining the group.
"During the meetings it will also be an opportunity for the kids to run about and play whilst the parents can have conversations.
"I know I got so much support from those parents online that I can only imagine would be so beneficial in-person.
"I think it is about paying it forward and bringing people to together so that they do have that support network.
"The group is open to everyone and non-judgemental. Don't let barriers get in the way because we are here to help to make it work for everyone."
The monthly group is open to all twin parents and expectant twin parents and the first meeting will take place from 10am until 12pm on Thursday, October 30 at the Drumfork Community Centre.
Home-Start Lomond offers volunteer led one-to-one support and group support, and seeks to provide connections, companionship and individualised support to local families to ensure that they thrive and their children have the best start in life.
People are asked to email admin@homestartlomond.org.uk to register their interest.
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